You don't need to be a contractor to maintain your home — you just need to know where to find trustworthy guidance. We've vetted the best YouTube channels, manufacturer resources, and tutorials so you can skip the junk and get straight to advice that actually works.
These are channels run by real tradespeople and experienced DIYers — not influencers reading scripts. We watch these ourselves and recommend them because the advice is accurate, the explanations are clear, and they don't skip the hard parts.
💡 Pro tip for searching YouTube: When you're looking for help with a specific appliance, always include the brand, model number, and any error codes in your search. "Samsung RF28R7351SG ice maker not working" will get you 10x better results than "fridge ice maker broken."
Not everything is a YouTube project. Here's our honest take on which tasks most homeowners can safely handle and which ones warrant professional help.
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Replace a Toilet Flapper
Easy DIY
$3 part, 10 minutes, no tools needed. This fixes most "running toilet" problems and there's almost no way to mess it up.
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Replace an Outlet or Switch
Moderate DIY
Turn off the breaker first. Straightforward if you match the wires to the new unit exactly as the old one was connected. GFCI outlets in kitchens/bathrooms are especially worth learning.
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Interior Painting
Easy DIY
Anyone can paint a room. The secret is 80% prep (taping, priming, patching) and 20% painting. Watch a video on cutting in — it'll save you hours of taping.
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Replace a Showerhead
Easy DIY
Unscrew the old one, wrap the threads with Teflon tape, screw on the new one. Literally a 5-minute job with no tools beyond an adjustable wrench.
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Replace a Thermostat
Moderate DIY
Smart thermostats like Nest and Ecobee come with step-by-step guides. Take a photo of your old wiring before disconnecting anything — that photo will save you.
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Replace a Garbage Disposal
Moderate DIY
Most twist-lock onto the same mounting ring, so replacements are designed to be homeowner-friendly. Hardest part is working upside-down under the sink.
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Electrical Panel Work
Hire a Licensed Electrician
Never DIY anything inside your breaker panel. The risk of electrocution or house fire is real. This is not a place to save money — it's a place to save your life.
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Gas Line Work
Hire a Licensed Plumber
Gas leaks can cause explosions. Period. If you smell gas, leave the house and call your utility company. Gas line work requires permits in every Florida county.
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Structural Modifications
Hire a Contractor
Removing walls, adding windows, or modifying your roof requires engineering knowledge, permits, and inspections. Unpermitted work can void your insurance and reduce your home's value.
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Change HVAC Air Filters
Easy DIY
Do this every 1-3 months. It takes 60 seconds and saves hundreds on energy bills. In Florida's humidity, a clogged filter makes your AC work twice as hard.
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Flush Your Water Heater
Moderate DIY
Annual flushing removes sediment that reduces efficiency. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve, run it outside, and drain for 5-10 minutes. Florida's hard water makes this especially important.
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Roof Repairs
Call a Roofer
Falls are the #1 cause of DIY injuries. A professional roof inspection before hurricane season costs $150-300 and can prevent thousands in storm damage. Not worth the risk.
🌴 Florida Homeowner Essentials
Living in Florida means dealing with humidity, hurricanes, and heat year-round. These are the maintenance tasks that matter most for our climate.
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Hurricane prep (May–June): Inspect your roof, clean gutters, trim overhanging branches, test storm shutters, and check your generator. Don't wait until a storm is named — contractors get booked solid within days of a watch.
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AC maintenance (monthly): Change air filters every 30-60 days in summer. Florida's combination of humidity, pollen, and pet dander clogs filters faster than anywhere else in the country. Your energy bill will thank you.
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Humidity & mold prevention: Keep your home's humidity below 60%. Run bathroom exhaust fans for 20 minutes after showers. Check under sinks monthly for slow leaks — in Florida's heat, mold can start growing within 24-48 hours.
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Pest prevention: Seal gaps around doors, windows, and pipe penetrations. Florida's "palmetto bugs" (let's be honest — they're roaches) enter through surprisingly small openings. A $5 tube of caulk goes a long way.
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Flood insurance check: Standard homeowner's insurance does NOT cover flood damage in Florida. If you're in a flood zone, the National Flood Insurance Program (FloodSmart.gov) is your best resource. Review your coverage annually before hurricane season.
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Water heater flushing (annually): Florida's hard water causes sediment buildup faster than other states. Annual flushing extends tank life by years. Our
Rheem rundown covers warranty implications.
The brands themselves publish maintenance guides and troubleshooting tools. These are free and specific to your exact product — often more useful than generic YouTube videos.
Understanding your warranty before you start a repair can save you from accidentally voiding your coverage. Check your brand's details first.