You may think you need to hire a contractor for all home repairs, but this isn’t the case. Luckily for your busy schedule and wallet, you can perform many home maintenance tasks without professional help.

If you’re unsure how to begin a DIY home repair, a video tutorial is always an excellent place to start. Keep reading to find the only YouTube videos you’ll need for 15 common home repairs.

We’ve compiled a list of 15 everyday home repair needs and YouTube videos explaining how to complete them.

These videos will show you how to take care of your home’s systems and appliances quickly, efficiently, and independently.


1. Sand and Finish Hardwood

Refinishing your hardwood floors is a great way to freshen your living space.

The process involves sanding down the top layer of the wood to remove any old stain or finish. Then, you’ll use a brush to apply new lacquer to the surface. This option is much cheaper than replacing your wooden floors altogether.

Calvin from Southern Country Living illustrates how to sand and stain a hardwood floor for a fresh new look.


2. Fix a Clogged Dishwasher Drain 

It’s undoubtedly frustrating when dirty water won’t drain from your dishwashing machine. 

You may be tempted to call a repair technician for this problem, but we suggest trying a DIY approach first.

YouTuber AdamDIY provides step-by-step instructions for fixing a dishwasher that won’t drain. He explains how to check a dishwasher’s filters and locate the drain pump to find the cause of standing water.


3. Replace a Toilet

Whether your toilet breaks beyond repair or you seek a bathroom remodel, replacing a toilet is a doable DIY task.

You’ll need to buy a new toilet from a home improvement store and a few other materials to get the project rolling.

Follow the DIYGuyDotNet from start to finish as he replaces his bathroom toilet. He lists the tools needed for the project and provides step-by-step instructions.


4. Replace a Door

Adding a door is a fantastic way to create a private room or section off a part of your house. Luckily, the process isn’t as complicated as it may seem.

Whether you need to replace an old door or install a new one, this video from Home RenoVision DIY is all you need.

The tutorial shows how to install a door into an existing doorway using affordable tools and materials. 


5. Repair Leaky Faucets

Leaky faucets waste water and drive up your monthly water bill.

According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, a faucet that leaks 10 drips per minute will waste 1 gallon of water daily.

Fortunately, a drippy faucet is often an easy DIY fix that you can perform without professional assistance. 

Before you call in a plumber, watch this tutorial from Lifey Guy to learn how to fix a leaky faucet in one minute.


6. Change an Air Filter

The air filters in your HVAC system are critical because they prevent pollutants, allergens, and bacteria from circulating in your home. 

Changing these filters out semi-frequently is key to keeping your home’s air quality in peak condition. 

Luckily, changing out HVAC filters is a simple process that you can efficiently perform by yourself.

This video from YouTuber Yo! Dan explains how to change your air filters in just five minutes.


7. Fix a Leaking Shutoff Valve

A shutoff valve is a crucial part of your home’s plumbing system. 

These valves cut water flow to plumbing appliances like sinks, toilets, tubs, and showers. You’ll typically use your home’s shutoff valve if you need to repair a leak or stop a flood.

You probably don’t use your water shutoff valve often, which can sometimes lead to issues going unnoticed. However, when you notice a shutoff valve problem, you should repair it as soon as possible. 

Most valve problems are easy fixes. This tutorial from YouTuber Jeff Ostroff shows two methods for stopping a shutoff valve leak.


8. Caulk a Bathtub

Caulk is an essential material in your bathroom. 

It prevents water from seeping into your bathroom’s framing and floor materials and developing mold, mildew, and rot. It also keeps moisture from leaking underneath the tub and creating water damage.

Like any material, caulk starts deteriorating over time – especially in bathroom areas subject to constant humidity. You should replace your tub’s caulk every five years to keep the space clean and safe.

This guide from This Old House demonstrates how to caulk a tub or shower for the best results.


9. Repair Holes in Drywall

Drywall is a building material used in everything from walls and ceilings to eaves and molding. It’s most commonly used for interior walls, which are unfortunately relatively easy to damage.

Whether your kids are playing with sports equipment indoors or you’re moving bulky furniture through a tight hallway, accidents are bound to happen.

Fortunately, you can repair most drywall holes in minutes.

LRN2DIY shares how to fix everything from minor blemishes to significant drywall damage.


10. Replace Roof Shingles

Contrary to what you may think, replacing old or damaged roof shingles is a doable DIY project. As long as you have a safe way to access your roof space, you can repair a problem in no time flat.

This tutorial from Hail or High Water Roofing and Restoration describes how to replace damaged shingles on an asphalt roof.

Repair technician Steve Sims demonstrates how to replace shingles with just a crowbar, trowel, hammer, and nails.


11. Fix Leaky Pipes

You may rush to book a plumber when your pipes start leaking. However, you can solve this problem on your own by replacing the leaking section of the pipe. 

Home Repair Tutor explains how to fix a leaking copper pipe with SharkBite fittings. SharkBite fittings are push-to-connect pieces that allow you to fix a pipe without soldering or welding. 

These devices work for various types of piping, making them great for most home repairs.

The Home Repair Tutor shares how to repair a copper pipe leak with SharkBite fittings.


12. Repair a Drawer

If one of your dresser drawers has fallen apart, you can repair it with a few items from your toolbox. 

Particle board is a popular furniture material because of its versatility and affordability. If your particle board furniture breaks, you’ll just need a drill, wood glue, and screws for a DIY fix.

DIY YouTuber Andrew Voytas demonstrates how to quickly and efficiently repair a particle board dresser drawer. 


13. Refinish a Deck

Refinishing a deck is an excellent way to cover old blemishes and give your wood a new look.

Luckily, this is a project you can complete without help from a pro. 

Use an oil-based stain for a rich, long-lasting finish or a water-based stain for a quick-drying, easy-to-manage finish. Depending on the wood type, one option may be better suited for your project.

This Old House provides a step-by-step tutorial on re-staining a mahogany deck for a refreshed outdoor living space.


14. Unclog a Shower Drain

Unclogging a shower drain is never fun, but it’s necessary for a functional and clean bathing area.

Most of the time, shower drains result from hair getting stuck and twisted in the drain hole, preventing water from passing through.

This video from TightWadDIY explains how to unclog a drain with a tool instead of chemicals. If you have a septic tank or want to practice eco-friendly cleaning habits, you can use this technique to unclog shower or bathtub drains. 


15. Repair Sagging Gutters

After years of channeling rainwater and catching leaves, your home’s gutters may start to sag. 

You need to fix this problem ASAP to avoid the gutters breaking off the roof or pulling other materials down with them. Luckily, you don’t have to hire a roofing company to repair the issue.

This tutorial from illustrates how to repin sagging gutters with just a few tools.


DIY Home Repair Guides from Today’s Homeowner

Here at Today’s Homeowner, we believe knowledge is power when maintaining your home. We’ve compiled more DIY repair guides to keep your space looking its best.

Additional DIY repair guides from Today’s Homeowner: 


Final Thoughts

We hope this article provided valuable resources for completing DIY repair projects around your home.

We believe that trying a DIY repair is an excellent way to save money, maintain your home, and develop new skills. However, a little guidance is always helpful. 

Watching tutorial videos is a great way to visualize the steps of a project before trying repairs on your appliances. The best part is that these video guides are free, so you have no reason to skip them before diving into your repairs.

You’ll be a home repair expert before you know it.

Editorial Contributors
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Elisabeth Beauchamp

Senior Staff Writer

Elisabeth Beauchamp is a content producer for Today’s Homeowner’s Lawn and Windows categories. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with degrees in Journalism and Linguistics. When Elisabeth isn’t writing about flowers, foliage, and fertilizer, she’s researching landscaping trends and current events in the agricultural space. Elisabeth aims to educate and equip readers with the tools they need to create a home they love.

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Lora Novak

Senior Editor

Lora Novak meticulously proofreads and edits all commercial content for Today’s Homeowner to guarantee that it contains the most up-to-date information. Lora brings over 12 years of writing, editing, and digital marketing expertise. She’s worked on thousands of articles related to heating, air conditioning, ventilation, roofing, plumbing, lawn/garden, pest control, insurance, and other general homeownership topics.

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