How to find and fix a leaking roof
Most roof leaks come from a cracked pipe boot, a popped nail, or failed flashing, not the shingles themselves, and […]
Home Repair and Renovation Guides That Show You Exactly How
Every guide on BMG Renovation starts with the whole job at a glance: time, cost, difficulty and a numbered list of quick steps. Detailed instructions and step-by-step illustrations follow, along with the mistakes to avoid and the point where a job belongs to a licensed pro.
We cover the repairs and projects homeowners actually face, from a running toilet or a dead garage door opener to a French drain, a deck or a kitchen remodel. Pick a section to start.
Browse by section
Home systems
HVAC & Air Quality
Heating, cooling and indoor air: AC repair, furnaces, heat pumps, thermostats, ductwork, dehumidifiers and…4 guidesPlumbing
Fix leaks, clogs, toilets, faucets and water heaters yourself, and know when a job…4 guidesElectrical
Outlets, switches, lighting, ceiling fans, breakers and generators, with the safety steps that come…4 guidesRemodeling
Kitchen Remodeling
Cabinets, countertops, layouts, sinks and appliances: plan a kitchen remodel and do the parts…4 guidesBathroom Remodeling
Showers, tubs, vanities, tile and ventilation: bathroom remodels and repairs from planning to grout.4 guidesFlooring, Walls & Paint
Hardwood, vinyl, laminate, tile and carpet, plus drywall, painting, wallpaper and trim.4 guidesBasements & Attics
Waterproofing, finishing, insulation, crawl spaces and additions that turn unused space into living space.4 guidesExterior
Roofing & Exterior
Roofs, siding, gutters, masonry, foundations and driveways: inspect, repair and know what replacement costs.4 guidesDoors & Windows
Garage doors and openers, entry doors, windows, locks and home security upgrades.4 guidesOutdoor Living
Decks, patios, fences, pools, lawn care and landscaping projects for your yard.4 guidesHome care
Appliances
Diagnose and fix washers, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers and ovens before you pay for a…4 guidesPest Control & Mold
Identify and get rid of insects, rodents and mold, and keep them from coming…4 guidesCleaning & Maintenance
Seasonal maintenance checklists, deep cleaning methods and the jobs that keep a house in…4 guidesLatest guides
How to use a post hole digger
A post hole digger (the clamshell “post digger” with two long handles) digs a clean, narrow hole by driving the […]
How to remove mold safely yourself
You can handle mold removal yourself when the patch covers less than about 10 square feet (roughly a 3 by […]
How to measure the square footage of a room
To get the square footage of a room, measure the length and width in feet, then multiply the two numbers. […]
How to clean your gutters safely
Clean gutters from a properly set extension ladder, not from the roof: scoop the debris by hand, flush the run […]
How to use a caulking gun
A caulking gun works best when you cut the nozzle small, load the tube square, and pull the gun along […]
How to choose a home remodeling contractor
Pick a home remodeling contractor by verifying the license and insurance yourself, calling references for jobs finished at least a […]
How to thaw frozen pipes safely
Frozen plumbing pipes thaw safely with a hair dryer, a heat gun on low, or hot towels, working from the […]
How to use polymeric sand
Polymeric sand locks pavers in place by hardening when you wet it, so the job comes down to dry joints, […]
How to get rid of carpet beetles
You get rid of carpet beetles by finding the larvae’s food source, vacuuming it out, killing every egg and larva […]