By: Tamara Hinson

We've chatted to the experts to find out how to tackle some of the most common DIY issues without blowing the budget.

Winter can be hard on homes when it comes to DIY - especially if you've just blown half your life savings on Christmas presents for your nearest and dearest.

The good news is that some of the most effective quick fixes are often some of the cheapest. We spoke to the experts to find out how to tackle some of the most common DIY issues without blowing the budget.

Squeaky hinges
Most people have a can of WD40 under the sink, but if you're not one of them, don't panic. Steve Sheffield, Homebase's in-house DIY expert, says: "If you have sticking locks or noisy hinges and no WD40 or oil you can use furniture polish spray as it contains PTFE (the same fluropolymer founder in WD40). Try Method Wood Polish Spray."

Grouting godsends
A grouting kit is a household essential. "Rather than regrouting tiles, if the grout is simply discoloured, first try a grout reviver rather than go to the time and expense of regrouting." suggests Julian Cassell, DIY expert and author.

"Chipped or damaged bathroom fixtures can also often be repaired or resurfaced with specially designed kits. The one you choose will depend on whether your bath is plastic, steel or porcelain."

Summon the spirits
Never underestimate the value of a bottle of methylated spirits. "Any stubborn marks on laminate and vinyl flooring or wooden furniture can be removed using a cloth dipped in methylated spirits," says Steve Sheffield at Homebase.

"This is also brilliant for removing scuff marks on skirting prior to painting and pen or paint marks on walls as it clears off the grease residue as well."

Drilling - without the mess
Whether you're hanging pictures or undertaking more substantial work, drilling holes into walls requires a careful approach - and, according to Steve Sheffield, a plastic bottle. "You can easily make a mess drilling holes into walls," warns Steve. "Cut a plastic bottle in half (at an angle) and hold it up to the wall using the cap end as a handle. You can see through the bottle to see your mark, and can then drill through the plastic bottle into the wall. All the debris will fall into the bottle and not onto your floor."

Gorgeous guttering
Winter can be a nightmare when it comes to guttering. "When clearing guttering you need to keep the down pipe clear to allow the water to drain," says Steve Sheffield.

"Use a large plastic scouring pad with metal sticks (such as coat hanger wire) pushed through the pad, and place over the top of the down pipe. This stops debris going down while letting water through."

Wall art
Wallpapering walls is notoriously tricky, but Julian Cassell has a novel way to fill in the gaps. "Spaces between wallpaper lengths can often be disguised by using coloured pens or crayons," says Julian. "Always test in an inconspicuous area first."

Insulation's what you need
Frozen pipes can quickly lead to a whole world of DIY-related disasters. The good news? Some tactically-applied loft insulation might just save the day.

"The quickest, easiest and cheapest way to stop your pipes freezing in your loft is to remove the loft insulation below the pipes and place it on top of them," reveals Steve Sheffield. "The heat from the rooms below keeps them from freezing and the insulation above maintains your loft cover." Preventing exterior pipes from freezing is equally simple. "Pipes outside need covering in something that is waterproof, so try using bubble wrap, attached with electrical tape - this provides insulation and protection and is totally waterproof."

Hot stuff
The average home owner simply doesn't realise how much money can be saved through insulation. "Your home loses a third of its heat through the walls, so insulating wall cavities could save you around £135 a year, and insulating your loft could also save you up to £175," points out Chris Brain at British Gas.

"Even if you have insulation already, some people's loft insulation is only two inches thick, which is only about 20% of the recommended thickness. Topping up this insulation alone could reduce your bills by around £40 each year."

Soda solutions
According to Steve Sheffield at Homebase, caustic soda is another multipurpose miracle product. "A simple way of stopping internal blockages is to pour caustic soda down the sinks once a month to keep them clean."

Pipe dreams
Plumbers can be expensive - and that's before the endless cups of tea you'll be forced to brew as the tradesman in question ums and ahs about the state of your pipes. In reality, most blockages are easily rectified.

"Nearly everyone I speak to who has a blocked drain has not checked the water traps - all drains have unscrewable caps or inspection caps, and these are the most common causes of internal blockages," reveals Steve Sheffield. "Put a bowl underneath, unscrew the cap and the water will empty, then clean out the cap."

Beat the boiler
Boiler blockages? Don't panic! At this time of year, a little warm water might just save the day. "Condensing boilers create condensation as a by-product, which runs through the condensate pipe.

In extreme weather, this pipe can freeze and cause the boiler to shut down," warns Chris Brain at British Gas. "To thaw the condensate pipe, dilute some boiling water from your kettle with some cold water, (never use boiling water directly) and pour this water into a hot water bottle and cushion it around the pipes. Alternatively, you can use a watering can to pour hot water over the pipe to thaw."