Hammer projects for every homeowner
Squeaky floors and stairs, loose railings, trim and furniture. This is where the hammer earns its keep. None of it needs a workshop, just a few basic tools and some care.
Where to start: New to this? Start with how to use a hammer, then try reattaching loose baseboard. If you need to take trim off first, remove it without wrecking the wall. Noisy house? Quiet a squeaky floor or squeaky stairs, and make a loose stair railing solid again.
What are you dealing with?
How to use a hammer (without bending nails)
Reattach loose baseboard trim
Fix a squeaky floor
Fix squeaky stairs
Tighten a loose stair railing
Remove trim or baseboard without damaging the wall
Fix a wobbly wooden chair
Repair a sagging drawer bottom
Common questions
What basic carpentry tools should a homeowner own?
A 16 oz claw hammer, a nail set, a tape measure, a pry bar, a drill with bits and wood glue cover almost every job here.
Why do stairs and floors squeak?
Wood shrinks and loosens over time, so boards rub against nails or each other. Pulling them tight with screws or filling gaps with glued shims stops the movement.
Looking for something else? Browse all guides or see emergency steps.