Active Plumbing & Electric Posts
How To: Use the Atmos meter bypass tool to hook up a methane tank for gas supply
If you are interested in hooking up and using a bypass tool to incorporate a methane tank in your supply gas system, watch this video and follow the instructions. This video demonstrates how you can use the Atmos meter bypass tool.
How To: Unclog your shower drain
In this video from prohandymanlv we learn how to unclog a shower drain. Often people with long hair will have this problem as it falls out and combines with oils and shampoos to form a ball of blockage in the drain. Use gloves when working with drains. First remove the shower strainer. If you don't have the tools to grab the clog, use long screwdrivers. If it's deeper, a zippet will work. Stick it down the drain and it will grab the clog. He actually can see the clog when he unclogs this drai...
How To: Fit an external expansion vessel into a boiler
An expansion vessel is a small tank used in water heating systems that performs the important job of absorbing excessive water pressure. If the expansion vessel in your plumbing is not working, you could call up the plumber and get it fixed - for a very huge sum.
How To: Repair a leaking pipe caused by a loose washer
Drip, drip, drip. Other than maybe a fly buzzing around your head in concentric circles, a leaky pipe is possibly the most annoying thing you can hear in the middle of the night when you're trying to get some sleep. Thankfully, though, a leaky pipe is one of the easiest plumbing problems to fix all by your onesies.
Shortcut: Fix a Wiggly Wall Outlet
Normally the idea of messing with an electrical outlet makes me squirm, but Apartment Therapy's quick fix for a loose wall outlet means skipping out on a costly electrician bill. Not only is a wiggly wall outlet unsightly, but it can also be a fire hazard. The solution is simple:
How To: Remove a shower stall and replace it with a new one
You can't go scrub-a-dub in the tub - at least not comfortably so - if your shower faucet is leaking, or if your current tub valve is stuck and not letting any shower water come through. If your shower is broken beyond repair then your best plan of action is to take the whole thing out and reinstall your shower stall. We know this big - and potentially disasterous - procedure has been parodied many a time on popular TV sitcoms, but it's actually realizable if you're careful and follow the ste...
How To: Install the shower base and connect it to the drain
Before you whip out your iPhone and call your neighborhood plumber for a job that's sure to cost you a pretty penny, check out this video to learn how to do some impressive plumbing yourself. Using a few tools you probably already have lying around your house, you'll learn how to install a shower base in your shower unit and then connect it with the drain - effectively, you'll be setting up a plumbing system.
How To: Replace the washer in your shower faucet to stop a leak
Before you pull out your phone book (okay, pull up your laptop and start up Google) to find a number for a handyman, why not attempt to fix your broken shower faucet yourself? Yeah, we know it's kind of annoying to find your tool box and remove your entire shower faucet unit, but it's actually quite easy to fix a basic leak in your shower.
How To: Install or move a shower valve
This two part video show you how to remove an old shower valve, preparation and installation of a new shower valve. Also, you'll see how to clean, cut and connect copper plumbing pipes. Don't forget to watch part two and always make sure to shut off the water main first!
How To: Replace or relocate your shower valve
If you need to move your shower or tub valve, this clear how-to will show you how it's done. Plumbing can be easy with the right info and this video is just what you need. Remember, turn off your water first!
How To: Install a brand new kitchen faucet in your house
Installing a new faucet in your kitchen or bathoom can be an easy DIY task if you follow this clear how-to. This is a great skill to know as it's only a matter of time before you're going to want, or need, to replace a faucet.
How To: Solder copper pipe together with this easy DIY
This simple how-to from Buildpedia shows every DIYer how to "sweat pipe", meaning, how to solder it together. This is a simple technique that's easy to get the hang of. You'll need a solder kit, the pipes want to solder, an aceteline torch and a few other things.
How To: Install an electrical outlet safely and easily
Installing an electrical outlet in your home or apartment may seem like a daunting task, but this simple DIY video from Buildipedia makes it a simple project. Whether your current outlet is broken, or you're just looking to add something new this video will show you how it's done.
How To: Replace a light fixture and spruce up your home
If you're looking for an easy spruce up to your house, try repacing the light fixture. This is an easy task you can do safely that will give your house or apartment and fresh new feel. Check out this DIY elctrical task today.
How To: Install a GFCI (ground fault) outlet in your bathroom or kitchen
If you're installing an outlet in a kitchen or bathroom, you're going to want to install a GFCI outlet. This is a safety outlet that will insture no one gets a shock from using an electrical appliance near water. Cool!
Home Hack: Silence a Leaky Faucet With a String
Yep, it's that easy. From Re-Nest: "To quiet the sound of a leaky faucet, simply tie a string around the neck of the faucet and allow it to catch the drips on the way down.
How To: Install a Falcon waterfree urinal in a commercial restroom
Learn how to install a Falcon waterfree urinal with this nine-minute tutorial! This clip will teach you everything you'll need to know to achieve a quick, successful installation, which means you can get to saving water right away. For complete instructions, take a look!
How To: Install a waterless urinal in a commercial restroom
Looking for a video guide on how to install a waterless urinal in a commercial restroom? You've come to the right place. This video guide offers a detailed, step-by-step guide to the installation process. For complete instructions, and to get installing yourself, take a look!
HowTo: Hack Together a Drain Declogger For Next to Nothing
Calling a plumber can run in the upwards of $100. And the $5 Zip-It is... well, five bucks. But if you dig through your recyclables and kitchen drawer, you can whip up this cheap & easy drain declogger for next to nothing. You Will Need:
How To: Sweat solder copper water tubing for plumbing repair
This is an instructional video to help demonstrate how to sweat solder copper water tubing in plumbing repair. If you can't be bothered to hire a professional plumber for all plumbing repairs, this video guide shows you how to do the work yourself. You will need a gas or propane torch, copper or brass fittings, copper tubing, gloves, solder paste, solder, pipe cleaner, and a pipe cutter. Learn how to sweat solder copper water tubing for plumbing repair.
How To: Recharge an expansion vessel in a combination boiler
The expansion vessel, or expansion tank, is the small tank used in closed hot water heating systems that helps to absorb water pressure. Sometimes, though, your expansion vessel will stop working and will need to be either recharged or replaced.
How To: Install a Kohler Cimarron toilet
In this six-part home DIY tutorial, you'll find detailed, step-by-step instructions for installing a Kohler Cimarron toilet in your bathroom. For this installation, you'll need a putty knife, adjustable wrench, hacksaw, level, tape measure, sponge and replacement wax seal. For more, or to get started on your own Kohler Cimarron toilet installation project, watch this video how-to. Install a Kohler Cimarron toilet - Part 1 of 6.
How To: Replace old ceiling fans with newer kid-friendly fixtures
Are your ceiling fans wobbling too much? Making more noise than you can stand? Seem unsafe? Are boring your kids? Then it's time to upgrade to a newer ceiling fan, but don't worry— you can easily DIY it! This video will show you the step-by-step procedure for removing your old ceiling fans and installing new kid-friendly ones. This added (and functional) fixture will help cool your house while adding a fun decorative touch to your home. They're great for kids!
How To: Replace (or install) a brand new toilet in your bathroom
You're in drastic need of a new toilet, but you're scared of the cost of installation— don't worry, you can install it yourself with absolute ease. You don't need a plumber for this at all. It's actually one of the easiest home repairs you can DIY, right alongside a leaky faucet. This step-by-step tutorial will show you the whole process of removing your old "crap" toilet and install a bright, shiny new one. You'll need a putty knife, tape measure, crescent wrench, gloves and wax ring.
How To: Replace (or install) a widespread bathroom faucet
If your bathroom faucet is old and leaky, it may be time for a replacement. But don't worry about expensive installation cost, because you can install it yourself! It's one of the easiest home maintenance repairs possible. Chrysten Cotney shows you the step-by-step DIY process of successfully tearing out an old faucet and installing a new one. You'll need an adjustable wrench, some plumber's putty and a roll of teflon tape.
How To: Replace a faucet washer
In this tutorial, we learn how to replace a faucet washer. To start, you will first need to prepare this by turning off the water to your faucet completely. Then, you will turn on the faucet to make sure no more water is coming out. After this, remove the headgear from the faucet. You can do this with a screwdriver and a wrench. After everything is removed, replace the faucet washer with a new one. From here, you will place the parts back on in the same way you removed them. When finished, tu...
How To: Install a toilet bowl for your bathroom
In this tutorial we learn how to install a toilet bowl for your bathroom. First you will apply the ring around the bottom of the toilet and on the floor where the toilet base will go. Apply plumbers wax to make sure this is sealed. Then, flip the toilet over and line up the holes. After this, slowly let it down and push it when you know the holes are in place. Next, you can push down and screw the bolts onto the base of the toilet. When finished, you will be able to connect the water and get ...
How To: Easily install a toilet seat
In this tutorial, we learn how to easily install a toilet seat. First, unscrew and remove your previous toilet seat. Next, take the two plastic bolts and remove the nuts and washers. Then, install these into the proper spots in the seat. Then, flip the seat back over and slide the nuts into the appropriate hole on the toilet. Then, take the rubber fittings and slip them on the underside of the bolt. The tip of the rubber cone should point up. When finished, you will take the plastic nuts and ...
How To: Fit a dry lining back box
In this tutorial, we learn how to fit a dry lining back box. This is very easy to install, and the sides will grip the wires on your light. First, determine where you want your switch, then mark a quick line using a sturdy level. Next, you will cut out a hole in the wall the size of the box. After this, push the box into the wall. Then, you can add in the light switch to the box and secure it with the wires that are inside. This will finish up this project, just make sure the wires are place ...
How To: Make a Siphon Hose
Get the requirements You will need a plastic cap (from a bottle), PVC pipe, and a tube with a diameter not larger than the cap's.
How To: Install a toilet water inlet valve
In this video we learn how to install a toilet water inlet valve. First, turn the water off and flush the toilet to get rid of the water in the system. From here, pull out the flush valve by turning it clockwise and lifting it. Then, grab your new valve and replace it where the old one was. Clean around the area and replace any other parts that you need to inside the tank. Once finished, you can turn the water back on. Now try to flush your toilet to make sure that it works. It should be good...
How To: Use an electric tester to test wires
In this video we learn how to use an electric tester to test wires. You will first need to purchase a voltage tester that runs on double a batteries. When you press it the end will turn green and you are ready to use it. Test it out by pushing it into a plug you know works and see if it turns red and starts to beep. If you own a home or are renovating this can help you out a lot if you don't have switches around. You can place the tester on a wire to find out if it's on and then become safer ...
How To: Change a circuit breaker
In this video, we learn how to change a circuit breaker. First, turn the main breaker off so there is no running electricity. Then, go to the meter area around your circuit breaker system. With these, there will be wires running all around the entire system. With most breakers, you can pull them right out from where they clip in. There will be a wire connected to this which you can remove. Do this, and then connect the wire to the new breaker. Snap this back into place and make sure it's secu...
How To: Replace an electrical light switch
In this video we learn how to replace an electrical light switch. First, turn the power off in your home. Then, remove the screws around the switch exposing the wires. Confirm that they are dead with a tester, then you can get started removing. Wrap electrical tape around the wires and then label them with what they were connected to. Tear this out of the terminals, then replace the new one with the wires hanging out. Make sure you place the wires back into the same terminals as before, using...
How To: Install a vanity and sink with Lowe's
In this video, we learn how to install a vanity and sink with Lowe's. A great way to give your bathroom a makeover is to give it a new vanity and sink. First, turn off the water from the water line, then take down the pipes from under the sink. Use a bucket to catch extra water that's falling out. Next, separate the top from the base and then remove the old vanity. Remove the old base unit from the bathroom and then install the new vanity. Measure out the area to make sure it will fit. Place ...
How To: Cut plastic push-fit pipe
In this video, we learn how to cut plastic push-fit pipe. Make sure you never use a hack saw to cut the push-fit pipe because it can damage the O-ring in the connector. What you need is a pair of dedicated plastic pipe cutters. Once you have this, put your pipe in the middle of the cutters and then push down on the handles. After this, your will cut the pipe and it will com out nice and clean. From here you will be able to fit a connector into the pipe and continue to use it rather than ruini...
How To: Fit a toilet seat correctly
In this tutorial, we learn how to fit a toilet seat correctly. First, take your seat off of the hinges where it is at on your toilet. After this, take a look at the hinges that are on it and see how large they are compared to the ones that rest behind the seat. You will want to now replace the hinges with ones that fit more properly. Now, when you sit on the toilet seat you shouldn't have any more issues with it. Make sure you screw the bolts back in tightly so it doesn't come off when you mo...
How To: Install a sink-mounted boiling hot water dispenser in your home
How convenient are those boiling-hot water taps they have at some hotels and restaurants for coffee-making and such? It's not too hard to install one in your own home, and this video will teach you step-by-step how to do it yourself.
How To: Install a chandelier (and most decorative hanging light fixtures)
Gary Clark shows you what it takes to hang a beautiful new chandelier in your home, and believe it or not, the installation is simple! No matter what kind of hanging light fixture you're installing in your ceiling, the process is generally the same, where you first need to cut a hole in the drywall and run some wire to the panel. Then make sure you have a junction box that can support the weight of the fixture.
How To: Install a Delta Electronics Breez Humidity Sensor Exhaust Fan in a bathroom
This video could very well apply to most bathroom exhaust fans, but this video specifically installs the Delta Electronics Breez Humidity Sensor Exhaust Fan, Model VFB25AEH (130 CFM). With this video, you'll learn the DIY approach to installing one of these exhaust fans in your bathroom, along with removing the old junk one. An upgraded bathroom fan can help eliminate the dangers of moisture, mildew and mold within your bathroom areas. Milan Rosan shows you the complete installation process. ...