Welcome to the Fix-It Club, your one-stop for Do-It-Yourself Information!

Here you will learn how to troubleshoot and fix—or recycle—dozens of things in your home. You'll discover how easy it is to fix things yourself and quickly gain the confidence to tackle even bigger projects.

How to use our fix-it-yourself section:

The Fix-It Basics outline simple strategies to troubleshoot, diagnose, and discover why many of the things in your home stop working correctly. Start with Fix-It 101. It explains how to repair anything in your home using the Fix-It Process. Use the additional Fix-It Basics to learn about proper testing procedures and the tools you will need to perform repairs.

Then move on to the numerous step-by-step illustrated Fix-It Guides that help you diagnose and repair specific things around your house. In no time you'll be fixing things!


	Fix-It Basics

	Disassembling Things Make sure you know how to disassemble and reassemble things before you try to fix them.
	Electrical Quick Test You can quickly test electrical devices to determine if they are working or not.
	Finding Replacement Parts Finding replacement parts can be daunting unless you know how and where to look for them.
	Fix-It 101 Fix anything in your home using the Fix-It Process.
	Fixing Things Safely Be safe and smart as you fix things.
	Painting Tools The key to any painting job is having the right tools.
	Planning a Fix-It Project Planning your fix-it job in advance can save time and effort.
	Reading Appliance Labels You can learn a lot about appliances by reading and understanding the labels.
	Recycling Broken Stuff Things that just can't be fixed can be recycled or reused.
	Selecting Lubricants Mechanical things that move need lubrication to keep them from wearing out.
	Selecting the Right Fastener Choosing the correct fastener and tool can make fixing things easier.
	Soldering You can fix many electrical things by learning how to solder.
	Testing with a Multimeter Electrical tests are easy once you know how and when to use a multimeter.
	The Fix-It Toolbox You can fix hundreds of household things with basic tools.
	Understanding Warranties Make sure you know about warranties before opening up something to fix it.
	Using a Continuity Tester You can perform simple electrical tests with a continuity tester.
	Using Adhesives Selecting and using the appropriate adhesives makes fixing things easier.
	Using Electrical Cleaners You can maintain and even repair electrical components with cleaners made for the job.


	Fix-It Guides

	Adjusting Reel Mowers Reel mowers are easy to adjust with simple instructions.
	Cleaning a Fireplace Chimney If you have a fireplace or wood stove for primary or secondary heat, make sure it is ready for the heating season.
	Cleaning Drains Thank goodness for the household drain system. It removes wastewater from sinks, tubs, and showers, dumping it into your home's sewer or drainage ...
	Fixing a Coffee Grinder Ah, the smell of freshly ground coffee in the morning! If your grinder doesn't grind, call the Fix-It Club!
	Fixing a Convection Oven Microwaves weren't the first cook-it-fast devices. Convection ovens have been around many years. If yours doesn't work, fix it!
	Fixing a Cordless Phone Cordless telephones are made to withstand moderate abuse. If yours needs fixing, you may need to call a technician. Before that, however, try a ...
	Fixing a Dishwasher No one wants to go back to the "good old days" before dishwashers. If it's broke, fix it!
	Fixing a Food Processor Food processors have more power and do more tasks than food mixers�meaning they are more often need to be fixed. Here's how.
	Fixing a Garage Door Opener Garage door openers are handy devices that can turn into frustrations if they need maintenance or repair.
	Fixing a Garbage Disposer Garbage disposers are treated like mechanical goats: fed most anything. Unfortunately, they aren't as tough as goats. If your disposer needs ...
	Fixing a Hair Curler All those natural curls must come from somewhere. If yours are assisted by a hair curler or curling iron appliance, here's what you can do if it ...
	Fixing a Humidifier In many locations, comfort means putting water in the air. Make sure your humidifier is working well before you need it.
	Fixing a Juicer Gotta have your fresh juice every day? Make sure your juicer works. Here's how.
	Fixing a Mechanical Clock If you still have mechanical clocks around the house, here's how to fix them.
	Fixing a Portable Stereo Gotta have your tunes? Here's how you can fix your portable stereo with easy repairs.
	Fixing a Refrigerator Refrigerators are big, but they are relatively easy to troubleshoot. And there are many repairs you can tackle yourself.
	Fixing a Rotisserie Rotisseries are simple in design which makes them relatively easy to troubleshoot and repair. Let's see how the Fix-It Club does it.
	Fixing a Sewing Machine Most sewing machines are built for long life�especially if you keep them in good repair. Here are some tips from the Fix-It Club.
	Fixing a Steamer/Rice Cooker If you enjoy steamed vegetables or rice, you probably own a steamer/rice cooker. Here's how to keep it cooking.
	Fixing a Toilet A necessity of modern life, toilets seem to always need some kind of repair.
	Fixing an Audio Speaker Audio speakers are simple in design and function, making them relatively simple to fix.
	Fixing an Electric Can Opener Once a luxury, electric can openers have become a necessity. Fixing them is easy.
	Fixing an Electric Cooktop Electric cooktops are increasingly popular, especially in smaller kitchens. Here's how to quickly diagnose and fix an electric cooktop in time for ...
	Fixing an Electrical Knife An electric knife can dramatically "cut" food preparation time—if it's working properly.
	Fixing an Espresso Maker You can enjoy an espresso-jolt of caffeine, a cappuccino or latte at home�if your expresso maker works. Here's what to do if it doesn't.
	Fixing an Ice Maker Ice maker not working? Fortunately, icemakers are relatively simple in operation and easy to fix when they don't work. You can do it!
	Fixing Appliance Controls One of the most common Fix-It Club repairs is replacing faulty appliance controls.
	Fixing Appliance Switches Frequently, appliance problems can be traced down to a faulty switch.
	Fixing Appliance Thermostats If an appliance doesn't heat or cool as it should, check the thermostat.
	Fixing Audio Amplifiers What would you do without your music? Hopefully, you won't have to find out! If it's broke, fix it!
	Fixing Battery Rechargers Battery rechargers can save you lots of money on household batteries—if they work! Here's how to keep them working.
	Fixing Carpeting Repairing carpet as it becomes damaged can save money and extend the life of carpeting.
	Fixing Clothes Dryers One of the necessities of modern living, clothes dryers can sometimes quit at the most inopportune times. You can fix it!
	Fixing Coffee Makers You can troubleshoot and repair your coffee maker with tips from the Fix-It Club.
	Fixing Comfort Controls Is your home getting too hot? Too cold? Maybe the problem is in the comfort system controls.
	Fixing Computer Printers Computer printers are relatively trouble-free. They only fail when you most need them. Here's how to fix common problems.
	Fixing Computers Computers are time-savers and time-wasters. If your computer needs fixing, here's where to start.
	Fixing Door Hardware "Hey, I'm locked out!" Here's what the Fix-It Club suggests for making sure you're never locked out again.
	Fixing Electric Clocks You can troubleshoot and repair an electric clock with basic tools.
	Fixing Electric Ovens Electric ovens make cooking faster and easier—if they work. If not, call the Fix-It Club!
	Fixing Electric Shavers If your electric shaver quits working, don't go "caveman"! Fix it!
	Fixing Electric Water Heaters Electric water heaters are vital appliances. Here's how to fix them when they don't work.
	Fixing Electrical Things There are hundreds of electrical devices in your household and each can easily be fixed by following basic rules.
	Fixing Exterior Siding Siding is your home's skin. If it looks like it needs a house call from a dermatologist, there are some things you can do to fix it.
	Fixing Fans There are numerous fans in your home and each can be easily tested and repaired.
	Fixing Faucets You can perform common repairs on household faucets with basic tools.
	Fixing Fencing Fences are simple in design and easy to repair.
	Fixing Food Mixers Food mixers are not only handy kitchen devices, they are relatively easy to troubleshoot and repair.
	Fixing Forced-Air Distribution Systems Many types of household heating systems use forced-air to distribute the heat. In case of problems, check with the Fix-It Club.
	Fixing Garden Tools Simple garden tools are simple to repair.
	Fixing Hair Clippers Because they are relatively inexpensive, many folks toss electric hair clippers if they start acting up. Don't! Instead, fix it yourself!
	Fixing Hair Dryers Hair dryers are simply electrical heating elements and fans, both easy components to test and repair.
	Fixing Rheostats Rheostat is a fancy name for a variable controller and you can fix them.
	Fixing Slow Cookers Slow cookers are simple small appliances: a heating element wrapped around a cooking pot.
	Fixing Stuffed Toys It's a wonder that stuffed toys last as long as they do. If you or a relative have a stuffed toy you love, don't toss it—fix it!
	Fixing Telephone Systems It's difficult to imagine life without telephones—until they quit. Here's how the Fix-It Club takes care of the problem.
	Fixing Timers Timers are controls found in many large and small appliances. You can fix them!
	Fixing Toaster Ovens A toaster oven is simply a heating element with a timer and is easy to repair.
	Fixing Toasters Toasters aren't just for toasting bread anymore. If your toaster doesn't, fix it!
	Fixing Vacuum Cleaners Most problems with vacuum cleaners can easily be fixed--if you know how!
	Fixing VCRs Maintaining a VCR is easy and will save expensive repairs.
	Fixing Window Shades Here's how to keep your window shades in top condition, and fix them if they aren't.
	Fixing Wood Flooring Wood flooring can be beautiful and functional for many years—if you know how to fix it!
	Fixing Yard Trimmers Yard trimmers are electric or gas motors that spin a line or cutting blade at high speed.
	Maintaining a Septic System Uh-oh! Smells like trouble with the septic system! Time to call the Fix-It Club!
	Maintaining a Water Softener In some homes, a water softener is a necessity. Here's how to keep it doing it's job.
	Maintaining Central Air What would summer be like without central air? Unbearable! Here's how you can keep your unit in top condition.
	Maintaining Riding Mowers Regular maintenance can reduce repairs.
	Maintaining Room Air Conditioners Be cool! In just a few minutes with a couple of tools you can make sure your room air conditioner is working well.
	Maintaining Small Engines We depend on small engines to do a variety of jobs in the yard. The Fix-It Club knows how to keep them in top condition.
	Maintaining Smoke Detectors Smoke detectors are important safety devices that require periodic maintenance.
	Repair a Rotary Mower Rotary mowers make cutting grass easy—until they quit. Here's how to fix them.
	Repairing a Deck Decks are outdoor rooms that sometimes need repair. Fortunately, you know how to fix them.
	Repairing a Food Blender A blender is a handy electrical gadget that makes chopping and mixing food easier�when it works. If it doesn't, fix it!
	Repairing a Small Cooking Appliance Electric waffle irons, frying pans, sandwich makers, skillits, and woks all work on the same principles. Here's how to troubleshoot and repair them.
	Repairing an Electric Heater If your home or apartment has electric heat and it isn't working, call the Fix-It Club!
	Repairing Asphalt You can patch asphalt in driveways and walkways with easy-to-find materials.
	Repairing Drywall Holes in walls made of gypsum drywall sheets are easy to repair.
	Repairing Furniture Without furniture we'd be sitting on the floor, surrounded by food, dishes, and appliances. If furniture in your home needs repair, here's what ...
	Repairing Gutters Minimize gutter repairs by keeping them clean and maintained.
	Repairing Resilient Flooring You can repair nicks, cuts, stains, and other damage to resilient flooring.
	Repairing Tile Floor, counter, and wall tile can easily be maintained and repaired with these instructions.
	Repairing Upholstered Furniture The Fix-It Club knows what to do when upholstered furniture loses is comfort—or its stuffing.
	Repairing Window Curtains and Drapes Curtains and drapes are low-maintenance household items. Here's how the Fix-It Club keeps them that way.
	Repairing Window Screens Window and door screens are easily repaired with basic tools and materials.
	Replacing a Lighting Fixture Sometimes there's more to fixing incandescent lighting than replacing a bulb. Here's how to replace a fixture.
	Replacing an Electrical Outlet It's easy to test and replace an electrical receptacle or outlet.
	Replacing an Electrical Switch You can easily replace an electrical switch in a few minutes with basic tools.
	Service a Car Battery Don't let your car battery strand you. Call the Fix-It Club!
	Service a Gas Furnace Don't wait until it's cold outside to check your gas furnace. Here's what you can do right now.
	Service an Electric Furnace Baby, it's cold INSIDE! Better join the Fix-It Club and figure out what's wrong!
	Service an Oil Furnace In many regions of the country, oil is king�especially during the winter heating season. If your heating system uses oil, here's how you can ...
	Sewing Fabric Basic sewing skills can help you repair fabric items around the household.
	Test a Gas Grill for Leaks Ready to fire up the grill? Make sure it's ready! Here's how to check for leaks.
	Testing Appliance Fuses By design, the first thing to go in an appliance is the fuse so it should be the first thing you check.
	Testing Button Batteries Small batteries energize many household and personal items so keep them tested.
	Testing Circuit Breakers Circuit breakers are electrical safety devices that are easy to check and reset.
	Testing Circuit Fuses All homes have a safety switch in each circuit. Older homes use fuses that easily can be checked and replaced.
	Testing Electrical Cords Electrical cords are simple in operation and simple to test and replace.
	Testing Heating Elements Heating elements are found in many home appliances so knowing how to test them can save you time and money.
	Testing Household Batteries Small household batteries power many of our devices so it's important to know how to test them.
	Testing Motors Motors in many popular appliances and are easy to test and replace.
	Using a Fire Extinguisher Fire extinguishers are silent sentries, standing by in case of a fire. Make sure the extinguishers in your home are up to the job and you know how ...