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Home repair triage

Know what to do first when something breaks at home

Plain, researched guides and checklists for leaks, breakers, cooling problems and cracks, so you can tell what is urgent, what can wait and when to call a professional.

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  • 17 guides
  • 5 topics
  • 4 tools

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Each topic starts with what to check first and when to stop.

Plumbing3 guides Electrical2 guides HVAC2 guides Structural5 guides Tools5 guides

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30 minutes to containVariesFound a Water Leak? What to Do First, Step by StepReading: 7 minutesVariesElectrical Problems You Should Not DIY (Call a Pro)About 30 minutesFree to checkBreaker Keeps Tripping in One Room: Causes and Next Steps5 minutes per jobFreeDIY or Call a Pro? How to Decide for Home RepairsAbout 30 minutesFree to under $25AC Not Cooling? What to Check Before Calling for ServiceA few minutes to measure, months to monitorUnder $25Wall Crack: Cosmetic or Structural? What to Look ForA few days to a few weeks of watchingFree to lowCeiling Stain: Old Mark or Active Leak? How to Tell10 to 20 minutesFreeBefore Calling a Repair Pro: What to Document and Photograph

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Stop and Call Now Checklist (Home Warning Signs)A tickable checklist of home warning signs that mean stop, get safe and call for help first: gas smell, burning smell, water near electrics and more.Water Meter Leak Test Checklist (Find a Hidden Leak)A checklist for the water meter leak test: stop all water use, read the meter, wait about two hours, read again and compare to spot a hidden leak.Document Before You Call a Pro: A Printable ChecklistPhotos, dates, model numbers and notes to gather before you call a plumber, electrician or HVAC tech, so the first call and quote are clearer and faster.DIY or Pro? A Home Repair Decision GuideCompare doing it yourself, a handyman, a licensed trade and a general contractor, with what each suits, what can go wrong and when to stop and call.

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