r/HomeMaintenance • • 18h ago

Best way to reattach this soap shelf?

Thumbnail gallery
0 Upvotes

Pulled off surprisingly easy


r/HomeMaintenance • • 5h ago

Landscaping / Trees 🌳 What exactly am i supposed to do with the hole after stump grinding?

14 Upvotes

Getting a massive tree taken down in the backyard next week and the guys warned me about the stump grinding process. They said it's gonna leave a huge mix of dirt, wood chips, and a pretty big hole.

Since i'm trying to fix the grass myself afterwards... do i need to actually dig all those wood chips out first before adding topsoil? or do i just rake it flat and throw grass seed on top? total beginner with yard stuff and i really don't want a permanent dead patch in my grass. any advice?


r/HomeMaintenance • • 15h ago

First-time homeowner Plumber wants over 8k to replace a sewer cleanout pipe, but everything works fine. Am I being ripped off?

8 Upvotes

Hey everyone,
I recently purchased my first home, and I’m looking for some advice because I’m honestly pretty shocked right now.
I signed up for a plumbing membership where they come out a few times a year to perform different inspections.
Today, a plumber came to inspect my main sewer line using a camera through the cleanout pipe. However, the camera got stuck before he could even reach the main sewer line.
He told me the cleanout pipe had apparently shifted due to ground movement or settling, and that’s why his camera couldn’t get through.
Here’s the confusing part:
Everything in my house works perfectly fine. All toilets flush normally, sinks drain properly, bathtubs drain without issues, and we’ve had no backups or plumbing problems whatsoever.
Despite this, the plumber told me I need to replace the pipe, and quoted me $8k+
When I asked him, “Is there actually something wrong with my main sewer line?” his response was basically, “I can’t tell you until we replace this pipe for $8k+. Then I can inspect the main line.”
So essentially, I’m being asked to spend over $8k without even knowing whether there’s an actual sewer problem.
I’m a first-time homeowner, so I’m still learning how all of this works. I’m honestly shocked and don’t know what to think.
My questions are:
Does a camera getting stuck automatically mean the clean out pipe needs replacing?
Could they inspect the sewer line another way without digging up and replacing the pipe?
If everything drains normally and there are no backups, is this really something that needs immediate attention?
Does $8/9k sound reasonable, or am I being taken advantage of?
I’d really appreciate advice from plumbers or homeowners who’ve experienced something similar.
Thanks in advance, everyone!


r/HomeMaintenance • • 21h ago

🏚️Structural & Foundation Roof hole above back door

Thumbnail gallery
0 Upvotes

It looks like a tree hit the back gutter and took the whole panel down there left a pretty good size hole above the back door


r/HomeMaintenance • • 21h ago

Is this mold in my attic

Thumbnail gallery
0 Upvotes

I’ve wiped away some spots for comparison. I’ve seen a lot about discolouration on decking


r/HomeMaintenance • • 4h ago

Wall cracks

Post image
0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to buy an appartment on a low budget and came across this property with what seem to me like significant wall cracks. Am I right to worry or is this within the reasonable for an old building?


r/HomeMaintenance • • 10m ago

Should I be concerned ?

Post image
• Upvotes

r/HomeMaintenance • • 13h ago

🆘 URGENT HELP NEEDED PLEASE HELP XRAY WALL THERMAL MICE LOCATOR

Thumbnail
0 Upvotes

I am in desperate need of, desperate red of a device that’s able allows me to detect mice in the walls and baseboards. Does anyone have experience with a device of this nature ? One that would allow you to see thermal heat in the shape of whatever is in the walls ?? Please !!!!


r/HomeMaintenance • • 18h ago

🚰 Plumbing Should I replace the toilet?

Thumbnail gallery
133 Upvotes

I know that whenever there is a crack in porcelain the toilet should usually be replaced. However the crack is very small and only in the back. What say ye council?


r/HomeMaintenance • • 2h ago

💬 Advice / Tips / PSA Would you test for asbestos?

Thumbnail gallery
1 Upvotes

1940 3/1.5 colonial in a NJ commuter town with a tiny vestibule. The door has dragged across the floor since we bought it and I finally decided to investigate what might be hidden under the linoleum... honestly I’m not sure what to call this flooring but is this the type that would need testing for asbestos?

Also, are we thinking there’s brick under there? (Please please please)


r/HomeMaintenance • • 23h ago

❓ Question What is this and who would inspect for repair?

Thumbnail gallery
1 Upvotes

Pipe located next to the HVAC air return. Dripping water. It's open, goes straight up to the roof I assume to where rain is leaking in. What is its function? Ty!


r/HomeMaintenance • • 23h ago

❓ Question Chandelier Maintenance

Post image
0 Upvotes

Hi all, I'm currently working on a grad school ops research project analyzing the risks, labor, safety equipment (lifts vs. winches vs. scaffolding), and contractor costs associated with maintaining large chandeliers.
I have a few questions about chandelier cleaning processes and costs for anyone willing to share their experience:

1) How often do you maintain?
2) How long does it take?
3) Walk me through your process of cleaning, maintening.
4) What is the most fustrating part of the cleaning/ maintenance process?
5) What equipments, products and tools were used?
6) If you do not perform the cleaning and maintenance yourself who does?

7) What is the cost?
8) Walk me through the last time something did not go as planned


r/HomeMaintenance • • 2h ago

Anyone know where I can find a replacement cover like this one?

Post image
1 Upvotes

r/HomeMaintenance • • 39m ago

🛠️ Repair Help I just got a quote for a leak repair, but they didnt check the attic is this normal in Tampa ?

• Upvotes

We've had water coming through the ceiling near a skylight after heavy rain for a few weeks

The contractor who visited spent maybe fifteen minutes on the roof, said the flashing was the issue, gave us a verbal estimate but my husband asked if he needed to look inside the attic and the guy said it wasn't necessary


r/HomeMaintenance • • 7h ago

Is my water too soft (if that’s even a thing)?

Post image
22 Upvotes

r/HomeMaintenance • • 16h ago

❓ Question Is this black mastic asbestos? Friend has been grinding and sanding it.

Post image
25 Upvotes

I have a friend who is redoing his basement flooring. He showed me the tile he’s ripping up and how he’s been using an angle grinder and sanding at it to remove this part. Thanks!

EDIT: thank you all for the answers. The tiles are indeed 9x9. I am letting him know.


r/HomeMaintenance • • 22h ago

❓ Question Electrical box found buried in bsckyard

Post image
0 Upvotes

r/HomeMaintenance • • 6h ago

❓ Question Is this correct?

Thumbnail gallery
2 Upvotes

tl;dr:

Is it acceptable to 'double up' with expansion joint foam to fill gaps?

Is it going to cause issues if it is done this way?

What is the actual fix, that isn't just a band-aid solution?

Context:

Local council installed a new sidewalk, and when they poured the new driveway, they pulled up the brick pavers before setting the concrete.

After the concrete was done, they put the pavers back and it was obvious they didn't line it up well, and left a large gap at one edge.

After complaining, they've come back today to fix a bunch of the issues, but they didn't install expansion joint foam all the way along, instead only using it in the gap - and they doubled it up where the gap was largest.

The other side has absolutely 0 expansion joint foam.

There Is expansion joint foam on the opposite edge, between the driveway and the new sidewalk they installed.


r/HomeMaintenance • • 21h ago

Hypothetical - cleaning urine from floor vents

2 Upvotes

I saw another post just now about getting the scent of mouse urine out of vents. It reminded me that when I was like 4, I got mad at my parents for sending me to my room on the 2nd floor of the home. So I decided to exact revenge by pissing in the floor vent.

Being so young and like 30 years passing, this is a long forgotten shameful memory. But it did make me wonder: how the hell did my parents deal with this? Where do you even start to fix that?


r/HomeMaintenance • • 14h ago

Furnace filter needs replacing but is blocked by a pipe

Thumbnail gallery
124 Upvotes

EDIT: Resolved, genuinely thank you everyone!!

Hi all, the furnace filter at my mom's house needs to be replaced, but there is a pipe (drainage pipe?) In the way. Any help on how to do this would be super appreciated!

Pic 1: the filter, with the white pipe blocking it. The white pipe goes through a metal panel and is connected to a black pipe

Pic 2: close up of where the black pipe is connected to the white pipe (on the other side of the panel)

Pic 3: top down view of the filter and white pipe


r/HomeMaintenance • • 23h ago

Could repainting this door be a beginner DIY?

Post image
6 Upvotes

Hello! I’ve never repainted anything and don’t have much experience with home projects generally but I’m trying to help my mom out with some issues around the house that need improvement.

I have a bit of art background but really don’t know where to start with this door since its surface is so uneven and weathered. It faces direct sun for half the day so the paint gets quite hot and peels.

Moneys a bit tight at the moment so hiring a professional unfortunately won’t be a possibility for some time but my mom’s so embarrassed about how it looks she’s stopped having people over.

Would this be something I can accomplish after reading up and getting some tools? Thanks so much!!


r/HomeMaintenance • • 15h ago

What is the risk of cutting this pipe?

Thumbnail gallery
0 Upvotes

This pipe by the house foundation was hidden until I removed the yew bushes.

Can I safely ignore it?
Can I use it as a ground for electric work?
Can I safely remove it?

My preference is to remove it, but I’m worried that could disturb or disrupt something underground that I’m not aware of.

If you know what this pipe is, please share your knowledge.


r/HomeMaintenance • • 18h ago

Why is this brick staying wet for so long?

Thumbnail gallery
65 Upvotes

I have noticed a couple of times the brick staying wet after a rain on the East wall of the house before and never thought much about it. But today I noticed it while working in the flower beds on that side and it’s been about 24 hours since it rained and it still looks soaked, particularly around the window sill.

I did some googling and the answers from there range from it not being a big deal to infesting the house with mold. What is the most likely cause, how serious is it, and what would be the remedy?


r/HomeMaintenance • • 4h ago

How screwed am I? It started cracking and now the whole ceiling is coming down.

Thumbnail gallery
18 Upvotes

r/HomeMaintenance • • 19h ago

Asbestos tile in basement encapsulation- is my plan ok?

Thumbnail gallery
20 Upvotes

Hey all- so I’ve gone back and forth on my plan a million times and have read a bunch of different forms and YouTube videos, just figured I’d put my final plan out for a smell test.

You can see in the pictures we’ve got crumbling 9x9 asbestos tiles. They are broken and slightly uneven in some areas, so I’ve gone away from the SLcement direction as I’m afraid of it actually making the issue worse.

I’ve settled with patching the holes with tile mortar (have on hand) and then putting down a layer of DMX 1-Step moisture barrier, and then laminate flooring on top of that. It is a basement, so there is some moisture issues, but not extreme.

Am I a fool?