Home repair, explained plainly
Fix the small stuff yourself. Know when to call a pro.
Clear repair guides for every part of the house, with a picture for every step, cost estimates, and help deciding when to call a pro.
274fixes, step by step
1629step pictures
Nov 2026last reviewed
- Cost to do it yourself vs. hiring a pro
- Tools and parts listed before you start
- Clear signs it's time to call someone
What's going on at your place?
Toilet keeps running or refillingFaucet drips when it's offSink drains slowly or not at allDisposal hums but won't spinSome outlets suddenly deadHole or dent in a wallMoldy or peeling tub caulkHouse feels dusty, bills are upNo hot waterToilet is cloggedToilet rocksTub drains slowlyDryer won't startOven won't heat upGrout looks dirtyWater under the sinkBreaker keeps trippingAC blowing warm airFurnace won't turn onSmoke alarm chirpingPuddle by the water heaterDishwasher has standing waterWasher won't drainGarage door won't closeHot water runs out fastClothes take forever to dryWeak shower pressureRadiator cold at the topLights flickeringNeed to hang a heavy mirrorDoor squeaksGutters overflowingNails keep bendingFloor squeaksPipes frozen, faucet only tricklesWasher smells mustyToilet seat slides aroundOutdoor AC unit is dirtyLight switch not workingCan't find a studDoor sticks or won't latchCracked deck boardBaseboard pulling awayGap between baseboard and floorOne faucet has low pressureFridge running constantlyA floor tile is crackedThermostat is blank or not workingPlugs fall out of an outletBumps in drywallCold drafts by windowsGate drags or won't latchStairs creakCarpet coming up at the edgeSump pump won't turn onDisposal leakingToilet flush is weakOne room is too hot or coldCarbon monoxide alarm beepingCrack in a wall or ceiling
More problems (259), by room and system
Emergency
Plumbing
Water under the sinkPuddle by the water heaterHot water runs out fastPipes frozen, faucet only tricklesOne faucet has low pressureSump pump won't turn onHouse smells like sewerPipes bang when the water shuts offToilet won't refill after flushingKitchen sprayer weak or not workingOutdoor faucet is leakingWater heater is making noiseWater pressure is low everywhereToilet gurglesKitchen faucet wobbles at the baseHot water smells like rotten eggsWater softener not softeningToilet clogs again and againCut copper pipe
Kitchen & laundry
Clothes take forever to dryWasher smells mustyFridge running constantlyDishwasher has standing waterDisposal leakingDishes still dirtyWasher won't drainWasher shakes or moves during spinFridge is leaking waterWater leaking from the dishwasherIce maker stopped making iceFridge isn't cold enoughDryer runs but doesn't heatWasher is leaking waterDishwasher leaves dishes dirtyGas burner clicks but won't lightElectric stove burner won't heatWasher won't spinRange hood fan won't turn onMicrowave runs but food stays coldKitchen sink disposal stinksDryer is thumping or squealingDishes come out of the dishwasher wetFreezer covered in frostRefrigerator is making a strange noiseWasher won't fill with waterDishwasher smells badDishwasher won't startWashing machine won't startFridge water dispenser not workingDryer runs but the drum won't turnGarbage disposal won't turn on, no soundFridge door doesn't sealDishwasher won't fill with waterMicrowave plate won't turnWasher door won't openFridge is freezing foodFridge light is outFix a loose cabinet toe kickLevel a refrigerator
Bathroom
Weak shower pressureToilet seat slides aroundA floor tile is crackedToilet flush is weakBathroom fan is loud or weakTowel bar is looseShower drain is slow or cloggedWater around the base of the toiletShower head is leakingMold on the bathroom ceilingToilet handle is loose or wobblyWater still comes out of the tub spoutBathroom sink stopper won't stay closedGrout is cracked or missingShower faucet keeps drippingBathtub stopper won't hold waterToilet tank is sweatingShower door leaks at the bottomLow water in the toilet bowlRing in the toilet bowlReplace a cracked wall tileReplace a ceramic soap dish
Heating & cooling
AC blowing warm airFurnace won't turn onRadiator cold at the topElectric water heater stopped heatingOutdoor AC unit is dirtyThermostat is blank or not workingWater leaking around the AC or furnaceOne room is too hot or coldBurning smell when the heat comes onIce on the AC linesFurnace turns on and off a lotHeat is on but vents blow coldBaseboard heater stays coldHeat pump blows cool air in winterFurnace is making noiseWindow AC dripping insideDehumidifier not collecting waterHeat pump covered in iceAC vent dripping waterSpace heater keeps turning offHumidifier not mistingFireplace smokes into the roomFurnace humidifier pad
Electrical
Smoke alarm chirpingLights flickeringLight switch not workingBreaker keeps trippingPlugs fall out of an outletCarbon monoxide alarm beepingCeiling fan wobblesDoorbell doesn't ringOutdoor motion light won't turn onReplacing a light fixtureCeiling fan won't turn onOutside outlet has no powerGFCI button won't stay inLight bulbs keep burning outCeiling fan works but the light doesn'tSmoke alarm goes off for no reasonRecessed light keeps turning offCeiling fan remote stopped workingLED bulbs glow when turned offChristmas lights half outReplace an old smoke detectorA GFCI outlet keeps trippingFan light pull chain clicks, no lightAn outlet wiggles or sits sunk into the wall
Walls
Need to hang a heavy mirrorCan't find a studBumps in drywallCrack in a wall or ceilingPaint touch-ups showPlaster cracks when I hang thingsNail holes show through paintDented drywall cornerPaint peeling on a wall or ceilingBasement smells mustyWater stain on the ceilingDrywall tape is peeling or bubblingHole in a plaster wallWallpaper peeling at the seamsCurtain rod pulled out of the wallWallpaper needs to come offPatch shows because the wall is texturedCold air from outletsCracks in plasterScuff marks on wallsHang a picture with hooksRepair wood panelingAdd chair rail to stop wall scuffsMildew on painted wallsCut drywall for a box
Doors & windows
Door squeaksDoor sticks or won't latchCold drafts by windowsLock is hard to turnWindow won't openWindow screen is tornNeed to take a door offGarage door won't closeDoor swings open or closed on its ownHinge screws spin and won't tightenGarage door opener won't respondSliding door is hard to openDraft around an outside doorWater on the inside of windowsDoor knob is loose or wobblyHole in a hollow-core doorStorm door won't closePocket door came off its trackWindow won't stay openWindow glass is brokenCloset door came off the trackCasement window crank spins or is stuckDoor rattles when it's closedKey broke off in the lockLocked out of a bathroom or bedroomBlinds stuck or won't stay upGarage door frozen shutFix split or loose door stop trimReplace an exterior door threshold
Exterior
Gutters overflowingCracked deck boardGate drags or won't latchMissing roof shingleGetting outdoor faucets ready for winterFence picket is brokenCrack in a concrete walk or stepVinyl siding is looseGutter pulling away from the houseWater puddles next to the houseLight showing under garage doorIcicles and ice along the roof edgeGarage door is noisyGutter leaks at a seam or cornerDeck railing is wobblyCracks in the asphalt drivewayDeck needs cleaning and sealingWood siding board is looseFence rail fell off the postOil stain on the drivewayGreen algae on the sidingGarden hose leaks at the faucetIcy steps and walkwayStucco crack or holeFix popped deck nailsFix a loose deck stair treadReplace deck lattice skirting
Carpentry
Nails keep bendingBaseboard pulling awayStairs creakRailing wobblesNeed to remove baseboardChair wobblesDrawer bottom saggingNail won't come outNailing boards at an angleWooden drawer sticksCabinet door is crooked or saggingDrawer won't close all the wayDoor jamb is split or crackedCloset shelf is saggingWindow sill is soft or rottedTable wobblesCabinet knob keeps coming looseScrew head is strippedDoor trim pulling away from the wallGap in a trim cornerWhite water ring on a wood tableSqueaky bedReplace a bent drawer slideFix a rattling stair spindleReplace damaged baseboardCut a board square
Floors
Floor squeaksGap between baseboard and floorCarpet coming up at the edgeScratches in a hardwood floorGaps between laminate or vinyl planksLaminate floor is lifting or bucklingFloor transition strip is looseGaps between hardwood boardsHardwood board is loose or raisedCarpet has ripples or wrinklesHardwood floor boards are cuppingVinyl floor tile is peeling upBurn or hole in the carpetDamaged vinyl plank in the floorScratches in a laminate floorHardwood floors look dullFurniture dents in the carpetSalt stains tracked onto the floorCandle wax spilled on the carpetSticky residue on floorNail on new chair glidesRe-tuck loose or baggy stair carpetPet urine smell in the carpet
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The Punch List
Your November punch list
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This week at your place
What the forecast says to do
Enter your ZIP and we'll match this week's weather to the jobs worth doing before it arrives.
See everything that's due at your house →Seasonal checklist and reminders →
Recently added
The newest fixes on the site.
Plumbing
Cut copper pipe cleanly with a tubing cutter
Cut copper pipe cleanly with a tubing cutter: shut off and drain the water, mark it, tighten a little each turn, ream the burr and check for a square end.
Moderate20–45 minutes$10–30
Kitchen & laundry
Level a refrigerator so it stops rocking
Pull the toe grille, turn the front leveling legs with a wrench, level it, tilt it back a bit and align the doors.
Easy20–45 minutes$0–15,
Carpentry
Cut a board square with a speed square
Cut a board to length with a clean, square end.
Easy15–30 minutes per cut$10–20
Walls
Cut a hole in drywall for an old-work electrical box
Cut a clean drywall hole for an old-work electrical box: breaker off and test, find studs, check for pipes and wires, trace the template and saw it out.
Moderate30–60 minutes$10–25
Plumbing
Toilet keeps clogging
Check what goes down it, fix a weak flush, clean the rim jets, auger out a stuck object and know when it's the vent or main line.
Easy30–90 min$0–40
Heating & cooling
How to replace a furnace humidifier pad
Check the humidistat and damper, shut off power and water, swap the crusted water panel and test the water flow.
Easy30 min–1 hr$15–$40
Common home repairs
The problems people run into most.
Plumbing
Fix a running toilet
Check the flapper, chain and fill valve to find what's keeping the water running.
Easy15–30 min$5–25
Plumbing
Unclog a sink without chemicals
Clear hair and buildup with a plastic snake or plunger, then check the trap if needed.
Moderate20–45 min$0–15
Electrical
Reset a tripped outlet or breaker
Find the tripped GFCI or breaker and get the power back safely.
Easy5–15 min$0
Heating & cooling
AC not cooling? Check these first
Start with the thermostat, filter, breakers and outdoor unit.
Easy20–45 min$0–30
Plumbing
No hot water? Start here
Find out what to check first on your gas or electric water heater.
Moderate15–45 min$0–40
Plumbing
Find and fix a leak under the sink
Dry the area, then follow the drip to find where the leak starts.
Moderate20–60 min$0–25
Plumbing
All 25 plumbing fixes →
Kitchen & laundry
All 43 kitchen & laundry fixes →
Bathroom
All 26 bathroom fixes →
Heating & cooling
All 24 heating & cooling fixes →
Electrical
All 25 electrical fixes →
Walls
All 26 wall fixes →
Doors & windows
All 29 doors & windows fixes →
Exterior
All 27 exterior fixes →
Carpentry
All 26 carpentry fixes →
Floors
All 23 floors fixes →
Checklist
Seasonal maintenance checklist
A little upkeep each season helps prevent expensive surprises.