Household Repairs: What have you learned --- - Page 4

Tyak · ‎01-26-2013

I'm the least handy person around so I've learned that my DH had better live longer than I do or the house may fall down around me.

Snicks1 · ‎07-28-2012

Not from youtube, but just having it explained, I learned how to use an electric auger to unclog the toilet. I also learned, next time, call the plumber, lol. I got it done, but it was gross, vowed then and there, never again. I've also learned, by doing, most household simple repairs, ie: change ceiling fans, electric outlets, switches, use of chainsaws, power tools, building decks and smaller projects, painting, laying flooring, you name it, I'm willing to get it a shot.

"To each their own, in all things".

Othereeeen · ‎03-13-2010

You Tube has saved me a small fortune:

Rewire table lamps....

Repaired the thumb switch on my snow thrower....the discharge chute was stuck in one position...would have required someone to pick it up, repair it, return it.....while there was a foot of snow in the driveway!!!! Just a little sandpaper on the contacts and off I went....10 minutes.

I have done ALL the toilet guts at one time or another AND the "wax ring" underneath it. I was surprised how well that went. Don't even need to use wax any more..there are ALL kinds of no wax products to use now....

Tuned up a push mower that had old gas in it and wouldn't start. Rebuilt the carb. It was a Honda mulching mower that sat too long with old gasoline in it. Runs like a top!

Repaired the large gasekt on my front loading washer, which developed a leak. I was going to replace that thing, but too involved to take the washer apart. So i just cut a small 1/2" x 1/2" piece of rubber off the edge of an outdoor mat, and glued it to the cut in the gasket. About 5 years ago. Hasn't leaked since.

Washer was draining slow. Removed the front lower panel, 4 screws, to access the filter housing near the water pump that drains the machine. That filter was FULL of lint, cloth, a pencil, tooth cleaners ( those little plastic things with the string) and coins....about 2 dollars worth of change. And BOY did that stuff STINK!!!! I think that's what make those front loaders smell over time. ANyway, 10 minutes later, everything back to normal.

Replaced valve stems in bathroom faucets-easy if you can find the correct stem......

A lot of jobs that appear to be overwhelming are not. And what have you got to lose? The item doesn't work, so if you can't fix it, call a professional. But I'm ready to try first.

Toilet repairs are SO expensive for what they actually involve.....>!!!!

Here's one last thing. My Buick SUV has a "cabin air filter". (Most new vehicles do today. They filter the air in the car. The GM dealer wants 100.00 (!!!!) to replace that part!!!

Ten minutes it took me. Ordered the filer on Amazon. It's located behind the glove box in my car, held in with two little clips. Access EASY thru the glove box.

When you have something to repair, look at it closely. SOMEONE had to put the item together at one time or another, so it WILL come apart!

I took my tower computer apart and smashed up all the drives ( before tossing them in the outdoor brush fire to destroy them). You can't get rid of electronics easily where I live so I take the stuff apart and sneak the pieces out in the weekly trash!

My next project will be to dismantle my old monster 55" projection TeeVee. MOST of it will come apart. The screen and projectors I will smash up under a canvas tarp, sweep up the bits, and good-bye TeeVee!!!!!