Basic home maintenance is all about staying one step ahead of chaos. It means checking smoke detector batteries before they beep at 2 a.m., unclogging that slow drain before it turns into a bubble bath for your bathroom floor, and changing your air filters regularly so your HVAC doesn’t throw a midlife crisis. It’s tightening loose cabinet handles, caulking around windows to keep your energy bill from skyrocketing, and giving your appliances a little TLC so they don’t quit on you like your last date. Think of it as keeping your home happy and functional—kind of like a relationship, but with fewer arguments and way more satisfaction from fixing things with your own two hands.
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Must-have tools for your home
When the only “handyman” around is you in sweatpants and a messy bun, it’s time to stock up on the essentials. First, grab a basic tool kit—because nothing says “I’ve got this” like a pink-handled hammer that means business. You’ll need a screwdriver (for everything that says “some assembly required”), a tape measure (yes, size does matter), a level (for when you want your shelves straighter than your last relationship), and a cordless drill—because twisting screws by hand is for people still trying to impress someone. Toss in some duct tape (the fix-all for both broken furniture and broken hearts), WD-40 (squeaky doors and emotional baggage don’t fix themselves), a step stool for reaching the top shelf where your self-respect lives, and a flashlight—because inevitably, the power will go out the moment you start feeling capable. With this kit, you’re not just surviving—you’re DIY-ing like a queen.
The below budget friendly all in one complete tool kit from Amazon is the perfect basic starter tool kit.
Now, if you’re ready to be a serious DIY Diva, check out my favorite tools.
What to Do When Your Breaker Trips
Working your breaker box is like taming a tiny, metal dragon that controls your home’s electricity. First, find the box—usually in the basement, garage, or behind that one creepy door you’ve been avoiding. Open it up (don’t worry, it won’t bite), and inside you’ll see a series of switches called breakers. Each one controls power to a specific area or appliance in your home. If the power goes out in one spot (but not the whole house), look for a breaker that’s stuck in the middle or flipped to “off.” Flip it all the way to “off,” then back to “on” like you’re giving it a firm pep talk. If nothing’s labeled, now’s your chance to live dangerously or finally start labeling them like the grown-up you pretend to be. Just remember—breaker boxes are not puzzles to solve barefoot in the dark during a thunderstorm. Safety first, sass second.
What’s the Most Common Reason a Circuit Breaker Trips?
The most common reason a circuit breaker trips is due to an overloaded circuit—when too many devices or appliances are plugged into the same electrical line. If the total power demand goes beyond what that circuit can safely handle, the breaker automatically shuts off to prevent overheating or a potential fire.
Other reasons your circuit breaker might trip include:
- Faulty or outdated wiring
- Loose or poor electrical connections
- Old, worn-out, or outdated electrical components
In short, your breaker is doing its job: protecting your home from electrical hazards before they become serious.
How to shut-off your water
Turning off your water sounds simple—until you’re ankle-deep in a kitchen tsunami with a wrench in one hand and YouTube in the other. First, channel your inner plumber and locate the main water shut-off valve. It’s usually in the basement, crawl space, or hiding behind a box labeled “Christmas decorations, 1998.” Once you find it, twist that sucker to the right—righty tighty, lefty leaky—and listen for the sweet silence of plumbing surrender. If it doesn’t budge, don’t panic. Just glare at it with the intensity of someone who pays the water bill, and try again with your “serious adult” face. Once it’s off, pat yourself on the back—you’re now officially the captain of your own plumbing ship.
Home Maintenance Checklist
✅ Change air filters (every 1–3 months)
☐ Breathe like royalty. Let your HVAC system live its best life.
✅ Test smoke & carbon monoxide detectors
☐ Avoid that 3 a.m. “what’s beeping?!” horror movie moment.
✅ Clean gutters
☐ Because waterfalls belong in nature, not off your roof.
✅ Check for leaks (sinks, toilets, windows)
☐ If it’s wet, then it’s leaking. Read “How to shut-off your water” on my blog.
✅ Drain water heater (yearly)
☐ Give your water heater a spa day. It deserves it.
✅ Touch up caulk & weatherstripping
☐ Keep the cold out and your energy bill from climbing Everest.
✅ Clean dryer vents
☐ Because “spontaneous combustion” isn’t a decorating theme.
✅ Lubricate squeaky doors & locks
☐ Unless your home is auditioning for a horror film.
✅ Check the roof
☐ Look for missing shingles or tree limbs trying to break and enter.
✅ Flip & vacuum mattresses
☐ Because you probably don’t want to be besties with dust mites.
Screw it, I'll Fix It 