plumbing
Why your toilet keeps running
Separate a leaking flush seal from water flowing into the overflow before buying parts.
Practical know-how for every roomHome Maintenance
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& Repair Guides
Find the cause. Understand the repair.
Take better care of your home, one job at a time.
Know your homeThe small checks that prevent bigger repairs
Follow the symptoms
Find the Problem
A few safe checks. A clearer next step.
Possible causes, not a diagnosis. Gas odor, smoke or a sounding CO alarm? Leave the building and call emergency services from outside.
What are you working on?
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PlumbingLeaks, toilets & taps
Walls & ceilingsPatches & preparation
Doors & windowsDrafts, seals & sticking
Heating & coolingFilters & airflow
Kitchen & bathroomFixtures & appliances
Floors & surfacesCare & protection
Outdoor maintenanceDrainage & weather
Home safetyAlarms & prevention
Tools & DIY basicsMeasure, choose & prepare
Seasonal maintenanceA routine that worksUseful first fixes
Start with the symptoms
plumbing
How to clean a faucet aerator
An uneven stream at one faucet may come from debris in its aerator.
walls ceilings
Patch small nail holes in drywall
Fill a small, dry surface hole with compatible spackle, then finish it to match the wall.
heating cooling
Replace an accessible HVAC air filter
Use the correct size, approved filter type and airflow direction for your system.
kitchen bathroom
Replace failed caulk around a tub or shower
Renew a compatible sealant joint only after the surfaces and underlying area are sound and dry.
doors windows
Replace worn door weatherstripping
Seal a moving door with the profile designed for it, while preserving easy operation.
Build your DIY basics
Start here →See how it works
Your home, explained.
Clear diagrams for the parts, connections and warning signs worth knowing.
Explore illustrated guides →
A closer look at the job.
Instructional lessons from manufacturers and established home-care educators, alongside written steps.
Browse video tutorials →A question about your home?
Start with 30 practical questions and sourced editorial answers, then explore the related repair guides.
Read the questions & answers →Recently source-checked
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