Easy home repairs for beginners: good first fixes
If you've never fixed anything around the house, start here. Each of these jobs is easy, takes little more than a screwdriver or a wrench, and teaches something you'll use again, like where the water shuts off or how a toilet tank works. Do two or three and the bigger guides start to look a lot less intimidating. Just bought a house? Start with the new homeowner checklist.
If you only learn three things, make them these: where your main water shutoff is, how to reset a breaker, and how to reset a GFCI outlet. They take minutes to learn and they're what you'll need most when something goes wrong. After that, a running toilet and a squeaky door are the classic first fixes, because they're forgiving and you'll see the result right away.
Don't worry about owning a full toolbox yet. A screwdriver with a few bits, an adjustable wrench, pliers and a flashlight handle almost everything on this page. Not sure which tool is which? The picture guide to tools shows each one with its parts labeled. To see which repairs your tools already cover, check off the tools you own. Work slowly, take a photo before you take anything apart, and remember every guide says when it's time to stop and call someone.
Guides in this list
Change your HVAC air filter
Circuit breaker keeps tripping
Clean dirty grout without harsh chemicals
Condensation on the inside of windows
Dishwasher not cleaning dishes
Find your main water shutoff
Fix a door that sticks or won't latch
Fix a loose towel bar
Fix a loose, wobbly toilet seat
Fix a running toilet
Fix a squeaky door hinge
Fix a sticking wooden drawer
Fix low water pressure at one faucet
Hang heavy pictures and mirrors safely
How to find a wall stud (with or without a stud finder)
How to use a hammer (without bending nails)
Mold or mildew on the bathroom ceiling
Replace a shower head or fix a leaking one
Reset a tripped outlet or breaker
Stop a smoke alarm from chirping
Touch up wall paint so it doesn't show
Unclog a slow bathtub drain
Unclog a toilet (without the overflow)
Weatherstrip an exterior door
Good first repair questions
What tools do I need to get started?
A hammer, a couple of screwdrivers, an adjustable wrench, pliers, a tape measure and a flashlight cover almost everything on this page. Our toolkit page has the full starter list.
Which repair should I learn first?
Find your main water shutoff and learn to reset a breaker and a GFCI outlet. They take minutes, and they're what you'll need most in a hurry.
How do I know when a job is too much for me?
If it involves gas, new wiring, the roof, or anything that could flood the house if you get it wrong, it's worth calling someone. Every guide here ends with the signs that it's time to call a pro.