Repairs:

I've realized over the years:Updated 3 years ago

ALL Appliances has simple flaws, both the great brands, and the shitty ones, the realy-old and the brand-new
I am insulted when I fix my problem within 5-10 minutes, and then present me with a huge bill
Every time, I found the solution, cheap, and kinda-easy to repair on your own

Its amazing that many of these solutions took longer to write, then they take to actually do!

All Appliances:

Difficulty: Medium	Problem:	Zero signs of life
	Cause:	Simple Electrical break / short
	Solution:	Unplug it, open it up, and follow the wire. Often it is just a loose connection

Toilets:

Difficulty: Easy	Problem:	Won't Stop Running
	Cause:	Float is Above Overflow Tube
	Solution:	Open lid, gently bend float Downward

Fridges:

Difficulty: Easy	Problem:	Creating / Leaking Water
	Cause:	Clogged Drain tube!
	Solution:	Unclog the tube by unplugging fridge, or pour water down it

Dishwashers:

Difficulty: Easy	Problem:	Won't Drain
	Cause:	Clogged Drain Pipe!
	Solution:	Check for a kink. Remove bottom CoverAnd Check motor is pumping.

Difficulty: Easy	Problem:	Won't Drain
	Cause:	Clogged Drain Pipe!
	Solution:	Remove Pipe, and take it outside, run water through it until you worked.

Laundry Machine:

Difficulty: Easy	Problem:	Won't Work
	Cause:	Hatch that checks the lid is down is broken
	Solution:	Bypass it. Simple remove it. and Twist the Wires Together.

Dryer:

Difficulty: Easy	Problem:	Buzzes, Won't Turn
	Cause:	Buzzes when you turn the Start knob. Motor-start switch can stick
	Solution:	Hold the door switch--While turning the drum counter-clockwise--While (someone else) turns the start knob. Repeat this procedure ~10 times, until the dryer will starts normally.

Difficulty: Medium	Problem:	Squeaking
	Cause:	Metal on Metal are rubbing
	Solution:	Open it up, and Lube the rear Centre Bearing with Grease

Difficulty: Medium	Problem:	Won't Tumble
	Cause:	Broken Belt. But MOST likely, it just fell off
	Solution:	Replace it. But I bet it just fell off the pulley

Stoves:

Difficulty: Easy	Problem:	Element doesn't work
	Cause:	Last time you cleaned it, you bent/dirtied the connection
	Solution:	Clean/bend Back the connection

Plugs:

Difficulty: Easy	Problem:	Plug falls out of socket
	Cause:	Who Cares?
	Solution:	Bend the Prongs Closer or farther apart!

Do-It-Yourself Insulated Windows (~$25):

Difficulty: Easy	Problem:	Heating Bills too high. House is Drafty
	Cause:	Old Single-Pane Windows
	Solution:	Rather than putting plastic on your windows every year, living in a plastic bad, and ruining your paint. Here is a permanent solution. Put a piece of trim board, inset 1/4" all the way around. Put a bit of foam-stripping on the edge facing you (Dollar store) Measure the area of the window. Go to any glass store and they will cut you an exact piece for $20 or less Put it in place. Use blocks (like this) to hold it in place during the 2 winter months In the summer, take it down :) Took me about 30 mins to do. Window Store Guy thought I was a Genius! My heating bill went down a TON :)

Videos:

Oops Check the Plug has been removed!

Bonus Pointers

Learn where your fusebox is! Learn how to reset a blown one!
Learn where your Plumbing Cleanouts are! Get one of these $2 SNAKES
Don't Look at a handyman like an idiot when they ask where your toolbox is!

Cool your house for Cheap, without Air Conditioning

A single 12000 BTU Air conditioner uses 1440 Watts (or 17.9 cents @ $0.1243 / KWhr) or $4.29 / day / room.

During a heat-wave, I keep my whole house cool with only 4 fans (30-60 Watts each) (or $0.53 / day / house).

Build a wind tunnel in your house.
Put a fan on the north side sucking air IN.
Put a fan on the south side sucking air OUT
Leave them on 24 hours a day
Open your attic (it will suck the hot air up and out
Also, the Bare Basics which should be obvious to you

Before hiring a contractor (or beginning renovations):

Regardless of who you pick: Write down your FULL plan in HUGE detail, and post it publicly.

Detailed Floor plans,
Pics of EVERYTHING,
Your budget,
Samples from magazines of decor,
etc.

This is a MUST do!! Nobody ever does it, and that is why so many people are unhappy with their renovations, they take years, and go far over budget.
If a contractor flat-out tells you NO permits. Fire him. Thought, If he carefully considers, and describes WHY permits are needed, listen.
They don't call it "divorce dust" for nothing!

Successfull Repairs (And their secret):

ALL of these are examples of a dirt-simple repair that I think less than 1% of people would attempt.

Pet Water Fountain (Clogged Fountain).