Active Plumbing & Electric Posts

How To: Clean a swimming pool cartridge filter easily

Summer is just around the corner, so there's no better time than now to get everything ready to try and beat the heat. This is especially true for swimming pools. If you own a swimming pool, it's important to clean the filter every year to make sure there's no junk going in. So in this helpful tutorial, you'll find out how to clean a swimming pool cartridge filter easily. It's easy to do and will ensure you have a clean pool to swim in. Good luck and enjoy!

How To: Replace a bathroom faucet with Lowe's

In this tutorial, we learn how to replace a bathroom faucet. Tools you will need are: faucet, adjustable wrenches, bucket, towel, safety sponges, pliers, and plumber's putty. First, turn off the water supply and turn off the faucet to remove any excess water. Next, use a wrench to remove the nuts that are holding the faucet in place. Next, apply putty onto the pre-cut sink holes and insert your new sink. On the other side, secure the new faucet and nuts with a wrench. Now you can turn on your...

How To: Save Energy at Home

The most basic way to to cut back energy costs is to keep your house from losing heat in the winter or getting too hot in the summer. Curtains, awnings, ventilators, and weather stripping are all simple changes that can keep the heating costs down, while florescent bulbs can last longer and use less power than traditional light bulbs. Watch this video home improvement tutorial and learn how to save energy at home.

How To: Clear a Blocked Sink

If you have a blocked sink, there are multiple solutions. This video tutorial will see to it that you find the right fix for your clog. For more information, as well as to get started unblocking your own sink, watch this helpful plumbing tutorial.

How To: Replace a standard light switch with a dimmer switch

This video is from the Dummies video series. The video will describe the process of replacing a standard light switch with a dimmer switch. First you must pick a dimmer switch that has the capacity to control the light fixture you would like to dim. Add up the wattages of all light bulbs in the fixture and make sure it is less than the rated capacity of your dimmer switch. Next turn off the power to the existing switch from the breaker panel and test with a voltage meter. You will then remove...

How To: Identify the switched live wire in a lighting circuit

Before undertaking any electrical project, it is imperative that you know precisely what it is you're doing and to keep in mind that electricity can kill. With that said, this electrical tutorial presents a guide to identifying the switched live wire on a lighting circuit and also explains how to rewire a ceiling rose. For detailed, step-by-step instructions on completing this home project, take a look.

How To: Install a new shower head for dummies

In this tutorial, we learn how to install a new shower head and remove an old one. You will need a wrench, toothbrush, rags, replacement shower head, teflon tape, and pliers. First, remove the old shower head with your pliers, wrench and cloth to remove it. Twist this counter clockwise until the shower head comes off. Now, clean the threads with the toothbrush and place the teflon tape over them. Now, screw your new shower head on by hand until it fits snugly onto it. Finish screwing this on ...

How To: Change the fill valve and stop a leaky toilet

We’ve all had the problem of a toilet that just won’t stop running. You can fix this problem yourself with a few tools from the local hardware store. The part that is causing the excess running is an old fill tube and stopper valve. You will want to shut the water off to your toilet and then flush the toiled to drain out the water. You will have to unscrew the supply line so that you can replace the fill valve. The process only takes a few minutes and it will save you money from wasted water ...

How To: Use compression fittings on copper pipe

Copper pipe is perhaps the most versatile of all piping types in that you can use virtually any fitting with it. Copper pipe, however, is not particularly flexible, which can make it a little unwieldy to work with. Simplify your copper piping projects by using compression fittings. This home plumbing video tutorial shows you how. For detailed, step-by-step instructions on using compression joints in your copper plumbing projects, take a look.

How To: Get rid of that smell coming from your shower

In this tutorial, we learn how to get rid of that smell coming from your shower with Bob Schmidt. First, you will want to clean out your drain pipes to make sure the smell is not coming from there. If the smell is coming back out, you will need to do additional work. If water gets saturated into the base of the shower, then there should be some gravel around it so the water can soak through and go down into the drain pipe. If moisture soaks through the tile grout, then it can bring out the se...

How To: Use push-fit joints on copper pipe

Copper pipe is perhaps the most versatile of all piping types in that you can use virtually any fitting with it. Copper pipe, however, is not particularly flexible, which can make it a little unwieldy to work with. Simplify your copper piping projects by using push-fit fittings. This home plumbing video tutorial shows you how. For detailed, step-by-step instructions on using push-fit joints in your copper plumbing projects, take a look.

How To: Install a three-way switch on a lamp

Any lamp can be converted to use a three-way lamp switch, and Ron Hazelton shows you how easy it is to do in this how-to video. Three-way switches allow for a variety of lighting options, so you never have to choose between an overly bright light and darkness. Watch this video home improvement tutorial and learn how to turn a lamp into a three-way lamp.

How To: Wire a three-way electrical switch

In this tutorial, we learn how to wire a three-way electrical switch. First, you will need to know the difference between the wires that you are using. Once you familiarize yourself with these different wires, you can start to wire your electrical switch. Now, go to your electrical box and tie the white wires together with an electrical nut. Next, tie the copper wires together and you will be left with three wires. Take the wire that supplies the power and attach it to the black common, then ...

How To: Change a water tap

Whether you're changing your tap for a new look or because the old one just doesn't work anymore, this how-to video can help you with this repair project. Follow along with the steps provided and get out your toolbox. Make sure to turn off the water first, or you're looking to flood your bathroom or kitchen. Watch this video home improvement tutorial and learn how to change a water tap.

How To: Recaulk a bathtub or shower

There’s nothing that will brighten up your bathroom faster than re-caulking an old, mildewed bathtub or shower. You will need a utility knife, bleach, a small bucket of water, a toothbrush, a tube of caulk, a clean rag, a silicon caulk remover, a plastic caulking tool, and painter's tape. Watch this video plumbing tutorial and learn how to re-caulk a bathtub or shower.

How To: Unclog a sink drain yourself

First of all put a bucket under the trap. Now use your hand to loosen the handle of the PVC type trap. Loosen both the two plastic nuts on the ends. Remove the nuts that are holding to the drain pipe. Now when you remove this trap from the drain pipe a little dirty water comes out of it which gets collected in the bucket. Now check the trap for some hair and other clogs. This you have to remove and clean it out completely. Also check the drain pipe outlet for removing any hair or other clog. ...

How To: Adjust the float cup/ball height in your toilet tank to save water

Trim down your water bill and do the planet a favor by adjusting the water height in your toilet tank. The Fluidmaster's float cup on the fill valve can easily be adjusted to set water height in the cistern, just by fine-tuning the water level adjustment clip. This process is very similar for regular fill valves, too, with float balls instead of float cups. All you need to do is hit the sweet spot—the lowest water height needed to properly flush the toilet.

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