20 Things Every Homeowner Should Know How to Do
You don’t have to call a handyman every time something goes haywire in your house. Get tips for tackling 20 basic home repairs and projects, from fixing a running toilet to cleaning the gutters.
Related To:
Fix a Running Toilet
Unclog a Drain
Set a Thermostat Properly
Install Weatherstripping
Caulk Cracks and Gaps
Turn Off a Smoke Detector
Modern homes often have electric smoke detectors with a battery backup. If you get a false alarm (and you’re sure it’s a false alarm), you must cut the power to the system and then disconnect each individual unit’s battery in order to turn off the piercing sound. (Burning a tuna melt in the kitchen is a bad time to find out you don’t know how to do this.) Locate your smoke detector’s switch in your circuit breaker box — if it isn’t clearly labeled, do that now — so that you can turn off the power if necessary. You can use a broom handle to pop out the battery panels of all ceiling-mounted units; if you have vaulted ceilings, make sure you have a long enough stick to do the job. Once the smoke clears, don’t wait — turn the electricity back on immediately and put the batteries back in each unit. Safety note: be sure to test your units once a month and replace batteries twice a year; find out how at AllState.com.
Test GFCIs
Find Your Main Water Shutoff Valve
Find a Wall Stud
Plant a Tree
A healthy tree is a lasting asset to your property, but unfortunately, planting properly is a task that many homeowners get wrong. The rules are different depending on whether you’re buying a tree bareroot, in a container, or balled and burlapped, so read up at the Arbor Day Foundation before you grab a shovel and start digging. Some cardinal rules: never bury the root collar under soil (that’s the part where the roots join the trunk), don’t pile mulch on the trunk (the ubiquitous “volcano” look smothers roots and rots bark), and don’t fertilize after planting (it can kill young trees).
Clean Refrigerator Coils
Clean Grout
Paint a Room
Change the Air Filters on Your HVAC System
Change Lawn Mower Oil
Clean a High-Efficiency Washing Machine
Install a Wall Anchor
Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts
Deal With a Flooded Basement
Inspect Your Attic

Photo By: ©iStockphoto.com/MilesSherrill