Mr Fix It Tips

Mr Fix It Tips DIY home repair how-to videos, tips, tricks, and hacks from a professional handyman. Trusted by viewers with 2 Million+ views across social media.

Learn simple, real-world fixes for common home problems—designed for homeowners, DIYers, and pros.

10/13/2026

How do you remove a bathroom mirror that’s glued directly to the wall? Carefully! 🪞

In this Mr. Fix It Tips demonstration, I show how I approach removing a large sheet mirror that appears to be bonded to the wall with mirror adhesive rather than held by mounting clips.

I start by applying painter’s tape across the mirror’s surface, laying down drop cloths, and putting on protective gear. I then use different putty knives to work behind the mirror and gradually break the adhesive bond.

Because the mirror may fracture during removal, preparation and cleanup are essential. I also demonstrate how I handle loose pieces and clean the work area afterward.

⚠️ Important safety reminder: Broken mirror glass can cause serious injuries. Wear appropriate protective equipment, including safety goggles, cut-resistant gloves, and protective clothing. Large or firmly bonded mirrors may require specialized removal techniques. When in doubt, contact a professional glass company.

Have you ever removed a glued bathroom mirror? Share your experience in the comments!

Follow Mr. Fix It Tips for more practical DIY home repair tips, tricks, and hacks.

10/07/2026

Planning a gallery wall? Don’t put a single hole in the wall until you’ve done this!

When you’re hanging a collage of photos or artwork, figuring out where everything should go can be one of the hardest parts.

My solution is to create a large paper template on the floor first.

I lay out every piece of artwork on the template, move things around until I have the spacing and arrangement exactly where I want it, and then trace around each piece.

Next, I remove each piece individually and measure from the edge of the artwork to its mounting hardware. Those measurements are transferred onto the corresponding outlines on the paper template.

Now I have a full-size template showing me exactly where every piece belongs and exactly where the mounting hardware needs to go.

I take that completed template to the wall, make sure it’s level and plumb, tape it in place, and install the nails or screws through the marked locations.

Then simply remove the template and hang the artwork.

The important part: I don’t put a single piece of artwork on the wall until the entire layout has been finalized on paper.

Make your mistakes on the paper — not on the wall!

10/07/2026

Want to create a gallery wall without putting a bunch of unnecessary holes in your wall?

Here’s the trick: don’t put anything on the wall until you’ve finished the entire layout on the floor.

I create a large paper template that represents the area where the artwork will go. Then I arrange all of the photos and artwork on that template, moving everything around until I like the spacing, scale, and overall design.

Once the layout is finalized, I trace around every piece and transfer the exact locations of the mounting hardware onto the template.

Then — and only then — does the template go onto the wall.

Make sure it’s level and plumb, tape it in place, install your mounting hardware through the marked locations, remove the template, and hang your artwork.

No guessing. No rearranging. And no unnecessary holes in the wall.

That’s how I like to plan a gallery wall!

Which Paint Roller Nap Should I Use? 🎨The wrong roller nap can leave you with poor coverage, excess splatter, or an unev...
10/06/2026

Which Paint Roller Nap Should I Use? 🎨

The wrong roller nap can leave you with poor coverage, excess splatter, or an uneven finish.

Use this homeowner cheat sheet as a quick reference:

• ¼-inch for very smooth surfaces
• ⅜-inch for walls and ceilings
• ½-inch for lightly textured surfaces
• ¾-inch for rough and exterior surfaces

Save this graphic before your next painting project and share it with someone who needs it.

Small Fixes. Big Results.

WHICH PAINT ROLLER NAP SHOULD I USE? 🎨Choosing the right roller nap can make the difference between a smooth finish and ...
10/06/2026

WHICH PAINT ROLLER NAP SHOULD I USE? 🎨

Choosing the right roller nap can make the difference between a smooth finish and a rough, uneven paint job.

Use this quick guide:

• ¼-inch — cabinets, doors, trim, and very smooth surfaces
• ⅜-inch — smooth walls, ceilings, and drywall
• ½-inch — lightly textured walls and semi-rough surfaces
• ¾-inch — stucco, brick, masonry, decks, and heavy texture

Quick reminder: shorter naps usually create smoother finishes, while longer naps hold more paint and cover texture better.

Save this before your next painting project and share it with someone who always grabs the wrong roller.

Small Fixes. Big Results.

10/04/2026

Ever struggle to figure out exactly where the screws need to go when hanging a piece of artwork?

Here’s a simple trick I use that makes it much easier.

Take a wide piece of painter’s tape and place it across the back of the artwork over the mounting hardware. Mark the exact location of each mounting point on the tape.

Now take that piece of tape and transfer it directly to the wall.

Level your marks, install your screws, remove the tape, and hang your artwork.

The tape essentially becomes a template showing you exactly where the mounting hardware needs to go.

One little trick that can make hanging artwork MUCH easier!

Follow Mr. Fix It Tips for more DIY home repair tips, tricks and hacks.

09/30/2026

If you carry a bunch of different rolls of tape, here’s a simple organization trick that has worked great for me as a professional handyman.

I take about 20 inches of scrap Romex wire and bend it into a large keychain-style loop. Then I slide my different rolls of tape onto it.

Now instead of having tape scattered throughout my van or toolbox, I have one portable bundle.

I can hang it in the van, put it on a hook on my ladder, or grab the whole thing and take it to the jobsite.

Painter’s tape, electrical tape, duct tape, masking tape — they all have a home.

The best part? If you already have some scrap wire, this organization system costs you nothing.

Sometimes the simplest solutions are the ones that work the best.

What’s one of your favorite no-cost organization hacks? 🔧

09/28/2026

Installing Floating Shelves — The Right Way 🔨

These four floating shelves were going above a kitchen countertop and sink, with the goal of keeping everything centered and symmetrical around the faucet.

I started by finding the center of the countertop and transferring that measurement to the wall. From there, I used blue painter’s tape to lay out the shelf positions and mark the wall studs.

The lower shelves were installed 18 inches above the countertop, giving the homeowner enough room underneath for things like a coffee maker or blender.

I then used about 14 inches of spacing between the lower and upper shelves. Eighteen inches would have made the upper shelves unnecessarily high for most people to comfortably access.

Because these shelves were relatively small, I couldn’t get two studs behind each mounting bracket. I made sure to secure one side into a stud and used a properly rated wall anchor for the other side.

The big lesson: Don’t start drilling until you’ve figured out your layout, spacing and mounting points.

A few extra minutes of planning can make the difference between shelves that look professionally installed and shelves that just look like they were stuck on the wall.

09/22/2026

STUCK DRESSER DRAWER? 🔧

If you have an older wooden dresser, there may not be any metal drawer slides or tracks to adjust or replace.

The drawer may simply be riding directly on wooden ledges inside the dresser.

That wood-on-wood contact can eventually create enough friction to make the drawer difficult to open and close.

For this drawer, I used a small amount of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on the wooden ledges and the corresponding contact areas on the bottom of the drawer sides.

It provides the lubrication needed to help the drawer slide smoothly again.

Another advantage I like about petroleum jelly compared with soap is that it doesn’t leave behind a noticeable fragrance.

Now I’m curious…

What would YOU use to lubricate a stuck wooden drawer?

Beeswax? Bar soap? Petroleum jelly? Something else?

Drop your answer in the comments! 👇

09/22/2026

Got a stubborn dresser drawer that won't slide? 🔧

If you're dealing with an older wooden dresser, there may not be any drawer tracks or hardware to adjust or replace.

The drawer may simply be sliding directly against wooden ledges inside the dresser.

That's exactly what was happening with this drawer.

Instead of using a bar of soap or beeswax, I used a small amount of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on the wooden contact surfaces.

The petroleum jelly provides the lubrication needed to help the drawer slide smoothly again.

One thing I like about petroleum jelly for this application is that it doesn't leave behind the noticeable fragrance you can get with some soaps.

Before replacing hardware—or giving up on the drawer—take a look at where the drawer is actually rubbing.

Sometimes a little lubrication is all it needs!

But here's my question for you:

What would YOU use to fix a stuck wooden drawer?

Beeswax? Bar soap? Petroleum jelly? Something else?

Share your solution in the comments. I'd love to see what other people use!

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