10 Home Repairs You Can Do With Just Glue—No Extra Tools Needed

Glue isn’t just for crafts. It’s a multi-purpose fix-it tool for around the home, saving on the need to use screws or nails.

From squeaky floors to broken ceramics, read on to learn the many things you can fix with glue only.

Creaky Drawers

Minor repairs are ideal for fixing with glue, says Rick Berres, a professional handyman and the owner of Honey-Doers.

“Let’s say a drawer came apart,” says Berres. “You can usually glue it back up, no problem.”

Drawer boxes are typically built with glue, staples, or dovetail joints. So, repairing them with glue isn’t unusual.

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Loose Trim

One of the most common items to fix with glue is loose trim or moulding, says Meir Lavi, Project Manager with 123 Remodeling.

“You don’t always need nails or a drill,” Lavi says. “A high-quality construction adhesive will do the job.”

Lavi cautions that the item should be fairly lightweight—normal with most trim. Press the trim firmly into place and wipe away any excess before it dries.

Squeaky Floorboards

Squeaky floors aren’t a major problem, but they can sure be annoying. The good news is that you can fix squeaky floors several ways, including lubrication, shimming, or bracing.

You can also use glue to fix squeaky floorboards, says Josh McGrath, a house remodeler and real estate agent with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Central.

“If you can identify the culprit squeaky board and get under it, or even squirt it along the edge, a bead of glue can quiet the creak,” says McGrath.

Broken Ceramic and Glassware

The classic glue-only fix, says Rick Berres, is repairing broken glass or ceramics.

“Don’t despair,” Berres says. “Vases, statues, and other ceramic items can all be restored with a bit of glue.”

Berres adds that the piece won’t look perfect at the end—nothing will—but it will be reasonably intact and back in one piece.

Cracked Chairs and Tables

There’s no need to toss out your cracked or wobbly wood chairs and tables. Fixing a cracked wooden chair leg or table joint is easy to do with just glue, Lavi says.

“Wood glue can be incredibly strong if applied correctly,” Lavi says. “The key is clamping the joint tightly and letting it cure fully.”

You can bring wobbly chairs and other furniture back to life this way, he adds.

Loose Tiles

If a floor tile or wall tile is popping loose, glue can save the day, McGrath says.

“No nails, no hammer,” McGrath says. “Just apply, press, and hold.”

For tile, though, you can’t use just any glue. You’ll need to use construction adhesive or tile glue for long-term adhesion.

Peeling Laminate Countertops

Installing laminate countertops is an economical way to add countertops to kitchens or bathrooms. But laminate counters can delaminate over time.

When the laminate countertop material is lifting away, Lavi says, you can glue it back in place with contact cement.

“A little contact cement goes a long way,” Lavi says. “You just need to apply it to both surfaces, wait for it to get tacky, then press it down firmly.”

Updating old laminate countertops can clean up the look of your kitchen or bathroom without a full replacement.

Hanging Bathroom Mirrors

When those wall anchors have given up on life, a heavy-duty adhesive can re-secure lightweight mirrors, McGrath says.

Attaching a frameless mirror with glue ensures a clean, modern look, with no visible clips or supports. Plus, because the mirror attaches directly to drywall, there is no need to drive screws into wall studs.

Attaching Soap Dishes

If your shower or bathtub’s ceramic soap dish has fallen off, you don’t need to use screws to reattach it. Glue can be used to attach soap dishes to ceramic, porcelain, or stone tile in baths and showers.

Use construction adhesive or an adhesive designed specifically for tile or stone.

Installing Towel Hooks

Towel hooks that have come loose can be reattached with glue only, McGrath says. He recently installed his own towel hook using glue.

For best adhesion, use construction adhesive. Be sure to clean the wall before applying the hook. Lay two strips of painter’s tape over the glued hook in a cross-like fashion, letting the glue cure for an hour or two.