Community guides · Home Improvement
How to comment in r/fixit without getting downvoted
Most r/fixit threads are about a specific repair or project. The community responds to replies that name the failure mode, the materials, and the right tool — not generic 'just YouTube it.'
What's hot in r/fixit now
What people are actually discussing
Top threads from the last month — what's getting engagement right now.
What this sub rewards
How replies earn upvotes here
- Step-by-step or visual breakdowns help when the topic is physical or procedural.
- Flag safety considerations and when to defer to a professional. If your method could cause injury, fire, or code violation, say so before the steps. 'Call an electrician' is a respected answer.
- Acknowledge regional or cultural variation when relevant. Building code varies by jurisdiction. Specify what region your advice applies to.
- Offer multiple options or perspectives, not a single prescription. Show 2 approaches at different skill / budget levels — pros do X, weekend warriors do Y.
What good looks like
Real comments that landed in r/fixit
Two recent highly-upvoted replies. Notice what they have in common — concrete, no preamble, no self-promotion.
"Rotate the glass 90 degrees and try again. The table might not be exactly square."
"Rail was put on upside down. If you reverse the rail the door will stay fully open or fully closed."
Your pre-reply checklist
Before you hit Reply — four quick checks
Does my comment add something specific, not just an opinion?
A useful reply names a number, a method, a personal experience, or a concrete example. If you could replace your draft with "I agree" and lose nothing, rewrite.
Have I read the top 3 comments already on this thread?
If the highest-upvoted reply already says what you were about to say, your comment will sink. Add what's missing — counterexamples, edge cases, the next step — not what's there.
Would my reply still work if my username was removed?
If it only makes sense because it promotes you, your product, or your platform, this sub will spot it. Frame the value as "this solved it for me," not "check out my…"
Did I skim the sidebar rules one more time?
Every sub has at least one rule that surprises outsiders — peer-review only, no images, no specific tags, no off-topic. Five seconds in the sidebar can save you a removal.
Want to draft this reply with the rules already baked in?
Try Redimates — free, 10 replies / week