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Fix it yourself

Fix it yourself

160 repairs a careful person can do at home, each with the tools, the time it takes, numbered steps, and the moment to stop and call a pro. Where the work is dangerous — gas, mains electrical, roofs above one storey — the guide says so and tells you what to do until the pro arrives.

You can do
155
Pro-only, with what to do meanwhile
5
Difficulty on every guide
easy · moderate · hard
Always listed
time · tools · when to stop

01/16

Plumber

18 guides · 16 you can do yourself

All guides
  1. 01

    Clogged drain

    easy 15–45 min· $5–30 for a zip tool, plunger or auger

  2. 02

    Dripping faucet

    moderate 30–60 min· $10–45 for a cartridge or washer kit

  3. 03

    Frozen pipes

    moderate 1–2 h· $5–20 for pipe insulation

  4. 04

    Garbage disposal humming but not spinning

    easy 10–30 min· $0–8 for a hex key

  5. 05

    Gas leak near appliance

    Don't do this yourself

  6. 06

    Hot water runs out quickly

    moderate 30–90 min· $0–35 for a hose, an element or a dip tube

  7. 07

    Leaking pipe

    moderate 30–90 min· $10–35 in tape, clamp or putty

  8. 08

    Low water pressure

    easy 20–60 min· $0–30 for vinegar, an aerator or a gauge

  9. 09

    No hot water

    easy 15–45 min· $0–40 for a thermostat or element if you are comfortable with electrical work

  10. 10

    Running toilet

    easy 15–45 min· $8–25 for a flapper or fill valve

  11. 11

    Sewage smell in the bathroom

    easy 15–45 min· $5–25 for cleaning supplies or a wax ring

  12. 12

    Sewer backup

    Don't do this yourself

  13. 13

    Slow bathtub drain

    easy 15–40 min· $5–15 for a snake and a hair catcher

  14. 14

    Toilet overflowing

    easy 10–40 min· $10–35 for a plunger or auger

  15. 15

    Water bubble forming on the ceiling

    easy 10–30 min· $0 — the fix is upstream; patching later costs $20–50 in materials

  16. 16

    Water Heater Leaking

    moderate 20–60 min· $0–20 for tape and a hose cap; $15–30 for a relief valve

  17. 17

    Water heater making popping or rumbling noise

    moderate 45–90 min· $0–15 for a hose

  18. 18

    Water heater pilot light out

    easy 10–30 min· $0

02/16

Electrician

9 guides · 8 you can do yourself

All guides
  1. 01

    Burning smell from outlet

    Don't do this yourself

  2. 02

    Dead outlet

    easy 10–30 min· $0–10 for a tester

  3. 03

    Electrical Buzzing Sound

    easy 10–30 min· $0 — isolate and call

  4. 04

    EV charger not working or charging slowly

    easy 15–45 min· $0 — checks and resets only

  5. 05

    GFCI outlet keeps tripping

    easy 15–40 min· $0 — a replacement GFCI is $15–25 if you are comfortable with outlet replacement where allowed

  6. 06

    Lights dim when appliances turn on

    easy 20–60 min· $0–20 for a tester and bulbs

  7. 07

    Outdoor motion sensor light stays on

    easy 15–45 min· $0 for adjustment; $15–40 for a sensor head

  8. 08

    Solar panels producing less power than expected

    easy 30–90 min· $0–30 for a pole brush

  9. 09

    Tripping circuit breaker

    easy 15–45 min· $0

03/16

HVAC Technician

8 guides · 8 you can do yourself

All guides
  1. 01

    AC leaking water

    easy 20–45 min· $0–15 for vinegar and a filter

  2. 02

    AC not cooling

    easy 20–60 min· $10–30 for a filter

  3. 03

    AC unit freezing up

    easy 1–4 h· $10–30 for a filter

  4. 04

    Bathroom vent dripping water

    moderate 1–3 h· $25–70 in insulated duct, tape and a cap

  5. 05

    Musty or Moldy Smell Coming From Air Vents

    easy 1–2 h· $15–35 for a filter, vinegar and coil cleaner

  6. 06

    Thermostat not working

    easy 10–40 min· $3–10 for batteries; $60–200 for a new thermostat

  7. 07

    Uneven heating or cooling between rooms

    easy 1–2 h· $10–30 in a filter and foil tape

  8. 08

    Unusually high energy bill

    easy 1–2 h· $10–40 in a filter, gaskets and weatherstripping

04/16

Handyman

25 guides · 25 you can do yourself

All guides
  1. 01

    Bathroom outdated or falling apart

    moderate 3–10 h· $150–500 in grout, caulk, fixtures and paint

  2. 02

    Bathroom tile grout cracking

    moderate 2–5 h· $25–60 in grout, caulk and sealer

  3. 03

    Broken door handle

    easy 15–45 min· $0–5 to tighten; $15–60 for a lockset

  4. 04

    Cabinet door falling off or misaligned

    easy 15–45 min· $3–15 in toothpicks, plates or a pair of hinges

  5. 05

    Clogged dryer vent

    easy 45–90 min· $15–40 for a brush kit and metal duct

  6. 06

    Cracked Drywall

    easy 1–3 h· $15–40 in tape, compound and paint

  7. 07

    Cracked vinyl siding

    easy 30–90 min· $5–10 for a zip tool; $15–40 for a panel

  8. 08

    Cracks in foundation wall

    easy 30–90 min· $10–30 for hydraulic cement; $60–150 for an injection kit

  9. 09

    Door won't latch or close properly

    easy 15–45 min· $0–10 for screws and filler

  10. 10

    Drafty windows letting in cold air

    easy 30–90 min· $10–40 in weatherstripping and caulk; $15–30 for a film kit

  11. 11

    Garage door making loud noise

    easy 30–60 min· $8–15 for lubricant; $30–60 for a set of nylon rollers

  12. 12

    Garage Door Reverses Before Fully Closing

    easy 15–45 min· $0 for cleaning and alignment; $20–40 for a sensor pair

  13. 13

    Garage Door Stuck

    easy 15–45 min· $0–15 for a battery and lubricant

  14. 14

    Garage door won't close

    easy 15–60 min· $0–40 for batteries or a sensor pair

  15. 15

    Garage floor cracking

    easy 1–2 h· $15–40 in sealant and backer rod; $30–60 for slab sealer

  16. 16

    Hardwood floor cupping or warping

    moderate 1–3 h· $20–40 for a moisture meter; $150–300 for a dehumidifier

  17. 17

    Hole in drywall

    easy 30–90 min· $10–30 for a patch kit and compound

  18. 18

    Kitchen outdated or falling apart

    moderate 2–8 h· $100–400 in hinges, handles, paint and sealant

  19. 19

    Loose floor tiles

    moderate 2–5 h· $20–60 in thin-set, grout and sealer

  20. 20

    Loose or wobbly railing

    moderate 30–90 min· $5–30 for screws, glue or a bracket

  21. 21

    Mold growing on walls or ceiling

    easy 1–3 h· $15–50 in cleaner, primer and paint

  22. 22

    Sliding closet door off track

    easy 15–45 min· $10–30 for rollers or a pivot kit

  23. 23

    Sliding door hard to open or sticking

    easy 30–90 min· $5–15 for silicone spray; $20–60 for a roller set

  24. 24

    Stuck door

    easy 20–90 min· $5–20 in screws, shims and sealer

  25. 25

    Stuck window won't open

    easy 20–60 min· $0–20 for wax, scraper or cord

05/16

Carpenter

9 guides · 9 you can do yourself

All guides
  1. 01

    Catio Mesh Sagging or Torn

    easy 1–3 h· $30–90 in mesh, screws and lath

  2. 02

    Creaking or buckling floors

    moderate 1–3 h· $15–40 in screws and shims

  3. 03

    Deck boards rotting or splintering

    moderate 2–5 h· $40–150 in boards, screws and tape

  4. 04

    Fence leaning or sections falling over

    moderate 2–6 h· $30–80 per post in concrete, a post and hardware

  5. 05

    Gaps in crown molding

    easy 1–2 h· $10–25 in caulk and nails

  6. 06

    Kitchen cabinet veneer peeling

    moderate 1–3 h· $15–40 in glue, banding and filler

  7. 07

    Scratched or damaged flooring

    easy 1–2 h· $10–40 for markers, filler and pads; $30–120 for a spare plank or tile

  8. 08

    Squeaky floors

    moderate 1–2 h· $10–35 for a squeak kit or shims

  9. 09

    Windows drafty, foggy, or leaking

    easy 1–2 h· $15–40 in caulk and weatherstripping; $20–40 for a film kit

06/16

House Cleaner

9 guides · 9 you can do yourself

All guides
  1. 01

    Carpet smells bad

    easy 1–3 h· $10–25 in baking soda and enzyme cleaner

  2. 02

    Carpet stains that won't come out

    easy 20–60 min· $5–20 for household cleaners or an enzyme spray

  3. 03

    Carpet stains that won't come out

    easy 20–60 min· $5–20 in household cleaners

  4. 04

    Deck or patio gray and discolored

    moderate 2–5 h· $40–120 in cleaner, brightener and stain

  5. 05

    Driveway stained or dingy

    easy 2–4 h· $20–60 in degreaser and sand; pressure-washer rental $40–90/day

  6. 06

    Grout Turning Black or Dark in the Shower

    easy 1–2 h· $10–35 for cleaner, grout and sealer

  7. 07

    Hard water stains and mineral buildup

    easy 20–60 min· $5–15 for vinegar and citric acid

  8. 08

    Mold in bathroom

    easy 30–90 min· $10–40 for cleaner, silicone or paint

  9. 09

    Pet Urine Stain and Odor in Carpet

    easy 30–90 min· $15–30 for enzyme cleaner and a blacklight

07/16

Landscaper

9 guides · 9 you can do yourself

All guides
  1. 01

    Dead lawn patches

    easy 1–2 h· $10–40 for seed and soil

  2. 02

    Downspout erosion at foundation

    easy 1–3 h· $20–60 for an extension and rock; $80–200 for a buried drain

  3. 03

    Driveway weeds growing through cracks

    easy 30–90 min· $10–40 for filler or polymeric sand

  4. 04

    Mulch Beds Washing Out in Rain

    easy 1–3 h· $40–150 in edging, mulch and netting

  5. 05

    Overgrown shrubs blocking windows or walkways

    easy 1–3 h· $0–40 for pruning tools

  6. 06

    Patio pavers sinking or uneven

    moderate 2–4 h· $30–80 in sand and polymeric sand; $60–150 with stone base

  7. 07

    Sprinkler head broken or leaking

    easy 20–45 min· $3–15 for a head

  8. 08

    Tree canopy blocking sunlight to lawn

    moderate 2–4 h· $30–80 in seed, compost and mulch

  9. 09

    Tree Roots Lifting Driveway Pavers

    moderate 2–5 h· $40–120 in base, sand and a root barrier

08/16

Pest Control Technician

8 guides · 8 you can do yourself

All guides
  1. 01

    Ant Infestation in Kitchen

    easy 20–60 min· $8–25 for baits and caulk

  2. 02

    Bed bugs in the mattress

    hard 2–8 h· $40–120 for encasements and interceptors

  3. 03

    Carpenter ant damage in wood framing

    moderate 1–2 h· $15–40 in filler, hardener and caulk

  4. 04

    Carpenter ants in wood framing

    moderate 1–3 h· $20–50 in baits and caulk

  5. 05

    Mice or Rodents in Walls

    moderate 1–3 h· $15–40 for traps and sealant

  6. 06

    Mosquito Infestation

    easy 30–90 min· $10–30 for dunks and screen patches

  7. 07

    Scratching or Scurrying Sounds in the Attic at Night

    moderate 1–3 h· $30–90 in mesh, flashing and a one-way door

  8. 08

    Visible mud tubes running up the exterior foundation wall

    easy 30–60 min· $0 — inspection and housekeeping only

09/16

Appliance Repair Technician

16 guides · 16 you can do yourself

All guides
  1. 01

    Dishwasher door not latching

    easy 20–60 min· $20–50 for a latch assembly

  2. 02

    Dishwasher not cleaning properly

    easy 30–60 min· $5–15 for cleaner and rinse aid

  3. 03

    Dishwasher Not Draining After Cycle

    easy 20–60 min· $0–10

  4. 04

    Dryer Not Heating

    moderate 30–90 min· $10–20 for a fuse and a vent brush

  5. 05

    Dryer overheating

    easy 30–60 min· $15–40 for a vent brush kit and metal duct

  6. 06

    Dryer Smells Like Burning

    moderate 45–90 min· $15–40 for a vent brush kit and metal duct

  7. 07

    Dryer taking too long to dry clothes

    easy 30–90 min· $15–40 for a vent brush kit and metal duct

  8. 08

    Fridge not cooling

    easy 20–60 min· $0–15 for a coil brush and thermometer

  9. 09

    Oven door glass shattered

    moderate 1–2 h· $40–150 for a glass panel

  10. 10

    Oven not heating evenly

    easy 30–90 min· $20–60 for an element or gasket; $10 for a thermometer

  11. 11

    Refrigerator ice maker not working

    easy 30–90 min· $20–50 for a filter; $25–60 for an inlet valve

  12. 12

    Refrigerator Making Clicking Noise

    moderate 30–60 min· $15–40 for a relay and overload kit

  13. 13

    Stove burner not igniting

    easy 15–45 min· $0 for a clean; $15–40 for an igniter

  14. 14

    Washer not draining

    easy 30–60 min· $0 for a filter clean; $25–60 for a drain pump

  15. 15

    Washing machine leaking water

    easy 30–90 min· $15–40 for hoses; $30–80 for a door gasket

  16. 16

    Washing machine shaking violently during spin

    easy 20–60 min· $10–30 for pads; $30–80 for dampers

10/16

Painter

7 guides · 7 you can do yourself

All guides
  1. 01

    Ceiling water stain bleeding through paint

    easy 30–90 min· $10–30 for a stain-blocking primer

  2. 02

    Garage floor epoxy peeling

    moderate 4–10 h· $150–400 in primer and top coat; grinder rental $80–150/day

  3. 03

    Microcement Hairline Cracks After Curing

    moderate 2–5 h· $60–150 in finish coat and sealer

  4. 04

    Mildew growing on painted walls

    easy 1–2 h· $15–50 for wash, primer and paint

  5. 05

    Paint bubbling or blistering

    moderate 1–3 h· $15–40 for primer and paint

  6. 06

    Peeling paint

    moderate 1–4 h· $20–60 for primer, filler and paint

  7. 07

    Stucco cracking on exterior walls

    easy 1–3 h· $20–60 in caulk, patch and paint

11/16

Roofer

11 guides · 9 you can do yourself

All guides
  1. 01

    Clogged gutters

    moderate 1–3 h· $0–30 for a scoop and sealant

  2. 02

    Gutters overflowing in the rain

    moderate 1–3 h· $0–25 in sealant and hangers

  3. 03

    Gutters Pulling Away From the Fascia Board

    moderate 1–2 h· $15–40 for hangers and screws

  4. 04

    Ice dam forming on the roof

    moderate 1–3 h· $40–100 for a roof rake, foam and caulk; $300–900 to top up insulation

  5. 05

    Ice dam on roof

    moderate 1–2 h· $30–80 for a roof rake and ice-melt

  6. 06

    Leaking roof vent or flashing

    hard 30–90 min· $10–25 for sealant or a boot, only for a safely reachable roof

  7. 07

    Missing shingles

    hard 30–90 min· $20–50 for a tarp, as a stop-gap only

  8. 08

    Mold growing in attic

    moderate 2–4 h· $30–80 in cleaner, ducting and baffles

  9. 09

    Roof leak

    Don't do this yourself

  10. 10

    Skylight leaking water

    moderate 30–90 min· $0–40 for a seal

  11. 11

    Standing water on a flat roof

    Don't do this yourself

12/16

Mover

5 guides · 5 you can do yourself

All guides
  1. 01

    Appliance won't fit through doorway

    moderate 30–60 min· $0 with a borrowed dolly

  2. 02

    Downsizing for a move

    easy 4–16 h· $20–60 for boxes and labels

  3. 03

    Furniture won't fit through doorway or staircase

    moderate 30–90 min· $0–30 for sliders and blankets

  4. 04

    Junk piling up in home or garage

    easy 2–8 h· $0–80 for bags, a tip run or a bulky-waste slot

  5. 05

    Overwhelmed by an Estate Cleanout

    moderate 8–40 h· $50–300 in boxes, a bulky-waste slot and fuel

13/16

Pool & Spa Technician

5 guides · 5 you can do yourself

All guides
  1. 01

    Cold Plunge Water Cloudy or Foamy

    easy 30–60 min· $15–40 in test strips, shock and cleaner

  2. 02

    Hot Tub Jets Weak or Not Working

    easy 30–90 min· $0 for cleaning; $10–30 per jet insert

  3. 03

    Hot Tub Water Foaming Excessively

    easy 1–3 h· $20–50 in flush product, cleaner and chemicals

  4. 04

    Pool Liner Tearing

    moderate 30–90 min· $10–30 for a patch kit and dye

  5. 05

    Pool salt cell not generating chlorine

    moderate 45–90 min· $10–25 in acid and test strips; $40–60 for a bag of salt

14/16

Smart Home Installer

11 guides · 11 you can do yourself

All guides
  1. 01

    Home Theater Audio Cutting Out or Dropping

    easy 30–90 min· $10–30 for an HDMI cable or banana plugs

  2. 02

    Security Camera Night Vision Is Blurry or Washed Out

    easy 15–45 min· $5–15 for cleaner and spray; $20–40 for an IR illuminator

  3. 03

    Security camera sending constant false motion alerts

    easy 20–60 min· $0

  4. 04

    Smart Doorbell Not Connecting to WiFi

    easy 30–90 min· $30–80 for an extender or mesh node; $15–25 for a transformer

  5. 05

    Smart doorbell not ringing

    easy 20–60 min· $0 for settings; $30–50 for a plug-in chime

  6. 06

    Smart Garage Opener Not Syncing

    easy 20–60 min· $0 for settings; $30–80 for a mesh node

  7. 07

    Smart Lock Battery Draining Too Fast

    easy 20–45 min· $5–15 in batteries and screws

  8. 08

    Smart lock not responding

    easy 15–45 min· $5–15 in batteries

  9. 09

    Smart thermostat short-cycling the HVAC

    moderate 30–90 min· $15–30 for a C-wire adapter

  10. 10

    Smart thermostat won't connect to WiFi

    easy 20–60 min· $0 for settings; $30–80 for a mesh node

  11. 11

    Wi-Fi dead zones in your home

    easy 1–2 h· $100–300 for a mesh kit

15/16

Concrete Mason

6 guides · 6 you can do yourself

All guides
  1. 01

    Brick mailbox column leaning or crumbling

    moderate 2–6 h· $40–120 in mortar, concrete and a cap

  2. 02

    Chimney mortar crumbling or deteriorating

    hard 3–8 h· $30–80 in mortar, sealant and repellent

  3. 03

    Concrete Patio Scaling and Flaking

    moderate 3–6 h· $60–200 in resurfacer and sealer

  4. 04

    Concrete Spalling

    moderate 2–5 h· $30–100 in patch, bonding agent and sealer

  5. 05

    Crumbling concrete steps

    moderate 2–5 h· $30–80 in patch, bonding agent and sealer

  6. 06

    Exterior brick spalling and crumbling

    moderate 2–6 h· $40–150 in bricks, mortar and repellent

16/16

Foundation Specialist

4 guides · 4 you can do yourself

All guides
  1. 01

    Basement Floor Crack Widening Over Time

    easy 30–60 min· $10–30 for a tell-tale and sealant

  2. 02

    Basement musty smell

    easy 1–3 h· $20–40 for a hygrometer and cleaner; $150–300 for a dehumidifier

  3. 03

    High radon levels in basement

    easy 1–2 h· $15–40 for test kits; $20–60 in sealant and a sump cover

  4. 04

    Standing water in crawl space

    moderate 2–6 h· $100–300 in vapour barrier, tape and downspout extensions; $150–300 for a pump

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This season

Maintenance checklists for the months ahead — the problems above are cheaper to prevent than to fix.