Over 20+ free step-by-step guides

The open library for home maintenance

Clear, step-by-step instructions for every fix, project, and seasonal task around your home and garden.

20+
Guides
8
Categories
100%
Free

Browse by Category

Find guides organized by area of expertise

View all categories →
🔧

Plumbing

Faucet repairs, pipe fixes, toilet troubleshooting, and water heater maintenance.

4 guides
🌿

Gardening

Lawn care, pruning, composting, seasonal planting, and pest control.

4 guides
⚡

Electrical

Light fixtures, outlet replacement, breaker panels, and wiring basics.

3 guides
🪵

Carpentry

Shelving, door repairs, trim work, deck building, and furniture fixes.

3 guides
🎨

Painting

Interior & exterior painting, prep work, color selection, and staining.

2 guides
🏠

Roofing & Siding

Shingle repair, gutter cleaning, siding maintenance, and leak detection.

1 guides
❄️

HVAC

Filter changes, thermostat setup, seasonal maintenance, and duct cleaning.

2 guides
🔩

Appliance Repair

Washer, dryer, dishwasher, and refrigerator troubleshooting guides.

1 guides

Popular Guides

Most viewed how-to instructions

Browse all guides →
❄️
Easy⏱ 15 min
HVAC

How to Change Your HVAC Filter

Changing the air filter is the single most impactful HVAC maintenance task you can do. A clogged filter forces the system to work harder, increases energy costs, reduces air quality, and can cause expensive equipment failures.

📋 7 steps🛠 1 tools⭐ 4.9
🔧
Easy⏱ 30 min
Plumbing

How to Fix a Dripping Faucet

A dripping faucet wastes thousands of gallons of water per year and the constant sound is maddening. In most cases the fix is a $5 cartridge and takes under 30 minutes with basic tools.

📋 8 steps🛠 4 tools⭐ 4.9
🎨
Medium⏱ 6 hrs
Painting

How to Paint a Room

A fresh coat of paint is the highest-return-on-investment home improvement you can make. Done right, a painted room looks professionally finished. The secret? 70% of a great paint job is preparation.

📋 9 steps🛠 7 tools⭐ 4.8

How HandymanLib Works

Your free, community-powered home maintenance resource

01

Search or Browse

Find exactly what you need by searching keywords or browsing through organized categories.

02

Follow the Steps

Each guide includes clear instructions, tool lists, material estimates, and safety warnings.

03

Get It Done

Complete your project with confidence. Bookmark guides and track your home maintenance schedule.

04

Share Knowledge

Contribute your own expertise. Submit guides, leave tips, and help fellow homeowners.

Stay in the Know

Get seasonal maintenance reminders, new guide alerts, and homeowner tips delivered to your inbox.