Storey Publishing LLC - Simple Home Repairs

Broken window? Leaking faucet? Wouldnt you rather fix it yourself than pay someone else to do it? Its frustrating to have to depend on other people. And with the cost of living rising every day, it becomes increasingly painful to pay your hard-earned money for services you could easily perform yourself if you only had the know-how. This Garden Way Bulletin is designed to give you just the knowledge you need to do your own repairs and avoid the inconvenience and expense of calling in the plumber or carpenter. From this guide, youll learn that home repair is simpler than it looks and a lot less costly than hiring outside help. Plus, youll have the satisfaction of doing it yourself. Dripping faucet may cause a spot in the sink. Constant dripping is annoying. A box of assorted size washers, unless you know the size. A screwdriver. An adjustable wrench. . .

First turn off the water at the shut-off valve nearest to the faucet you are going to repair. Then turn on the faucet until the water stops flowing. ()(fig. 1) ) (fig. 2)(fig. 3) .

Remove the screw holding the old washer at the bottom of the valve unit. ()(fig. 4) . Put in new washer and replace screw. ()(fig. 5) .

Put valve unit back in faucet. Turn handle to the proper position. . Tighten the packing nut. ()(fig. 6) .

Turn on the water at the shut-off valve. Faucets may look different, but they are all built about the same. Mixing faucets, which are used on sinks, laundry tubs, and bathtubs are actually two separate units with the same spout. Youll need to repair each unit separately. ()(fig. 7) Is water leaking around the packing nut? Try tightening the nut.

If there is a washer under it, replace the washer. If theres no washer, you may need to wrap the spindle with packing wicking. () Then replace packing nut and handle, and turn water back on at the shut-off valve. (fig. 8)

Lower water costs. You save money by doing the job yourself. Lamps or appliances do not work right. A damaged plug is dangerous. Its hard to hire help for small repairs. New plug if your old one cannot be used. (Buy one with a UL label.) Screwdriver Knife . (Buy one with a UL label.) Screwdriver Knife .

Cut the cord off at the damaged part. ()(fig. 1) . Slip the plug back on the cord. ()(fig. 2) .

Clip and separate the cord. ()(fig. 3) ) (fig. 4) . Remove a half-inch of the insulation from the end of the wires. ()(fig. 5) . 5) .

Twist small wires together, clockwise. ()(fig. 6) . Pull knot down firmly in the plug. ()(fig. 7) .

Pull one wire around each terminal to the screw. ()(fig. 8) ) (fig. 9) . Tighten the screw. ()(fig. 10)