Household problems rarely wait for a “good time” to show up. A dripping faucet, a door that won’t close right, or a dead outlet can derail your day fast. The good news: a lot of these issues look more intimidating than they really are. With a few basic tools and clear steps, you can tackle many repairs safely and confidently—no advanced DIY background required.
This guide walks through five common household problems and shows you exactly how to fix them, step by step.
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Stop a Dripping Faucet (Without Replacing the Whole Thing)
A faucet that won’t stop dripping wastes water and money. In many cases, the fix is simply replacing a worn-out internal part.
What you’ll need
- Adjustable wrench
- Screwdriver (Phillips and/or flathead)
- Replacement cartridge or washers/O-rings (for your faucet model)
- Towel or rag
- Plumber’s grease (optional but helpful)
- Small container to hold screws/parts
Step-by-step
**Shut off the water supply**
Look under the sink for two small valves (hot and cold). Turn them clockwise until they stop. Try the faucet to confirm the water is off.
**Plug the drain**
Use the sink stopper or a rag. You don’t want small screws or parts falling down the drain.
**Remove the handle**
- Find the screw: often hidden under a cap (with H/C or brand logo). Pry the cap off gently with a flathead screwdriver. - Unscrew the handle screw and pull the handle off. You may need to wiggle it.
**Identify your faucet type**
Most common types: cartridge, ball, ceramic disk, or compression. Cartridge faucets are especially common in modern homes. If you’re not sure, look up your faucet brand/model online for a parts diagram.
**Take out the cartridge or stem**
- Use your wrench to loosen the retaining nut or clip. - Pull the cartridge or stem straight up. Note its orientation (take a quick photo for reference).
**Inspect and replace worn parts**
- Look for cracked rubber washers, brittle O-rings, or corrosion. - Replace with matching parts. Take the old part to a hardware store or search by model number. - Lightly coat O-rings with plumber’s grease before reassembly.
**Reassemble in reverse order**
- Insert the new cartridge or stem in the same orientation as before. - Tighten the retaining nut (snug, not over-tight). - Reinstall the handle and decorative cap.
**Turn the water back on slowly**
Open the shutoff valves under the sink. Turn on the faucet and check for leaks. If it still drips, recheck that the cartridge is fully seated and all parts are aligned correctly.
When to call a pro:
If your shutoff valves won’t close, the faucet body is cracked, or you see corroded pipes below the sink, stop and contact a plumber.
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Quiet a Running Toilet and Cut Your Water Bill
A toilet that constantly runs is usually a problem with the fill valve, flapper, or chain—not the bowl itself. These are easy to inspect and replace with simple tools.
What you’ll need
- Adjustable wrench or pliers
- Replacement flapper (or full toilet repair kit)
- Towel or sponge
- Bucket (optional)
Step-by-step
**Remove the tank lid and observe**
Flush the toilet and watch what happens inside the tank. You’re looking for: - A flapper that doesn’t fully seal - Water flowing into the overflow tube - A chain that’s too tight or tangled
**Check the flapper**
- Does it look warped, brittle, or coated in buildup? - Press it gently down with your finger—if the running stops, the flapper is failing.
**Turn off the water supply**
- Locate the shutoff valve on the wall behind or beside the toilet. Turn it clockwise. - Flush to drain most of the water from the tank.
**Replace the flapper**
- Unhook the chain from the flush handle arm. - Detach the flapper from the overflow tube (usually two side hooks). - Install the new flapper on the hooks and reconnect the chain. There should be a bit of slack, but not so much that it tangles.
**Adjust water level (if it’s too high)**
- Look at the water line mark on the inside of the tank. - For float-cup fill valves: squeeze the clip on the float and slide it down the rod to lower the water level. - For float-ball types: turn the adjustment screw on top of the fill valve to lower the ball.
**Turn water back on and test**
- Open the shutoff valve. Let the tank fill. - Flush and listen. The running should stop once the tank refills. - Make small chain or float adjustments as needed.
When to call a pro:
If water is leaking around the base of the toilet, the tank is cracked, or tightening the tank bolts doesn’t help, call a plumber. That usually indicates a wax ring or structural issue.
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Fix a Door That Won’t Latch or Keeps Swinging Open
A door that won’t stay closed or keeps drifting open is often a hinge alignment or strike plate issue—not a problem with the lock itself.
What you’ll need
- Screwdriver
- Wood toothpicks or wooden matchsticks
- Wood glue (optional)
- Utility knife or chisel (for major misalignment)
- Hammer
- Pencil
Step-by-step
**Check for loose hinges**
Open the door halfway and gently lift it by the knob. If you feel play or see movement in the hinges, that’s your starting point.
**Tighten hinge screws**
- Use a screwdriver to tighten all hinge screws on both the door and the frame. - If screws just spin and don’t bite, the holes are stripped.
**Repair stripped screw holes**
- Remove the loose screw. - Fill the hole with wood glue and press in 2–3 wooden toothpicks or matchsticks. Break them flush with the surface. - Let the glue set for at least 15–30 minutes. - Reinsert the screw and tighten. The fresh wood gives it something to grip.
**Test the latch alignment**
- Slowly close the door and watch the latch. - It should enter the center of the strike plate opening. If it hits high, low, or misses the opening, you need adjustment.
**Adjust the strike plate (minor fixes)**
- If misalignment is small: - Loosen the strike plate screws slightly. - Shift the plate up, down, or sideways as needed. - Tighten screws and test again.
**Modify the strike plate opening (if needed)**
- For slightly off alignment: - Remove the strike plate. - Use a file or small chisel to enlarge the opening in the direction needed (usually a millimeter or two). - Reinstall the plate and test.
**Fix a door that swings open by itself**
- Remove the top hinge pin. - Lay it on a hard surface and gently tap the center with a hammer to create a very slight bend. - Reinsert the pin. The added friction helps the door stay put.
When to call a pro:
If the door frame is visibly warped, cracked, or out of square (often in older homes or after water damage), you may need a carpenter for a full frame adjustment or replacement.
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Revive a Dead Outlet (When It’s Actually a Simple Fix)
Not every “dead” outlet is an electrical emergency. In many cases the cause is a tripped GFCI outlet or a tripped breaker you can reset safely.
Safety first
If you ever see scorch marks, smell burning, feel heat from the outlet, or hear crackling, stop and call a licensed electrician immediately.
What you’ll need
- Flashlight
- Small plug-in lamp or outlet tester
- Access to your electrical panel
Step-by-step
**Test with a known working device**
- Plug in a lamp or phone charger that you know works. - If it doesn’t power on, you’ve confirmed the outlet has no power.
**Look for a tripped GFCI outlet nearby**
- Bathrooms, kitchens, garages, basements, and outdoor areas often use GFCI outlets. - One GFCI can control several regular outlets. - Check nearby walls for an outlet with “TEST” and “RESET” buttons.
**Reset the GFCI**
- Press the RESET button firmly until it clicks. - Test your dead outlet again. If it works, you’re done.
**Check the electrical panel (breaker box)**
- Open the panel and look for any breakers that aren’t fully in the ON position. - A tripped breaker may sit between ON and OFF or show a colored marker. - To reset: - Push the breaker fully to OFF. - Then push it firmly to ON. - Test the outlet again.
**Inspect for loose devices**
- If some outlets on the same wall work and others don’t, it could be a loose connection. - For safety, unless you are comfortable and experienced, this is usually the point to call an electrician.
When to call a pro immediately:
- The breaker trips again as soon as you reset it.
- You see sparks, burning smell, or heat from the outlet.
- Multiple circuits in the house are down without a clear cause.
- You’re not comfortable removing outlet covers or working near wiring.
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Clear a Slow-Draining Sink Without Harsh Chemicals
A sink that takes forever to drain is almost always a clog of hair, soap scum, grease, or debris in the trap or nearby pipes. You can usually clear it without chemical drain cleaners.
What you’ll need
- Bucket
- Old towel or rags
- Adjustable wrench or channel-lock pliers
- Plastic drain snake or hair clog remover (for bathroom sinks)
- Rubber gloves
Step-by-step
**Try hot water first (for kitchen sinks)**
- Run very hot tap water for a few minutes. - Sometimes this melts grease buildup enough to restore flow. - Avoid pouring boiling water directly into porcelain sinks; extremely hot water can stress some materials.
**Use a drain snake (especially for bathroom sinks)**
- Remove the sink stopper: - Under the sink, locate the horizontal pivot rod entering the drainpipe. - Unscrew the retaining nut and pull the rod out to free the stopper. - Insert a plastic drain snake into the drain and pull out hair and debris. - Repeat until it comes back relatively clean.
**Place a bucket under the P-trap**
- The P-trap is the curved pipe under your sink. - Put a towel on the cabinet floor and position a bucket directly under the trap.
**Remove and clean the P-trap**
- Loosen the slip nuts on each end of the P-trap by hand or with pliers (turn counterclockwise). - Carefully remove the trap and dump its contents into the bucket. - Clean out any gunk with a bottle brush or an old rag.
**Inspect adjoining pipes**
- Look inside the pipe opening in the wall and the vertical tailpiece from the sink. - Remove any visible buildup using the snake or a brush.
**Reassemble and test**
- Reinstall the P-trap, making sure the washers are seated correctly. - Hand-tighten the slip nuts, then snug them slightly with pliers (do not over-tighten). - Run water and check carefully for leaks. Tighten a bit more if needed.
**Prevent future clogs**
- Use a drain strainer to catch hair and food particles. - Avoid pouring grease or coffee grounds down the drain. - Periodically flush with hot water.
When to call a pro:
If multiple drains in your home are slow at the same time or you hear gurgling from other fixtures when one drains, you may have a main line blockage that needs professional equipment.
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Conclusion
Most “everyday emergencies” at home—dripping faucets, running toilets, sticky doors, dead outlets, and slow drains—are more manageable than they look. With a calm approach, a few basic tools, and the right steps, you can resolve many of these issues yourself and avoid emergency service calls.
Start with one problem, follow the instructions carefully, and don’t force anything that feels unsafe or beyond your comfort level. Knowing when to call a professional is part of being handy, too. Over time, each small repair builds your confidence and keeps your home running smoothly.
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Sources
- [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Fix a Leak](https://www.epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week) – Explains how faucet and toilet leaks waste water and why fixing them promptly matters
- [Family Handyman – How to Repair a Dripping Faucet](https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/how-to-repair-a-compression-faucet/) – Step-by-step examples and diagrams for common faucet repairs
- [United States Department of Energy – Reducing Water Heating Bills](https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/reducing-water-heating-bills) – Background on how hot water use and leaks impact energy and utility costs
- [Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) – Home Electrical Safety](https://www.esfi.org/home-electrical-safety/) – Safety guidance for homeowners working around outlets, breakers, and circuits
- [University of Georgia Extension – Household Plumbing: Problems and Remedies](https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C1039) – Practical guidance on common plumbing issues and when to call a professional
Key Takeaway
The most important thing to remember from this article is that this information can change how you think about Household Repairs.
