Repair Guides

Plain-language guides to the small repairs we handle every week in local homes: what the problem looks like, why it happens in houses like yours, what is safe to try yourself, and what our visit involves. Questions? Call or text (626) 684-3505, Mon–Sat 8:30 AM–7 PM.

• Reading the cracks in a 1920s Alhambra plaster wall

  Why plaster cracks in Alhambra's 1920s Spanish and Mediterranean homes, which cracks are cosmetic, how we patch them, and when to text us a photo.

• Hanging heavy mirrors and art on plaster-and-lath walls

  How to hang mirrors, art and shelves on the plaster-and-lath walls in Alhambra's older homes without cracking them, plus the hardware we use.

• Mounting a TV over a Spanish Revival fireplace

  What to check before mounting a TV over the plaster or tile fireplace in an older Alhambra home: wall structure, heat, viewing height and wire routing.

• Why original wood doors stick, and how we free them up

  Why solid wood and arched-top doors in Alhambra's older homes stick or drift open, the simple hinge fixes, and how we adjust them without harming the wood.

• Keeping original built-in cabinets and hutches working

  How we repair original built-in hutches, linen cabinets and cupboards in Alhambra's 1920s homes: sagging doors, sticky drawers, worn catches and glass.

• Replacing a toilet without harming a vintage tile floor

  Replacing a toilet in an Alhambra bath with original 1920s or 1930s tile: measuring the rough-in, repairing the flange and protecting the old floor.

• Living with two-prong outlets in an older home

  Why many older Alhambra homes still have two-prong outlets, what an ungrounded outlet means for you, and how a GFCI replacement can add protection.

• Replacing ceiling and wall fixtures in a 1920s house

  Replacing a light fixture in an older Alhambra home: shallow or missing boxes, plaster ceilings, heavy lanterns, and checking the old wiring first.

• Low water pressure at one faucet, shower or toilet

  Why one faucet, shower or toilet in an older Alhambra house runs weak, the quick checks you can do first, and what a repair visit looks like.

• Putting a ceiling fan where an old light used to hang

  How we install ceiling fans in 1920s and 1930s Alhambra rooms where the ceiling box was built for a light, plus wall switch options and balance tips.

• Bathroom fans for bathrooms that only had a window

  Many 1920s and 1930s Alhambra bathrooms were built with only a window for ventilation. Here is how a quiet exhaust fan helps, and how we replace noisy ones.

• Replacing a garbage disposal under an older kitchen sink

  What to check when a disposal hums, leaks or will not turn on, and how we fit a new one under the deep vintage sinks found in older Alhambra kitchens.

• Fitting a new faucet to an old sink

  How to tell which new faucets fit an older sink, why vintage wall-mount and widespread sinks need care, and what our faucet replacement visit involves.

• Touch-up painting that actually blends in on old walls

  How we touch up scuffs, patches and chipped trim in older Alhambra homes so they blend in, plus what to know about old paint layers before sanding.

• Five-minute checks before you call us

  Five-minute checks for dead outlets, a running toilet, a leak under the sink and a stuck door, so you know what you are dealing with before you call.

• Getting an older house ready for the first rain

  A fall checklist for older Alhambra houses: doors and windows, caulking, drains, outdoor outlets and the small leaks that turn into big repairs after the first storm.

• Getting the house ready for Santa Ana winds

  How to get ready for Santa Ana winds in Alhambra: doors and gates, loose screens, outdoor items, power outages and the small repairs that keep dust and drafts out.

• Adding recessed lights to an old plaster ceiling

  What to know before adding slim LED recessed lights to an older Alhambra home with plaster ceilings, from layout and joists to dimmers and patching.

• Keeping tall furniture and TVs in place when the ground shakes

  How to secure tall furniture, TVs and wall hangings in an older Alhambra home so they stay put in an earthquake, including tips for plaster walls.

• Save up the little fixes and get them done in one visit

  How to build a small-repairs list for an older Alhambra home so one visit handles the sticky door, the dripping faucet, the loose towel bar and everything in between.

See all of our handyman services.