Home Repair: Most Popular Articles
These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Gas Furnace Troubleshooting
Identifies common problems, causes and fixes for various gas furnace problems
Identifies common problems, causes and fixes for various gas furnace problems
Water Heater Repair
Tutorial on troubleshooting a tank type water heater including gas and electric types
Tutorial on troubleshooting a tank type water heater including gas and electric types
How to Light a Standing Pilot
This tutorial describes how a standing pilot and thermocouple work in a furnace and how to light a standing pilot on a gas furnace.
This tutorial describes how a standing pilot and thermocouple work in a furnace and how to light a standing pilot on a gas furnace.
Electronic Ignition Furnace
The gas electronic ignition furnace is the most common type of new furnace but requires a special understanding of its components for repair of hot surface ignition and intermittent pilot systems.
The gas electronic ignition furnace is the most common type of new furnace but requires a special understanding of its components for repair of hot surface ignition and intermittent pilot systems.
Fixing a Garbage Disposal
How to troubleshoot common garbage disposal problems and how to repair the disposer.
How to troubleshoot common garbage disposal problems and how to repair the disposer.
Thermocouple Replacement
This tutorial describes how to easily replace a furnace thermocouple in an older style standing pilot furnace or an electronic flame sensor in a newer style electronic ignition furnace.
This tutorial describes how to easily replace a furnace thermocouple in an older style standing pilot furnace or an electronic flame sensor in a newer style electronic ignition furnace.
Troubleshooting a Thermostat
Tutorial on thermostat troubleshooting for mechanical thermostats such as Honeywell, White Rodgers, Lux
Tutorial on thermostat troubleshooting for mechanical thermostats such as Honeywell, White Rodgers, Lux
Gas Water Heater Anatomy
Detailed description and graphic of the components making up a gas tank type hot water heater.
Detailed description and graphic of the components making up a gas tank type hot water heater.
Home Heating Systems
Describes the most common types of home heating systems including forced air, hydronic hot water baseboard, radiant in floor heat, steam heat radiation and geothermal.
Describes the most common types of home heating systems including forced air, hydronic hot water baseboard, radiant in floor heat, steam heat radiation and geothermal.
Boiler Troubleshooting
This tutorial describes and covers the troubleshooting and repair of gas fired boilers that heat water for hot water or hydronic home heating systems. These boilers can be fired with gas or oil, but the components are similar.
This tutorial describes and covers the troubleshooting and repair of gas fired boilers that heat water for hot water or hydronic home heating systems. These boilers can be fired with gas or oil, but the components are similar.
Toilet Problems and Repairs
Describes how to fix common causes problems with toilets including toilet running, not flushing at all, clogged, etc.
Describes how to fix common causes problems with toilets including toilet running, not flushing at all, clogged, etc.
Furnace Thermostat Anatomy
Overview of home furnace thermostat types including digital programmable, mercury and mechanical contact thermostats as manufactured by Honeywell, White Rodgers and others.
Overview of home furnace thermostat types including digital programmable, mercury and mechanical contact thermostats as manufactured by Honeywell, White Rodgers and others.
Claw Hammer
Easy to use visual gallery of hand tools. Hand tool descriptions, pricing and tips for use.
Easy to use visual gallery of hand tools. Hand tool descriptions, pricing and tips for use.
Types of Home Electric Heaters
Tutorial describing the types of electric heaters typically found in a home including cove, wall, toe kick and baseboard.
Tutorial describing the types of electric heaters typically found in a home including cove, wall, toe kick and baseboard.
Anatomy of an Electrical Panel
The "Main" circuit breaker is often called a "Double Pole Service Disconnect" and is what controls the live power from energizing the circuits in the electrical panel.
The "Main" circuit breaker is often called a "Double Pole Service Disconnect" and is what controls the live power from energizing the circuits in the electrical panel.
Why Circuit Breakers Trip
It is important to understand the possible reasons for a circuit breaker tripping (turning off). Fixing the cause of the electrical problem is essential before resetting the breaker a third time.
It is important to understand the possible reasons for a circuit breaker tripping (turning off). Fixing the cause of the electrical problem is essential before resetting the breaker a third time.
Screw Extractor
Describes how screw extractor works and how to extract a broken screw
Describes how screw extractor works and how to extract a broken screw
Heat Anticipator Adjustment
Describes the thermostat heat anticipator and how to adjust it
Describes the thermostat heat anticipator and how to adjust it
Tankless Water Heater
This tutorial describes tankless water heaters, how they work, different fuel sources and types of tankless hot water heaters, how to size the unit and issues associated with this technology.
This tutorial describes tankless water heaters, how they work, different fuel sources and types of tankless hot water heaters, how to size the unit and issues associated with this technology.
How to Unclog a Sink
Sinks often get clogged from any number of possible daily uses (and abuses). This tutorial walks you through the way to get rid of clogs in your sink.
Sinks often get clogged from any number of possible daily uses (and abuses). This tutorial walks you through the way to get rid of clogs in your sink.
Clogged Disposal Drain
This tutorial gives you tips and describes how to avoid a clog and what to do if your garbage disposer or disposal unit has a clogged drain.
This tutorial gives you tips and describes how to avoid a clog and what to do if your garbage disposer or disposal unit has a clogged drain.
Anatomy of a Garbage Disposal
Construction of a Garbage Disposal
Construction of a Garbage Disposal
How to Replace a Light Switch
Learn how to replace a light switch. Switches control power to light fixtures and power outlets or receptacles. This tutorial covers replacement of a single-pole switch.
Learn how to replace a light switch. Switches control power to light fixtures and power outlets or receptacles. This tutorial covers replacement of a single-pole switch.
Replacing a Water Heater
Tutorial describing how to install a replacement gas or electric water heater.
Tutorial describing how to install a replacement gas or electric water heater.
Find a Wood Stud in a Wall
Finding a wood stud in a wall is important for many home repair tasks such as hanging a heavy item on a wall. This tutorial guides you through the steps to locate that "hidden wood in the wall."
Finding a wood stud in a wall is important for many home repair tasks such as hanging a heavy item on a wall. This tutorial guides you through the steps to locate that "hidden wood in the wall."
Installing a 240 V Ckt Brkr
This detailed tutorial will show you how to easily install a 240 volt circuit breaker. Complete with detailed photos.
This detailed tutorial will show you how to easily install a 240 volt circuit breaker. Complete with detailed photos.
How to Shutoff a Water Supply
Most plumbing repairs require water to be turned off. Learn how to shutoff water at the main or locally at the plumbing fixture.
Most plumbing repairs require water to be turned off. Learn how to shutoff water at the main or locally at the plumbing fixture.
Cork Flooring Explained
This cork flooring tutorial provides a comprehensive overview of cork flooring, what it is, how it's constructed, its benefits, maintenance and other information you want to know.
This cork flooring tutorial provides a comprehensive overview of cork flooring, what it is, how it's constructed, its benefits, maintenance and other information you want to know.
Install a Home Thermostat
Tutorial on how to install a home thermostat for heating or cooling for gas forced air or hot water heating systems.
Tutorial on how to install a home thermostat for heating or cooling for gas forced air or hot water heating systems.
Seasonal Furnace Maintenance
Follow these simple tips for seasonal maintenance on your furnace to help keep it running efficiently and safely.
Follow these simple tips for seasonal maintenance on your furnace to help keep it running efficiently and safely.
How to Unclog a Toilet Fixture
This Step By Step guide will walk you through the common household repair of unclogging a toilet fixture.
This Step By Step guide will walk you through the common household repair of unclogging a toilet fixture.
Fuses and Your Fuse Box
This tutorial describes various types of fuses used in the home
This tutorial describes various types of fuses used in the home
House Siding Materials
Describes various siding house materials for the home including vinyl siding, aluminum siding, cement fiber siding, wood siding
Describes various siding house materials for the home including vinyl siding, aluminum siding, cement fiber siding, wood siding
Repairing Toilet Flush Valve
This tutorial describes an easy repair for a leaky toilet tank drain flush valve using the Fluidmaster 555C "Flusher Fixer."
This tutorial describes an easy repair for a leaky toilet tank drain flush valve using the Fluidmaster 555C "Flusher Fixer."
Cartridge Faucet Repair
This tutorial will show you how to repair a leaking cartridge faucet with illustrating faucet repair photos.
This tutorial will show you how to repair a leaking cartridge faucet with illustrating faucet repair photos.
Home Winterizing Checklist
Fall checklist for getting your home ready for winter
Fall checklist for getting your home ready for winter
Types of Faucets
Faucets come in several types and identifying what type you have is the first step in doing any repair. The type of faucet you have determines how it gets repaired and what tools or special kits are required.
Faucets come in several types and identifying what type you have is the first step in doing any repair. The type of faucet you have determines how it gets repaired and what tools or special kits are required.
Tstat and Furnace Coordination
You must make sure to use the proper type of thermostat for your furnace. Mismatching equipment is dangerous. Learn the differences between millivoltage, low and high or line voltage systems and how to identify what type of system you have.
You must make sure to use the proper type of thermostat for your furnace. Mismatching equipment is dangerous. Learn the differences between millivoltage, low and high or line voltage systems and how to identify what type of system you have.
Electrical Boxes - Lighting
Tutorial describes the many types of wall and ceiling electrical boxes used for lighting, ceiling fan and junction box applications.
Tutorial describes the many types of wall and ceiling electrical boxes used for lighting, ceiling fan and junction box applications.
Reseting a Tripped Breaker
How to reset a tripped circuit breaker is a common home repair that is easy when done right.
How to reset a tripped circuit breaker is a common home repair that is easy when done right.
Anatomy of the Home Humidifier
Tutorial explaining and graphically depicting the various components of the home furnace mounted humidifier.
Tutorial explaining and graphically depicting the various components of the home furnace mounted humidifier.
Garbage Disposal Installation
Tutorial explaining steps to install a garbage disposal
Tutorial explaining steps to install a garbage disposal
Electrical Switch Types
Tutorial describes the different types of switches found in the home including single-pole, double-pole, three-way and four-way switches.
Tutorial describes the different types of switches found in the home including single-pole, double-pole, three-way and four-way switches.
Shower Head Installation
Step by step tutorial on how to install or replace a wall mounted shower head
Step by step tutorial on how to install or replace a wall mounted shower head
Faucet Repair-Compression
This tutorial will show you how to repair a leaking compression washer faucet.
This tutorial will show you how to repair a leaking compression washer faucet.
Heat Anticipator
Definition of the thermostat heat anticipator
Definition of the thermostat heat anticipator
Water Softeners
Tutorial describes in plain English how water softeners work, the types of softeners and how they eliminate hard water and the differences between using salt and potassium.
Tutorial describes in plain English how water softeners work, the types of softeners and how they eliminate hard water and the differences between using salt and potassium.
How to Tuckpoint Mortar Joints
Maintaining mortar joints in a brick wall is essential to keep water out of the wall and prevent brick failure. Learn how to maintain the mortar joints in a brick wall with a technique called tuckpointing.
Maintaining mortar joints in a brick wall is essential to keep water out of the wall and prevent brick failure. Learn how to maintain the mortar joints in a brick wall with a technique called tuckpointing.
Repairing Orange Peel Texture
This tutorial will walk you through how to repair a damaged textured wall
This tutorial will walk you through how to repair a damaged textured wall
Furnace Filter Replacement
Description of how to replace a furnace filter
Description of how to replace a furnace filter
Caulk Like a Pro
Caulking is not an easy home repair to do in a way that looks good. Most home caulk jobs use too much caulk or apply it unevenly. This tutorial shows you a easy way to have professional looking caulk results every time.
Caulking is not an easy home repair to do in a way that looks good. Most home caulk jobs use too much caulk or apply it unevenly. This tutorial shows you a easy way to have professional looking caulk results every time.
Reducing Heat Loss
Describes how the home loses heat and what repairs bring the highest benefit.
Describes how the home loses heat and what repairs bring the highest benefit.
Removing Rust Stains
Removing unsightly rust and other stains from porcelain in toilets and sinks can be difficult. This tutorial will guide you through several ways to make this repair.
Removing unsightly rust and other stains from porcelain in toilets and sinks can be difficult. This tutorial will guide you through several ways to make this repair.
How to Remove a Tub Spout
This step by step tutorial describes how to remove a bath tub spout.
This step by step tutorial describes how to remove a bath tub spout.
Sizing an Electric Room Heater
Tip on how to determine the right size electric room heater for your needs.
Tip on how to determine the right size electric room heater for your needs.
Anode Rod
Definition of an anode rode found in a glass lined water heater
Definition of an anode rode found in a glass lined water heater
How to Paint a Room
Quick tips on the order in which a room's elements should be painted
Quick tips on the order in which a room's elements should be painted
AprilAire Space-Gard 2200
Detailed photo tutorial for installing the AprilAire Space-Gard or Spacegard 2200 whole house high efficiency air filter.
Detailed photo tutorial for installing the AprilAire Space-Gard or Spacegard 2200 whole house high efficiency air filter.
Tutorials for Painting Nursery
Paint tips and advice for painting a nursery
Paint tips and advice for painting a nursery
Caulk Removal
Tips for easy removal of dried latex or silicone caulk from your tub or sink.
Tips for easy removal of dried latex or silicone caulk from your tub or sink.
Drain Plumbing System
This tutorial describes an easy process for draining your home's plumbing system. Step by step description on how to drain your home's plumbing water line and then turn everything back on.
This tutorial describes an easy process for draining your home's plumbing system. Step by step description on how to drain your home's plumbing water line and then turn everything back on.
How to Fasten Object to a Wall
Description of different types of wall fasteners and their use
Description of different types of wall fasteners and their use
Drywall Repair: Small Hole
This helpful Step-By-Step tutorial will tell you how to make a quick and easy repair of a small hole in drywall.
This helpful Step-By-Step tutorial will tell you how to make a quick and easy repair of a small hole in drywall.
Buying a Stud Finder
Describes things you should know before buying an electronic or manual stud finder.
Describes things you should know before buying an electronic or manual stud finder.
Repairing Vinyl Siding
Step by step tutorial on how to replace or patch a damaged section of vinyl siding
Step by step tutorial on how to replace or patch a damaged section of vinyl siding
Portable Compressed Air Tank
Describes an easy solution and handy tool for portable compressed air in the home or apartment
Describes an easy solution and handy tool for portable compressed air in the home or apartment
Low VOC Interior Paint
Tutorial about alternative interior paints with low VOC's
Tutorial about alternative interior paints with low VOC's
Drywall Repair: Large Hole
This helpful Step-By-Step tutorial will tell you how to repair a large hole in drywall.
This helpful Step-By-Step tutorial will tell you how to repair a large hole in drywall.