Hot Plumbing & Electric How-Tos

How To: Troubleshoot a toilet that won't flush the easy way

Learn how to troubleshoot a toilet that won't flush at your home in simple steps. First lift the lid and check whether the float ball is broken or touching the sides. Bend it a little if its touching the sides or replace it if its leaking or broken. Now check condition of the flapper valve and replace it if needed. Now check the handle, if its loose tighten the screw inside to fix it. Finally check the chain and replace it if broken or correct it to the right tension to lift the valve.

How To: Cut copper pipe with the right tools

This shirt video will show you how to cut copper pipe with the right tools. Cutting copper pipe is simple if you have the right tools. This short video clip clearly demonstrates how to go about cutting copper tubes. Among other things you will be using a pipe slice. The video also shows you how to remove the burrs before attempting to join the pipe. You are advised to never use a hacksaw.

How To: Easily unblock a kitchen sink and waste pipe

Learn how to easily unblock a kitchen sink clogged with food particles in simple steps. Every time you clean your dishes and bowls at your home kitchen some food particles wash out and get clogged. When these particles are clogged the water starts to drain out slowly and bad odor arises. Put some Alka Seltzer tablets in your sink and crumble them through the holes. Now pour some vinegar over the tablets through the hole. Leave it for two minutes and flush the sink with water to finish.

How To: Install a light bulb in your own home

This video teaches the secrets of installing a light bulb in your own home. First turn on the light switch to check whether your old bulb still works, but its not working. Now turn off the light switch to start the replacement and remove the light cover. Remove the bulb by twisting in anti-clockwise direction carefully. Now install the new bulb and turn on the switch to check if it works and the lighting is good enough. Finally attach the light cover to finish.

How To: Install lighting under kitchen cabinets with Lowe's

In this installment of the Lowe's home improvement series, host, Mike Kraft, one of Lowe's home improvement experts, demonstrates how to install lighting under your kitchen cabinets to make navigating your counter top easier. Mike lists all the necessary tools and materials you will need to complete this do-it-yourself at home project. You will learn tips and tricks for hanging the light fixtures, as well as how to run the wiring, so that the wires remain hidden from plain view.

How To: Install a ceiling fan with Lowe's

Mike Kraft of Lowe's shows you how easy it is to install a ceiling fan. Not only will it keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, but also it can dramatically lower your utility bills. Using common household tools, even an inexperienced electrician can install a ceiling fan within minutes. Working with electricity can be scary, but this video will show you step-by-step how to mount your ceiling fan safely and securely.

How To: Replace a toilet seat like a professional

This video shows that you can quickly replace your toilet seat with an improved seat. The video also shows how the improved seat attaches and unlocks easily for cleaning. At the rear of the seat near the hinge is a slot for access to the screw to remove the old seat. Put a screwdriver into the slot and flip up the cover and turn the screw counter clockwise while holding the nut underneath. Do the same to the other screw and remove the toilet seat. Clean the area with a disinfecting wipe. Scre...

How To: Install a dimmer switch for home lighting with Lowe's

A dimmer switch lighting system in your home can offer a relaxing midpoint to the standard on-off option and even cut down on energy costs. This video tutorial by Lowe’s shows how to install a single pole dimmer switch in your home lighting system. Depending on the total wattage of the lights to be controlled you’ll need to install a compatible dimmer switch. Before replacing the actual switch plate, check the power with a circuit tester to insure that the power is off.

How To: Remove and replace a toilet

Changing a toilet is really not the dirty and difficult job that you would imagine. Start by turning the water off using the valve that is located on the wall. Empty the tank by flushing the toilet and holding up the drain valve. Soak up the excess water with a sponge. Disconnect the water line and loosen the bolts that hold the toilet down. Cut through the caulk seal at the bottom of the toilet. Remove the toilet and the wax ring that is around the opening of the drain. Remove the wax ring a...

How To: Replace and install a kitchen sink with Lowe's

In this do-it-yourself home improvement video, brought to you by Lowe's, home improvement expert, and host Mike Kraft will lead you through the process of replacing and installing a kitchen sink in your home. Mike lists all the tools and materials you will need to complete this project at home, as well as leads you through all the procedures, step by step, to get the job done right. He also provides some useful tips on how to do certain steps, eliminating the chances of creating an unnecessar...

How To: Unclog a backed up toilet

This video shows you how to unclog a toilet using a plunger. Usually a toilet clog is caused by too much toilet paper. If the water runs out of the toilet, use towels on the floor to absorb excess water. You should place the plunger down into the toilet at an angle and start pumping. When dealing with a low water clog, you can flush the toilet while pumping to get more water into the toilet. You can use any type of plunger.

How To: Replace/install a bathroom ventilation fan with Lowe's

With yet another great instructional video Lowe's home improvement expert, Mike Craft, hosts this do-it-yourself demonstration brought to you by home improvement retail outlet, Lowe's on how to replace or install a new bathroom ventilation fan. The video will give you all the information you need on how to complete this project at home, and without hiring a professional. Providing a detailed list of the tools, supplies, and tips you will need, Mike shows you how to complete this project and h...

How To: Install toilet seat hinges like a professional

Hub Kirkpatrick of HandymanTeacher teaches how to fix a loose toilet seat. He shows how to tighten the screws holding it down while holding on to the nut under it to make sure it tightens, and how to pop the covers back in place. Kirkpatrick also reminds us to be careful, as the screws are plastic and can easily break or strip out. Following these steps instead of calling a handyman will save you money for a few minutes of time.

How To: Install track lighting

This video shows how to install track lighting where you want to add or direct light. The first thing to do is to turn off the power to the circuit. If you don't have an electrical box where you want the lighting, you can purchase one at any home improvement store. If you have one, you will also need a track lighting adapter. Use masking tape for the pattern that you want, start around 18 to 24 inches from the wall. Remove the tape and replace it with chalk lines. Cut the tracks to size and a...

How To: Remove and replace a kitchen faucet

You can replace the kitchen faucet by yourself. If you decide to do it start by turning off both the hot and cold water using the valves under the sink. You'll need a basin wrench to get at and remove the pieces up under the sink. First you will loosen and remove the water lines and then the retainer nuts that hold the faucet in the sink. Pull the old faucet out. Put some plumbers putty on the sink and press the nylon gasket firmly in place. Thread the spray hose through the hole for the spra...

How To: Solder and prep copper pipes

To solder copper pipes, start by using a sharp blade and scrape the end of the pipe you are going to solder. This will get all the burrs off of the pipe. Next, take some steel wool and clean the pipe so that it is nice and clean and shiny. The next step is to apply some flux. Use a rag to apply the flux to the end of the pipe. You want to make sure that the flux goes all the way around the pipe. After putting flux on the two pieces of pipe, put them together using the fitting. Take the blowto...

How To: Solder copper pipes the right way

Soldering is a handy skill to have at your disposal. You probably don't want to jump right into it without practice on some scraps, but you can learn how to solder copper pipes together. You will need to make sure that all of the pieces you are working with are clean and dry first. You then need to apply flux to the end piece and slide the joint piece onto the pipe and hold it in place. Now you are ready to solder your pipes. This video will show you everything you need to know.

How To: Remove and replace a sink

Need to remove and replace a broken sink? Do it yourself with help from this home improvement tutorial hosted by Ron Hazleton. Learn how to disconnect the water and drain lines and garbage disposal, then how to remove and replace the sink basket, install a new faucet, and install & seal the sink rim.

How To: Test an electrical fuse

There's more than one way to test a fuse, and it doesn't have to be expensive. In this video tutorial, see how to test an electrical fuse with a screwdriver tester or multi-meter. A test screwdriver is relatively cheap and simple to use. A multimeter is a little more expensive and a little more complicated, but once you get used to it, fairly simple.

How To: Use PTFE tape (Teflon tape) on threads

PTFE, which stands for polytetrafluoroethylene, is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, most commonly known as Teflon. Teflon tape is a very thin, white tape used to wrap around the threaded ends of pipes to improve the watertightness of a joint. Though PTFE tape is fairly common thing to use, not many people know how to actually use it properly, or where to use it. A lot use it on compression joints, but you really don't need to unless it leaks. You would use it on a radiator va...

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: Cut and join plastic pushfit pipes

Learn how to cut and join plastic pushfit piping using pushfit connectors and compression fittings. While plastic piping has its drawbacks and, depending on its application, actually be carcinogenic, it is, at least, very easy to work with. For step-by-step instructions on cutting and joining plastic pushfit pipes, watch this home plumbing tutorial.

How To: Bleed radiators

Sometimes you'll find that your radiator is warm at the bottom and warm at the top. If that happens, your radiator probably needs bleeding. Fortunately, it's easy to do. For step-by-step instructions, as well to get started bleeding your own radiator, take a look.