Q: I want to fix a number of holes in the drywall of my house. The holes range from about three inches wide to 12 inches. Can you help?

-- M. Chapman

A: Many holes in drywall are caused by doorknobs or furniture banging against walls. For smaller holes, some home centers and hardware stores sell special repair kits, which contain instructions and most or all of the materials needed. For larger damage, though, you'll need matching drywall and other materials. With these, you can repair all the holes, small and large.

First, check the thickness of your drywall. It is probably 1/2 -inch, but it could be 5/8 or 3/8 . A 4-by-8-foot sheet of drywall is very heavy, so have it cut into smaller panels for easier handling. You will also need a bag of setting-type joint compound (a powder that is mixed with water), some fiberglass drywall tape, some 1- 1/2 -inch drywall screws, and a four-inch drywall knife to spread the joint compound. Drywall can be cut with a utility knife or keyhole saw. With a utility knife, cut into the front paper and snap off pieces in the sizes you want.

To repair smaller holes, make a square cardboard pattern that will cover it. Cut the sides of the holes to match the pattern, then cut a piece of new drywall about one inch larger on all sides than the trimmed hole. Trace the pattern on the back of the drywall, and remove the backing and gypsum to the pattern line, leaving a flange of cover paper on all sides of the patching piece. Make sure the patch fits the hole, then spread glue on the inside of the flanges and push the patch into the hole. The glued flanges will hold it in place. These small patches don't usually need to be taped at the edges; just spread joint compound over the sides, wait till it sets and sand the surface smooth.

For larger holes, cut the sides of the drywall to the centers of the nearest wall studs. Cut the top and bottom of the damaged area to make a rectangular or square hole. Cut a piece of drywall to fit into the hole and screw it at the sides to the wall studs. Spread joint compound around the edges and tape all four sides of the repair. Two or three coats of joint compound might be necessary to get a smooth repair. Be sure to prime all repaired areas before repainting or applying wall coverings.

Ants make ugly hills between the bricks in one area of our patio. We tried poison, without effect, and sweeping the hills doesn't help much. What now?

-- J. Carvatto

The bricks in many patios are laid on sand beds that attract ants looking for nests. If your patio is of that type, it might help to remove the bricks in the affected area, spray the sand underneath with ant spray, then cover the sand with roofing paper and reset the bricks on top of that. If you still get anthills, a number of effective ant-control sprays in aerosol cans are sold at most supermarkets and home centers.

Q: My 10-year-old water heater barely makes the water hot enough at times. A plumber said a temperature-sensor repair would cost $350 and recommended a new water heater costing $550. Are there any alternatives?

-- N. Birzer

A: If your old water heater is malfunctioning and needs an expensive repair, the best bet is to replace it. Unfortunately, according to the government's Energy Star Web site, no gas storage-type water heaters qualify for federal tax credits. But it is possible to get a high-efficiency water heater that can reduce your energy costs significantly. For more information, go to the site, http://www.energystar.gov. To get tax-credit information, enter "federal tax credits" in the search field. Most water heaters have a useful life of about 12 years, so choosing an expensive repair could cost you more in the end.

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QUICK TIP: A reader, Jim Ireland, said he stopped a wood-floor squeak by sprinkling talcum powder into the cracks of boards in the noisy area. The powder can act as a lubricant and sometimes silence rubbing boards. Other possible lubricants include powdered graphite, liquid soap and furniture polish. Applying a lubricant should be considered a temporary remedy for minor squeaks, as these can backfire by caking up between boards or by causing stains.

Questions and comments should be e-mailed to Gene Austin at doit861@aol.com. Send regular mail for Gene Austin to 1730 Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, Pa. 19422. Questions cannot be answered personally.