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Home Repair
By John's People Page
Basic home repair is a most useful piece of knowledge you can acquire. Sometime we think we may know the basics when in actuality we really don't have a clue as to how to do certain things.
In this web page I will try to share as much of my knowledge as I can. I will also through web searching try to find more tips and post them as I go along. Sometimes the very simplest of jobs can turn out to be the toughest thing you could ever do if you have never experienced doing it before.
Here are some basic repairs:
Changing a Light Switch-When you change a light switch you must first turn the power off to the switch itself from the fuse box or electrical box which contains the electrical switches dividing certain parts of where the electrical current flows in the house. At the top of the switches is one switch called the main switch, which turns off all power in the house. You won't need to use this unless you can't find the switch that will turn off the power to that light switch itself.
Once the power is turned off then take the right kind of screwdriver which is usually a flat head screwdriver and if you notice there is either two or four screws mounting the plate to the switch. Unscrew these screws and remove the plate. There will be more screws attaching the light switch in place for stability. Unscrew these screws and pull the whole unit of the switch from the wall.
You should see 3 wires attached to this switch. A green one for ground, a red one for positive charge, and a black wire for the negative charge. Each of these wires is attached with a single screw. Take the new light switch and align it with the old switch. Unscrew the wires from the old switch one at a time and screw them into the new switch in the right terminals that will have new screws in them. Replace each wire one at a time to make sure you connect the right wire with the right terminal.
Screw in the new light switch in the metal box that houses the unit, then screw in the plate that fits over the switch that covers the unit.
Fix leaky pipes- First trace where the leak is coming from, if it on of the pipes that is connected to what the fixture is (e. g. kitchen sink). Then turn the valves that feed the water to the unit off so no water is coming out of the pipe when you disconnect this pipe. Disconnect this pipe by unscrewing both sides of where this pipe is connected.
Go to the hardware store of your choice and find out which type of pipe and size you need. There should be store employees that specialize in the type of home repair need you have. Have the old pipe with you to get the right size and fittings.
Once you've purchased the right type of pipe along with the right type of attachments and/or fittings, then you replace the old pipe with the new pipe.
Use plumbers tape to wrap around the threads of the ends of the pipe before connecting the pipe to the ends of the other pipe connectios, this should prevent the new pipe from leaking After connecting the new pipe in gently screw the end pieces into the threads of the other piece of pipe ,make sure you do not cross thread, then screw in until snug and in place.
After everything is securely in place then turn on the valve that feeds water to the unit.
Changing the toilet seat- First you pump out any remaining water left in the toilet. Then you remove the 2 caps at the bottom of the seat. You should see two bolts that screw in. Unscrew these bolts. Unscrew the brass pipe fixture connecting the toilet to the wall turning the water off first by turning the handle that you see connected to the brass pipe, clockwise.
After removing the pipe and unscrewing the bolts the toilet should just come right out. After removing the toilet then remove the bee's wax seal at the very bottom. Replace it with a new bee's wax seal.
Then put the new toilet on, screw in the 2 bolts at the bottom, and connect the brass pipe back. Then turn on the water.
Changing a lamp cord-With no light bulb in the lamp, unscrew the light socket and pull the cord through. If by chance the plug at the end of the cord wont fit through then cut it.
Attach a new cord to a new light bulb socket. Put the cord back through the top of the lamp. Screw the light bulb socket in the top of the lamp. Pull the cord through the bottom of the lamp. Attach a new plug on the cord.
Painting- When painting, be careful not to drip any on anything you cherish or can't afford to replace. In order to prevent drips, simply either place the paint bucket lid under your paint brush when painting or some kind of flat surface (e. g. cardboard, trawl, etc.). This also prevents you from painting over the surface you want to paint to painting a surface you don't want to paint.
Use this technique when painting windowsills, corners where the door jam and wall meet, or any place where you want that color only in that area and not beyond.
Caulking -: You will need a caulking gun and caulk. Use caulk around windowsills, door jams or any surface you wish for the final insulation to protect from water and hot or cold weather.