Home repair tips you can share
300 facts across 75 repairs · Updated 2026-10-06
Every tip below is lifted from one of our guides, and every guide is built from official sources — manufacturer manuals, the Florida Building Code, and Orange County / City of Orlando building-division pages. Tap Share to send one to a neighbour, or open the full guide. For a plan tailored to your exact repair, try the free DIYrr app.
Jump to a repair
- AC Not Cooling / Frozen Coil
- Attic Insulation
- Attic Ladder / Access
- Bathroom Exhaust Fan
- Bathroom Faucet Replacement
- Bathroom Mold
- Breaker Keeps Tripping
- Cabinet Hinges & Handles
- Cast Iron Drain Pipe & Repipe
- Ceiling Fan
- Deck Board Replacement
- Dishwasher Install/Swap
- Doorbell & Video Doorbell
- Dryer Runs But No Heat
- Dryer Vent
- Drywall Repair
- Emergency Roof Tarp
- Exterior Door & Weatherstripping
- Exterior Stucco Patch
- Faucet / Shower Cartridge (Moen 1222/1225 · Delta 1300/1400)
- Flickering Lights / Low Water Pressure
- Fridge / Ice Maker
- Furnace / Heat Won't Start
- Garage Door Hurricane Bracing
- Garage Door Opener
- Garage Door Panel Replacement
- Garbage Disposal
- Generator Hookup & Transfer Switch
- GFCI Outlet
- Gutters
- Hardwood Floor Refinishing
- Hiring A Contractor
- Hose Bib / Outdoor Spigot
- Hurricane Shutters & Window Protection
- HVAC Condensate Line
- Interior Door Adjustment
- Interior Painting
- Irrigation Valve / Sprinkler Head
- James Hardie / Fiber Cement Siding
- Kitchen Faucet Replacement
- Light Fixture Swap
- Light Switch & Dimmer
- Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
- Outlet Relocation / EV Charger Circuit
- Oven Not Heating
- Pool Pump Basics
- Popcorn Ceiling Removal
- Pressure Washing
- Refrigerator Not Cooling
- Roof Leak & Re-Roof
- Roof Tile Repair
- Septic Tank & Drainfield
- Shed & Accessory Structure
- Sink Drain / P-Trap
- Sliding Glass Door
- Smoke & CO Detectors
- Soffit & Fascia Replacement
- Squeaky Floors
- Stair Handrail / Deck Guardrail
- Termite Damage & Wood Rot
- Thermostat Replacement
- Tile & Grout Repair
- Toilet
- Tub/Shower Caulking
- TV Mounting On Block Walls
- Washing Machine
- Water Heater
- Water Heater No Hot Water
- Water Softener / Filter
- Water Stain On Ceiling
- Window Blinds Install
- Window Painted Shut
- Window Replacement
- Window Screen / Rescreen
- Wood Fence Repair
Plumbing & water
Bathroom Faucet Replacement
-
Measure the sink holes BEFORE buying (Moen): one hole = a single-hole faucet; three holes 4" apart (center of hot handle to center of cold) = any centerset; 8-16" = widespread.
-
Faucet: 'Apply plumbers putty or other sealant to the underside of the escutcheon according to the manufacturer's instructions' (Kohler).
-
Pop-up drain: ring of plumbers putty or other sealant under the flange; hand-tighten the flange from the top, snug the nut from below — 'Be careful not to rotate the drain when tightening the nut' — and keep the lift rod hole 'facing the back of the fixture'; wipe off excess putty (Kohler).
-
Stopper: adjust so it 'lifts about 3/8" (1 cm) when opened' by turning the threaded stopper rod. (Kohler)
Cast Iron Drain Pipe & Repipe Repair
-
Replacing corroded drain pipe is permit work, and the code says so in the same sentence as the exemption.
-
The tip that saves five figures: in Florida you may NOT line a pipe that has already failed.
-
The camera survey is code, not an upsell.
-
Do not let sewer-and-drain grade PVC go under your slab.
Faucet / Shower Cartridge (Moen 1222/1225 · Delta 1300/1400) Repair
-
Shut water off AND open the handle to bleed pressure; cover/plug the drain BEFORE pulling the retainer clip — that clip is the part most often lost down the drain on both Moen and Delta valves.
Full faucet / shower cartridge (moen 1222/1225 · delta 1300/1400) guide →
-
Moen: pull the retainer clip first with needle-nose, then loosen with the white twist cap shipped with the new cartridge.
Full faucet / shower cartridge (moen 1222/1225 · delta 1300/1400) guide →
-
Buy the Moen cartridge by PART NUMBER, not by faucet looks — the three are not interchangeable: 1222 = PosiTemp tub/shower; one-handle kitchen/lav faucets produced BEFORE 2009 take the 1225, AFTER 2009 the 1255 Duralast (Moen: 'date varies based on style and model', so confirm the model before buying).
Full faucet / shower cartridge (moen 1222/1225 · delta 1300/1400) guide →
-
Lubricate O-rings with SILICONE grease only (Moen 99915); Moen bans petroleum 'plumber's/stem grease' and Vaseline — they swell the rubber and make the cartridge fail.
Full faucet / shower cartridge (moen 1222/1225 · delta 1300/1400) guide →
Garbage Disposal Repair
-
Connecting a dishwasher: remove the dishwasher inlet plug FIRST — older/Badger 3-bolt units tap it out with a screwdriver + hammer; newer EZ Connect units insert the wrenchette into the plug and turn it 90° counter-clockwise.
-
Replacement swap: if the existing sink-flange mount is sound, reuse it and just hang the new unit — but the disposer must match that mount system (3-bolt vs quick-lock); they don't interchange.
-
3-bolt mount: 1/2" rope of plumber's putty under the sink flange, then tighten the 3 mounting screws ALTERNATELY a few turns each so it seats evenly (uneven = flange leak).
-
Jams: power off at switch AND breaker; never hands in chamber; insert the 1/4" hex wrenchette in the bottom-center socket and work back and forth.
Hose Bib / Outdoor Spigot Repair
-
FL code (FBC-R 2023 P2902.4.3): every sillcock/hose bibb needs an ASSE 1011/1019/1052 vacuum breaker or hose-connection backflow preventer — buy an anti-siphon bib, or permanently attach a screw-on hose-connection VB (tighten its set/break-off screw so it can't be removed).
-
Orlando spec: frost-free sillcocks are unnecessary — 'mild climate' anti-siphon wall faucets (e.g. Woodford Model 24, NIDEL 34HF vacuum breaker, ASSE 1011) are the correct class.
-
Anti-siphon bibs must NOT stay pressurized >12 consecutive hours — hose-end irrigation/drip timers and closed Y-shutoffs (common in Orlando) are explicitly 'not designed for constant pressure' and wreck the VB seals.
-
A new/replacement VB may spit until it is seated — hose on, nozzle CLOSED, faucet full blast until the hose fills. On a frost-proof hydrant a steady gentle drain for ~15-20 sec after shutoff is normal, not a leak.
Kitchen Faucet Replacement
-
Check the connection BEFORE buying: Moen faucets 'typically utilize either flexible supplies with 3/8" compression fittings or 1/2" IPS connections' — if the existing supply lines or shut-off valves don't fit, get the adapter for that model (Moen's Replacement Part Locator gives the connection type).
-
Shut off both supply valves under the sink first (Moen: 'The water supply shut off valves must be turned off'); Delta's tool list adds a bucket, flashlight and safety glasses for the work under the sink.
-
Supply lines: blue = cold, red = hot. Hand-tighten, then 'one wrench turn past finger-tight should be tight enough' (Delta). (~3 in)
-
Pull-down hose: slide the hose weight onto the hose before connecting (Delta). Quick connects lock with a press or an audible click — then 'gently tug on the quick connect to verify it is secure' (Moen).
Septic Tank & Drainfield Repair
-
Florida septic rules moved to DEP and the old DOH chapter 64E-6 is repealed, but in Orange County you still apply at the county health department.
-
You may work on your own system, but you may never skip the permit — and a 2026 law changed WHEN you must have it.
-
Pumping the tank is not a permitted repair. A drainfield "rejuvenation" service is.
-
Selling and remodeling: the rules are homeowner-friendly, but the paragraph letters MOVED in 2026. Ch.
Sink Drain / P-Trap Repair
-
Slip joints seal with the washer, not with tape: Oatey's order is "The nut goes on first, followed by the washer, with the tapered side of the washer facing the fitting" — reversed washers are the classic trap drip.
-
Trap geometry is code, not preference (FBC-Plumbing 1002): liquid seal "not less than 2 inches...
-
Slope and size: horizontal drainage pipe 2-1/2 in or less slopes 1/4 in per ft (FBC-P Table 704.1).
-
A sink that gurgles or smells of sewer after a new trap is a VENT problem, not a trap problem: FBC-P 909.1 caps the developed length from the trap weir to the vent fitting per Table 909.1 — 5 ft on a 1-1/4 in trap, 6 ft on 1-1/2 in, 8 ft on 2 in (at 1/4 in per ft).
Toilet Repair
-
BEFORE buying, measure the rough-in: finished wall to the CENTER of the closet (floor) bolts.
-
Press the wax seal onto the TOILET outlet (not the flange), lower over the flange, set with full body weight — then DO NOT lift or rock the bowl; a broken seal means a NEW wax ring, never re-seat.
-
New 5/16" T-bolts AND tank bolts: tighten to SNUG only — overtightening cracks vitreous china; alternate side-to-side, verify the tank sits level front-back and left-right, and cut floor bolts extending >=1/4" above the nut.
-
Flange height (Fluidmaster 7530 waxless): flush-to-1/4" below floor = one seal; ~1/2" above = stack two; more than 1/2" BELOW floor = flange extender required, not extra wax. Waxless is re-settable; wax is single-use.
Tub/Shower Caulking Repair
-
Remove 100% of the old caulk — nothing bonds over old sealant or residue.
-
On a flexing tub (GE names fiberglass) fill it with water before caulking and keep it full until the bead skins: "Tubs will naturally sink and flex from the weight of the water, putting stress on the sealant joint.".
-
Spec 100% silicone for tub/shower joints (permanently flexible; GE claims mold resistance up to 10 years).
-
Water-ready times are conditional, not universal. GE Advanced Silicone 2: "Exposure to water possible in as little as 30 minutes with bead size max 3/16\", temperature min 65℉ and humidity min 50%.
Water Heater Repair
-
T&P relief valve: NO shutoff of any type between the valve and the tank; discharge line full 3/4" size, pitched down, not trapped, end unthreaded/uncapped.
-
A repeatedly weeping T&P = thermal expansion on a CLOSED system (check valve/PRV/backflow preventer on the cold line) Rheem: 'Replacing the relief valve will not correct the problem!' Fix by adding a thermal expansion tank on the COLD supply.
-
Drain pan (FBC-R P2801.6.1/.6.2): min 1-1/2" deep, drain min 3/4", piped to an indirect waste receptor OR to the exterior terminating >=6" above grade — non-negotiable for garage/interior/upstairs installs. (Pan sizing: heater diameter + 2", Rheem.)
-
Electric sizing: 4,500W/240V = 25A breaker + #10 Cu; 5,500W = 30A + #10 Cu; match the rating plate — a 240V element on 208V or wattage mismatch is the classic swap error.
Water Heater No Hot Water
-
No hot water on an electric unit: check the dedicated 240V breaker FIRST and reset it once — a breaker that trips again is a fault, so stop there. (A.O. Smith)
-
Reset the high-limit safety the right way, ONCE: power off, pull the access panel covering the UPPER thermostat, and 'press the reset button firmly until you hear it click.' A click means the water overheated and tripped the cutoff 'often due to a grounded heating element or a faulty lower thermostat'. (A.O. Smith)
-
GAS unit, no hot water: the pilot is the usual suspect, and the thermocouple is why it matters. (A.O. Smith)
-
Pin the culprit before buying parts (A.O. Smith Technical Bulletin 36, 'Not Enough Hot Water - Electric'): set both thermostat dials to 130°F, run about 15 gallons and shut the water off the heater 'should complete heating 15 gallons in approximately 45 minutes,' and the water then 'should fall between 120°F to 140°F'. (A.O. Smith Bulletin 36)
Water Softener / Filter Repair
-
Softener using no salt / water suddenly hard = suspect a salt bridge: push a broom handle down into the salt; hitting a hard crust that isn't the tank wall/bottom confirms it. (GE)
-
Salt rule (GE): refill when the brine tank is 1/4 to 1/2 full and never let it run empty; in humid Florida, fill with LESS salt more often - overfilling promotes salt bridging.
-
Set hardness for Orlando correctly: OUC water averages 129 ppm = 7 grains per gallon (official OUC figure).
-
Always put the unit in bypass before any service: single-valve bypass = PUSH IN for bypass, PULL OUT for service (GE). Plumbed 3-valve bypass layouts vary: follow the unit's manual.
Electrical & smart home
Breaker Keeps Tripping Repair
-
A breaker that keeps tripping is doing its job: it protects the wire in the wall, not the appliance, so a bigger breaker is never the fix. This is the mistake that burns houses down, and the code puts hard numbers on it.
-
Before you guess, read the code the breaker already stored — a modern AFCI or dual-function breaker RECORDS why it tripped.
-
The two arc codes split the job between you and an electrician, and they mean opposite things.
-
Square D can also be asked, on demand, to NAME the fault — Time Saver Diagnostics.
Ceiling Fan Repair
-
The box MUST be a UL fan-rated box listed/marked for fan support, anchored to a joist, block, or listed brace — Hampton Bay: most light-fixture boxes 'are not acceptable for fan support and need to be replaced.' This is the most-omitted step.
-
Box weight rule (NEC 314.27(C)): a box is the sole support ONLY up to 70 lb; a fan over 35 lb needs a box specifically MARKED with its max weight; a fan over 70 lb must be supported independently of the box (structural bracing).
-
Clearances: blade bottoms >=7 ft above floor, blade tips >=30" from walls; ideal blade height 8-9 ft.
-
Downrod length (Hunter): ceiling height in ft minus 9 = downrod length in ft (12-ft ceiling -> 36" rod). Note Hunter Original models use DOUBLE-threaded downrods; standard models single-threaded — they don't interchange.
Doorbell & Video Doorbell Repair
-
A video doorbell needs TWO transformer numbers and VA is the one people miss.
-
Under-powering damages hardware rather than just under-performing, and each brand has a tell. Ring: the wrong rating can "Damage your devices" and "Stop your in-home chime from working properly.".
-
The wire is a spec too. Ring: "Use 16- to 20-gauge wire for your Ring doorbell. Wires that are too thin or too thick might not deliver enough power to your Ring device.".
-
The in-home chime kit is mandatory and ships in the box.
Flickering Lights / Low Water Pressure
-
FLICKER TRIAGE ORDER: one bulb/fixture -> tighten bulb, then swap non-dimmable LED for a bulb on Lutron's LED compatibility (LED Finder) tool, then adjust dimmer low-end trim (flicker only at low dim = bulb can't dim as low as dimmer); two smart dimmers wired on the same circuit also causes strobing (Lutron).
-
WHOLE-HOUSE flicker — especially lights dimming in one room while brightening in another, or flicker tied to large appliances — suggests a loose/failing service neutral or service conductor.
-
FL older-home flag: Federal Pacific (Stab-Lok) or Zinsco panel = breakers reputed to fail; InterNACHI directs evaluation by a qualified electrician.
-
ONE-FIXTURE low pressure (Moen order): confirm supply stop valves under fixture fully open -> unscrew and clean aerator, vinegar-soak for scale (Orlando hard water) -> pull-out faucets: check wand/hose screen -> if still low, replace cartridge and flush valve body.
Generator Hookup & Transfer Switch
-
The dividing line is the panel: cords from a portable generator to appliances need no permit, but ANY tie into house wiring — transfer switch, interlock kit, or inlet box — is an electrical alteration.
-
Never plug a generator into a wall outlet. (CPSC)
-
Neutral bonding is the hookup error that hides, and it runs OPPOSITE ways for the two generator types.
-
Standby siting is four clearances that must ALL hold at once — one openable window kills a spot that clears the wall: 18 in (457 mm) minimum at the REAR (a Southwest Research Institute listed-enclosure allowance against NFPA 37 Sec. (Generac)
GFCI Outlet Repair
-
LINE vs LOAD is the make-or-break step: LINE = cable from the panel (one cable in box = LINE); LOAD terminals sit under factory yellow tape — leave the tape on if not feeding downstream outlets.
-
LINE wires landed on LOAD = the GFCI will not reset and gives no power; modern units ship tripped and cannot reset until wired correctly — the #1 DIY callback.
-
Status LED (Leviton Self-Test): GREEN = passed self-test, protected and powered.
-
One GFCI at the first receptacle protects everything on its LOAD side — apply the supplied 'GFCI Protected' stickers downstream; don't chain a second GFCI (nuisance trips).
Light Fixture Swap
-
Switch OFF does not mean dead: NCVT-test EVERY conductor in the box before touching (hot, neutral, and switch-leg wires) — Klein NCVT manual: 'Never assume neutral or ground wires are de-energized.
-
Wire nuts per Ideal Wing-Nut instructions: pre-twisting is 'acceptable, but not required'; strip to model spec (451 = 3/8 in solid, 452 = 1/2 in); lead the fixture's STRANDED wire slightly ahead of the solid house wire, insert bundle, twist clockwise until tight; connector must be sized to the wire combo; Cu-to-Cu and dry locations only.
-
Box limits (NEC 314.27): a standard ceiling outlet box supports a max 50 lb luminaire anything heavier (large chandeliers) must be supported independently of the box unless the box is listed/marked for the weight. (NEC 250.148)
-
Location listing (NEC 410.10): covered porch/exterior soffit = DAMP location (fixture must be marked 'Suitable for Damp Locations' or wet); anything exposed to weather or direct spray = WET ('Suitable for Wet Locations'). (wet-rated if subject to shower spray)
Light Switch & Dimmer Repair
-
Count WIRES, not screws, and tag the common BEFORE the old switch leaves the wall — nothing about the wire colours identifies it afterward.
-
A dimmer will not partner with the plain 3-way switch already on your other wall.
-
What a dimmer must NOT control, verbatim from Lutron: "DO NOT use to control receptacles, fluorescent lighting fixtures, non-ballasted or externally ballasted compact fluorescent lamps, motor operated appliances or transformer supplied appliances.".
-
Smart switches usually need a neutral, and whether you have one is decided by the year the house was wired.
Outlet Relocation / EV Charger Circuit Repair
-
Adding a NEMA 14-50, moving an existing outlet, or running any new 240V/EV circuit is NEW wiring, not a like-for-like device swap: Orange County's permit guide answers 'A new electrical outlet or move an outlet?' with 'Yes, you need an electrical permit' — only an appliance that plugs into an EXISTING outlet is exempt. (Orange County Permitting)
-
For hire this is licensed electrical-contractor work — the handyman under-$2,500 exemption never covers electrical. (Florida Statutes 489.103)
-
An EV charger needs its OWN dedicated circuit: NEC 625.40 requires an individual branch circuit for any outlet supplying EVSE over 16A or 120V, so you cannot piggyback on an existing garage or dryer outlet. (Schneider Electric EV Design Guide)
-
GFCI is mandatory and it is the hidden cost: 2020 NEC 625.54 Florida enforces NFPA 70-2020 via FBC 2701.1. (Leviton Captain Code 2020 / FBC)
Smoke & CO Detectors
-
Chirp decoder -- count the interval first.
-
Smoke and CO alarms run DIFFERENT clocks -- do not assume 10 years for both.
-
Placement, and the distances that fail an install: inside each sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, every level (USFA); wall mounts within 12 in of the ceiling; pitched ceilings 4 in down from the peak.
-
FL smoke-alarm battery law (FS 553.883) is a permission first, a mandate second.
AC, heat & air
AC Not Cooling / Frozen Coil
-
Diagnostic order (Carrier): thermostat FIRST — confirm COOL mode, setpoint below room temp, fresh batteries — then pull the filter.
-
Frozen coil (ice on copper lines, weak airflow, water around air handler): set thermostat COOL->OFF but FAN->ON to speed the thaw; full melt takes hours (plan 2-24h).
-
If the coil refreezes after a full thaw + new filter, stop DIY: remaining causes (refrigerant leak/low charge, dirty evaporator coil, blower/airflow fault, metering device) are professional-only per Trane — repeated freezing means call a tech, not another thaw cycle.
-
Refrigerant is never DIY: EPA Section 608 restricts attaching gauges, opening the refrigerant circuit, or adding/removing refrigerant to certified technicians, and refrigerant cannot legally be sold to homeowners.
Bathroom Exhaust Fan Repair
-
Size by VOLUME, not floor area: Broan's current method is length x width x CEILING HEIGHT x 0.13, rounded up to the next ten (10 x 8 x 9 ft = 93.6 -> 100 CFM).
-
CFM sets the legal duct size, not what fits the hole. FBC-R Table M1506.2 caps 4" FLEX at 56 ft @50 CFM, 4 ft @80 CFM, and NOT ALLOWED at 100 CFM (4" smooth-wall: 114 / 31 / 10 ft).
-
FBC-R M1501.1 verbatim: 'Air shall not be exhausted into an attic, soffit, ridge vent or crawl space' - the classic Orlando attic-dump defect that grows mold; M1507.2 separately bars recirculating bath air anywhere inside.
-
Central FL humidity: run the fan through the shower and >=20 minutes after.
Furnace / Heat Won't Start
-
Order: thermostat first — mode=HEAT (fan on AUTO not ON), setpoint several degrees above room temp, replace thermostat batteries; then the furnace/air-handler power switch (looks like a light switch on or near the unit) and the breaker — reset fully OFF then ON.
-
Heat pumps (the FL default): indoor and outdoor units are on SEPARATE breakers (outdoor typically 240V) — check both. If it cools fine but won't heat, suspect a stuck reversing valve = pro.
-
A steam cloud off the outdoor unit plus 'AUX heat' on the thermostat for ~3–15 min is a NORMAL defrost cycle, not a failure. Constant defrost cycling or ice covering the cabinet = call a pro.
-
Gas furnace totally dead after power checks: reseat the blower door — the door interlock switch cuts all power and gas whenever the panel isn't fully engaged.
HVAC Condensate Line Repair
-
Size, slope, and where it may legally end: 3/4-in nominal minimum (FBC-M 307.2.2 the sizing table only steps up past 20 tons, so every house is 3/4 in) and the line may NEVER reduce downstream.
-
Don't crack the drain pan: the pan's 3/4-in NPT female ports take a 3/4-in NPT male PVC or metal fitting HAND-tightened to no more than 37 in-lbs — Goodman expects only 3/8 to 1/2 in of insertion (3-5 turns) at that torque, and wrenching it further splits the pan boss.
-
Trap it the way the MAKER says — 307.2.4 defers entirely: "Condensate drains shall be trapped as required by the equipment or appliance manufacturer.". (307.2.4.1)
-
AC dead in summer = check the float switch FIRST before condemning parts.
Thermostat Replacement
-
Kill the HVAC breaker or the air-handler switch first — Google: "You should always turn off the power before you connect or disconnect any wires"; Honeywell: "turn off the power at the breaker box or switch that controls your heating and cooling.".
-
Photograph the wiring with the TERMINAL LETTERS legible before pulling anything, and label by terminal — Honeywell is explicit: "There is no standard for which color wire controls each function.
-
Confirm it's a 24V system before buying: Nest works with "most 24 V systems, even older systems," but high-voltage thermostats are "usually labeled 110, 115, 120 or 240 VAC" (electric baseboard/radiant), millivolt wall and floor heaters "can't deliver the right amount of power," and non-standard terminal labels (1/2/3 or A/B/C) mean a proprietary system.
-
C wire: Google's required list is broader than most people assume — "Some systems, including heating-only, cooling-only, zone-controlled, and heat pump systems, require a C wire or a compatible power accessory, like the Nest Power Connector.".
Water Stain On Ceiling Repair
-
SAG BEFORE STAIN — a bulge is a collapse risk, not a stain, and the room needs clearing first.
-
TIMING narrows it faster than colour does — stain colour tells you nothing reliable, so never diagnose from it. Wet during or after rain, dry between storms -> roof.
-
HVAC is the most common Florida cause and the stain lands under the air handler or its drain line.
-
CONFIRM THE SOURCE before opening anything. ROOF — check from the ATTIC, not the roof, while it is actually raining: look above the stain for a wet truss, wet insulation or a daylight pinhole.
Appliances
Dishwasher Install/Swap
-
Drain connection (FBC-P 8th ed §409.4): the waste line must land on a wye branch at the kitchen-sink tailpiece, on the disposer's dishwasher connection, or through an air break to a standpipe, AND 'rise and be securely fastened to the underside of the sink rim or counter top' — strap/zip-tie it, don't drape it.
-
Draining into a garbage disposal: knock the dishwasher-inlet knockout plug INTO the disposer with a hammer + screwdriver and pull it out with needle-nose pliers BEFORE clamping the hose (Whirlpool) — GE: 'DISHWASHER WILL NOT DRAIN IF PLUG IS LEFT IN PLACE,' the #1 first-run 'defect' and an avoidable non-warranty service call.
-
Handling + anchor order: GE says lay the unit on its BACK — 'Do not place the dishwasher on its side' — never kick the wood shipping base, and pull the 4 leveling legs off it with a 15/16" socket before discarding it.
-
Water hookup: 3/8" minimum HOT line — copper with a compression fitting or a dishwasher-rated braided line; Whirlpool: 'Plastic tubing is not recommended,' and the 3/8" compression x 3/4" hose fitting with a 90° elbow is usually NOT in the box.
Dryer Runs But No Heat
-
FIRST, free, fixes ~half of electric no-heat cases: an electric dryer runs on one 120V leg but needs full 240V to heat, and a double breaker can be half-tripped while looking normal (GE: 'may be partially tripped even when it doesn't appear so').
-
Confirm it's truly no-heat before touching parts: run an EMPTY heated Timed Dry 5 min and feel inside; Air Only/Fluff cycles never heat and Samsung Eco Dry deliberately reduces heat — a wrong setting mimics a broken dryer (Whirlpool product help; Samsung TSG10001001).
-
Heats but clothes stay damp / weak heat = blocked exhaust vent, the #1 cause. (Samsung TSG10001001)
-
Thermal cutoff/fuse is a one-shot device that blows FROM a blocked vent. (Whirlpool tech sheet 8535826)
Dryer Vent Repair
-
Max length is set by the DRYER MANUFACTURER, not by a flat 35 ft: FBC-R M1502.4.5.2 — "The size and maximum length of the exhaust duct shall be determined by the dryer manufacturer's installation instructions" (and those instructions go to the inspector).
-
Elbow math when using the code default (Table M1502.4.5.1): deduct 5 ft per 4"-radius mitered 90° and 2'6" per mitered 45°, but only 1'9" for a 6"-radius SMOOTH 90° — swapping mitered for smooth wide-radius elbows (Whirlpool: "45° elbows provide better airflow than 90° elbows") often saves a reroute.
-
Concealed runs must be rigid metal only: 4" nominal diameter, min 0.0157" (28-gauge), smooth interior — GE: "We do not allow anything other than a 4\" round duct," and "Plastic duct work is no longer approved for a safe installation.".
-
Never join duct sections with screws or fasteners that protrude into the airstream — Whirlpool: they "extend into interior of duct and catch lint.". (M1502.4.2)
Fridge / Ice Maker Repair
-
Filter: replace every 6 months (or when the indicator light comes on), then FLUSH 1-4 gal through the dispenser (everydrop Filter A = 1 gal; most other everydrop filters = 4 gal) in 5-sec on/off bursts. (Whirlpool)
-
Temp spec, not just 'cold': LG says the freezer must stay below 19 F, recommends -4 F for ice production, and a warmer setting just makes ice slower, with nothing 'broken'. (LG)
-
Whirlpool: do not feed the ice maker from a softened supply; softener salt can damage ice maker parts and give poor ice. If it can't be avoided, keep the softener working properly and maintained.
-
Supply line: Whirlpool says do not use a piercing-type or 3/16-in saddle valve (reduces flow, clogs easily); use a 1/4-in valve that needs a drilled hole, 1/4-in OD soft copper or PEX tubing, no kinks, and leave a service-loop coil so the fridge can pull out.
Oven Not Heating
-
Order: settings before parts. Check Control Lock (hold ~3 sec to clear), Sabbath/demo mode, and delayed-start timer first — all make a working oven look dead (Whirlpool/GE official first steps).
-
One-leg 240V trap: ranges need 240/208V on two hot legs; on 120V (one leg of the double breaker tripped) 'the clock may work but the burners will not heat properly' (GE).
-
Bake element: with the range unplugged AND breaker off, inspect the lower element for blisters, cracks, or breaks — visible damage = replace, a GE-documented DIY (two screws, pull element forward, pull spade connectors off terminals; secure the leads so they don't drop back through the rear insulation hole).
-
Temp sensor test (bakes wrong, F10/F30/F31 codes): unplug and measure the oven RTD sensor — spec is 1091 +/- 5.3 ohms at 75F (~1080-1100 at room temp, Frigidaire service data).
Refrigerator Not Cooling
-
Check zero-cost causes first, in order: unit powered and Cooling ON (can shut off after outages), not in Showroom/Demo mode, controls at factory mid setting.
-
Freezer cold but fridge warm = airflow, not compressor. Cold air moves freezer-to-fridge; check items crowded against back/side walls blocking vents and overpacked shelves before suspecting parts.
-
Door seal: dollar-bill/gasket check and remove obstructions to closure; GE flags an interior light staying ON with door closed as a hidden heat source that degrades cooling.
-
Condenser coils: unplug or kill the breaker FIRST, pop the base grille, vacuum with a soft coil brush; don't bend fins. Whirlpool: normal homes need no routine cleaning — only pet/dusty/greasy homes, every ~3-6 months.
Washing Machine Repair
-
Supply hoses: replace damaged hoses when found or every 3-5 years, and keep at least 4 in. between washer and wall so hoses don't kink (State Farm). (Oatey)
-
Leaving town: shut off both washer supply valves if you'll be gone from home an extended period (American Family Insurance).
-
Front-loader slow to drain or showing an OE error: clean the drain pump filter monthly — access panel is at the lower front left (some models right); set a shallow pan and towel by the panel (water runs out), turn the filter counter-clockwise to remove, reinstall clockwise until it stops (LG).
-
Anti-siphon rule (Whirlpool): the drain hose must not extend more than 4.5 in. into the drainpipe, must NOT be sealed with tape (loose but secure, with an air gap), and the top of the drain must be at least 30 in.
Doors & windows
Exterior Door & Weatherstripping Repair
-
Diagnose a draft by WHERE it is before buying parts (Therma-Tru).
-
Jamb weatherstrip on modern pre-hung doors is kerf-in: no fasteners or adhesive — starting at the TOP, pull the old strip out of the jamb groove, press the new strip's flat edge into the kerf, cut to length with scissors.
-
Door sweep: cut to door width with scissors (vinyl) or hacksaw (aluminum carrier), install from the interior with the door CLOSED so the fin seals against the threshold before marking screw holes; a standard residential sweep only seals gaps up to 1/2" — bigger gaps need the threshold raised, not a taller sweep (M-D Building Products).
-
WATER (not air) intrusion is diagnosed by LOCATION before buying any weatherstrip (Therma-Tru): at the floor = reseal UNDER the sill and along the entire joint where jamb meets sill, and pull a humped/depressed sill flat with galvanized screws; at the TOP = the brickmould was never sealed.
Hurricane Shutters & Window Protection
-
Check whether the parcel is even in a wind-borne debris region before accepting "code requires it.".
-
The wind-mitigation insurance credit is the real payoff, and it is all-or-nothing.
-
Orange County permits shutters and impact units as product work: apply via Fast Track, upload a completed Orange County Product Approval Specification Sheet, and keep the approved installation details on the jobsite — "Failure to do so will result in a failed inspection.".
-
Plywood is a code-recognized fallback with hard numbers, not a sheet leaned against the glass. FBC-R R301.2.1.2 allows wood structural panels not less than 7/16 in.
Interior Door Adjustment Repair
-
Sagging door: before any planing, replace one jamb-side screw in the TOP hinge with a #10 x 2-1/2" or 3" screw driven through the jamb into the wall stud (fastener-maker SPAX's entry-door spec); snug only — overdriving bows the jamb.
-
Latch misses strike: smear chalk/lipstick on the latch bolt and close the door to mark the contact point (Schlage's method).
-
Order of operations: tighten/long-screw hinges, then shim or file strike, and only plane as a last resort — Masonite's warranty treats up to 1/4" of warp and seasonal expansion/contraction as 'normal, not a defect,' so wood removal for a seasonal stick is usually the wrong fix.
-
Planing/trimming limits are by door TYPE, not a flat 1/8" (Masonite/Owens Corning FAQ): MOLDED-PANEL & FLUSH/hollow-core doors allow only 1/8" off EACH edge INCLUDING the bottom (the perimeter is a thin solid rail); WOOD-PANEL, MDF & FRENCH doors allow 1/4" off each side plus 1" off the bottom.
Sliding Glass Door Repair
-
Adjust rollers before any disassembly. PGT: the roller adjustment holes face the EXTERIOR (screws on the bottom outside of the panel, behind round hole plugs).
-
Panels go in the way PGT installs them: the top of the panel slips over the track header, then the bottom swings in over the sill and sets on the rollers; removal is that sequence reversed.
-
No universal roller exists: pull one old roller first and match housing and/or spring shape, wheel diameter, and wheel material (Prime-Line).
-
Don't lubricate the wheels: CGI/PGT says they "do not need lubrication since they contain a sealed ball bearing housing." Clean tracks and sills with a damp cloth or vacuum, and keep the weep (drainage) systems clear.
Window Blinds Install
-
Inside mount: measure width at top/middle/bottom and order the NARROWEST; measure height in 3 places and use the LONGEST; do NOT deduct for clearance (factory takes deductions, but only on inside mounts). (Bali 15-1412)
-
FL window openings are usually concrete-block returns behind stucco or 1/2" furred drywall — plastic drywall anchors there strip or crush.
-
Levolor manuals say drill 1/16" pilot holes for bracket screws (into wood) and use drywall anchors ONLY when the surface really is drywall over a stud-free cavity — never bare drywall anchors within an inch or two of a block window return; hit block behind and switch to Tapcons.
-
Center supports are load-bearing, not optional: Levolor ships 1 support bracket for 48-84" wide blinds, 2 for 84-96", 3 for 96-144" — space them evenly and hook the headrail into the support channel before locking the box brackets.
Window Painted Shut Repair
-
Failing paint on an old window is not evidence the wood beneath is bad, and that assumption is what gets sound, repairable windows replaced.
-
Cut the paint seal, do not pry it.
-
Painted shut and stuck are different problems with different fixes. A paint seal releases along the seam once cut.
-
If heat is involved, the glass comes out or gets shielded. NPS: "if any heat treatment is used, the glass should be removed or protected from the sudden temperature change which can cause breakage.".
Window Replacement
-
Orange County requires a permit — its Do I Need a Permit page answers "New exterior windows, exterior doors, garage doors? Yes.".
-
Buying trap: the Florida Product Approval number must include the decimal — Orange County's form says "you must enter the entire number including the numbers after the decimal point.".
-
Print the approval's Installation Instructions DRAWING and keep it on site — Orange County: "You are required to have the approved installation details on the jobsite for inspection.
-
A retrofit is NOT grandfathered.
Window Screen / Rescreen Repair
-
Spline is sized to the FRAME GROOVE, not the mesh, and it is not one number: Phifer's chart gives .140 (9/64") for standard fiberglass and pool/patio screen in both 5/16"x3/4" and 7/16"x3/4" frames, .125 (1/8") for aluminum and solar/PetScreen in those same frames, and .210 (7/32") for solar/PetScreen in 7/16"x1" frames.
-
Rescreen order (Phifer): strip the old spline, tape the frame's outside edges down but NEVER over the spline groove, lay the mesh square — overlap 1/2" on all sides for windows/doors, cut pool/patio panels 2-3" larger per side leaving 1-2" of excess — roll the fabric into the groove while holding it straight with your hand, press the spline in and seat EVERY corner with a screwdriver tip, then trim with the knife on the OUTSIDE edge of the spline groove so the blade can't cut the new screen.
-
FL lanai/pool cage mesh is not window cloth: 18x14 fiberglass is Phifer's pool-and-patio standard, and for midges near lakes/wetlands the answer is 20x20 No-See-Ums (or Solar Insect 20x30).
-
FL code trap (FBC 2023 Table 2002.4, Note 6): the screen-enclosure wind pressures assume 20x20x0.013" mesh; 18x14x0.013" may be multiplied by 0.88; and for densities GREATER than 20x20x0.013" you must use pressures for ENCLOSED buildings.
Roof, exterior & structure
Attic Insulation Repair
-
Florida is not on the national number: its Energy Conservation Code requires R-38 in the ceiling for Climate Zone 2, not the R-49 the IECC requires.
-
Depth alone does not prove you got what you paid for — bag count does.
-
STOP if the existing insulation is loose, pebble-like vermiculite. EPA's guidance is in capital letters: "YOU SHOULD ASSUME THE VERMICULITE CONTAINS ASBESTOS AND DO NOT DISTURB IT!".
-
Two clearances that start fires.
Attic Ladder / Access
-
Springs/gas cylinders are under pressure: Louisville says do NOT remove/replace them or disassemble the ladder to install, never open the door or stand on it before it's lag-screwed to the joists, and installation requires 2 people.
-
Load rating includes person PLUS everything carried (Werner: 'person plus materials being carried').
-
Leg-trim is the #1 install error: Louisville wood models have you measure points A and B on EACH rail to the floor, subtract 1/4 in for the rubber shoe, and draw the cut line between the two marks.
-
Never 'make it work' on height: if floor-to-ceiling exceeds the model's max ceiling-height range the ladder must not be used — return/exchange it (the Werner model covers 7'8" to 10'3"); aluminum models are trimmed only at the cut heights in the manual's table.
Deck Board Replacement
-
"Above ground" is not decided by whether the wood touches dirt.
-
FBC-R R317.3.1: fasteners for preservative-treated wood must be "hot-dipped, zinc-coated galvanized steel, stainless steel, silicon bronze or copper" and "Staples shall be of stainless steel"; zinc coating weights per ASTM A153; connectors follow the connector maker, else minimum ASTM A653 G185.
-
Measure joist spacing BEFORE buying boards — the legal span changes with the material. FBC-R Table R507.7: 1-1/4 in. (5/4) wood decking = 16 in. o.c. max perpendicular / 12 in. diagonal; 2 in. wood = 24 in.
-
Sealing cuts is code, not a courtesy — FBC-R R317.1.1: "Field-cut ends, notches and drilled holes of preservative-treated wood shall be treated in the field in accordance with AWPA M4.".
Emergency Roof Tarp
-
Storm-specific hazards outrank the usual roof-walking rule: assume downed lines across the approach are live, and that decking under debris is punctured where it still looks solid.
-
Operation Blue Roof is the free federal option after major declared storms: USACE contractors install fiber-reinforced sheeting at no cost, but FEMA states only primary residences with standard shingled roofs are eligible and roofs with greater than 50 percent structural damage are not. (FEMA/USACE)
-
A blue roof is a 30-day covering by design, not a season's worth of protection — FEMA: "Blue Roofs are designed to last for 30 days.". (FEMA)
-
If you tarp it yourself, fasten it — don't weight it. (FEMA)
Exterior Stucco Patch Repair
-
Crack triage per SMA: hairline cracks under 1/16 in should NOT be patched (filler won't take; fog-coat or repaint instead); cracks up to 1/2 in wide get sanded acrylic stucco caulk (e.g.
-
Patch-size product map: shallow chips/holes up to 1/4 in deep = pre-mixed acrylic Stucco Patch (8650), applied in layers max 1/4 in each with 24 hr between layers; deeper holes (woodpecker damage) = cement Scratch & Brown Base Coat (1139) then a separate min 1/8 in Finish Coat (1201) per ASTM C926 — one thick lift of pre-mix will fail.
-
Old stucco/block needs a bond step or the patch delaminates: dampen cementitious substrates before applying cement stucco; use Concrete Bonding Adhesive 9902 (ASTM C1059) on old surfaces, and when applying Finish Coat over a previously dried base coat, replace 1/2 gal of mixing water with Acrylic Fortifier per 80 lb bag.
-
Curing is asymmetric: cement stucco patches need fog-spray moist cure ~twice daily for several days, but do NOT moist-cure acrylic or fortifier-modified products (they air-cure).
Gutters Repair
-
Hang to a sloped line, not a level: Amerimax says lower the string "approximately 1/4 in. for every 10 ft. of gutter" toward the downspout, then set hangers to that line -- standing water at midspan is slope, not a clog.
-
FLORIDA'S DISCHARGE RULE IS 1 FOOT, NOT 5 -- and gutters can be MANDATORY.
-
Water running BEHIND the gutter is a drip-edge problem, not a gutter problem -- Amerimax's own step is "If your house has drip edge, slip gutter under drip edge.".
-
Overflow is usually too few or too small downspouts, not slope. Amerimax: "Recommend one downspout per 20' of gutter," and by their own figures a 2x3 downspout drains 186 gallons per minute vs.
James Hardie / Fiber Cement Siding Repair
-
James Hardie's HZ10 line is engineered for the hurricane winds, coastal salt air, and humid Southern heat that fit Central FL - but JH's own instructions tell you to CONFIRM the correct HardieZone at HardieZone.com before ordering and warn that failing to follow the written instructions 'may affect warranty coverage.' The board carries State of Florida Product Approval FL#13192 outside the HVHZ (Miami-Dade/Broward HVHZ jobs instead follow Miami-Dade NOA 20-0730.06), and the approved install details must be on the jobsite, not improvised. (James Hardie HardiePlank FL#13192)
-
Blind-nailing is JH's preferred method and must NOT be mixed with face-nailing on the same wall (face-nail only where code requires it for high wind; a repair exemption is in JH Tech Bulletin 17). (James Hardie HardiePlank FL#13192)
-
Fasteners must be corrosion-resistant galvanized or stainless - JH recommends hot-dipped galvanized and recommends stainless steel 'when installing James Hardie products near the ocean, large bodies of water, or in very humid climates' (which fits humid Central FL and lakeside lots). (James Hardie HardiePlank FL#13192)
-
Water management is the whole game on a humid, termite-max FL wall: hold JH's minimum clearances - 6 in. siding-to-finished-grade, 1 in. above roofs/decks/paths/steps and gutters, 1/2 in. off masonry/mortar, and 1/4 in. (James Hardie HardiePlank FL#13192)
Pressure Washing
-
Tip color is spec, not preference (SIMPSON manual): red 0-deg = unpainted metal/concrete only, "DO NOT use on wood"; green 25-deg = unpainted siding/stucco; white 40-deg = painted stucco, vinyl, painted siding, and the only tip near windows (stay 4 ft+ away); black = soap, low pressure.
-
Vinyl siding: 1,500 PSI min to 2,400 PSI max with a 40-deg tip, wand horizontal at eye level (Georgia-Pacific). (Karcher)
-
Mildew on vinyl siding (GP's mix): 1 qt 5% sodium hypochlorite + 2/3 cup TSP + 1/3 cup detergent in 3 qt water; do not exceed the stated concentrations, test an inconspicuous spot first, scrub bottom-to-top, rinse thoroughly with clear water.
-
Never aim upward: water driven up behind siding laps collects there and causes leaks, streaking, or decay (GP). Wash siding bottom-up, then rinse top-down (SIMPSON).
Roof Leak & Re-Roof Repair
-
The expensive mistake in Florida is assuming small patches keep you out of a full re-roof.
-
Getting up to look is the riskiest part of the whole job — Eagle names the "inherent danger associated with walking on a roof" and recommends only a licensed and insured roofing contractor traverse one, with ladder-level work (gutters, lights) staying on the ladder.
-
The age of the existing roof decides the answer, so establish it first.
-
Re-roofing an older Orange County house triggers mitigation retrofits, and the county publishes the exact specs.
Roof Tile Repair
-
A cracked tile is rarely the leak, and a new tile alone will not stop one.
-
Tile breaks under foot, so getting up there is both the danger and the main cause of MORE broken tile.
-
Florida's standard is the FRSA-TRI Florida High Wind Concrete and Clay Tile Installation Manual, 7th Edition (effective code date 12/31/23), whose repair procedure reads verbatim: "Break out and replace damaged roof tile.
-
Match the attachment system already on the roof — mechanically fastened, adhesive-set and mortar-set are different systems, and FRSA/TRI's compatibility tables exist to reduce the inadvertent "mixing of systems, which can lead to a reduction in the life span of a tile roof system.".
Shed & Accessory Structure
-
Orange County's answer is blunt: "Yes, all structures require a permit.".
-
Submittal trap on the $12 route: the dimensioned site plan or survey must show the structure's location AND its "proposed height of the structure as measured to the peak of the roof" — not wall height.
-
FBC-R R301.2.1.2: "Storage sheds that are not designed for human habitation and that have a floor area of 720 square feet (67 m2) or less are not required to comply with the mandatory wind-borne debris impact standard of this code.".
-
Check the kit's rated wind speed BEFORE buying.
Soffit & Fascia Replacement
-
Soffit and fascia are two different parts with two different jobs, and confusing them is why quotes vary so much.
-
The soffit is half of your attic's ventilation, and the code specifies how much.
-
Net free area is not the size of the hole, and the units are the trap. A vent's rated NFA subtracts the louvers and the insect screen, so a 16-inch vented panel does not deliver 16 inches of ventilation.
-
Screening is a code detail with a Florida reason.
Stair Handrail / Deck Guardrail Repair
-
Interior stair handrail (FBC-R R311.7.8): a graspable rail is required on at least one side of any flight of 4+ risers, its top 34-38 in high, continuous for the full length of the flight, and held 1-1/2 in off the wall, with a Type I or II grip size (R311.7.8.3). (Orange County Building Safety)
-
A guard is fall protection, and the trigger is two measurements, not one: it is required on open-sided walking surfaces -- stair, ramp, landing, deck or balcony -- 'located more than 30 inches measured vertically to the floor or grade below at any point within 36 inches horizontally to the edge of the open side.' It must be at least 36 in high, let no opening pass a 4-in-diameter sphere, and 'Insect screening shall not be considered as a guard' (FBC-R R312). (Orange County Building Safety)
-
Stair openings use looser spheres than level guards: on the OPEN SIDE of stairs the guard/handrail top runs 34-38 in above the nosing line, its openings must block a 4-3/8 in sphere, and the triangle formed by riser, tread and bottom rail must block a 6-in sphere. (Orange County Building Safety)
-
The wobble means the guard is failing its design load: Table R301.5 makes every guard resist a single 200-lb concentrated load applied in any direction at the top, worst-case pulling outward, and the in-fill (balusters, panels, cable) is a SEPARATE 50 psf requirement -- Orange County's plan checklist lists both, 'Guards and handrails: 200' and 'Guard in-fill components: 50psf,' so passing the sphere test alone is not compliance.
Termite Damage & Wood Rot Repair
-
Florida law puts wood rot in the same box as termites.
-
"Dry rot" is a misnomer, and the numbers are why.
-
Probe, do not look.
-
Read what the report says it is NOT — all three disclaimers are printed on Form 13645 itself.
Wood Fence Repair
-
BEFORE any post hole: Florida law (Ch.
-
Post hole spec (Quikrete): diameter = 'three times the width of the post' (12 in.
-
Two rot defenses FL DIYers skip.
-
A post rotted at the grade line has lost its structural section where bending load peaks — full-depth replacement to the embedment spec is the durable fix, and a stub sistered above grade can't restore the 1/3-1/2 embedment.
Walls, floors & interior finishes
Bathroom Mold Repair
-
Mold is a moisture problem, not a stain problem — EPA: "There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture," and "If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back.".
-
Do not reach for bleach first — EPA's position is the opposite of the folk wisdom: "The use of a chemical or biocide that kills organisms such as mold (chlorine bleach, for example) is not recommended as a routine practice during mold cleanup.".
-
Ten square feet is the hinge, and in Florida it moves two things at once.
-
Know what gets cleaned, what gets thrown out, and what not to run.
Cabinet Hinges & Handles Repair
-
No permit, and that is a real answer here rather than a shrug: cabinets are named explicitly in Orange County's exempt list and in FBC 105.2 as finish work, exempt regardless of cost — as long as you are not moving plumbing or electrical.
-
The 35 mm cup is universal across Blum, Hettich Sensys and Salice — what strands you at the store is the BORING DISTANCE.
-
Three screws, three axes — and on a Blum CLIP top only two of them are on the hinge.
-
Face-frame COMPACT 39C is the same three moves in inches — front cam ±1/16 in side, rear cam +3/32 / −1/32 in depth off a 3/16 in factory gap, height ±1/8 in by loosening the mounting screws.
Drywall Repair
-
Compound choice: deep fills / same-day multi-coat = setting-type 'hot mud' (USG Easy Sand — the number IS the working time: 20/45/90 min); it cures chemically without shrink-cracking.
-
Match method to hole size: <1/2 in. = spackle alone; through-holes up to 3 in. = self-adhesive mesh patch (3M's limit is 3 in.); 3-5 in. = reinforced repair plate; >5 in.
-
Always spot-prime the patch before painting — compound is more porous than painted wall, so unprimed patches 'flash' (sheen/color halo) even under matching paint (DAP: sand medium then fine grit, wipe dust, prime, then paint).
-
FL garage fire wall (2023 FBC-R 8th Ed., Table R302.6): min 1/2 in. gypsum on the garage side, 5/8 in.
Hardwood Floor Refinishing
-
Engineered wood: measure the wear layer BEFORE planning a sand — at a floor-register cut, under a transition molding, or in a board gap down to the top of the tongue. (NWFA)
-
Recoat prep decides adhesion, and it is product-specific, not generic scuffing. (Bona)
-
Cure is not dry. Bona Traffic HD (TDS rev. 05/27/2026): each coat dries 2-3 hr; cure is ~3 days (80% at 1 day, 100% at 3). (Bona)
-
Run the A/C while finishing. (Bona / NWFA)
Interior Painting
-
Prep before a brush touches the wall: Sherwin-Williams says wash with a mix of lukewarm water and mild soap, gently rubbing in a circular motion, then rinse with a slightly damp cellulose sponge and let it dry. (Sherwin-Williams; EPA)
-
Match filler to the defect: lightweight spackle (e.g., DAP Fast 'N Final) for nail holes and small dents DAP: apply it in 1/4-inch layers, and lightweight spackling 'should be used only for smaller nail-hole repairs and dents' with 'No sanding or priming needed'. (DAP; Sherwin-Williams)
-
Spot-prime every bare patch before the color coat. (Sherwin-Williams; DAP)
-
Cut in one wall at a time: Sherwin-Williams says 'A 1-2" brush offers good control so it is well-suited for detail work such as cutting in around windows or painting molding'; lay a band along the ceiling, corners and baseboard, then immediately roll the field while that band is still wet so it blends. (Sherwin-Williams)
Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring Repair
-
Florida slab-on-grade is the #1 LVP failure point. (LifeProof Rigid Core install guide)
-
Keep the AC running the entire job: LifeProof states 'The HVAC system must be on and functional before, during, and after installation' and flatly bars installs in 'non-temperature controlled rooms or homes.' Hold the room at 50-100°F and 35-85% RH continuously in Orlando's humidity. (LifeProof Rigid Core install guide)
-
Flatten and prep the slab before a single plank: min 3,000 psi concrete, flat to 1/4 in. in a 10 ft. span with no slope over 1 in. (LifeProof Rigid Core install guide)
-
Leave a 1/4 in. expansion gap around the ENTIRE perimeter and against every vertical obstruction — walls, door casings, pipes, island bases — and grow it to 1/2 in. (LifeProof Rigid Core install guide)
Popcorn Ceiling Removal Repair
-
Start with a lab test, not a scraper: spray-applied ceiling texture was not federally banned until 1978.
-
Do not sand, scrape, dry-remove — or sample — before you know.
-
Florida's homeowner exemption is narrower than people assume.
-
"Under 160 square feet is exempt" is two different rules sharing one number, and neither is a homeowner pass.
Squeaky Floors Repair
-
A squeak is a fastener rubbing, not a structural failure — and in Orlando you almost always fix it from ABOVE, because there is no crawlspace to work from.
-
Do not shim the gap with a shingle or a tapered wedge.
-
Punching a popped nail back down buys weeks, not years. APA: "Note that setting a popped nail may only provide temporary relief.".
-
The scored repair screw works on a manufacturing detail worth understanding.
Tile & Grout Repair
-
Joint-width rule is hard: unsanded grout ONLY for joints under 1/8 in; sanded for 1/8-1/2 in; never blend the two (TCNA).
-
Cement grout will NOT bond to old grout - a skim coat over cracked grout fails. Remove at least 2/3 of joint depth (Mapei) / 1/2-3/4 of tile thickness (Custom) before regrouting.
-
Shower-use wait is longer than generic '24 hours': cement grout needs 72 hr before any intermittent water exposure; premixed grout (e.g. SimpleGrout) needs 3 days on shower walls and 7 days on shower floors.
-
Never grout corners, tub-to-tile joints, or any change of plane - use 100% silicone (or urethane) per TCNA EJ171; acrylic/siliconized latex caulk dries hard and re-cracks.
Yard, pool & garage
Garage Door Hurricane Bracing
-
The rating is a PAIR and the suction half is the one that fails. (DASMA TDS 152)
-
"Hurricane-rated" is TWO different ratings and buyers routinely purchase the wrong one.
-
Do not accept a countywide number.
-
Both folk fixes fail, and TDS 152 sharpened the first one in Rev.
Garage Door Opener Repair
-
HARD STOP on springs, cables, and bottom brackets — Clopay: "If your springs are broken or improperly tensioned, do not adjust or remove them yourself," "The bottom brackets on all garage doors must not be removed while the door is under tension," and frayed cables "are in danger of breaking and could cause serious injury or property damage.".
-
Photo-eye sensors mount "no higher than 6 inches (15 cm) above the floor.".
-
Safety reversal test — monthly and after ANY adjustment ("Always perform safety reversal test when any adjustments are made"): with the door fully open, lay a 2x4 flat (a 1-1/2 in.
-
Program TRAVEL first — on a Security+ 2.0 / myQ opener you do NOT set force by hand: "The force is adjusted automatically after you program the travel.".
Garage Door Panel Replacement
-
Replacement sections are dealer-ordered by exact model, not off-the-shelf: Clopay identifies a door built in the last 10 years by the 15-16 digit serial number on the interior of the bottom section, and a matching section exists only 'provided we still manufacture the door model you own'. (Clopay FAQ)
-
Triage the dent before ordering a section: Clopay says minor dings on an UNINSULATED door can sometimes be pushed out from the inside, but 'have heavily dented doors inspected by a Clopay Dealer' — creased/insulated sections and any door with a cracked window get a dealer-supplied replacement section, not DIY straightening. (Clopay Service & Replacement)
-
HARD STOP before pulling any section: the torsion spring and lift cables stay loaded even with the door closed. (Clopay Service & Replacement)
-
In Florida the door is a wind-STRUCTURAL element, not trim: DASMA calls the garage door 'the structural component of a house most likely to fail during a hurricane,' and 'the bigger the door, the higher the pressure, making a double-car garage more vulnerable.' A dented/bent section or field-modified door can lose its rated design pressure. (DASMA)
Irrigation Valve / Sprinkler Head Repair
-
Rain Bird head swap: "Clean the threads and apply plumber's tape to the male connector.
-
Never mix rotors and spray heads on one valve — Rain Bird: "You want to avoid mixing components with different precipitation rates on the same valve whenever possible," so one area floods while the other stays dry and no controller setting fixes it.
-
Heads that dribble AFTER the zone shuts off are usually not a bad valve.
-
Zone won't come on — work this order (Hunter), don't start by buying a valve.
Pool Pump Basics
-
Prime-loss is usually not pump death.
-
NEVER run the pump dry: water is the coolant and lubricant for the mechanical shaft seal.
-
SAFETY: if the pump failed to prime or ran without water, do NOT open the strainer pot — Pentair: such pumps "may experience a build up of vapor pressure and may contain scalding hot water.
-
MOTOR/PUMP SWAP — the bonding conductor is not optional and is NOT the ground wire (the motor has a separate GROUND SCREW and BONDING LUG).
TV Mounting On Block Walls
-
Follow the MOUNT's own concrete instructions, not generic anchor advice — and check the wall qualifies first. Sanus XF228 and Chief XSM1U/XTM1U both list the concrete option ONLY for a bare solid concrete wall 8 in.
-
Tighten the lags only until the washers pull firmly against the wall plate — Sanus: 'Improper use could reduce the holding power of the lag bolts.
-
The Orlando trap: your block wall is not 'bare'. Interior drywall sits on wood furring — FBC-R R702.3.2 permits furring 'not less than 1-inch by 2-inch (25 mm by 51 mm) nominal dimension...
-
If you do use concrete screws instead of the kit's sleeve anchors, the bit pairing is NOT intuitive: a 1/4-in. Tapcon takes a 3/16-in. bit and a 3/16-in. Tapcon takes a 5/32-in.
Hiring & permits
Hiring A Contractor Repair
-
Every question worth asking a contractor has a checkable answer, and the license comes first — search the name or number yourself at the DBPR license lookup (myfloridalicense.com); never accept a photo of a card.
-
Ask what deposit they want, because Florida attaches a clock to the answer.
-
Ask WHO pulls the permit, and do not trade one away for speed.
-
Florida's under-$7,500 permit waiver (HB 803, signed 2026-05-06, effective 2026-07-01, now FS 553.79(1)(g)) is real but narrower than contractors quote it.
General guidance, not professional advice. Know when to stop and call a pro.
© 2026 Karhan Companies LLC · Orlando, FL · DIYrr app · All guides · Tips library · About · Contact · Privacy · Terms
Built by Karhan Construction & Remodeling, an owner-led repair and remodeling company in Orlando — DIYrr is free whether or not you ever hire us.