Find out why your house is doing that.
Clear, illustrated guides to the water heater, furnace, plumbing and wiring in a typical home: how each one works, what usually goes wrong, what you can safely check yourself, and when to call a pro.
Start with the system that’s acting up
Water heaters
Popping and rumbling, leaks at the base, no hot water, a pilot light that won’t stay lit.
Heating & cooling
A furnace that short-cycles, a heat pump blowing cold air, an AC coil that freezes over.
Plumbing & drains
A toilet that keeps running, gurgling drains, a sump pump that won’t stop, low water pressure.
Electrical
Breakers that keep tripping, a GFCI outlet that won’t reset, lights that flicker.
Latest guides
The first guides are being written now. In the meantime, pick a system above.
Smell gas? Don’t troubleshoot. Leave the house now, don’t flip switches on the way out, and call your gas utility or 911 from outside.
