In fact, there’s a reason repairmen and women are paid to fix things and that their work takes training!
Of course, sometimes we simply can’t afford to have someone else put our mess back together or we need a quick fix and we have to figure out a way to do it ourselves. Those solutions aren’t always…how shall we say, the most elegant.
Check out these 50 improvisations and marvel at the heights (and depths) of human ingenuity.
1. Hanger or lock?
We believe those are garbage bags ties together to create a toilet paper holder – of sorts.
Frankly, it’s preferable to having the toilet paper sit on the floor but it might be just as likely that they’re trying to keep people from stealing the whole roll.
2. Dinner is served
This is exactly the kind of “home hack” we’d expect from a 3-year-old.
3. What can’t it do?
It ain’t pretty, but it stopped the leak – we’re just not sure for how long.
4. A man against the elements
Some people really get creative once they get a can of that spray foam in their hands.
Maybe some curtains would finish the look.
5. In stitches
This Franken-car looks positively creepy with its stitched-on bumper.
Was there no duct tape nearby?
6. You’re not even trying!
We’re just embarrassed by this effort.
What can we say – at least they found clear tape?
Even if you can eat off of that, how do you plan to wash it?
7. That solves that
Technically they made it work. Now, it’s the perfect bathroom for those who really hate privacy.
8. Plug the crack
At least now it looks like something truly legendary happened to it.
9. Objects in mirror…
It may not be street legal, but it might get you to the repair shop in a pinch.
Why do we get the feeling some people are content to drive around like this much longer?
10. Hanging by a wire
That’s so rude!
We’re not entirely sure those hangers are going to last, but we understand that sometimes a person has to go to great lengths for cinnamon rolls.
11. No one’s getting out of there
Or maybe that would confuse the issue even more.
We just want to know which came first – the button or the sign?
12. Fake it ’til you make it
There’s just one problem – it looks a teensy bit hard to see through.
13. A wrench in the plan
We’re sure the wrench will hold up to any thieves, but will the rest of the door?
14. Nailed it
Call us old-fashioned, but we think you should actually know how to install hardware properly if you’re going to have the job.
At least he painted the screws the right color.
15. A fan is a fan
Guess it’s better than handing your computer over for a repair.
But, sir/madam, how hard are you gaming on this thing?
16. Medicinal headlight
It’s actually kind of brilliant if a little, well…janky.
It’s the medicinal solution – just take the label off first to protect your privacy.
17. Bottled up
It’s an oddly good fit. We just hope it’s temporary.
18. That should do it!
Is this creepy punishment for damaging the wall or just a roommate trolling his buddy until a more strategic fix can be found?
19. Have a seat
And why not just sit on the chair to the side of the couch?
It’s not like they ended up with extra seating after this.
20. Pitch a tent
And as a bonus, you’ll still be able to feel the wind in your hair – it’ll just be wetter.
21. The witch’s bike
We really can’t imagine sitting on that either way.
22. Positively medieval
Aside from the shower being a generally fire-free zone for obvious reasons, the water will pass through far too quickly to actually be heated by that candle.
Hot Shower from r/pics
23. Official soft drink of construction?
There’s no Coke in that can, so we’re confused as to why you’d need a tin can at all to get this job done.
But maybe we just don’t appreciate true engineering genius when we see it.
24. High sticking
Good Canadian engineering, no doubt, eh?
Failed to realize there was no shower rod when I was moving in, but the show must go on. from r/redneckengineering
25. Putting the “pick up” in pickup truck
We wonder if there are any rules at all that cover this kind of thing because who could have predicted it?
26. But why is it plugged in?!
But unless these people have a reason to nuke their mail (and that would likely set it on fire), why the heck is that microwave plugged in?
Why is there an outlet on the mailbox?!
27. Sprinkler system substitute
Necessity is the mother of invention, after all!
28. Zip it
Even staples would have been more convenient.
29. We can’t handle it
How exactly does this work without snapping right back?
Dishwasher handle broke on Christmas Eve. We wouldn’t be able to get someone to fix it until after the new year. from r/redneckengineering
30. DIY nightmares
It would make a great gift for your creepiest friend though.
31. Cool fire hazard, bro
It’s bound not to work AND you can accidentally start things on fire as a result – that’s why.
32. Why even have a door?
Not every door jam needs a door, ya know.
33. Safety first
But we think just about every safety feature has been rendered useless by now.
You better hope you can fix cuts and broken bones with duct tape – otherwise, just take the bus!
34. Summer reflexes
Are you fast enough to turn this ceiling fan on or off without losing a finger?
35. Well at least it’s not duct tape
Is that plyboard really supposed to be holding that building together?
Old Kennedy Rd, Markham, ON. The OSB board was fine, they didn’t use duct tape. Also posted in r/catastrophicfailure from r/thereifixedit
36. Do scissors come with warnings?
Maybe that’s just a given.
Except apparently it’s not.
37. Tighten and pray
It seems terrifying, to say the least.
38. Caulk-tastrophe
We’ll admit that it’s hard to do well, but we’ve never seen a job done quite this thouroughly bad.
39. We’ll just knock
You will not catch us putting wires together just to get a janky doorbell to ring.
We’ll just go for the no-contact delivery.
40. Mask fail
Sure, the buttons are clean. But the plastic isn’t!
41. Healing the wound
At least duct tape would have been a better option in this situation. But it’s going to need a real fix eventually.
42. Visibility issue
That can’t be a good view.
43. Ugly, but useful!
In fact, we’re off to find some sponges!
44. Butt tape
We give props to whoever can carry out the rest of their day that way.
Ripped my pants half way though a work day, there isn’t a thing in the world duct tape can’t fix from r/thereifixedit
45. The sound of the rain
What do you think it’s tethered to in the back seat? Something sturdy, we hope!
46. Can it
We like our sauce to do the heavy lifting at dinner, but figuratively speaking only.
47. Award-worthy
It’ll be decades before anyone actually wonders why that’s there.
I like to consider myself a handyman. Gotta do what you gotta do to pass university dorm inspections. from r/thereifixedit
48. Drop me a line
And it’s probably a lot easier than making it stand upright again after watching it get hit by a snowplow. That’s bound to happen again anyway.
Just wait until it stops snowing to repair it for good.
49. Double dong
Does that old doorbell really need to be there? Can’t they just take it off and put it in a box for safe-keeping if they really want to keep it for sentimental reasons?
50. Feat of engineering
Maybe the cardboard door is keeping a little of the cold air in, but is it really going to be there long enough to require its own makeshift handle?
We’d be closely checking expiration dates on the products at this business with this kind of hardware.
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