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Arreglísimo · Guides in English

Arreglísimo in English: practical home guides for every household

Arreglísimo is a website of practical home guides, written in Spain and checked against official sources. This English section helps any household with the everyday problems that cost sleep and money: pests, leaks, damp, radon, an AC that stops cooling or a sudden power cut. If you own a home in Spain, you will also find the local property tax and the yearly costs of ownership explained in plain English. Find your problem below and follow the steps.

Arreglísimo editorial team · Updated 27 October 2026 · 19 min read · How we write our guides (in Spanish)

Guides in English · Updated 27 October 2026

Start here

Arreglísimo publishes step-by-step guides to look after a home: how to recognise a problem, what to do first, which methods work, when to call a professional and which official sources back each statement. These are the guides readers open most:

01 / What is Arreglísimo

What Arreglísimo is and who it is for

Arreglísimo (from the Spanish arreglar, to fix) is a Spanish website of home guides covering repairs, renovations, maintenance, communities of owners and services for people. The English section brings its most useful practical guides to readers who prefer English.

  • Any household, whether you own or rent, in the US, the UK, Ireland or anywhere else: pests, damp, plumbing and heating work the same way in most homes. Each guide is written for the readers who search for it, in American or British English, with the other term given where they differ.
  • Owners of a home in Spain, whether you live there all year or visit a few weeks a year: the guides include a “Living in Spain?” note where Spanish rules apply, and a dedicated guide to IBI and the yearly costs of ownership.
  • People who like to fix things themselves and want to know where DIY ends and a professional should take over.
02 / Find your problem

Find the right guide by what you see

What you notice and where to start
What you notice Likely cause Guide
Itchy bites in a line on waking, dark spots on the mattress seams Bed bugs Bed bugs
Bites around the ankles, a pet scratching Fleas Fleas
Small brown insects in the kitchen at night Cockroaches Cockroaches
A line of ants from a window to the worktop Ants Ants
Silvery insects in the bath or among old books Silverfish and damp Silverfish
A large hornet near the house or a papery nest Asian hornet or wasps Asian hornets and wasp nests
Droppings in cupboards, scratching in the ceiling Mice Mice
Small dark pellets in a drawer, shed or cabin Mouse or rat droppings Mouse droppings
Large droppings, gnaw marks, burrows by the shed or compost Rats Rats
Holes in wool jumpers, larvae on the kitchen ceiling Clothes or pantry moths Moths
Hairy larvae and holes in rugs, small beetles on windowsills Carpet beetles Carpet beetles
Tiny flies around the fruit bowl or the bin Fruit flies or fungus gnats Fruit flies
Fuzzy little flies on the bathroom wall, near a drain Drain flies Drain flies
Pincered insects under pots, in the bathroom or the sink Earwigs Earwigs
Black-and-white striped mosquitoes biting in the daytime Asian tiger mosquito Asian tiger mosquito
A brown spider with a violin-shaped mark Possibly a brown recluse Brown recluse spider
Perfectly round holes under the eaves, sawdust below Carpenter bees Carpenter bees
A large burrow under the deck, shed or porch Groundhogs Groundhogs
Noises in the attic at night, tipped-over trash cans Raccoons Raccoons
Narrow runways in the lawn after the snow melts Voles Voles
A grey paper nest the size of a football in a tree or eave Bald-faced hornets Bald-faced hornet
A fast, many-legged insect in the bathroom or basement House centipede House centipedes
Mosquitoes biting in the garden at dusk Mosquitoes breeding nearby Mosquitoes
A large, hairy spider running across the floor Wolf spider Wolf spider
A shiny brown spider with cream markings in a UK home False widow spider False widow spider
Pigeons nesting on a balcony, ledge or solar panels Pigeons Pigeons
Mud tubes on walls, piles of discarded wings Termites Termites
Buying a home, or the lender asks for a WDI report Termite inspection Termite inspection
Small round holes and fine dust under furniture Woodworm Woodworm
Black spots in wall corners and around windows Mould from condensation or damp Black mould on walls
Windows streaming with water on winter mornings Condensation Condensation on windows
A musty smell, laundry that never dries High indoor humidity Dehumidifier
Dry air, static shocks and a scratchy throat in winter Low indoor humidity Humidifier
Sneezing and a stuffy nose that are worse in bed Possible dust mite allergy Dust mites
Mold over a large area, after a flood or in the ducts A remediation job Mold remediation
Damp floors and a musty smell above a crawl space A wet crawl space Crawl space encapsulation
A radon map shows your area at risk, or you are buying a home Radon Radon testing
A radon result at or above the action level Radon Radon mitigation
A drip, stain or bulge in the ceiling A roof, plumbing or AC leak Ceiling leak
Water stains after rain, damp patches in the attic A roof leak Roof leak
A flood, a burst pipe or an overflowing appliance Water damage Water damage restoration
Overflowing gutters, water against the foundation Clogged gutters Gutter cleaning
A soggy yard, water pooling against the house Poor drainage French drain
Dents in gutters and vents after a hailstorm Possible hail damage Roof hail damage
Damp walls or water on the basement floor after rain Seepage Basement waterproofing
A high water bill, a meter that moves with every tap off A hidden leak Leak detection
A puddle under the water heater A valve, fitting or tank leak Water heater leaking
Water around the base of the toilet A wax ring, supply line or condensation Toilet leaking at base
A dripping outdoor faucet or a hose bib leaking after frost A worn washer or a split pipe Outdoor faucet leaking
Water left in the bottom of the dishwasher A blocked filter, hose or drain Dishwasher not draining
White scale on taps, soap that barely lathers Hard water Water softener
Cold or lukewarm water from an electric heater An element, thermostat or the reset button Electric water heater not heating
Water in the basement, a pump that runs nonstop Sump pump Sump pump
Water draining slowly or rising in the sink A blockage How to unblock a sink
The disposal hums, stays silent or leaks A jam, the overload button or a seal Garbage disposal not working
Several drains slow at once, water rising in the shower A main sewer line clog Sewer cleanout
A toilet bowl filling up instead of draining A toilet clog Unclog a toilet
Slow drains, sewage smell or lush grass over the drainfield A full septic tank Septic tank pumping
Warm air from the vents An AC fault AC not cooling
Water under the air handler or the indoor unit A clogged condensate drain AC leaking water
Clothes take two cycles to dry, a hot dryer A clogged dryer vent Dryer vent cleaning
A musty washer, black marks on the door seal A washing machine due for a clean Clean a washing machine
Dusty vents, or an offer to clean your ducts A duct cleaning question Air duct cleaning
Allergies, wildfire smoke or pet dander indoors Indoor air Air purifier
A wood fire that smokes, black flakes in the hearth A chimney due for sweeping Chimney cleaning
A loud bang in the garage, a door too heavy to lift A broken garage door spring Garage door spring broken
The lights go out Your breaker or an area outage Power outage
The same breaker trips again and again An overload, short circuit or ground fault Circuit breaker tripping
The furnace stays off or blows cold air A setting, filter, switch or ignition fault Furnace not working
Autumn is here and the furnace has had no check-up Furnace maintenance Furnace maintenance
A gas boiler due for its yearly check in the UK Boiler service Boiler service
Hot water that wavers on a tankless heater Scale in the heat exchanger Flush a tankless water heater
Planning warm floors for a new kitchen or extension Underfloor heating Underfloor heating
A hot bedroom and no central air A portable air conditioner Portable air conditioner
Setting up an alarm you install yourself DIY home security DIY home security system
A smell of rotten eggs indoors Gas, sewer gas or sulfur in the water Rotten egg smell
Holes, cracks or nail pops in the walls Drywall damage Drywall repair
Cracks in a basement wall or concrete slab Shrinkage or movement Foundation crack repair
A textured popcorn ceiling you want gone Possible asbestos in older homes Popcorn ceiling removal
Dark, stained grout lines Dirt, soap scum or mold Grout cleaning
An older relative alone at home most of the day Company and help with daily tasks Companion care
A family carer who needs a break Respite care Respite care
Getting in and out of the bath is getting harder Bathroom safety Walk-in tub
A step into the shower that feels risky Bathroom safety Walk-in shower
A relative with dementia who lives at home Dementia care at home Dementia care at home
A CO alarm beeping or sounding Carbon monoxide or an alarm reaching its end of life Carbon monoxide detector
Textured ceilings, pipe lagging or old floor tiles before a renovation Possible asbestos Asbestos testing
Cold rooms upstairs, icicles along the eaves Too little attic insulation Attic insulation
A ridge of ice along the roof edge, water dripping indoors An ice dam Ice dam removal
Walls or an attic that need more insulation Loose-fill insulation Blown-in insulation
Air leaks around rim joists and awkward cavities Spray foam insulation Spray foam insulation
A sunny roof and a high electricity bill Solar panels Solar panels
Comparing solar panel types Mono or poly silicon Monocrystalline vs polycrystalline solar panels
Glare and heat through sunny windows Window film Window film
Handing back the keys of a rented home Move-out cleaning Move out cleaning
A radiator cold at the top, gurgling pipes Air in the heating How to bleed a radiator
A tax receipt from a Spanish town hall IBI, the local property tax IBI tax in Spain
Dull, gritty or cupping wood floors Wood floor care How to clean hardwood floors
Streaky laminate, or boards swelling at the joints Laminate floor care How to clean laminate floors
Tile and grout that will not come clean Tile cleaning Tile cleaning service
Dusty or scuffed baseboards Painted trim How to clean baseboards
Dishes coming out dirty or a smelly dishwasher A dishwasher due for a clean Dishwasher cleaner
Crumbs and sticky keys Keyboard cleaning How to clean a keyboard
Makeup brushes full of old product Brush hygiene How to clean makeup brushes
Tarnished silver jewelry Silver care How to clean silver jewelry
Marks and stains on suede shoes Suede care How to clean suede shoes
A stained or smelly mattress Mattress cleaning How to clean a mattress
Splatters and smells in the microwave Microwave cleaning How to clean a microwave
A bug that looks like a bed bug Bed bug lookalikes Bugs that look like bed bugs
Plugging solar panels into a socket Plug-in solar (UK) Plug-in solar panels in the UK
Plug-in solar in your state Plug-in solar (US) Plug-in solar panels in the US
What solar panels cost Solar prices (US) Solar panel cost in the US
How long panels and inverters last Solar lifespan How long do solar panels last
Dishes dirty or gritty Dishwasher filter How to clean a dishwasher filter
Buying a new washing machine Choosing an efficient washer Best washing machine: how to choose
Thinking about smart devices Smart home basics What is a smart home?
03 / Household pests

Household pests

Most pest problems clear faster when you know the species and where it hides.

  • Bed bugs: how to check a mattress and a hotel room, what the bites look like, which temperatures kill them and why a professional treatment usually finishes the job.
  • Solar panel cost in the UK: about £7,600 for a typical 4.5 kWp system, what changes a quote, 0% VAT until March 2027 and batteries.
  • Solar panel efficiency: what the percentage means, 22.7% on average for commercial modules and why kWh matters more.
  • Solar panel inverters: string, microinverters and optimizers, hybrid inverters for batteries, power cuts and a 12-year lifespan.
  • Bugs that look like bed bugs: carpet beetles, bat bugs, cockroach nymphs and fleas, and how to tell them apart.
  • Fleas: treat every pet with a vet-recommended product, vacuum daily for at least two weeks and expect new fleas to hatch for a while.
  • Cockroaches: tell German from American cockroaches, find the hotspots with sticky traps and follow a four-week baiting plan.
  • Ants: wipe the scent trail, choose a sweet or protein bait and seal the way in; plus what flying ant season means.
  • Silverfish: dry the room and they go; how to spot the larger grey silverfish that tolerates drier homes.
  • Asian hornets and wasp nests: how to tell them apart, why a nest is a job for trained hands and how to report an Asian hornet.
  • Mice: the signs, where to place snap traps, which materials block gaps for good and how to clean droppings safely.
  • Moths: clothes moths or pantry moths, how to clean the wardrobe or larder and how pheromone traps show progress.
  • Carpet beetles: find the woolly bear larvae, then vacuum, wash or freeze and clear old birds' nests.
  • Fruit flies and other small flies: identify the fly, clean its breeding spot and set a cider vinegar trap.
  • Drain flies: the overnight cup test to find the drain, how to scrub out the film they breed in and where else to look.
  • Earwigs: harmless pinchers that follow moisture; traps, a dry border round the house and their useful side in the garden.
  • Mouse droppings: tell mouse from rat, cockroach and bat droppings and clean them up with the wet method public health experts recommend.
  • Rats: Norway or roof rat, the signs, snap traps along the runways and the gaps to close.
  • Asian tiger mosquito: the day-biting mosquito that breeds in any container; the weekly tip-and-toss routine and which repellents work.
  • Brown recluse spider: how to identify it, where it really lives, what a bite looks like and when to see a doctor.
  • Groundhogs: burrows under decks and sheds, fencing that keeps them out and the local rules on trapping.
  • Raccoons: attics, chimneys and trash cans, when to evict a mother with young and how to clean a latrine safely.
  • Voles: runways in the lawn, gnawed trees and bulbs, and how to tell them from moles and mice.
  • Bald-faced hornet: the aerial paper nest, when to leave it alone and what to do after a sting.
  • House centipedes: fast, leggy and mostly harmless; dry the room and their prey goes, and so do they.
  • Mosquitoes: find and empty the breeding water, treat what you cannot empty and choose a repellent that works.
  • Wolf spider: a big, fast hunter that rarely bites; how to tell it from a recluse and keep it outside.
  • False widow spider: how to recognise it, what a bite is really like and what the headlines leave out.
  • Pigeons: humane deterrents, safe cleaning of droppings and the licence rules in the UK.
04 / Wood-boring pests

Termites and woodworm

  • Termites: mud tubes, discarded wings and hollow-sounding wood are the signs; treatment with baits or soil barriers is for professionals.
  • Termite inspection: what the inspector checks, how to prepare, how to read the WDI report and how often to book one.
  • Carpenter bees: round holes in bare wood, when to plug them and how paint keeps them away.
  • Woodworm: fresh, sharp-edged holes with pale dust mean an active infestation; furniture can be treated at home, beams need a specialist survey.
05 / Damp and mould

Damp, mould and condensation

  • Black mould on walls: clean small patches safely, then fix the moisture behind them so the mould stays away.
  • Condensation on windows: why it forms, how ventilation, trickle vents and steady heating reduce it, and what misting between the panes means.
  • Dehumidifier: when one helps, compressor or desiccant, which capacity and the humidity to set it to.
  • Mold remediation: the size rule that separates a DIY clean from a professional job, protective gear and how to judge the work is finished.
  • Crawl space encapsulation: vented or sealed, the checks before sealing and the order the work has to follow.
  • Water damage restoration: the first 48 hours after a flood or burst pipe, clean, gray or black water, drying and what to remove.
  • Basement waterproofing: condensation or seepage, the outside fixes first and then drainage, sealing and cracks.
06 / Radon

Radon

  • Radon testing: short-term or long-term kits, where to place them, closed-house conditions and what each result means.
  • Radon mitigation: how a radon reduction system works, choosing a certified mitigator and the retest that confirms it.
07 / Plumbing

Plumbing

  • How to unblock a sink: from the plunger to the U-bend and the drain snake, with safe use of drain unblockers and when to call a plumber.
  • Ceiling leak: the first-hour steps, a timing test to find the source, drying and what to document for insurance.
  • Water heater leaking: safe shut-off for gas and electric heaters, a leak map from top to bottom and when the tank has to go.
  • Water leak detectors: spot sensors, flow monitors and automatic shutoff valves, and where each one earns its place.
  • Sump pump: how it works, a test twice a year, backup options and a fix table for the usual faults.
  • Garbage disposal not working: reset, unjam with a hex key and read a leak by where it drips.
  • Sewer cleanout: find the cleanout, tell a main line clog from a single drain and know when it is a job for a camera inspection.
  • Blocked outside drain pipe: tell your drain from the public sewer, who clears what in the UK and when to call the water company.
  • Septic tank pumping: how often to pump, the signs of a full tank and how to look after the drainfield.
  • Leak detection: the meter test, the toilet dye test and a room-by-room search for a hidden leak.
  • Electric water heater not heating: the reset button, testing elements and thermostats safely and when to replace the heater.
  • Unclog a toilet: the right plunger and technique, the dish soap method and a closet auger.
  • Toilet leaking at base: find where the water comes from and replace the wax ring step by step.
  • Outdoor faucet leaking: handle, spout or a split pipe inside the wall, and how to winterize.
  • Dishwasher not draining: the filter, the drain hose, the high loop and the disposal knockout plug.
  • Water softener: testing hardness, how ion exchange works, installation basics and salt.
08 / Heating and cooling

Heating, cooling and appliances

  • How to bleed a radiator: the steps, the order to follow, how to top up the boiler pressure and a fault-finding table for radiators that stay cold.
  • How to balance radiators: balance or bleed, the lockshield method from a cold start and when to call an engineer.
  • AC not cooling: the checks in the order a technician follows, from the thermostat and filter to a frozen coil.
  • AC leaking water: trace the water, clear a clogged condensate line and keep the drain flowing.
  • Dryer vent cleaning: the warning signs, a DIY clean with a brush kit and the safe vent materials.
  • Furnace not working: the checks in order, from the thermostat and filter to the condensate line, and what to leave to a technician.
  • Furnace maintenance: what you can do every month and what the yearly professional tune-up should include.
  • Boiler service: what a Gas Safe engineer checks, how often, and landlords' yearly gas safety check in the UK.
  • Flush a tankless water heater: the isolation valves, the descaling flush step by step and the inlet filter.
  • Underfloor heating: wet or electric, the floor build-up, coverings and running it with a heat pump.
  • Portable air conditioner: single or dual hose, sizing, venting through a window and safe use of the plug.
09 / Roof, attic and exterior

Roof, attic and exterior

  • Roof leak: trace the leak from the attic, cover it safely with a tarp and know when a repair becomes a new roof.
  • Gutter cleaning: how often, a safe routine on the ladder, flushing downspouts and whether gutter guards help.
  • Attic insulation: how much you need by climate zone, air sealing first and the checks before adding more.
  • French drain: when a drain is the right fix, how one is built and the calls to make before digging.
  • Roof hail damage: the signs you can check from the ground, documenting a claim and avoiding storm chasers.
  • Pool cleaning: the weekly routine, chlorine and pH targets, green water and safe chemical storage.
  • Ice dam removal: safe steps from the ground, what to avoid on the roof and the attic fix that stops them coming back.
10 / Insulation and energy

Insulation and energy

11 / Indoor air and cleaning

Indoor air and cleaning

12 / Safety at home

Safety at home

  • Power outage: your breaker or the whole street, generator and carbon monoxide safety, food safety times and a kit checklist.
  • Garage door spring broken: recognize the break, keep the door still and run the two safety tests after the repair.
  • Carbon monoxide detector: where to fit alarms, what the beeps mean, when to replace them and what to do when one sounds.
  • Asbestos testing: where asbestos hides by the age of the home, why it needs a lab and who should take the sample.
  • Circuit breaker tripping: overload, short circuit or ground fault, how to reset safely and when to call an electrician.
  • How to replace an electrical outlet: power off and tested, wiring, outlets with 4 wires, tamper-resistant and GFCI replacements.
  • Rotten egg smell: gas, sewer gas or sulfur in the water, and the first step for each.
  • Drywall repair: nail pops, small and large holes, cracks and water-damaged boards, with lead-safe sanding in older homes.
  • How to paint a wall: preparation, cutting in edges and corners, rolling in W strokes, two coats and painting behind a radiator.
  • Foundation crack repair: shrinkage cracks or warning signs, monitoring a crack and when to call a structural engineer.
  • Popcorn ceiling removal: test for asbestos and lead first, then the options from painting over to wet scraping.
  • Grout cleaning: the right cleaner for each grout and stone, mold in shower grout and when to reseal or regrout.
  • DIY home security system: the parts, where to place sensors, monitoring options and how to lock down the app and cameras.
13 / Older relatives

Care and safety for older relatives

  • Companion care: what a companion does, how it differs from personal and home health care and how to choose a carer.
  • Respite care: in-home, day services or a short stay, how to find it and how to prepare everyone.
  • Walk-in tub: who it suits, the drawbacks to weigh and safer bathroom alternatives.
  • Walk-in shower: the design details that make a curbless shower safe, from slope and drain to grab bars and a seat.
  • Dementia care at home: a safer home, steady routines, help with wandering and the in-home support available.
14 / Owning a home in Spain

Owning a home in Spain

  • IBI tax and the yearly costs of owning a home: the local property tax, discounts and new surcharges, community fees, the waste charge and the non-resident income tax, with worked examples, a glossary of Spanish terms and links to the laws behind each figure.
15 / Owning a home in the UK

Owning a home in the UK

  • Freehold vs leasehold: what you own, ground rent and service charges, share of freehold, commonhold and the reforms in force or still in draft.
16 / How we work

How the guides are written

  • Practical first: each guide starts with a 30-second summary, then the diagnosis, the steps, common mistakes and when to call a professional.
  • Official sources: health and pest advice follows bodies such as the NHS, the CDC, the US Environmental Protection Agency and university extension services; Spanish legal statements are checked against the Official State Gazette (BOE).
  • Dated and reviewed: every guide lists its sources with the date they were checked, and we update guides when the rules change.
  • Honest about limits: where a job needs a qualified professional, such as gas work or termite treatment, the guide says so.
17 / About

About Arreglísimo

Arreglísimo is run from Spain and publishes more than 290 guides in Spanish. Our editorial standards explain how we choose sources and review guides, and who we are has the team and contact details (both in Spanish).

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