Whether you have just purchased your first home or have owned a home for many years, knowing how to solve household maintenance issues is an on-going learning experience for all homeowners.

A good practice to follow is broadening your basic knowledge of how your home’s key systems (e.g. plumbing, electrical, HVAC, etc.) actually work, while deepening your expertise in areas most relevant to your particular home.

Here is a collection of easy-to-follow, concise, helpful YouTube videos on popular day-to-day maintenance issues for which many homeowners will likely need guidance. Also included are videos to help you gain fundamental knowledge on various household systems.

These are the best of the best, often with additional methods of solving the same problem, not addressed elsewhere. The highlighted instructors are all exceptional at addressing key questions of a given topic quickly and concisely. Also keep in mind that the first step in resolving a nagging issue is to become aware of proven solutions.

We are confident that you will be pleasantly surprised that many of the methods shared will be easier than you ever imagined!

Table of Contents

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Painting, Caulking & Drywalling

 

How to Paint a Room

Whether water damage from a recent rainstorm or a change of color for an entire room, painting projects can seem labor intensive and intimidating for the uninitiated. But alas, according to professional painter, Jeff Thorman of Home RenoVision DIY, painting skill level of difficulty is a 1, on a scale of 1-10. Whether you prefer to tape or not, Jeff demonstrates the easiest techniques for edging, dusting out and cut-ins with tricks and tips to allow you to master the art of painting.

How to Paint a Room: DIY For Beginners

How To Paint A Room | DIY For Beginners

Presenter: Jeff Thorman

YouTube Channel: Home RenoVision DIY

Website: Home RenoVision DIY

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How to Store Leftover Paint So It Can Last Until You Need It

Here’s another helpful How-To video from Ron Hazelton. Another part of a good home maintenance program is keeping your supplies well-stored and labeled, so they can be readily used when needed. Paint supplies are often poorly treated and improperly stored, as homeowners are often exhausted from finishing a much-needed project and end up not adequately cleaning, closing, labeling or storing their paint supplies. Here are tips to have your paint ready-to-go when you need them in a pinch!

How To Store Leftover Paint So It Can Last Until You Need It

How To Store Leftover Paint So It Can Last Until You Need It

Presenter: Ron Hazelton

YouTube Channel: Ron Hazelton

Website: Ron Hazelton

 

How to Caulk a Bathtub with Silicone

Whether you are caulking to keep moisture out of walls, close up drafts, seal out pests, or prep a paint job, knowing the basics is easy if you understand the techniques.

Since caulking is not permanent, lasting only a few years, knowing how to perform this repair is a terrific way to keep your home in good shape, and in turn, make it more enjoyable for your comfort.

Caulking is also an important “gateway” home maintenance skill that will lead to better, proactive care of your home, so be sure to learn from a helpful expert upfront, like Beth Allen of DIY Hip Chicks.

How to Caulk a Bathtub with Silicone (easier than you think)

How to Caulk a Bathtub with Silicone (easier than you think)

 

Caulk for Baseboards and Trim: Which One Should You Buy?

Here’s a companion video that discusses caulking baseboard and trim from Beth Allen, including how to choose the right type of caulk for the job.

Caulk for Baseboards and Trim – Which One Should You Buy

Caulk for Baseboards and Trim - Which One Should You Buy

Presenter: Beth Allen

YouTube Channel: DIY Hip Chicks

Website: DIY Hip Chicks

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How to Fix Holes in Drywall – 4 Easy Methods

Given that drywall with imperfections is a reality with older homes and that all homeowners will eventually encounter opened drywall by design or by accident, knowing your options for patching drywall is always handy. Nils from LRN2DIY goes over four methods for repairing drywall openings of various sizes. Since matching textured walls is an art form, we also recommend searching for expert tips if you are seeking a perfectly blended finish.

How to Fix Holes in Drywall – 4 Easy Methods

How to Fix Holes in Drywall - 4 Easy Methods

Presenter: Nils Rasmusson

YouTube Channel: LRN2DIY

Website: LRN2DIY

Here’s a companion drywall patching video from LRN2DIY that goes over the five most common mistakes made by DIYers.

5 Mistakes DIYers Make When Patching Drywall

5 Mistakes DIYers Make When Patching Drywall

 

Plumbing

 

DIY Plumbing Basics: A Guide for Homeowners

Jeff Thorman should have titled this video “Plumbing for Dummies“, as it is a perfect primer to understanding the basics of household plumbing issues. From water supply with PEX pipe to the fundamentals of venting for drains, this video is easy to comprehend and demystifies household plumbing for homeowners.

DIY Plumbing Basics: a Guide for Homeowners

Jeff Thorman Home RenoVision DIY Plumbing Basics

Presenter: Jeff Thorman

YouTube Channel: Home RenoVision DIY

Website: Home RenoVision DIY

 

Fix a Running Toilet with a Fill Valve Replacement

This empowering how-to video by Jeff Patterson walks viewers through an easy-to-follow, step-by-step demonstration of replacing the fill valve of a toilet. As its name implies, the fill valve is responsible for refilling the tank after it has been flushed.

Fix a Running Toilet…Fill Valve Replacement — by Home Repair Tutor

Fix a Running Toilet...Fill Valve Replacement -- by Home Repair Tutor

Presenter: Jeff Patterson

YouTube Channel: Home Repair Tutor

Website: Home Repair Tutor

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Electrical

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DIY Electrical Outlet Basics

Scott Dixon of Everyday Home Repairs set an extremely high bar titling this video the “#1 Best Video for DIY Electrical Outlet Basics”. However, since he’s being creating helpful, easy-to-understand videos for many years, this goal is well within his reach.

We always find value in reading the comments of popular how-to videos on YouTube, we especially recommend reading comments pertaining to electrical topics, as a wide range of experiences are shared to improve your approach to safety.

#1 Best Video for DIY Electrical Outlet Basics

#1 Best Video for DIY Electrical Outlet Basics

Presenter: Scott Dixon

YouTube Channel: Everyday Home Repairs

Facebook Group: Everyday Home Repairs Community

Website: Everyday Home Repairs

Recommended Reading:

     

    How to Change a Light Switch: a Beginner’s Guide

    Here’s a related video from Everyday Home Repairs that covers how to change out a 2-way or 3-way light switch, with a detailed list of tools and supplies in the video description. Extra care is taken to make sure you take note of everything you need upfront, so that you only need to go to the hardware store one time! There are also many helpful, wide-ranging comments from both beginners and experienced DIYers, especially pertaining to safety.

    How to Change a Light Switch: a Beginner’s Guide

    How To Change A Light Switch | Beginners Guide

    Presenter: Scott Dixon

    YouTube Channel:  Everyday Home Repairs

    Facebook Group: Everyday Home Repairs Community

    Website: Everyday Home Repairs

     

    How a Home AC Works For Dummies

    Jay Lekh, an HVAC technician who runs the YouTube channel Word of Advice TV, gives a simple explanation of how a home air conditioning system works for a non-engineering audience. The goal of the video is to eliminate intimidating technical jargon while giving the basics on how a central home air conditioner works.

    How a Home AC Works For Dummies

    How a Home AC Works For Dummies

    Presenter: Jay Lekh

    YouTube Channel: Word of Advice TV

     

    Carpentry & Flooring

     

    How to Remove a Stripped Screw – 4 Different Ways

    Home maintenance tasks can also involve aggravating minutiae like trying to remove a screw whose head has been stripped. Never fear as there are creative solutions for situations like these from veteran DIYers like Ron Hazelton.

    How to Remove a Stripped Screw – 4 Different Ways

    How to Remove a Stripped Screw - 4 Different Ways

    Presenter: Ron Hazelton

    YouTube Channel: Ron Hazelton

    Website: Ron Hazelton

     

    How to Fix Stripped Screw Holes

    Here’s a related video from Ron that shows how to deal with a screw hole that has become too large for a given screw.

    How to Fix Stripped Screw Holes

    How to Fix Stripped Screw Holes

     

    The Only 3 Sandpapers You Really Need

    In this video Steve Ramsay from Woodworking for Mere Mortals simplifies and reduces the confusing marketplace of sandpaper into three key sandpapers to have in your home inventory, as well as the proportion you should have of each. This is another great example of an expert educator instilling confidence in his “students” by eliminating unnecessary complexity.

    The Only 3 Sandpapers You Really Need

    The Only 3 Sandpapers You Really Need | SANDING BASICS

    Presenter: Steve Ramsay

    YouTube Channel: Steve Ramsey – Woodworking for Mere Mortals

    Website: Woodworking for Mere Mortals

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    How to Refinish Kitchen Cabinets Without Stripping

    Some home maintenance tasks, like refinishing your kitchen cabinets, may never get started because you may incorrectly assume there is more work entailed than there actually is. Here is a good example from Ron Hazelton on how you can refinish your kitchen cabinetry without stripping the existing stain.

    How to Refinish Kitchen Cabinets Without Stripping

    Refinish Kitchen Cabinets Without Stripping

    Presenter: Ron Hazelton

    YouTube Channel: Ron Hazelton

    Website: Ron Hazelton

     

    How to Repair Squeaky Wood Floors

    This video showcases a great example of the seasoned, no-nonsense confidence that This Old House is known for – in this case, how to fix a nagging household problem of squeaky wood floors.

    How to Repair Squeaky Wood Floors | This Old House

    How to Repair Squeaky Wood Floors | This Old House

    Presenter: Tom Silva

    YouTube Channel: This Old House

    Website: This Old House

    Here is a related video that provides some additional options for resolving your squeaky hardwood flooring from Martin Poirier from Soundproof Guide.

    How to Fix Squeaky Hardwood Floors – 6 BETTER DIY Ways!

    How to Fix Squeaky Hardwood Floors - 6 BETTER DIY Ways!

    Presenter: Martin Poirier

    YouTube Channel: Soundproof Guide

    Website: Soundproof Guide

    Also see:

     

    How to Cut Glass

    Here is another example of an instructional video that shows something is possible for the average DIYer. It is not uncommon for an older home to have extra glass panels lying around that can be used for makeshift home projects. Here is a succinct video from John Heisz of I Build It that is ideal for thick pieces of glass (greater than 3/8 inch) or laminated glass.

    How to Cut Glass

    Presenter: John Heisz

    YouTube Channel: I Build It Home

    Website: I Build It

     

    Miscellaneous Maintenance Tasks & Projects

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    7 Clever Picture Hanging Tricks Everyone Should Know

    Hanging pictures can be deceptively challenging especially when arranging for a prominent placement that will be noticed on a daily basis. Here are several creative techniques from Nils at LRN2DIY that will make the process easier, more accurate and aesthetically pleasing.

    7 Clever Picture Hanging Tricks Everyone Should Know

    7 CLEVER Picture Hanging Tricks Everyone Should Know

    Presenter: Nils Rasmusson

    YouTube Channel: LRN2DIY

    Website: LRN2DIY

    Also see:

     

    The Best Way to Clean Grout

    This video is an “oldie but goodie”, going all the way back to 2013! The beauty of this video is that the expert host, Jeff Patterson, recreated an innovative solution suggested by a viewer, who was nine months pregnant at the time of her invention.

    Best Way to Clean Grout (EVER!!!)

    Best Way to Clean Grout (EVER!!!)

    Presenter: Jeff Patterson

    YouTube Channel: Home Repair Tutor

    Website: Home Repair Tutor

     

    Home Inspections for First-Time Home Buyers

    Though this video is mostly focused on a home inspection for a home purchase, it also includes helpful context on how to approach managing and maintaining your home. For example, home inspections report on issues corresponding to four key aspects of a home: 1) Installation; 3) Maintenance; 3) Safety; and 4) Performance. The video also mentions other home inspection services that are often not included in a standard home inspection, but would be wise to do so, such as: Radon testing, sewer line, chimney and stucco inspections.

    Home inspections for First-Time Home Buyers

    Home inspections for first-time home buyers

    Presenter: Reuben Saltzman

    YouTube Channel: Structure Tech Home Inspections

    Website: Structure Tech

    Also see:

     

    How to Cover a Concrete Wall with Stone Veneer

    Though we consider this project to be an advanced DIY project, the video provides an easy-to-understand overview of how to cover a concrete wall with a stone veneer. Anyone with a problematic retaining wall that is unsightly or needs recurring painting will love this video. This type of instructional video could also be used for planning (e.g. choosing and buying the materials) and hiring a handyman to do the implementation, as a detailed list of supplies and tools are listed in the video description.

    How to Cover a Concrete Wall with Stone Veneer | This Old House

    How to Cover a Concrete Wall with Stone Veneer | This Old House

    Presenter: Roger Cook

    YouTube Channel: This Old House

    Website: This Old House

     

    Recommended Home Maintenance Articles

     

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