10 Fixes That’ll Fall Apart Before the Year’s Over

Some “fixes” look great for a week or two, but they don’t hold up. Maybe they’re rushed, maybe they’re cheap, or maybe they were never the right solution to begin with. Either way, they’ll leave you redoing the job sooner than you think.

Tape on a Leaky Pipe

That quick wrap of tape might stop the drip, but it’s not meant to last.

Water pressure and heat will work it loose fast. You’ll end up with a bigger mess if you don’t get a real clamp or replacement on it.

Caulking Over Mold

Caulking looks clean at first—until the black spots push right back through.

You have to clean the mold out fully and let it dry before recaulking. Otherwise, you’re sealing the problem in, not solving it.

Gravel Thrown Over Mud

Dumping gravel without a barrier underneath is like throwing money in the yard.

It’ll sink into the mud, disappear, and need replacing again soon. Always lay down a fabric layer or pack the soil right first.

Screws in Rotting Wood

You can tighten screws all day, but if the wood’s soft, they’re not holding anything.

Patch or replace the board first. Otherwise, the fix will fail with the next gust of wind or bit of weight.

Flex Seal on Roof Leaks

Spray-on sealants feel like a miracle—but they rarely last a season on a real roof issue.

They might slow a leak for a bit, but without proper flashing or shingle replacement, it’ll come right back.

Zip Ties as Permanent Fixes

Zip ties are handy, but they break down in the sun and snap without warning.

If you’ve got them holding something important, replace them with brackets, wire, or something stronger before they fail.

Tape Over Cracked Electrical Outlets

Covering a broken outlet might hide it, but it’s still a hazard.

Loose wires or cracked plates need real repair—not a Band-Aid that could cause a fire.

Reusing Old Screws

Stripped or bent screws won’t hold up under pressure.

They’re more likely to pull out or snap. Spend the extra couple bucks for new hardware—it’s worth it.

Repainting Over Peeling Paint

Slapping new paint over flaky patches might look better for a day or two, but it won’t stick.

You’ve got to sand, clean, and prime it right—or you’ll be scraping it all back off in no time.

Stuffing a Door With Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping helps, but if you’re having to force it in thick, the door likely needs adjusting.

Too much tension will wear out the material and make the door harder to close. Fix the alignment first.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.