Mike Klimek

Before deciding whether to repair the fence or replace it, test its strength. If most of the framework feels solid, I would repair it. If most of the posts are falling down, it’s probably best to rebuild.

When installing a grab bar, make sure it is solidly anchored to the wall. The wall framing will dictate where the grab bar will be placed.

Homeowners often neglect to repair cracked or missing tile grout and to replace the old caulking. Grout will crack and chip out creating a void where water can enter.

Because there is no trenching involved, setup should take only a few hours with a starting cost from about $200 for an average-sized yard.

Q: I have a cheap range hood that is permanently stained and, as a bonus, it stinks. I want to replace it with a microwave oven/range hood combination, but I don’t see any ductwork in the cabinet above the hood. Do I need to change the cabinetry?

Take the frame of the garage door window to a home center or glass shop and have them cut a piece of glass to fit inside. The cost should be less than $25.

Q: I have a problem with my garage door opener. When I push the button, it goes up with no problem. However, when I push the button for the door to go down, it comes down about a foot and then goes back up. If I hold the button down though, the door will close. I hope this won’t be an expensive repair.

Once you buy a ceiling fan, follow the manufacturer’s assembly instructions. With some fans, you attach the blades to the motor housing and then hang the completed fan, while with others, you secure the motor to the ceiling first and then attach the blades.

When a door is kicked in, the stress falls upon the doorknob latch and the deadbolt latch. This is not a difficult repair to complete, but it does take some carpentry skills.

You may find a match for your cracked til at a home center, but most likely, you’ll have to take it to a tile distributor, and even then it won’t match perfectly.

There are security doors available to fit every taste and budget. You can get a basic door with steel bars and a screen for about $150 or pay as much as $300 for a fancy model.

You can get a cheap toilet for around $100, and you can spend several hundred dollars for the high-end models. Spending more doesn’t necessarily mean you are getting a better toilet. What it usually means is that it’s more decorative.

At least half the calls I get for broken disposals turn out to be easy fixes.

A kit for a 4-by-4-foot window, which will allow you to replace the screen’s frame and rescreen the window, will cost about $35. The kits come in different colors and finishes, but they are all easy to assemble.

Q: We want to replace our old bathroom faucet and sink stopper ring with a more modern set. Any advice from you would be appreciated.