Frequently Asked Questions Every question below is answered inside a full guide. Click through for the answer plus the step-by-step fix, costs, and mistakes to avoid. How to Fix a Running Toilet in 15 Minutes (No Plumber) · Bathroom Why does my toilet run for a few seconds every hour, then stop? Can a running toilet really raise my water bill? Do drop-in tank cleaning tablets damage toilets? I replaced the flapper and it still runs. Now what? Low Shower Water Pressure? Fix It in One Evening · Bathroom Only the hot water is weak. Is that still the shower head? My pressure dropped suddenly, not gradually. What does that mean? Can I just remove the flow restrictor? How often should I clean the shower head in a hard-water area? Remove Hard Water Stains from Shower Glass (What Actually Works) · Bathroom Does CLR work on shower glass? Can I use a Magic Eraser on shower doors? Why do the stains come back within a couple of weeks? The glass is still cloudy after cleaning. Is it ruined? Toilet Flapper Replacement: Get the Right Size the First Time · Bathroom How often should a toilet flapper be replaced? Can a flapper cause a weak flush? How do I know if I need a brand-specific flapper? My toilet has a plastic tower instead of a flapper. What do I buy? Unclog a Slow Bathroom Sink in 15 Minutes, No Chemicals · Bathroom The sink is still slow after I cleaned the stopper and trap. What's left? Why does my bathroom sink smell even when it drains fine? Are chemical drain cleaners ever the right call for a bathroom sink? How often should I clear the stopper? Why Your Toilet Refills Randomly, and How to Stop It · Bathroom Is a toilet that refills randomly the same as a running toilet? Why does my toilet only refill every few hours? Can I ignore a phantom flush if it only happens once or twice a day? How to Fix a Dead Outlet Before Calling an Electrician · Electrical Why would one outlet stop working but the breaker is not tripped? Is it safe to replace a dead outlet myself? Why does my GFCI keep tripping every time I reset it? How much does an electrician charge to fix a dead outlet? How to Replace an HVAC Filter the Right Way · Heating & Cooling Which direction should the arrow point on an HVAC filter? How often should I replace my HVAC filter? What happens if the HVAC filter is installed backwards? Can I run my HVAC system without a filter for a few days? Garbage Disposal Smells? Clean It in 10 Minutes (3 Steps) · Kitchen Is it safe to put lemon in the garbage disposal? Why does the smell come back a week after I clean it? Can I pour bleach down the disposal? What foods make a disposal smell the worst? How to Fix a Leaky Faucet (Find the Right Part First) · Kitchen Why does my faucet only drip at night? Can I just tighten the handle harder to stop the drip? How do I figure out my faucet's brand and model? When does replacing the whole faucet make more sense? How to Clean a Front Load Washer Gasket That Smells · Laundry & Cleaning Why does my washer gasket smell even after I wipe it? Can I use vinegar on a washer gasket? How often should I clean the washer gasket? Washing Machine Smells? Clean These 3 Spots (Gasket, Drum, Filter) · Laundry & Cleaning The smell came back within a week. What did I miss? My towels still smell musty even after cleaning the machine. Why? Do top-loaders get this problem too? Is it safe to run bleach in the washer? Fix a Drafty Door in an Hour (Weatherstripping That Lasts) · Outdoors & Seasonal Which type of weatherstripping lasts the longest? Do fabric draft stoppers (door snakes) actually work? How much money does sealing a drafty door actually save? I weatherstripped and it still drafts. What now? How to Replace a Worn Door Sweep Before Winter · Outdoors & Seasonal How do I know if the door sweep is the problem? Should the door sweep touch the floor? Can I use a stick-on sweep instead of a screw-on one? How to Stop Ants in the Kitchen · Pests Why do ants keep coming back after I wipe the counter? Should I spray ants or use bait? How long does ant bait take to work? Does vinegar get rid of ants permanently? Fix a Squeaky Door Hinge for Good (WD-40 Isn't Enough) · Walls, Doors & Floors Can I use olive oil on a squeaky hinge? What about the old bar-of-soap trick? I lubricated it and the squeak came back in a month. Why? The door squeaks and sticks or drags. Same fix? Patch Nail Holes in Drywall Before Move-Out (10 Minutes, $8) · Walls, Doors & Floors What about holes bigger than a nail, like anchors and screw holes? Will my landlord charge me anyway? The paint touch-up is visible. Did I do something wrong? Does the toothpaste trick work?