Basic Home Maintenance Course

Lesson 1 • Understanding Your Home's Systems

Introduces the major systems in a residential home: plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and structural. Establishes the framework for all subsequent maintenance tasks.

Lesson 2 • Creating a Home Maintenance Schedule

Teaches seasonal and annual task planning to prevent costly repairs. A structured schedule is the backbone of proactive home care.

Lesson 3 • Personal Safety and Hazard Awareness

Covers identification of common household hazards including electrical, chemical, and fall risks. Connects safe work habits to injury prevention throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Fixing Leaky Faucets and Valves

Covers disassembly, washer and cartridge replacement, and reassembly for ball, cartridge, and compression faucets. Stopping leaks prevents water damage and reduces utility costs.

Lesson 2 • Water Heater Maintenance

Covers flushing sediment, testing the pressure-relief valve, and adjusting temperature settings. Regular water heater maintenance extends unit life and improves efficiency.

Lesson 3 • Clearing Clogs and Slow Drains

Teaches mechanical and chemical methods for clearing sink, tub, and toilet clogs. Proper technique avoids pipe damage and recurring blockages.

Lesson 4 • Understanding Residential Plumbing Basics

Explains supply and drain-waste-vent systems, pipe materials, and water pressure. This knowledge underpins every plumbing repair covered in the chapter.

Lesson 1 • Circuit Breaker Troubleshooting

Teaches how to identify tripped breakers, reset them safely, and recognize signs of overloaded circuits. Students learn when a problem requires a licensed electrician.

Lesson 2 • Electrical Safety Fundamentals

Establishes voltage, current, and circuit concepts alongside lockout and testing procedures. Safe electrical work begins with understanding how current flows and how to interrupt it.

Lesson 3 • Light Fixture and Ceiling Fan Installation

Covers safe removal of old fixtures and installation of new ones, including ceiling fan mounting. Proper support and wiring prevent fixture failure and electrical faults.

Lesson 1 • Patching Small Holes and Cracks

Covers spackling, mesh patch kits, and feathering compound for nail holes and minor cracks. Small repairs done correctly prevent moisture intrusion and cosmetic deterioration.

Lesson 2 • Drywall Materials and Tools

Introduces drywall types, joint compound, tape, and finishing tools. Selecting the right materials for each repair size determines the quality of the final surface.

Lesson 3 • Finishing and Texturing Repaired Surfaces

Addresses skim coating, texture matching, and priming before painting. Matching existing wall texture is the final step to making repairs invisible.

Lesson 1 • Surface Preparation for Painting

Covers cleaning, sanding, caulking, and masking before any paint is applied. Thorough prep prevents peeling, adhesion failure, and bleed-through.

Lesson 2 • Painting Trim, Doors, and Cabinets

Addresses brush selection, light sanding between coats, and sequence for painting trim and doors. High-traffic surfaces require extra prep and harder-sheen finishes.

Lesson 3 • Exterior Painting and Weather Considerations

Covers power washing, priming bare wood, and working within safe temperature and humidity ranges. Exterior paint must withstand UV, moisture, and temperature cycling.

Lesson 4 • Brush and Roller Application Techniques

Teaches cutting in with a brush, rolling walls, and maintaining a wet edge for uniform coverage. Proper technique eliminates lap marks and brush strokes.

Lesson 1 • Tile Repair and Grout Replacement

Addresses cracked tile removal, setting replacement tiles, and regrouting joints. Proper adhesive and grout selection prevents future cracking and water infiltration.

Lesson 2 • Hardwood Floor Repairs

Covers filling gaps, replacing damaged boards, and refinishing scratched surfaces. Hardwood repairs preserve property value and extend floor life significantly.

Lesson 3 • Flooring Types and Subfloor Assessment

Identifies common flooring materials and evaluates subfloor condition before any repair. A sound subfloor is essential for the longevity of any flooring installation.

Lesson 1 • Filter Replacement and Air Quality

Covers filter ratings, replacement intervals, and the impact of dirty filters on air quality and energy use. Regular filter changes are the highest-return HVAC maintenance task.

Lesson 2 • How Residential HVAC Systems Work

Explains heating, cooling, and ventilation components and their interaction. Understanding system operation enables accurate diagnosis of comfort and efficiency problems.

Lesson 3 • Thermostat Upgrades and Troubleshooting

Covers installing a programmable or smart thermostat and diagnosing common HVAC faults. Thermostat upgrades deliver measurable energy savings with minimal installation complexity.

Lesson 4 • Sealing Ducts and Improving Efficiency

Addresses locating duct leaks, applying mastic sealant or foil tape, and adding insulation to ducts. Sealed ducts can reduce heating and cooling costs by a significant margin.

Lesson 1 • Siding Inspection and Repair

Addresses replacing damaged vinyl, wood, or fiber-cement siding panels and caulking gaps. Intact siding is the primary barrier against moisture and pest entry.

Lesson 2 • Gutter Cleaning and Repair

Covers cleaning debris, flushing downspouts, resealing joints, and correcting slope. Functional gutters direct water away from the foundation and prevent basement flooding.

Lesson 3 • Foundation and Drainage Maintenance

Covers inspecting foundation walls, sealing cracks, and grading soil to direct water away. Proper drainage is the most effective long-term defense against basement moisture.

Lesson 4 • Weatherstripping Doors and Windows

Teaches selecting and installing door sweeps, compression strips, and window weatherstripping. Proper sealing eliminates drafts and reduces heating and cooling loads.