PatchwiseFix it once. Fix it right.
Clear, tested-method home repair guides for the jobs most homeowners and renters can handle themselves, with calculators and checklists built in so you buy the right materials and skip the second trip to the store.
Latest guides
How to Fix a Running Toilet: Find the Cause in 5 Minutes
Toilet keeps running? Use this step-by-step diagnosis to tell a bad flapper from a fill valve or float problem, then fix it for a few dollars.
6 min readWalls, Paint & FloorsHow Much Paint Do I Need? Room Paint Calculator + Buying Guide
Calculate exactly how many gallons of paint you need for walls and ceiling, with doors, windows, coats and coverage. Plus tips to avoid running short.
6 min readYard & OutdoorHow Much Mulch Do I Need? Calculator for Bags and Cubic Yards
Work out how much mulch to buy in bags or cubic yards for any bed size and depth, plus the right depth, when to mulch and mistakes to avoid.
5 min readEnergy & Home SafetyHow to Weatherstrip a Door and Stop Drafts for Good
Find door drafts, choose the right weatherstripping and door sweep, and install it step by step to cut heating and cooling losses.
5 min readPlumbing FixesHow to Fix a Leaky Faucet (Any Type) Without Calling a Plumber
Stop a dripping faucet by identifying whether it is compression, cartridge, ball or ceramic disc, then replacing the right washer or cartridge.
6 min readWalls, Paint & FloorsHow to Patch a Hole in Drywall: Nail Holes to Fist-Sized
Step-by-step drywall repair for every hole size: spackle for nail holes, mesh patches for medium holes and a cut-in patch for large damage.
5 min readYard & OutdoorHow Much Concrete Do I Need? Slab Calculator in Yards and Bags
Calculate concrete for a slab, patio or shed base in cubic yards and 60 or 80 lb bags, with waste allowance, thickness guide and bags vs ready-mix advice.
5 min readPlumbing FixesHow to Unclog a Drain Without Chemicals: 6 Methods That Work
Clear slow sinks, tubs and showers without harsh drain cleaners. Try these methods in order, from boiling water to a plunger, drain snake and P-trap cleaning.
5 min readWalls, Paint & FloorsHow to Caulk a Bathtub Like a Pro (and Remove the Old Caulk)
Remove old, moldy caulk and lay a clean, watertight bead around your tub or shower. Includes choosing caulk, prep, tape trick and curing time.
5 min readEnergy & Home SafetyHow to Clean a Dryer Vent (and Why It Matters for Fire Safety)
Signs your dryer vent is clogged, how to clean the lint trap, duct and exterior hood step by step, and when to call a professional.
5 min readPlumbing FixesHow to Winterize Outdoor Faucets and Prevent Frozen Pipes
Protect hose bibs and exposed pipes before the first hard freeze: shut-off, draining, covers, frost-free faucets and what to do if a pipe freezes.
5 min readWalls, Paint & FloorsHow to Fix Squeaky Floors (From Above and Below)
Find why your wood floor squeaks and silence it: shims and screws from below, squeak-repair kits through carpet, and fixes for hardwood.
5 min readEnergy & Home SafetyHow to Remove Mold From Shower Grout (and Keep It Away)
Clean black mold and mildew stains from shower grout and caulk safely, when to replace caulk or regrout, and how to stop mold coming back.
5 min readPlumbing FixesLow Water Pressure in One Faucet? How to Find and Fix the Cause
Weak flow from a single faucet or shower is usually a clogged aerator, cartridge or supply valve. Diagnose and fix it step by step.
5 min readWalls, Paint & FloorsHow to Find a Wall Stud Without a Stud Finder (7 Reliable Ways)
Locate studs using a magnet, outlets, trim nails, knocking and measurements, then confirm safely. Plus what to do when there is no stud where you need one.
5 min read