Hot Plumbing & Electric How-Tos
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!
How To: Find a liquid plummer to clear a clogged drain
Clogs are a nuisance, but happen over time. Don't let sinks, drains, or toilets overflow; clear it out! This video home improvement tutorial shows how to choose the right equipment to clear a clogged drain easily.
How To: Choose the right light bulb for your home
This video tutorial shows different kind of light bulbs that can help change the effect of lighting in your home. Whether you want more flattering lighting or want to save money on energy, choosing the right kind of light bulb can make a big difference.
How To: Make a water level detector
Are you tired of having spills from overflowing sinks and bath tubs? Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make a water level detector. To make this detector, you will need: 2 wires, a sound signal from a toy, and a drill.
How To: Fix a leaking radiator valve
Like taps, radiators can develop leaks. Fortunately, these are usually really easy to fix. If you are not sure how to fix a leaking radiator valve, watch this video tutorial to learn how.
How To: Repair a ceramic disc tap
There is nothing more irritating than a dripping tap; it wastes water, makes those nasty marks on your sink, and that constant drip dripping noise can drive you mad. Luckily it's an easy job to fix. If you have one of these modern, easy-to-turn-on taps, it's likely the ceramic-disc inside will need replacing. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to repair a ceramic disc tap yourself.
How To: Repair a leaking pipe
Leaking pipes are a depressing fact of life. They can be an "emergency, water-spraying-on-the-floor" situation, or a slowly dripping, damp spreading nuisance. In either case, you need to deal with the leak immediately to stop further damage being done to your home. Watch this video tutorial for tips on how to deal with leaks in your home. Repair a leaking pipe.
How To: Unblock a sink
A sink full of slow draining water, or even worse, no drainage at all, is a sure sign of blocked pipes. Blockages are due to all those scraps of food and crumbs that get down the plug hole everyday. Yuck. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to unblock a sink. You will need a good sink plunger, an adjustable wrench, a bucket, a strong wire, gloves and some disinfectant to finish up. Unblock a sink.
How To: Troubleshoot central heating problems
Watch this video tutorial to learn how to troubleshoot central heating problems. Step 1:
How To: Troubleshoot leaky and dripping taps
Dripping taps can drive you mad, as well as waste water and stain your sink. Luckily, leaking taps can easily be sorted out once you've worked out what's wrong. Watch this video tutorial for tips on how to deal with dripping and leaking taps.
How To: Troubleshoot a toilet that won't flush
There's nothing worse than finding that your toilet won't flush, but there's no need to panic as it's easily sorted. Watch this how-to video from Homeserve for a no nonsense guide on how to get your toilet working again.
How To: Bleed a radiator & get the air out
Trapped air prevents radiators heating up fully, so if your radiators feel cooler at the top than at the bottom, it's likely that a bit of air has got stuck in them. Luckily - getting the air out of the radiator - "bleeding" it - is as simple as it gets. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to bleed a radiator.
How To: Select a water feature or fountain
Even if you aren't sure what a water feature is, don't you think you should have one by now? Come on--get with the times! Take it from a girl who curates instructional videos, like me. Why not go ahead and use the old urn that happens to be laying around? Select a water feature or fountain.
How To: Fix your toilet
This how to video shows you some quick, easy fixes for your toilet. This plumbing tutorial is a great DIY home improvement project.
How To: Fix a dripping faucet or leaky toilet
This how to video shows you an easy way to fix a dripping faucet or a leaky toilet. Conserve water with this great tutorial.
How To: Fix a dripping faucet
This how to video shows you an easy way to fix a dripping faucet. This plumbing tutorial is a great DIY home improvement project.
How To: Unclog a drain properly
This how to video teaches you to handle a clogged drain. This great tutorial gives a step by step guide to cleaning out your drain and keeping it clear.
How To: Clean a hot tub filter
This how to video teaches techniques and the tools needed to clean your hot tub filter,
How To: Measure for a new spa cover
This how to video takes the mystery out of measuring for a new hot tub cover. This tutorial cover the tools you will need and a step by step guide to accurately measuring your new hot tub cover.
How To: Protect yourself from power outages with a generator
Long term power outages can be an inconvenience. It means that you no longer can heat or cool things. This how to video talks about how to protect your home from a long term power outage, or how to protect your valuables from power loss with a generator.
How To: Protect your floor from sewer drain back-up
In this plumbing video Bob Schmidt shows you how to protect a basement floor drain from potential sewer back-up during flood water conditions.
How To: Improve poor water flow from your faucets
In this plumbing video Bob Schmidt shows you how to remove and clean your faucet aerator to increase volume and improve spray of water. Improve poor water flow from your faucets.
How To: Unclog the drains of your vanity or tub
In this video Bob Schmidt shows you how to use a newer product where any homeowner can remove most common hair clogs in sinks and tubs without taking anything apart and not causing damage to metal parts of sink or tub.
How To: Fix banging pipes in your house
In this video Bob Schmidt shows you how a simple procedure may quiet those banging pipes in your house.
How To: Repair a rocking or leaking toilet
In this plumbing repair video, we show you how to repair a broken flange which could cause sewer gas smell or water on your bathroom floor.
How To: Install a new toilet properly
In this plumbing repair video, you will learn how to install a new toilet complete from wax ring to water hook up. This is for plumbing in a typical home.
How To: Assemble a toilet from a plumbing supply house
If you bought a toilet that is not pre-assembled Bob Schmidt will show you the proper way to assemble toilet for your home plumbing project.
How To: Install a toilet correctly
Installing a new toilet may seem like a daunting task, but it will also update the look and feel of your bathroom. Watch this demonstration on how to install a toilet.
How To: Use primer and PVC cement
Tim Carter of AsktheBuilder.com demonstrates how to get a leak free fit for plumbing when using PVC pipe and fittings with primer and PVC cement.
How To: Unclog a backed up kitchen sink
Tim Carter of AsktheBuilder.com demonstrates a few simple ways to unclog a household sink. Watch and learn!
How To: Install a phone jack properly
Tim Carter shows us a few tips for wiring and installing a phone jack. Tim's easy-to-understand instructions allow for a smooth phone jack installation.
How To: Wiring a light fixture
Tim Carter demonstrates how to wire a light fixture or ceiling light. This is a great video to learn how to wire up a light quickly and safely. As a precaution, don’t touch any bare copper wire except for the ground wire. Most new light fixtures come with insulation to keep the heat from the bulb from cooking the wires. Be sure to install this insulation. Mount the fixture to the mounting bracket. Add the decorative shade and you are ready to go. Turn the power back on and your light fixture ...
How To: Fasten low voltage wiring
Tim Carter demonstrates how to fasten low voltage wire. You can work with residential low voltage wiring easily and safely after watching these tips.
How To: Install Internet cable
Installing Internet cable is easy with these tips from AsktheBuilder.com host Tim Carter. Discover how to hook up computer Internet wiring in your home. Internet cable installation is a job you can do.
How To: Seal black iron pipe joints
Teflon tape or pipe dope can be used to create a seal on black iron pipe. Tim Carter of AsktheBuilder.com demonstrates how to do the job right and shares some helpful tips. This black iron pipe is used to transport natural gas to your furnace, water heater and stove. This pipe has threaded fittings at the connection point which need to be sealed with pipe dope or Teflon tape. Teflon tape should be wrapped onto the male end of the pipe in a clockwise direction. Pipe dope has the consistency of...
How To: Unclog the screw on an aerator
Ever notice that water just doesn't come out of the faucet like it used to? Chances are that the screw on the aerator is clogged.
How To: Fix a clogged shower drain
Check out this video to learn how to fix a clogged shower or tub drain. This is an alternative to going to the store and buying chemicals.
How To: Wire up a light fixture
Wiring up a light fixture saves time, prevents head injuries, and provides extra light while working. Tim Carter shows you how to wire up a light fixture to protect your light and yourself. In just a few simple steps you'll have no problems working around your light fixtures during a job.
How To: Wire a light switch
Light switch wiring can be a do-it-yourself project with this instruction from Tim Carter. You'll have no trouble wiring a light switch with his simple tips and doing light switch wiring yourself will save you lots of money.