Mr. Handyman Hosts Second Annual Duct Tape Fails Photo Contest

Contrary to what some may think, duct tape can't actually fix everything. It'll help in a bind if you need to patch a hole in your vacuum hose or tent, but it's never a permanent solution for home improvement. Have you ever attempted to fix something around the house using duct tape, and it was just a total fail?

Handyman will award four random winners with a $250 gift card to The Home Depot.

"Our team at Mr. Handyman is thrilled to be rolling out this contest for a second time," said J.B. Sassano, president of Mr. Handyman. "I think every homeowner can relate to a failed attempt at trying to DIY fix something around the house, and this contest allows us to find the humor and comradery in it all."

If duct tape is not a solution for home repairs, what's it good for? Here are a few of Mr. Handyman's favorite uses for duct tape:

• Patch a Hole: Duct tape is great for temporarily patching a hole in your vacuum hose or tent. It's fairly water-resistant and makes for a great patch until you can have holes professionally fixed or restored.

• DIY Lint or Pet Hair Roller: We all know how incredibly sticky duct tape is, and it makes for a great DIY refill on your lint rollers when you run out of the original tape. Upcycle your empty lint roller and wrap a piece of duct tape (sticky side out) around it, and voila!

• Remove Splinters: If you can't find tweezers, ultra-sticky duct tape can be a great alternative. Simply apply a small piece over the affected area and slowly peel it back from your skin to remove the splinter.

• Pick Up Glass: After you break a dish, sometimes there are tiny shards of glass left behind after you sweep and vacuum the area. Apply a few strips of duct tape to the floor and carefully peel it away, lifting little shards of glass with it.

• Reinforce Crafts: Duct tape is incredibly sturdy and durable, so if you're crafting your kid's science project or building a fort out of boxes, duct tape offers a great way to ensure it all stays together. You can even get creative and build items entirely out of duct tape – which is a fun challenge for kids!

• Fly Paper: If you're dealing with pesky house flies and gnats, hanging a strip of duct tape or two over your kitchen sink may help you catch a few.