Home Repair

Plumbing, electrics, insulation and finishing - where the fault usually is, and where to stop.

• Caulk vs Sealant: Which to Use in Bathrooms and Outdoors

  Acrylic, siliconised acrylic, silicone, and polyurethane each fail in different places. Here is which to use where, and why paintability decides most of it.

• Attic Insulation R-Value: How Much You Need and What It Saves

  Most older houses have half the insulation they need. Here is the R-value target for your climate, and the air sealing that matters even more.

• Drywall Anchors: Which Type Holds What Weight

  Plastic expansion anchors hold about 10 pounds. Toggle bolts hold 50 or more. Here is what each type actually carries and when to find a stud instead.

• Toilet Running Constantly: Flapper, Fill Valve, or Float

  A running toilet wastes up to 200 gallons a day and is usually a $6 part. Here is the dye test that identifies which one in five minutes.

• Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping: Overload, Short, or Ground Fault

  A tripping breaker is telling you something specific. Here is how to tell an overload from a short circuit or a ground fault, and which needs an electrician.

• No Hot Water: Diagnosing Gas and Electric Water Heaters

  Electric heaters usually lose one element; gas heaters usually lose the pilot or thermocouple. Here is how to tell which failure you have.