The small fixes on almost every report
Garage fire doors that don't self-close show up in three in ten of our inspections. Missing range anti-tip brackets in one in six. None of them cost much, and each one is on the report for a reason.
Video by This Old House. Ours is coming.
- Garage-to-house door: does it close itself? Open it halfway and let go. It should swing shut and latch on its own. That door is a fire separation; a self-closer keeps it from being left open. Spring hinges replace the existing hinges one at a time.
- Check the door itself. It should be solid-core or metal, not a hollow interior door, with no pet door or window cut into it. Weatherstrip the edges so fumes stay in the garage.
- Range anti-tip bracket. Pull the range out a few inches and look at the back foot. A bracket screwed to the floor or wall should capture one rear leg. If not, install one: it stops a range from tipping when a child stands on the open oven door.
- Handrails and guards. Any stair with four or more risers wants a graspable handrail that returns to the wall. Wiggle every rail; loose ones get re-anchored into studs.
- Door and window hardware. Every window in a bedroom should open freely from inside with no tools; those are your exits. Sliding doors get a secondary lock or a pin.
- Extension cords doing a permanent job. Any cord that's been in place for months is asking for a real outlet. Note the spots for the electrician when you have other work.
When it's past the do-it-yourself line
A handyman can knock the whole list out in a visit. Anything that turns into new wiring, a new door, or a structural rail anchor goes to the right trade.
We email a pro we'd send our own family to, copy you, and stay in the loop. Member pricing applies.
Questions about anything here? Text us a photo. We'll tell you whether it matters.