Tips & solutions
Quick answers every homeowner and renter should know: where the water shutoff is, how to read a breaker panel, what to do if you smell gas, and when to call a pro.
- Find your main water shutoff before you need itA burst pipe can soak a floor in minutes. Knowing where your shutoff is, and how to turn it, is the single most useful thing you can learn about your house.
- How to read your breaker panelYour breaker panel looks intimidating, but you only need to understand a few parts to reset a tripped circuit safely and find the right breaker fast.
- What to do if you smell gasA rotten-egg smell can mean a natural gas or propane leak. Get everyone out first, then call for help from a safe distance. Don't look for the leak yourself.
- How to stop a toilet overflowYou have a few seconds and two easy moves to stop the water. Here's what to do, how to clear the clog, and how to clean up safely.
- The basic home toolkit: 20 tools that handle most repairsYou don't need a garage full of gear. About twenty well-chosen tools will get you through most of the fixes on this site, and most fit in one sturdy box.
- DIY or call a pro? A simple way to decideSix questions sort almost every home repair into do it yourself, get help, or don't touch it. Run through them before you open the toolbox.
- Home repair safety basicsMost DIY injuries come from a few predictable mistakes. These habits take seconds and keep a small repair from becoming a trip to urgent care.
- How to find your appliance model numberThe model and serial number tag is the key to the right part, the right repair guide and any recall. Here's where to look on each appliance, and why to photograph it today.