Guide archive

General Repair guides

Browse 281 homeowner guides by category — repair steps, realistic costs, and honest advice on when a job is worth calling a pro.

A Milwaukee M12 drill and a Milwaukee M18 drill shown side-by-side on a workbench.
Troubleshooting
general

Milwaukee M12 vs. M18: Which Battery System Is Right for Your Next DIY Project?

Can't decide between Milwaukee's M12 and M18 lines? We break down the voltage, power, and tool selection to help you pick the right system for your home.

8 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
A driver's view of a construction truck with flashing blue and amber warning lights on the side of a highway.
Maintenance
general

What Do Blue Construction Lights Mean? Roadside Warning Light Colors Explained

Wondering if those flashing blue or green lights on a construction truck mean you need to pull over? Here's what each color signifies and how to react.

8 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Close-up of cracked and peeling old lead paint on a vintage window sill.
Troubleshooting
general

House Built Before 1978? What Every Homeowner Needs to Know About Lead Paint

If your home was built before 1978, you likely have lead paint. Disturbing it during DIY repairs can create toxic dust—here's how to work safely.

8 min fixBeginner
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A house with spooky purple and green smart lights for Halloween.
Troubleshooting
general

How to Use Smart Lights for Amazing Halloween Decorations

Want to take your Halloween decorations to the next level? Here's how to use smart lights to create spooky, cinematic effects that will be the talk of the block.

8 min fixBeginner
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DFW contractor standing beside his work truck at golden hour
Guide
general

DFW Contractors: Give Homeowners Another Way to Find Your Business

Help DFW homeowners discover your contracting business. Create a free Fixly Guide listing with your business name and phone number, then upgrade when ready.

8 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
A close-up of a red traffic light with a reflective yellow border around it at dusk.
DIY Guide
general

Traffic Light Has a Yellow Border? Here’s What It Means for Drivers

Ever notice a traffic light with a bright yellow border? It's not just decoration—it’s a visibility feature with a specific purpose for road safety.

8 min fixIntermediate
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Cracked and peeling white lead paint on an old wooden window sill requiring safe DIY repair.
Maintenance
general

Paint Peeling in an Old House? Lead Dust Safety for DIY Repairs

If your home was built before 1978, repairs that disturb painted surfaces can create hazardous lead dust—here's how to test and work safely.

12 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Smiling contractor with arms crossed and a tool belt in front of a brick Dallas–Fort Worth home
Guide
general

DFW Contractors: Get a Free Fixly Guide Profile

Join Fixly Guide with a free contractor profile. List your business name and phone number, then upgrade for $49.99/month for a full profile and lead eligibility.

5 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
A friendly contractor in a navy work shirt holding a tablet in front of a brick Dallas–Fort Worth home, introducing his business to local homeowners
Guide
general

DFW Contractors: Join the Fixly Guide Founding Program

Own a contracting business in Dallas–Fort Worth? Learn about Fixly Guide’s founding program and how to introduce your services to local homeowners.

6 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
A space heater that won't turn on, sitting unplugged on a floor.
DIY Guide
general

Space Heater Not Working? 8 Reasons It Won't Turn On (and What to Check First)

Find out the most common reasons your portable space heater won't turn on, from a tripped breaker or faulty cord to a malfunctioning tip-over switch, and learn which fixes are DIY-safe.

8 min fixIntermediate
Read Guide
A close-up of a lumber grade stamp on a 2x6 board showing its grade and species.
Troubleshooting
general

Lumber Grade Stamps Explained: How to Read & Choose the Right Wood for a Project

Don't just guess when you're buying lumber; the grade stamp on every board tells you its species, moisture content, grade, and the mill that produced it.

8 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Testing a painted window sill for lead paint with a home test kit which is showing a positive red result.
Troubleshooting
general

Worried About Lead Paint? How to Test for It and Stay Safe During DIY Repairs

If your home was built before 1978, you likely have lead paint. Here's how to test for it and what to do to keep your family safe during renovations.

8 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
A modern electric space heater with a burning smell is shown up close, with a wisp of smoke coming from the grill.
DIY Guide
general

Electric Heater Smells Like Burning? 6 Common Odors Explained

An electric heater that smells like burning plastic, dust, or chemicals can be alarming, but it's often a fixable problem. Here's what's causing it.

8 min fixIntermediate
Read Guide
A close-up of a green lawn infested with dandelions and clover, illustrating the need to choose the right weed killer.
Troubleshooting
general

Weed Killer Colors & Labels: 9 Common Types and How to Choose the Right One

Don't guess at the garden center—learn what the colors and active ingredients on weed killer labels really mean so you buy the right product the first time.

8 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Homeowner in full PPE carefully wet-sanding old lead paint on a window frame.
Call a Pro
general

The One Mistake DIYers Make with Old Paint (It Could Cost You Your Health)

If your home was built before 1978, disturbing old paint during DIY projects can release dangerous lead dust. Learn how to protect your family and your wallet.

13 min fixCall a Pro
Read Guide
Home utility area with a gas furnace and water heater, yellow gas line, pressure relief valve, and a carbon monoxide detector on the wall
Maintenance
general

Home Safety Warning Signs: 10 Red Flags From Your Appliances and Systems

Your home usually warns you before something dangerous happens. Learn the 10 warning signs your furnace, water heater, electrical system, gas lines, and appliances give off — what you can safely check yourself, and when to call a professional right away.

9 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Close-up of a semi-truck wheel with decorative chrome spike lug nut covers.
Troubleshooting
general

The Big Rig Mystery: Why Those Wheel Spikes Aren't What You Think

Ever wondered about those intimidating spikes on big truck wheels? They're not for defense, but they do tell us something about basic vehicle maintenance and why protective covers matter.

12 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Electrician demonstrating difference between AFCI and GFCI breakers in a modern electrical panel with an outlet
Troubleshooting
general

The Shocking Truth About GFCIs vs. AFCIs: Are You Really Protected?

GFCIs prevent electrocution from ground faults, while AFCIs stop fires from dangerous electrical arcs. Understanding their distinct roles is crucial for home safety.

12 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Homeowner in full protective gear wet-scraping lead paint from a window sill
Maintenance
general

The Silent Killer in Your Old Home: Why DIY Paint Jobs Can Poison You

If your home was built before 1978, disturbing old paint could release toxic lead dust, putting your family at risk during DIY projects.

13 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Homeowner wiping down a sparkling clean kitchen cabinet after deep cleaning
Troubleshooting
general

The Grime-Busting Secret: Why Your Kitchen Never Feels Truly Clean (And How to Fix It)

I've seen countless kitchens that just don't feel clean, no matter how much elbow grease is applied. It's often not about cleaning more, but cleaning smarter, targeting the hidden culprits of grease and grime.

15 min fixBeginner
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Contractor's hand gently scraping dried paint off a white plastic window frame with a plastic scraper.
DIY Guide
general

That Pesky Paint Drip on Plastic? Here's How I Get Rid of It

Don't let a stray paint splatter ruin your perfect finish; I'll show you the pro tricks to clean paint off plastic without damaging the surface.

10 min fixIntermediate
Read Guide
Contractor cleaning mold and dust from a bathroom exhaust fan motor and housing with a brush and cloth.
Troubleshooting
general

The Bathroom Fan's Dirty Secret: Why It Stinks (And What It's Hiding)

Discover why your bathroom exhaust fan smells terrible, how to track down the root cause, and the surprisingly simple steps you can take to banish those funky odors for good.

12 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Homeowner safely removing lead paint from a window sill in a sealed-off work area.
Troubleshooting
general

The Invisible Killer Hiding in Your Old House (And How to Evict It)

Don't let the dangers of lead paint catch you off guard during your next home improvement project; learn how to identify it and stay safe.

12 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Custom-fitted wooden shelf cover transforming a wire shelf in a pantry
Call a Pro
general

That Annoying Gap: Why Your Wire Shelves Need a Simple Upgrade (And How to Do It)

Tired of tiny bottles tipping over or pencils vanishing into the abyss of your wire shelves? I'll show you how a quick, custom shelf cover project solves it all, transforming flimsy wires into sturdy, flat surfaces.

11 min fixCall a Pro
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