Custom Search

Home Maintenance & Repair

Prevention, in the form of home maintenance tackled throughout the year, is the best way to keep small problems from turning into big emergencies.

When little thing go wrong - as they inevitably will - knowing how to take care of them quickly means you'll spend less time waiting for repair people to make an expensive appearance.

What common problems will you be able to solve yourself?

Easy tasks include clearing a backed up toilet, patching small holes in drywall or plaster, dr drip fixing a stopped-up sink, and recaulking a bathtub.

And easiest of all: practice preventative plumbing.

Suggested Reading

June Home Checklist Keep your house's systems and surfaces running in peak condition by completing the 10 tasks this month.

Corrective Caulking. Replacing cracked caulking can save you a bundle on expensive repairs caused by water seeping through its cracks.

11 Quick Fixes You Can Do Yourself These 11 common malfunctions are easily fixed - even if you aren't a handyman (or woman).

Preventative Plumbing Keep things flowing in the bathroom and kitchen with these preventative measures.

How to Fix a Stopped-Up Sink Backed up water in a bathroom or kitchen sink is one mishap you can cure yourself with these easy tips.

How to Repair a Backed-Up Toilet Toilet trouble? Here are the simple steps to take to get things flowing smoothly again.

How to Make Wall Holes Disappear Unsightly nail holes from removed pictures or shelves are simple to fix with this step-by-step guide.

8 Easy Ways to Keep Expensive Repairs to a Minimum You can do it - and do it yourself. Here are 10 easy ways to ensure expensive fixes in your house are kept to a minimum.

Maintaining Kitchen Appliances Yes, you do have to maintain your appliances to keep them in tip-top operating condition. Completing these tasks will not only keep your appliances running longer, it will also help you save each month on your energy bill.

Maintaining Your Refrigerator What to do when to keep your refrigerator chilling nicely.

Fireplace Maintenance To keep the fireplace burning safely and cleanly, you'll need to perform a few simple checks and tweaks to ensure your home and your family's safety.

How to Clean Rusted Iron Fixtures Easy tips for removing rust on iron fixtures in your house.

Hardwood Floor Care Hardwood requires a special cleaning and servicing routine to retain its natural luster. Here are the basics you'll need to know to keep it shining.

Preventative Plumbing What to do now - and regularly - before plumbing issues surface.

How to Maintain Brass Fixtures How to easily and safely maintain brass fixtures.

About the Author

Tara Aronson is a native Californian. Having grown up in San Diego, she studied journalism and Spanish to pursue a career in newspaper writing. Tara, whose three children - Chris, Lyndsay, and Payne - are the light of her life, now lives and writes in Los Angeles. She also regularly appears on television news programs throughout the U.S.