GENERAL FIX IT TECHNIQUES

ANTS

Here is a little general information about these little invaders. There are ant workers who find the food, feed the babies and organise the nest. The first foragers lay pheromone scent trails to the food and water. Others follow the scent trails.

You need to move and seal any food they are after and swab the trails with diluted bleach, vinegar or detergent. This confuses them. Block any entry points and trails. Diamacaceous powder (crushed shellfish plankton) harms ants, and cinnamon, white or cayenne pepper or talcum powder kills them by drying them out. Ants also hate sticky surfaces, so you could affix double sided tape along an ant path. Flood any nests found in pot plants or in walls or paths - the ants will move out.

Rip Cord, which is available from Mitre 10, is another option. You will need to wear protective clothing and a mask for this but it an effective option for killing ants. Ant bait is also good for destroying an ants nest. The ants take the sweet sticky solution back to the nest.

MOULD, MILDEW, LICHEN OR MOSS REMOVAL

Winter damp can bring some unwelcome visitors - slippery paths, shabby roofs, ruined clothes and unsightly paint work. The culprits are mould, mildew, lichen and moss. Here is how to deal with them:

Mould and Mildew are types of fungi. The spores are everywhere, but to grow they need moisture. To help prevent the problem, try the following:

Use heating to increase the air temperature.
Most modern homes have extractor fans installed in the bathroom.
Make sure the air vents in your home's foundations are clear.
Increase the airflow in your home by opening windows.
Remove moisture from the air using a chemical moisture absorber or a dehumidifier.

But what about existing mould? There are many products on the market which claim to help, but if you want to save money, use household bleach - possibly in a spray bottle. This uses the same main active ingredient (sodium hypochlorite) as more expensive products. Whichever you user, remember to follow the instructions and test on a small area first.

Moss and Lichen

Slippery moss pathways and steps can be quite a danger. Again, dampness is the cause. To lessen build-up, keep the area clear of dead leaves and other debris, and remove overhanging vegetation. In extreme cases you may want to install drainage alongside the path to catch seeping water.

To remove existing moss or lichen you could use either a water blaster or chemicals. Water blasters are relatively quick - but messy - and can damage asphalt paths and driveways. With chemical treatment, simply apply to the problem area, wait a couple of weeks, then hose off the debris. Domestic disinfectant uses the same active ingredient as some specialist ingredients to assist cleaning.

Perhaps try a supermarket bulk brand with the strongest concentration of alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride. When applying try not to splash surrounding plants as this could damage them. Do not mix household chemicals yourself, as this can create poisonous gas.

WASHING MACHINE

Make sure that when installing your washing machine you have spare washers that are required to be inserted into the hoses between the hose and the taps in place. If this is not done the taps will leak and it could be a long time before you are aware of this - resulting in damage to floors and cupboards - very costly.

SCREW IN DOWNLIGHTS

Do not over turn or over screw the light bulb into the downlight fixture. This tends to push the spring tab further back into the fitting which stops the light bulb from making contact. You will need to pull the spring tab back down. Always make sure the power is turned of at the switchboard first.

SHOWER CLEANERS

To clean a glass shower door, sponge with white vinegar. If you apply silicone car polish every few months to your glass shower, and the last person each morning gives it a quick wipe over with a window cleaning squeegee, it will always be sparkling clean.

Clogged Metal Shower Head - Remove the head and boil in half a cup of vinegar and two litres of water for 15 minutes. Plastic shower heads should not be boiled but soaked in equal amounts of hot vinegar and water.

BATHROOM MIRROR

A rub with a cloth dipped in glycerine or in equal parts of glycerine and methylated spirits will help stop a bathroom mirror from fogging.

Remove hairspray from mirrors with methylated spirits.