DIY Learning Center
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62 free, plain-language guides for common home repairs. Each one lists the tools you need, walks you through the steps and tells you exactly when to stop and call a pro.
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Most popular fixes
Walls & Floors · Easy · 30 min + dryingHow to Patch a Hole in DrywallRead the guide →Plumbing · Easy · 20–40 minHow to Fix a Running ToiletRead the guide →Doors & Windows · Easy · 30–60 minHow to Fix a Sticking DoorRead the guide →Plumbing · Moderate · 45–90 minHow to Fix a Leaky FaucetRead the guide →Kitchen & Bath · Easy · 15 minHow to Unjam a Garbage DisposalRead the guide →Electrical · Moderate · 30–45 minHow to Replace a Light Switch or OutletRead the guide →Kitchen & Bath · Easy · 1 hour + 24 hr cureHow to Caulk a BathtubRead the guide →Kitchen & Bath · Easy · 20–30 minHow to Fix a Loose Towel BarRead the guide →Kitchen & Bath · Easy · 20 minHow to Re-hang a Cabinet DoorRead the guide →Plumbing · Easy · 20–40 minHow to Fix a Dripping P-Trap Under the SinkRead the guide →Electrical · Easy · 10 minHow to Reset a Tripped Circuit BreakerRead the guide →Appliances & HVAC · Easy · 20 minHow to Change a Furnace Filter and Bleed a RadiatorRead the guide →
10 guides
Plumbing
Toilets, faucets, drains and shutoffs.
Plumbing · Easy · 20–40 minHow to Fix a Running ToiletRead the guide →Plumbing · Moderate · 45–90 minHow to Fix a Leaky FaucetRead the guide →Plumbing · Easy · 20–40 minHow to Fix a Dripping P-Trap Under the SinkRead the guide →Plumbing · Easy · 20–30 minHow to Unclog a Slow Bathroom SinkRead the guide →Plumbing · Moderate · 45–60 minHow to Replace a Toilet Fill Valve or FlapperRead the guide →Plumbing · Easy · 15 minHow to Replace a ShowerheadRead the guide →Plumbing · Easy · 10 minHow to Fix a Loose Toilet SeatRead the guide →Plumbing · Moderate · 30–45 minHow to Replace a Kitchen Sprayer HoseRead the guide →Plumbing · Easy · 5 minHow to Shut Off Your Water in an EmergencyRead the guide →Plumbing · Hard · 2 hoursHow to Replace a Toilet Wax RingRead the guide →
7 guides
Electrical
Switches, outlets, fixtures and breakers.
Electrical · Moderate · 30–45 minHow to Replace a Light Switch or OutletRead the guide →Electrical · Easy · 10 minHow to Reset a Tripped Circuit BreakerRead the guide →Electrical · Moderate · 1–2 hoursHow to Replace a Ceiling Light FixtureRead the guide →Electrical · Moderate · 30–45 minHow to Install a Dimmer SwitchRead the guide →Electrical · Easy · 20 minHow to Replace a Doorbell ButtonRead the guide →Electrical · Easy · 5–10 minHow to Reset a GFCI OutletRead the guide →Electrical · Easy · 10 min per alarmHow to Replace Smoke Detector Batteries and TestRead the guide →
6 guides
Doors & Windows
Sticking doors, locks, screens and drafts.
Doors & Windows · Easy · 30–60 minHow to Fix a Sticking DoorRead the guide →Doors & Windows · Easy · 20–40 minHow to Fix a Door That Won't LatchRead the guide →Doors & Windows · Easy · 30–45 minHow to Replace a DeadboltRead the guide →Doors & Windows · Easy · 30–60 minHow to Fix a Stuck WindowRead the guide →Doors & Windows · Easy · 30–45 minHow to Re-Screen a WindowRead the guide →Doors & Windows · Easy · 30–60 minHow to Replace Door WeatherstrippingRead the guide →
5 guides
Walls & Floors
Drywall, paint touch-ups, shelves and squeaks.
Walls & Floors · Easy · 30 min + dryingHow to Patch a Hole in DrywallRead the guide →Walls & Floors · Easy · 30 min + dryingHow to Fix Drywall Nail PopsRead the guide →Walls & Floors · Easy · 30 minHow to Re-Anchor a Wall ShelfRead the guide →Walls & Floors · Easy · 30 minHow to Touch Up Wall Paint So It BlendsRead the guide →Walls & Floors · Moderate · 30–60 minHow to Fix a Squeaky FloorboardRead the guide →
11 guides
Kitchen & Bath
Cabinets, caulk, grout and fixtures.
Kitchen & Bath · Easy · 15 minHow to Unjam a Garbage DisposalRead the guide →Kitchen & Bath · Easy · 1 hour + 24 hr cureHow to Caulk a BathtubRead the guide →Kitchen & Bath · Easy · 20–30 minHow to Fix a Loose Towel BarRead the guide →Kitchen & Bath · Easy · 20 minHow to Re-hang a Cabinet DoorRead the guide →Kitchen & Bath · Easy · 20 minHow to Replace a Cabinet HingeRead the guide →Kitchen & Bath · Easy · 15 minHow to Adjust Cabinet Doors That Won't CloseRead the guide →Kitchen & Bath · Moderate · 45–60 minHow to Replace Drawer SlidesRead the guide →Kitchen & Bath · Moderate · 20–30 minHow to Tighten a Wobbly Faucet BaseRead the guide →Kitchen & Bath · Moderate · 3–6 hoursHow to Regrout TileRead the guide →Kitchen & Bath · Easy · 15 minHow to Replace a Shower Door SweepRead the guide →Kitchen & Bath · Hard · 2–3 hoursHow to Replace a Bathroom Exhaust FanRead the guide →
7 guides
Appliances & HVAC
Filters, vents, thermostats and appliances.
Appliances & HVAC · Easy · 20 minHow to Change a Furnace Filter and Bleed a RadiatorRead the guide →Appliances & HVAC · Easy · 20 minHow to Level a Washing MachineRead the guide →Appliances & HVAC · Easy · 1 hourHow to Clean a Dryer VentRead the guide →Appliances & HVAC · Easy · 10 minHow to Replace a Refrigerator Water FilterRead the guide →Appliances & HVAC · Easy · 15 minHow to Clean a Dishwasher FilterRead the guide →Appliances & HVAC · Moderate · 1 hourHow to Replace a ThermostatRead the guide →Appliances & HVAC · Easy · 1 hourHow to Clean AC Condenser CoilsRead the guide →
8 guides
Outdoor
Gutters, fences, concrete, decks and lights.
Outdoor · Moderate · 2–3 hoursHow to Clean Your GuttersRead the guide →Outdoor · Easy · 20 minHow to Fix a Loose Fence PicketRead the guide →Outdoor · Moderate · 1–2 hoursHow to Reset a Leaning Mailbox PostRead the guide →Outdoor · Easy · 1 hour + cureHow to Patch a Crack in ConcreteRead the guide →Outdoor · Easy · 30–60 minHow to Fix a Sagging GateRead the guide →Outdoor · Moderate · 1 hourHow to Replace an Exterior Light FixtureRead the guide →Outdoor · Easy · 1–2 hoursHow to Caulk Exterior Window TrimRead the guide →Outdoor · Moderate · 1 dayHow to Reseal a DeckRead the guide →
8 guides
Around the House
Mounting, hanging and tightening.
Around the House · Moderate · 30–60 minHow to Hang a Heavy MirrorRead the guide →Around the House · Moderate · 1–2 hoursHow to Mount a TV on the WallRead the guide →Around the House · Easy · 45 minHow to Install a Closet RodRead the guide →Around the House · Easy · 30 minHow to Fix a Wobbly Chair or TableRead the guide →Around the House · Easy · 30–45 minHow to Tighten a Loose HandrailRead the guide →Around the House · Easy · 10 minHow to Install a Door StopRead the guide →Around the House · Easy · 30–45 minHow to Hang a Curtain Rod in DrywallRead the guide →Around the House · Moderate · 30 minHow to Fix a Loose Stair BalusterRead the guide →
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