Safety disclaimer
Please read this before you pick up a tool.
Home repair can injure people and damage property. FixItCity's guides are general information, not instructions for your specific home, and we can't see your situation. You're responsible for deciding whether a job is safe for you to do.
Ground rules in every guide
- Electricity: turn off the breaker and confirm the power is off with a non-contact voltage tester before touching wiring. Never open the electrical panel.
- Gas: if you smell gas, leave immediately and call 911 or your gas company from outside. Never work on gas lines or gas connections.
- Water: know where your shutoffs are and turn off the water before plumbing work.
- Ladders and roofs: use a ladder rated for the job on firm, level ground, and leave steep or high roof work to pros.
- Older homes: homes built before 1978 may have lead paint, and some older materials may contain asbestos. Don't sand, scrape or cut unknown older surfaces.
- Manufacturer first: your product's manual and labels override any general guide, including ours.
- Codes and permits: some work requires a permit or a licensed professional. Rules vary by state, county and city.
When to stop
Stop and call a licensed professional if anything looks different from what a guide describes, if you feel unsure, or if a problem comes back after you've fixed it. Our fix it or call a pro quiz can help you decide, and our free match request can connect you with someone local.
By using FixItCity's guides you accept that FixItCity is not liable for injury, damage or loss resulting from repairs you attempt. See our terms of use.