— Home-systems fix-it journal
Careful fixes for the systems that keep a home running
Plumbing, heating, water and the trades you have to hire: plain step-by-step guides for the moment something stops working, written for homeowners and renters standing in front of the problem.
Read the latest guidesWhat this site is for
- — Diagnose first
- — Fix what you can
- — Hire the rest well
— Newest on the bench
Latest guides
How to Prioritize Repairs After a Home Inspection (2026)
How to prioritize repairs after a home inspection in : a four-tier method for ranking findings, choosing repairs, credits or price cuts,…
How to Dispute an HOA Violation Without Missing Deadlines 2026
Learn how to dispute an HOA violation in , check your governing documents, respond on time, and escalate a fair resolution using…
How to Prepare Your Home for an Inspection: Easy Checklist (2026)
Learn how to prepare your home for an inspection in with a room-by-room checklist covering paperwork, safety, access, repairs, and final checks.
How a Home Inspection Works for Buyers: Full Guide (2026)
Learn how a home inspection works for buyers in , what inspectors check, and which findings to raise with your agent or…
General Contractor vs Handyman Which Do You Need? (October 2026)
General contractor vs handyman which do you need? Compare scope, licensing, cost and project fit, then hire the right pro for repairs…
How to Handle a Change Order on a Remodel (October 2026)
Learn how to handle a change order on a remodel in : get it in writing, find who caused it, check labor…
How to Verify a Contractor License and Insurance (2026)
Learn how to verify a contractor license and insurance, check state records, confirm active coverage, and spot warning signs before you hire…
How to Read a Contractor Estimate Line by Line (2026)
Learn how to read a contractor estimate line by line, separate labor from materials, spot unclear allowances and fees, and ask better…
How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies Fast: Simple Home Fixes (2026)
How to get rid of fruit flies fast with simple cleaning, traps, and prevention steps that stop infestations around kitchens, sinks, drains,…
— About Wave 2011
Written for the middle of the problem
Wave 2011 is a home-repair notebook for owners and renters: how a fixture actually fails, the order to check things in, and the point where a job stops being a weekend task.
The guides stay practical enough to follow with the tools already in the house, and honest about the jobs worth handing to a licensed trade.