Deadbolts are first line of defense

We all value our security these days, and if your home doesn't have deadbolts on the entry doors, you should consider installing them. They really can make access to your home by a thief much more difficult, and they are fairly inexpensive and easy to install. The only tool you really need is a drill with a holesaw, a spade bit and some screwdriver bits. It would be good to have a small chisel as well, if you need to mortise out for the new strike plate.

The first step is to shop for your lock. They come in a variety of finishes, so choose one that matches your existing hardware, unless you plan to replace all of it. Then you need to choose the one that suits your needs best. Some locks use a key from the inside as well as the outside rather than the normal thumb latch. If you have glass doors, consider the double-lock system. You might also want to buy locks that are keyed alike so the same key would fit all of your locks. A locksmith can take care of this for you, if you can't find the locks you want.

When you get home with your lock and open up the box, you will most likely find a paper template to use as your guide for cutting the hole in the face of the door and the edge of the door. Measure the existing doorknob to select the best option for placement of the new lock. Tape the template in place on the door, and use your holesaw bit and spade bit to cut the holes in the door and door frame.

Now you are ready to install the lock. Just follow the directions that come with the lock. They are easy to follow, and you should be finished before you know it.

Installing a new lock or changing out a lock is not hard to do for most of us, and it's well worth the price when you consider the security it offers your family.

More torque

Ratchets make tightening and loosening nuts much easier. They are so easy to operate, and they give you a lot more power with a lot less effort. But there are times when even a ratchet doesn't have all the muscle you need to do the job. Physics tells us that the longer the handle, the more torque you have on your side. If your ratchet handle needs to be longer, you simply can add a piece of metal pipe slipped over the handle and make it so. Now, with the longer handle, you can get the job done.

Ladders and bungee cords

The paint shelf on most ladders is not all that sturdy. And the fact that most are pretty flat also doesn't help things that are placed there from rolling off. We recommend keeping a bungee cord handy with your ladder. Just stretch the bungee cord from one side of the paint tray to the other. If all you have are the larger-size cords, wrap them around twice. This gives you a great way to hold things. Slip screwdrivers and other tools under the bands to hold them in place. They will be easy to retrieve while you are working. The bungee cord is also handy for holding the ladder together in storage or to hold it upright against a wall if you have wall hooks. It's a good add-on for most ladders.

Super hints

• When thawing frozen pipes, don't forget to open a nearby faucet to release the built-up pressure that happens when the water melts. This is especially important when you use a heat source. Work slowly and don't rush the thawing.

• If you use sawhorses to hold up your project while working, slip a shelving board or a couple of one-by-fours across the side braces to create a good-size storage area. It will be a great place to set your tools down, since you most likely don't have another work surface in the area.

• Have you ever heard of a quilter's pen? Chances are, you haven't. It's a super gadget designed for those who sew quilts. When you make a mark on the fabric or another surface, it will look like any other pen mark. But after a day or so, it will completely disappear. This makes it perfect for a wide variety of home-repair projects too. You'll find these quilter's pens at your local fabric or craft store.

Q. How do I hang a wreath on my metal door? It's a great safety door, but I don't want to drill into it. Can you suggest something else?

L.M.

A. They make some really good magnets for this purpose now. In fact, these magnets usually come in a pair, so if your door isn't metal, you can place one magnet on the front to hold the wreath and the other magnet in the same place on the back of the door to keep the front magnet in place. These usually will hold up the average wreath.

Q. My water heater is only a couple of years old, but when I tried to drain it, nothing came out. A little bit of water came out, and then that stopped. What should I assume is going on? Is there anything I can fix here?

J.N.

A. Since some water did come out, it's probably a buildup of mineral deposits blocking the opening. Place a bucket under the tap, and turn it on. See if poking a wire through the valve will push the mineral deposits away from the opening. Be prepared to turn the water off quickly. Then hook the garden hose up to it, run it outside and drain some of the water and mineral deposits from the unit. Leave the water supply on so you don't have to shut the gas or electricity off.

Q. We live on the coast, and my air conditioning unit outdoors is rusting pretty badly. Should I be concerned, or is there anything I can do about it?

J.R.

A. This is the cost of your beautiful view. There isn't much you can do. Just make sure to clean it regularly, and make sure all surfaces are painted with good-quality paint so that rust can't get started. Make sure you supply airflow to the unit so it dries out on nice days.

Reader tips

• I took the rubber floor mats out of my truck before I sold it. I just set them in the garage thinking I would use them in another vehicle, but eventually I started using them by my workbench. The softer place to stand turned out to be a blessing when I had to have my knee replaced. It made working at my workbench possible. Plus, I set a smaller one on top of the workbench, and it's great for working on nicer woods to prevent scratching, or for items that might roll around or when I need a cushioned surface to work on. I guess I'll have to buy other mats for the car, because these are going to stay in my shop.

J.K.

• After the big Thanksgiving meal, our disposal was stopped up. I tried unstopping it, but eventually I had to bail the water. I used the turkey baster, and it worked so well that I'm keeping it with my plumbing supplies now. My wife will just have to buy a new one. It will be great the next time I have to work on the toilet too, as getting that last bit of water out of the tank is really hard to do.

N.V.

• I love to collect older metal objects to decorate my home. I love the rustic, country look and have tables, wall hangings, candleholders and many other metal objects on display. At first I just bought them and moved them into the room, but the metal would get on your hands and clothes when you touched it. I didn't want it to look "new" and finally tried spraying or painting everything with a matte-finish polyurethane. You can't even really tell it has a coating on it. Now I have my rust, and I can use it too!

D.W.

• I tried a new way to get oil up off the front drive. I found an oil spot after a guest left the other day and poured some dry cement on the stain. I left it all afternoon and swept it off before it got dark. It worked just like the other absorbents do. I didn't have to use any solvent. I thought I would try it since the oil was fresh. I don't know if the cement just worked better at absorbing the stain or if it was because the oil was still fresh.

S.R.

• Instead of the usual nail stuffed into the end of a partially used tube of caulk or glue, I use a cup hook. The cup hook will close the end up so the contents won't dry out, and I also will hang these tubes up on my shop wall by this same hook. It is great for saving space my workbench, which is always overcrowded. The larger hooks work better for larger tubes of caulk, and you can reuse them, so it's not a costly conversion.

B.C.

Shop talk

• Scotchgard Fabric Protector is a super product. It can be sprayed on just about any fabric surface and will repel dirt, water and a lot of other slops that we all make. Use it on your furniture, clothes, blankets, quilts and canvas surfaces. It sprays on in minutes and dries quickly. If you have pets, kids or are just a little careless, it's a must. Check it out at your home center or a discount store. To learn more, visit online at www.3m.com.

• GE Edison Light Bulbs are the latest from the folks at General Electric. These bulbs are halogen bulbs, so they use much less electricity than a standard incandescent bulb but will last a very long time, and the light is bright and pure. These bulbs are made to fit your average fixtures and are another green choice you now have. They are available in a wide variety of styles and sizes, and you can find them wherever GE light bulbs are sold. To learn more, visit online at www.gelighting.com.

© 2007, Cowles Syndicate Inc.