Fix It Notes

All home repair guides

30 step-by-step guides, grouped by area of the house.

Plumbing

PlumbingHow to Find and Shut Off Your Main Water ValveEasy · 10 to 20 minutesPlumbingHow to Fix Low Water Pressure at a Faucet (Clean the Aerator)Easy · 10 to 30 minutesPlumbingHow to Fix a Leak Under the Sink (P-Trap and Drain)Easy · 20 to 60 minutesPlumbingHow to Fix a Leaky FaucetEasy to moderate · 30 to 90 minutesPlumbingHow to Fix a Running ToiletEasy · 15 to 60 minutesPlumbingHow to Unclog a Sink Drain Without ChemicalsEasy · 15 to 45 minutesPlumbingHow to Unclog a ToiletEasy · 5 to 30 minutesPlumbingWater Heater Not Heating? What to Check FirstModerate · 15 to 45 minutes

Electrical

ElectricalHow to Replace a Light SwitchModerate · 30 to 60 minutesElectricalHow to Replace an Electrical OutletModerate · 30 to 60 minutesElectricalHow to Reset a Tripped Circuit BreakerEasy · 5 to 15 minutesElectricalHow to Reset a Tripped GFCI OutletEasy · 5 to 15 minutesElectricalHow to Stop a Smoke Alarm From ChirpingEasy · 10 to 20 minutes

Walls and Tile

WallsHow to Fix Drywall Nail PopsEasy · 30 minutes of work, plus drying timeWallsHow to Patch a Large Hole in DrywallModerate · 2 hours of work over 1 to 2 daysWallsHow to Patch a Small Hole in DrywallEasy · 30 minutes of work, plus drying timeWallsHow to Recaulk a Bathtub or ShowerEasy · 1 to 2 hours, plus 24 hours to cureWallsHow to Regrout TileModerate · 3 to 6 hours for a tub surround, plus cure time

Doors and Windows

Doors and windowsHow to Fix a Door That SticksEasy to moderate · 30 minutes to 2 hoursDoors and windowsHow to Fix a Door That Won't LatchEasy · 20 to 60 minutesDoors and windowsHow to Fix a Squeaky Door HingeEasy · 15 to 30 minutesDoors and windowsHow to Replace a Window ScreenEasy · 30 to 45 minutes per screenDoors and windowsHow to Weatherstrip an Exterior DoorEasy · 1 to 2 hours

Appliances

AppliancesDishwasher Not Draining? How to Fix ItEasy · 20 to 45 minutesAppliancesHow to Clean a Dryer VentEasy to moderate · 1 to 2 hoursAppliancesHow to Fix a Jammed Garbage DisposalEasy · 10 to 30 minutesAppliancesRefrigerator Not Cooling? What to CheckEasy · 30 to 60 minutes

Outdoor

OutdoorHow to Clean Gutters SafelyModerate · 2 to 4 hours for a one-story houseOutdoorHow to Fix a Leaky Outdoor Faucet (Hose Bib)Easy to moderate · 30 to 60 minutesOutdoorHow to Winterize Outdoor Faucets and Prevent Frozen PipesEasy · 15 to 30 minutes