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The Doyo blog
Practical home care for Toronto, York Region and the rest of the GTA — what things cost, what the law says, and what to do before winter.
Fix it · 8 min read
Furnace vent blocked by snow or ice: what to do now
Brush the snow off both white plastic furnace pipes by hand, melt ice with warm water, then reset the furnace. If a CO alarm sounds, get out first and call 911.
October 20, 2026
Fix it · 8 min
What do the blinking lights on my furnace mean? Reading the codes
A blinking furnace light is a code from the control board. Count the flashes and match them to the label on the blower door. What codes mean and what to do.
October 13, 2026
Fix it · 6 min
Why does my toilet keep running? Causes and fixes
A running toilet almost always has a leaking flapper or a fill valve set too high. How to tell which with a dye test, what to fix, and when to call a plumber.
October 4, 2026
Fix it · 7 min
How often should I change my furnace filter?
Check a 1-inch furnace filter monthly and change it every 1 to 3 months; a 4 or 5-inch media filter lasts 6 to 12 months. Signs it's dirty, and which MERV.
October 4, 2026
Fix it · 7 min
Mice in the attic: why traps aren't working and what to do
Mice in the attic come back while the roofline gap stays open. How to confirm it's mice, seal soffits and vents, trap, clean insulation, and who to call.
October 3, 2026
Fix it · 6 min
Outlet not working but breaker not tripped? What to check
A dead outlet with no tripped breaker is usually a tripped GFCI elsewhere on the circuit, a wall switch, or a loose wire. What to check first, and when to stop.
October 3, 2026
Fix it · 7 min
My furnace was red-tagged in Ontario: what does it mean?
A red tag means a gas technician found an unsafe condition. An A tag shuts the gas off now; a B tag gives you up to 42 days to repair before Enbridge cuts it.
October 2, 2026
Fix it · 7 min
How many carbon monoxide alarms does my Ontario home need?
Since January 1, 2026, Ontario homes with a furnace, gas appliance, fireplace or attached garage need a CO alarm on every storey and by every sleeping area.
October 1, 2026
Fix it · 7 min
Basement floor drain backing up: causes and who pays
A floor drain backs up when your sewer lateral is blocked or the city sewer overloads in a storm. What to do first, who owns which pipe, and backwater valves.
September 30, 2026
Fix it · 7 min
Furnace short cycling: why it turns on and off
Furnace short cycling means heat cycles under 5 to 10 minutes, often from a clogged filter, a badly placed thermostat or an overheating furnace. What to check.
September 30, 2026
Fix it · 7 min
Water heater leaking from the bottom: what to do
Water under a hot water tank often means the tank has rusted through and must be replaced, but check the drain valve, relief valve pipe and fittings first.
September 29, 2026
Fix it · 6 min
Why does my breaker keep tripping? Causes and when to call
A tripping breaker is usually an overloaded circuit, often a space heater. If it trips with nothing plugged in, stop resetting it and call an electrician.
September 29, 2026
Fix it · 6 min
Mice in the walls: signs, what to do, and when to call a pro
Scratching at night, droppings and gnawed food mean mice, and fall is when they move in. How to confirm it, trap and seal, clean up safely and when to call.
September 29, 2026
Fix it · 7 min
How to winterize an outdoor faucet (and why it still drips)
Shut the indoor valve, drain the tap and take the hose off before the first hard frost. What a drip after shut-off means, and when a burst tap needs a plumber.
September 28, 2026
Fix it · 8 min
Why is my furnace blowing cold air? Causes and fixes
A furnace blowing cold air usually means a clogged filter, a fan set to ON, a blocked vent pipe or a dirty flame sensor. What to check, and when to call.
September 28, 2026