Door and window problems

If security isn't a problem, you can use polythene sheeting to make your window temporarily weatherproof. Remove the broken glass, spread the polythene across the gap and secure it with thin wooden battens nailed to the edges of the frame.

If the glass is cracked rather than broken, you can seal it with waterproof glazing tape instead. But if it's an accessible exterior window that's been damaged, you'll definitely need a more secure repair.

Step 1: Put on some protective gloves and remove any loose pieces of glass

Step 2: Measure the space and cut a piece of thin hardboard or plywood to fit.

Step 3: Fit the cut board into the frame and tap panel pins into the surrounding wood.

Fitting draught excluders to the gaps around your doors and windows will keep warm air in and cold air out - while helping to make your home warmer and cutting your fuel bills, too. You'll find self-adhesive foam strips of draught excluder are inexpensive, easy to fix in place and ideal for using on your casement windows and interior doors. But make sure you don't stretch the strips when you fit them, as this will make them less effective.

Step 1: Use a damp cloth to clean off all dirt and any loose paint from your window or door frame.

Step 2: When the frame is dry, peel off the backing paper from the self-adhesive foam draught excluder, a little at a time. Then press it onto the outside of the frame (for a window, this will be where the opening casement window will press against it when it's closed). Cut the ends of each length at a 45 degrees angle to form a neat join at each corner. Close the window or door to press the strip firmly in place.

Watch a step-by-step video showing how to draught-proof windows, with expert advice and top tips to help you complete the job with confidence.

For external doors, you can also fit a brush strip across the bottom of the door on the inside, using the screws provided

Watch a step-by-step video showing how to draught-proof doors, with expert advice and top tips to help you complete the job with confidence.

Squeaking hinges and a lock that's hard to turn can both usually be solved by a squirt of aerosol lubricant, either into the latch mechanism or on to the hinge pins. After you've sprayed the hinges, open and close the door a few times to allow the oil to flow through them, then wipe away any excess before it runs down to the floor.

When condensation builds up on a surface it can cause mould to grow. The most common places for this to happen are walls (especially in corners and behind furniture), ceilings, window frames and sills and is most apparent during the winter months.

If you deal with the root of the condensation, you should be able to sort out mould.

Find out how to avoid damp conditions and how to get rid of and prevent mould on our website.

However, damp can also be caused by leaking pipes, roofing and guttering. This is called penetrating damp. Pinpoint the source of the leak and report this to us.