Home Repair: Most Popular Articles
These articles are the most popular over the last month.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 a Garbage Disposal
Construction of a Garbage Disposal
Construction of a Garbage Disposal
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Garbage Disposal Installation
Tutorial explaining steps to install a garbage disposal
Tutorial explaining steps to install a garbage disposal
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
Home Winterizing Checklist
Fall checklist for getting your home ready for winter
Fall checklist for getting your home ready for winter
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Heat Anticipator
Definition of the thermostat heat anticipator
Definition of the thermostat heat anticipator
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.
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.
Aerating and Mowing
Lawn aeration is the secret weapon in making your lawn a healthy lawn. Aeration involves making holes in the lawn either by pushing a rod into it or by extracting a small cylinder of dirt.
Lawn aeration is the secret weapon in making your lawn a healthy lawn. Aeration involves making holes in the lawn either by pushing a rod into it or by extracting a small cylinder of dirt.
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.
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.
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.
Furnace Filter Replacement
Description of how to replace a furnace filter
Description of how to replace a furnace filter
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
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
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.
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.
Fixing Water Hammer
Describes the common problem of water hammer and how to solve it.
Describes the common problem of water hammer and how to solve it.
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.
Measuring Faucet GPM
Quick tip on how to measure the specific flow rate from your faucet or shower head measured in gallons per minute (GPM).
Quick tip on how to measure the specific flow rate from your faucet or shower head measured in gallons per minute (GPM).
Tutorials for Painting Nursery
Paint tips and advice for painting a nursery
Paint tips and advice for painting a nursery
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
All About Paint
Comprehensive overview of interior and exterior paint for the house, what paint is made from and what type of paint to use where.
Comprehensive overview of interior and exterior paint for the house, what paint is made from and what type of paint to use where.
Wood Floor Basics
Describes types of wood floors including solid and engineered
Describes types of wood floors including solid and engineered
Exterior Painting Surface Prep
The most important step in painting your home does not involve a paintbrush but rather paint scraping tools. Learn how to prepare your home's exterior surface for painting.
The most important step in painting your home does not involve a paintbrush but rather paint scraping tools. Learn how to prepare your home's exterior surface for painting.
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
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.
Test for Carbon Monoxide
Testing for Carbon Monoxide in the Home
Testing for Carbon Monoxide in the Home
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
2 Prong Outlet Upgrade
This tutorial will guide you through a simple way to upgrade the safety of almost any 2 prong outlet to become a GFCI outlet.
This tutorial will guide you through a simple way to upgrade the safety of almost any 2 prong outlet to become a GFCI outlet.