Hot Plumbing & Electric How-Tos
How To: Install a programmable thermostat properly
Learn how to save energy and money on your heating and cooling bills by replacing your existing thermostat with a programmable thermostat. Watch the step by step installation process, and discover some helpful tips along the way as well.
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: Maintain Waterless No-Flush™ Urinals
This is a short instructional video on how to operation and maintenance a Waterless No-Flush™ Urinal. Waterless urinals can save up to 45,000 or more gallons of water a year. For more, or to get started maintaing and operating your own Waterless No-Flush™ Urinal, watch this DIY how-to. Maintain Waterless No-Flush™ Urinals.
How To: Solder copper pipes
An inadequate soldering job, assuming it passes inspection, can cause leaks, corrosion and call-backs. But a quality soldering job done on copper piping can last a lifetime. For a look at professional soldering techniques for the plumbing craftsman, take a look at this two-part video tutorial series.
How To: Install a ceiling fan with ease
Beauty and brains in one package! A ceiling fan offers many functional benefits while adding a certain decorative touch to a room. In the summer it can help cool a room (or even a porch) by helping to circulate air and by creating a slight breeze. In the winter it can be used at low speed to circulate warmer air that has risen to ceiling level. From the viewpoint of décor, ceiling fans come in many styles and colors and can even include a light kit to offer the added feature of overhead light...
How To: Install an attic fan
No matter how hot it gets in your home this summer, you can bet that it’s even hotter in your attic. All that heat in your attic gets transferred to the ceiling below, which will in turn heat the interior of your house.
How To: Install recessed lighting
Installing recessed lighting into your kitchen or living room creates an immediate update to the look of your home! Recessed lighting is very low-key, makes a subtle statement, and yet is elegantly modern. If you are looking for an update to your home's lighting, think "recessed."
How To: Install a dimmer switch for great mood lighting
Want to shake things up? Want to affect the mood? An effective way to quickly change the mood of a room is by dimming or brightening the lights. A softer light results in a more comforting, relaxing atmosphere. Brighter lighting is more suitable for normal room use and reading. An easy way to control your lighting is to install a dimmer switch.
How To: Install a GFCI outlet properly
A GFCI outlet (which stands for ground fault circuit interrupter) is a receptacle with its own built-in circuit breaker. It is intended to protect you from electric shock and your wiring and breaker panel from being “shorted out”.
How To: Replace a three-way light switch
Versatility and convenience - two of the greatest watchwords for a comfortable home. Fortunately, installing a 3-say switch can add versatility and convenience to your home's lighting system.
How To: Install a frost-free sillcock
If you live in a colder climate, your water pipes may be susceptible to freezing. For the most part, your plumbing is safely inside the heated living space of your house. However, a sillcock (spigot) on the outside wall of your house is exposed to the elements and can freeze during the colder winter months. Since water expands as it freezes, this situation can burst your pipes causing water damage to your house.
How To: Install a pedestal sink easily
Pedestal sinks have remained popular as a more formal and stylish alternative to countertop sinks. Despite their popularity, however, it can be difficult to choose the correct type of sink and install it properly.
How To: Replace a bathroom faucet
When replacing an old faucet there are generally three things to consider: how many holes your sink has, how far apart they are, and whether or not you will need to replace the drain.
How To: Solder copper pipes for plumbing
Soldering copper pipes is a basic plumbing skill that once mastered will enable you to tackle many DIY home repair and home improvement projects - for instance, replacing copper water lines or installing a new spigot. It can be as much an art as it is a science, thus the more you get the "feel for it," the faster and easier it gets.
How To: Install a dimmer switch in a snap
How many handymen does it take to install a dimmer switch? None, you can do it yourself in a snap. A dimmer switch can make a room more comfortable, by allowing you to adjust the light to just the right brightness at the moment. You will need a screwdriver, a circuit tester, a wire cutter, a wire stripper, and 3 twist-on wire connectors. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to install a dimmer switch.
How To: Accentuate outdoor living spaces with solar lights
This Home & Garden how to video is a DIY basic about accentuating outdoor living space with solar lighting. Watch and learn all about strategic placing of solar powered lighting to enhance the look and feel of your front yard. Always start with a plan before setting up and installing the lights on your walkways.
How To: Install a programmable thermostat
Outdated thermostats promote temperature swings and higher utility bills. Why not choose a programmable energy efficient thermostat for you home. Watch this Home & Garden how to video to learn how to choose and install a programmable thermostat for your home.
How To: Fish wire through walls with a hanger and soda straw
Need to set extend a cable but there is a wall in the way? It's tricky to do! Here's a helpful hint for feeding wires through walls in this how to video. Watch and learn how a coat hanger and a soda straw can help guide wire through tiny holes.
How To: Wire for exterior lighting
Exterior lighting can add to the beauty of your home. Watch this how to video and wire exterior lighting yourself following these guidelines and safety tips. Before beginning any outdoor wiring project make sure to check with local utility companies and follow outdoor wiring codes for your area.
How To: Install ceiling light fixtures
Ceiling light fixtures can be installed easily with help from an expert. In this free video series learn how to install ceiling light fixtures.
How To: Remove and install a light fixture
Installing a new light fixture is an easy home improvement task. Learn how to properly remove and install a light fixture from a professional handyman in this home improvement video series.
How To: Install a shower valve
Watch as an expert plumber demonstrates how to replace shower valves in this free online video about home repair.
How To: Use a pressure washer
Watch as a seasoned professional demonstrates how to use a pressure washer, including how to prepare for the task, how to maintain your equipment, and how to clean various surfaces, in this free online video about home maintenance.
How To: Install a shower head
Watch as an expert plumber demonstrates how to install a shower head, from removing the old to putting in the new, in this free online video that also addresses the issue of low flow heads.
How To: Sweat copper pipes
Watch as a seasoned DIYer demonstrates the steps necessary to sweat (join and solder) copper pipes, including how to prepare them, what tools to use, and how to fix any mistakes you may make, in this free online video about home repair.
How To: Fix a running toilet
Learn how to fix a running toilet in these free DIY bathroom plumbing repair videos. Part 1 of 15 - How to Fix a running toilet.
How To: Shop for PEX tubing for plumbing
PEX, or cross-linked polyethylene, is a common alternative to copper piping. If you're looking to save time on your project (or have an aversion to soldering), PEX might be for you. In this tutorial, you'll learn what PEX is and how to decide what type of PEX is best for your application.
How To: Choose a large showerhead
Danny Lipford visits the Home Center to investigate the new options for large shower heads which offer easy installation. You don't need a plumber anymore to get a spa like shower. You can install these showerheads by yourself.
How To: Unclog a sink drain
Do you have a clogged drain? In this DIY tutorial, Karen Schmidt shows you how to fix a clogged vanity sink drain. You'll never have to call a plumber to unclog your pipes again with this how to video.
How To: Install drain pipes
In this DIY tutorial, Joe Schmidt demonstrates how to install a drain system. He then explains different ways to configure the drain system for your own situation. Why hire a professional to install your drain pipes when you can do it yourself with this how to video?
How To: Hook up your dishwasher
Why hire a professional to install your dishwasher when you can do it yourself. In this tutorial you will learn how to hook up the water lines and drain for a dishwasher. You can avoid dish-pan hands with your newly installed dishwasher.
How To: Install a garbage disposal for food waste
A food waste disposer can be very helpful in preventing your kitchen sink plumbing from clogging. In this video, Joe Schmidt of YouToo Can Do shows you how easy it is to install a food waste disposal. For this installation, you'll need plumber's putty, channel locks, and a regular screwdriver.
How To: Run an ice maker supply line to a refrigerator
In this video, Karen Schmidt demonstrates how to hook up a water supply to a refrigerator where none exists. For this tutorial you will need the following tools and supplies: an ice maker supply line, a tube cutter, a snap-in fitting, a half-inch by quarter-inch compression valve some pipe joint compound and a couple of crescent wrenches. Watch this video to see how you can install an ice maker supply line.
How To: Replace a light switch
Faulty switches are easy to fix; you just have to exercise caution. You will need a screwdriver, a new switch, and a circuit tester. Electrical repairs don't need to be dangerous, just be careful. Watch this video home repair tutorial and learn how to replace a light switch.
How To: Install a stainless steel sink
In this how to video, host Tim Carter demonstrates why the size of your overmount stainless steel sink determines whether you should install your sink before or after the countertop is in place. With this home improvement tutorial you can install a stainless steel sink in your house. Just watch this video first.
How To: Install a hand held sprayer into a sink
A hand held sprayer is a very convenient accessory for your sink. In this tutorial, see how to install a hand-held sprayer for a pet friendly utility sink. Watch this how to video and you can easily bathe your pet inside with a hand held sprayer.
How To: Get hot water from your water heater
Tired of waiting for hot water? Danny shows three methods for easing the problem. Including a hot water recirculation pump, proper water heater maintenance, and a tankless water heater, these solutions will have your water running hot in no time.
How To: Reset a tripped fuse in a circuit breaker
This video home improvement tutorial shows how to avoid calling an electrician for really simple problems you can fix yourself. This easy demo shows you the trick to resetting a tripped breaker.
How To: Replace the plug-in of an electrical receptacle
This video home improvement tutorial is a basic explanation of the wiring in a plug-in electrical receptacle, so you'll know what to do when replacing one. Learn how to change the plug-in without short-circuiting or hurting yourself by watching this instructional wiring video.
How To: Test the electrical wiring in your home
Lights not working, or appliances not working? Maybe it's the electrical system. This video home improvement tutorial shows how to test the electrical wiring in your home. Just make sure to turn the power off first!