Questions answered

At home, a drill is one of the most useful things to have if you plan to put up shelves and curtain poles. If you only drill now and then, you can borrow one from friends. What matters is that the tool works properly and that you have its instructions and a pair of safety goggles.

Bits are chosen by material: there are different ones for wood, for metal and for masonry, meaning concrete and brick. The purpose is usually stated on the packaging or on the bit itself. The wrong bit blunts quickly and drills poorly.

Both hold parts together with a screw thread. A self-tapping screw is usually harder and cuts its own path through the material, while a wood screw is more often driven into a pre-drilled hole or a wall plug. There is more in the guide's glossary.

Most often the hole has come out wider than it should be, or the plug does not suit the wall material. Crumbly materials and plasterboard need their own fixings. The usual fix is a larger fixing in the same hole or a new hole drilled nearby.

First turn off the water and make sure it really has stopped. A common cause of dripping is a worn seal inside the tap; many people replace it themselves, following the mixer's instructions. If the pipes or supply hoses are leaking rather than the tap itself, call a plumber.

It is usually the hinges. Clean off dust and old grease, apply a lubricant made for mechanisms, then open and close the door several times. If the door has also dropped and catches on the floor, check and tighten the hinge screws.

When the sealant has darkened from within, is peeling away or has gaps in it. The old sealant is removed completely, the surface is cleaned and dried, and the new bead is applied in an even line. The curing time is given on the sealant packaging — don't use the bath or shower until it has passed.

Most furniture hinges have adjustment screws that move the door up, down and sideways. Turn them a little at a time and check the result. If a screw is turning in a stripped hole, the hole needs to be repaired first rather than the screw tightened further.

A chip or a speck of dust gets into your eye in a split second, and it happens precisely when you are "only drilling a little". Goggles are needed for any drilling, hammering or overhead work. They cost less than a trip to the doctor.

Better not. A chair can slide or tip over, especially on a smooth floor. A stepladder goes on level ground, is opened fully, and you never stand on its top step. If the job will take a while, ask someone to steady it for you.

Stop work immediately and do not touch the cable or any metal parts. Switch off the circuit at the consumer unit if you can do so safely, and call an electrician. If there is smoke or sparks, or someone has been hurt, call 112.

Any work on gas appliances and pipes, complex electrical work and the consumer unit, and anything involving load-bearing walls or structural alterations: these need official approval and professionals. If you smell gas, call the gas emergency service on 104 or the emergency number 112.