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On the fast track

LOCKING GOOD: Switch out old doorknobs. (Getty Images)

Have you got a free half-hour? That’s enough time to tackle one of these easy DIY projects — they can make a big improvement in your home for very little money (often less than $50). Oh, and ask a friend to help out; it’ll make doing these tasks much easier — and way more fun.

* Replace a doorknob

Replacing doorknobs is not as difficult as you might think, and it’s a great way to change out the “jewelry” of your doors and give them some sparkle. Remember to keep the parts of the old doorknob to make reassembling much easier. Replacement doorknobs can be purchased at any hardware store and come with detailed instructions.

Tools needed:

doorknob kit

screwdriver

hex wrench (for certain knobs)

1. Remove the trim from the doorknob by gently prying off the plate, or by unscrewing the two screws that hold it together. Some knobs might require a hex wrench to remove.

2. Remove the two screws under the trim; they are long screws that connect the two knobs. Pull the knobs apart.

3. Now remove the two screws holding the bolt (the locking mechanism), then extract the bolt.

4. Insert the new bolt into the door and screw into place. The slanted side should face toward the direction of the door’s opening.

5. Place the trim piece between the new knobs and the door by inserting the knob into the large hole in the door. Be sure to use a knob that fits into the bolt’s locking mechanism.

6. Finally, insert the other knob with the trim piece on the opposite side of the door. Make sure that the two are aligned, reinsert the screws and tighten.

* Quiet a shaky

ceiling fan

Ceiling fans are a great low-energy way to cool your home, but after much use, they can become shaky and noisy. You can easily fix this problem with a few simple steps.

Tools needed:

screwdriver

tape measure

pliers

1. Check the fan blades to see if they are loose. Check the connection between the rod and the actual body. Examine the ceiling mounting. If the problem with your fan is a loose screw near the electrical box, make sure to turn off the electricity at the breaker box before beginning. Always take precautions when working with electricity. Tighten all loose screws.

2. Next, determine whether blades are aligned. Measure the distance of the blades from the ceiling. It is important that all the blades are on the same plane. Hold one end of the measuring tape at the ceiling while rotating the blades manually to check the distance.

3. If a blade is not level or equally distanced to the other blades, gently bend the blade that is out of place. It is easier to do this step with an extra pair of hands. One person should hold the fan while the other person bends the blade.

* Hang a heavy mirror

A large mirror adds elegance and depth, giving the illusion that a room is larger than it really is. But mirrors can also be heavy and therefore difficult to hang. You will need two other people to assist with this task.

Tools needed:

tape measure

screwdriver

power drill or hammer and a nail

level

molly anchors (for plaster/drywall)

1. Locate the space on the wall where you wish to hang your mirror, and then have two people hold it up to the wall while the third measures and marks the spot.

2. Confirm that the molly anchor can support weight of the mirror; for extra-large mirrors, you will need two or three anchors.

3. Use a power drill to make a small hole into the wall where you will screw the molly anchor into the wall. If you don’t have a power drill, you can use a hammer and a nail to tap a hole in the wall. The latter, though, can be difficult if the wall is plaster.

4. Insert the bolt into the hole and using the screwdriver, tighten the screws. The butterfly bolt will expand within the wall to form a tight connection.

5. Using two people, hold the mirror up in place while the third person hangs the mirror onto the wall. Use your level to make sure that the mirror is straight.