Step-by-step home maintenance how-tos
Plain-language, step-by-step walkthroughs for the maintenance tasks homeowners actually have to do — done safely and correctly.
13 guides
How to Flush a Water Heater (Step-by-Step)
Flushing your water heater once a year removes sediment, restores efficiency, and adds years of life. Here's exactly how to do it safely in about an hour.
3 min readHow to Clean Gutters Safely (Without Falling Off a Ladder)
Clogged gutters cause roof, fascia, and foundation damage. Here's how to clean them safely twice a year — the right ladder technique, tools, and what to check while you're up there.
3 min readHow to Change a Furnace Filter (and How Often)
Changing your HVAC filter is the cheapest, highest-return maintenance task there is. Here's how to find the right filter, change it correctly, and how often to do it.
2 min readHow to Clean a Dryer Vent (and Why It Prevents Fires)
A clogged dryer vent is a leading cause of house fires. Here's how to clean the full vent line yourself, the warning signs of a blockage, and how often to do it.
2 min readHow to Test a Sump Pump (Before You Need It)
A sump pump only matters when it works during a storm. Here's how to test yours in five minutes, what a failed test means, and why a backup matters.
2 min readHow to Prevent Frozen Pipes (and What to Do If They Freeze)
Frozen pipes can burst and flood a home in minutes. Here's how to prevent them before a cold snap, which pipes are most at risk, and how to thaw one safely.
2 min readHow to Shut Off the Water to Your House (in an Emergency)
When a pipe bursts, finding the main water shutoff fast is what saves your home. Here's where to find it, how to turn it off, and the other valves worth knowing.
2 min readHow to Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Working smoke and CO alarms are the cheapest life insurance in your home. Here's how to test them monthly, when to replace them, and where they belong.
2 min readHow to Unclog a Slow Drain (Without Harsh Chemicals)
Slow drains turn into clogged ones. Here's how to clear them with simple tools instead of caustic chemicals, and how to keep them flowing in the first place.
2 min readHow to Test a GFCI Outlet (and Reset One That Tripped)
GFCI outlets protect you from shocks near water — but only if they still work. Here's how to test one in under a minute, reset a tripped one, and know when it needs replacing.
2 min readHow to Clean Refrigerator Coils (and Cut Your Fridge's Energy Bill)
Dusty condenser coils make your refrigerator work harder, run hotter, and die younger. Here's how to clean them in 15 minutes, twice a year, with nothing but a vacuum and a brush.
2 min readHow to Winterize a Sprinkler System (Before the First Freeze)
Water left in irrigation lines freezes, expands, and cracks pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads. Here's how winterizing works, why the blow-out method matters, and when to call a pro.
2 min readHow to Clean a Dishwasher (So It Actually Cleans)
A dishwasher that leaves grit, film, or odor usually just needs its filter cleaned. Here's the 15-minute reset — filter, spray arms, and a vinegar run — that brings it back to life.
2 min read