Repairs guides

How to fix common household problems yourself

A troubleshooting guide to the small faults most homes develop, with simple fixes and clear limits.

Find out what type of faucet you have, replace the worn part, and know when the leak is a job for a plumber.

Clear a slow or blocked sink with a plunger, a trap clean-out, or a drain snake, in the order that makes sense.

Repair nail holes, dents, and hairline cracks in drywall or plaster so they disappear under paint.

Diagnose and fix a toilet that runs or refills by itself, by adjusting or replacing the flapper, fill valve, and float.

Find why a floor squeaks and silence it from above or below, on bare boards, laminate, or carpet.

Strip old silicone, prep the joint, and lay a clean waterproof bead around a bath or shower.

Clear a slow shower drain by removing hair at the grate, using a drain tool or plunger, and cleaning the trap.