Blog

Do it yourself.

Who to call and where to go around the state, do-it-yourself fixes for Arizona homes and cars, weekend plans — and notes for business owners.

How to change your AC filter (and how often in Arizona)

Find your filter size, swap it in about five minutes, and learn how often Arizona dust and summer heat mean you should do it.

Six safe checks you can do in minutes when your Arizona AC runs but the house stays hot, and when it is time to call a pro.

Find out whether the flapper, chain or fill valve is the problem, fix it in under an hour, and learn why hard Arizona water wears these parts out.

Turn the power off, free the jam with a hex key, press the reset button and test it, all without putting a hand in the drain.

Step-by-step tank flushing for gas and electric water heaters, why Arizona's hard water builds sediment, and when to leave it to a plumber.

How to safely reset a GFCI outlet or a tripped breaker, how to test them, and the warning signs that mean you should call an electrician.

Fix the most common reason a garage door will not close in Arizona: dirty, misaligned or sun-blinded safety sensors. Never touch the springs.

A step-by-step cleanup for an Arizona pool after a haboob or monsoon storm: skim, brush, vacuum, test the water, shock and clean the filter.

Find a drip line leak, replace a broken emitter or cut in a repair, and know when a leak under the ground needs a pro. Arizona-specific tips.