Appliances

BASEMENT/UTILITY ROOM

• Freezers: Leaking freezer? Here's what to look for -- although it's very possible someone just left the door ajar.
• Furnace filters: How to clean and maintain an electrostatic furnace filter.
• More on furnace filters: It's important to change that furnace filter regularly. Here's why, and here are the pros and cons of different types of filters.
• Water heater: Need a new water heater, or not? Here's how to tell, and here's what to look for when you purchase a new one.

BATHROOM

• Exhaust fan: Performing regular maintenance on your bathroom exhaust fan could help prevent a fire and will keep moisture removal at peak efficiency.
• More on exhaust fans: Keep mold and moisture out of the bathroom by ventilating it with a bathroom fan. Here's what to look for.

KITCHEN

• Dishwasher: If your dishwasher won't clean, the problem could be the soap dispenser or the chopper assembly.
• Freezer: Leaking freezer? Here's what to look for -- although it's very possible someone just left the door ajar.
• Garbage disposer: Replacing a broken switch on a garbage disposer.
• Microwave: If the microwave doesn't work, here's what could be wrong with it. But more likely than not, you'll need to replace the microwave.
• Refrigerator: Regular maintenance will help your refrigerator last. And it may just be worth it to purchase that extended warranty.
• More on refrigerators: If your refrigerator stops working, the problem could be a faulty door switch. On some models, it not only controls the light, but the refrigerator's temperature as well.
• Stove: Gas stove won't light? Here's what to look for.
• Toaster: Can you really repair a broken toaster? Perhaps. But then, is it really worth it?

LAUNDRY

• Dryer: If your dryer is making a terrible rumbling sound, it could be the blower wheel.
• More on dryers: If your dyer squeals loudly, the problem could be a drum roller. Replacing a drum roller and the drum seals.
• Cleaners: It doesn't need to "smell clean" to be clean. Make your own inexpensive household cleaners -- stain remover, heavy-duty glass cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, and heavy-duty glass and appliance cleaner.

LIVING AREAS

• Vacuum cleaner: Vacuum not picking up? The problem could be a nearly full bag -- or a brush that is no longer rotating. Get the brush on a lightweight cordless vacuum rotating again.