What to expect from your mechanical systems.
Average life of furnace and air conditioner. 15-25 years.
Average life of hot water tank. 7-15 years.
Average life of plumbing fixtures. 10-20 years.
Average life of plumber. 72.5 years
Average life of roof. 20-25 years.
Average life of windows. 25 years.
Average life of electrical systems. 30 or more years
Average life of untrained electrician. 22 years.
Average grade I got in school C
Average of all the above, well you figure it out since I was only a C student.
A Word About Home Repair & Improvement
Listen up. I know you have seen those home repair and improvement shows. There are many of them on various channels with various hosts. Most of these hosts are more suited to TV than to the real world of construction. I'll bet that any contractors or repairmen you have hired don't look or act like these characters. The truth is that most home improvement/repair jobs are not really that much fun. They usually start out OK but pretty soon you get fed up. Things don't fit exactly like the directions say, something breaks, you are in a dirty hot place with not much light, your patience wears thin, cuss words start to form in your mouth. Now all you want to do is get this darn project overwith and the next time you are going call someone and just pay them. Sound familiar? You bet it does. I know because I have done this stuff for a living for 25 years or so. Still, there is much you can, and should do yourself. If you own a house, especially an older one, you just have to know how do do some things on your own. The best advice I can give you on this are twofold 1.Know your mechanical limitations. 2. When things go bad, take a break from the job and get refreshed. I remember many, many times at the end of the day trying to wrap something up and just screwing it up more. Things that took 1 hour to do at 7 PM would take 15 minutes the next morning.
Go into the project expecting the unexpected and be prepared to deal with it. Good luck.
Good Tools To Have
-Always start with a good flashlight. Mag lights are the most reliable ones. Batteries don't last forever so keep some around.
-Channel Lock pliers, 12". Great for everything especially plumbing.
-Regular pliers.
-Needle nose pliers.
-Spring lock pliers.
-Good screwdrivers, regular and phillips, several sizes. After you have been trying to fix something all day and just can't get it right, a good screwdriver made with Absolut is also helpful.
-" If I had a Hammer." Make sure you do.
-Pipe wrench 12".
-Crescent wrenchs in various sizes, not too big.
-Wire strippers or side cutters.
-Hacksaw and regular saw.
-Tin snips.
-Crowbar.
-Caulking gun.
-Cordless drill with several good drill bits and various heads for screws and small bolts.
-Safety glasses and when you get old, regular glasses.
Accessories
Screws, nails, bolts, caulk, glue, oil, rags, beer, tape both electrical and duct, washers, thread sealer, batteries, gloves, cable ties, wall anchors and whatever else you can fit in your junk drawers. Keep the beer in the fridge.
Check out Allabouthome.com It has some good info but advice is linked to Servicemaster who want to charge for service contracts and such. It's still has some good free advice. Other links: Doityourself.com
Pictured below is a solar powered lawn mower. I made it out of some old parts I found in the my garage along with a lot of duct tape. I can only cut the grass on sunny days but I really save on gas.
More Home Info
Refrigerator Stuff
1. When you set up your new refrigerator, adjust the front legs up a little higher than the back. This tilts the fridge backward just a smidgeon and the door will close by itself when left open. Remember to just do it a little, it should not be obvious.
2. If you have an automatic ice maker and it poops out, check the arm that swivels up & down in front of where the tray drops this ice. This will be kept up by ice when the bin is full. This is how it shuts off so you don't fill the kitchen with ice cubes. Often the arm gets stuck, just push it a tad.
3. I already told you to clean the coils and you didn't do it did you? Bad boy/girl.
4. Surprisingly, there is lot covered under 5 year warranties even if it doesn't say so. Broken shelves, trays etc. will often be replaced at no charge if you just ask.
5. Any major repairs on refrigerators out of warranty such as replacment of compressor, evaporator, Freon leaks are ill advised. Go buy a new one. I know you don't want to but it's better than putting a few hundred into the old one and then buying a new one.
6. If you get water forming where it never did, check the drain tube that usually goes from the freezer to a tray under the fridge.
7. Not even the three stooges use a screwdriver or ice pick to defrost a freezer. Shut it off and if need be use a hair dryer, on the ice, not on your hair silly.
8. If you install an auto ice maker also get an in-line water filter for it. It really helps. Read the instructions and don't have a beer until you are completely done.
9. If the bulb burns out be aware they are a special kind, replace with the same thing. Very rarely the little door, button type, switch will go bad and the light either stays off or on all the time. If it's off, well, you need a flashlight to make a sandwich. If it stays on, your fridge will not work well at all. It will run a lot and possibly not maintain 40 degrees
Sometimes this switch also controls the indoor fan: On when the door is closed and off when it's open.
10. If someone says they have an old refrigerator you can have to make a beer meister out of, don't fall for it. They just need someone to take it away. BONUS TIP!! NEVER BUY ANOTHER HAIR DRYER, HERE'S HOW. At the back of the hair dryer is little tiny air holes that fill up with lint and stuff. when it get real clogged the heater elements burn up because of lack of air flow. Get a small brush or toothbrush and gently clean out the lint, which is usually white. Don't use water unless you just took out a life insurance policy and named me as the beneficiary.
Ovens
1. Electric ovens have burners and heating elements which usually just plug into a socket of some kind. If one quits working you can do this yourself without too much trouble.Hardware stores carry many general type replacements or check under appliance parts in the good ole yellow pages.
2. Electric ovens also use special high temperature wire so if you are brave enough to replace any of that get the right kind.
3. Themostats are pretty expensive for some of these babies. So before you start buying parts like that think about it. Some stores won't refund electrical parts or controls, just in case you installed them incorrectly and fried their insides. You wouldn't try to return a part that you just electrocuted like a prison warden, would you? Did I phrase that right? You get the picture.
4. Gas ovens also have replaceable burners which are not too hard to change. They usually don't go bad though.
5. Gas ranges use thermocouples to prove pilot flames. If the pilot lights but won't stay lit, it could be that. New ranges use spark systems and you don't wanna mess with that.
6. Flexible range connectors, used to hook up the oven to the main gas line behind it, can easily leak. Make sure they are tight and sniff around behind there when hooking them up. Don't be funny, you know what I mean.
7. Never use ovens to help heat your house. It's dangerous and just a big no-no.
HOT WATER TANKS
1. Also discussed in plumbing section, check it out.
2. The gas ones use thermocouples to prove pilot flames. You light it but when you release the button the pilot goes out, replace the thermocouple. Here's How Don't try squeezing your mits into that tiny opening. Use a small crescent wrench to unscrew the 1/2" tubing from the thermostat valve which is mounted right on the bottom front of the tank. It is basically the only part on the tank.(except for the safety valve)
Unscrew the 1/2" tubing and the 1/4" tubing from the t-stat valve, which goes to the pilot. Now slide the entire pie shaped burner out of the tank. It rests on a post or pivot. With the burner out it easy to change the thermocouple and while you have it out tap on the burner/pilot to clean off the sediment. Put it back in reverse order. Be careful when screwing the tubing back into the valve. It is aluminum and if it isn't lined up just right it will mess up the threads and then you got problems. It should go in pretty easy by hand at first. If not, don't force it, back it off and try again.
3. Electric hot water tanks: No Hot H20- Check the breaker. It will be a big double switch type(read the electric section.) Also, if you are up for it. Find and shut off the breaker. Remove the top and bottom front metal covers. they are about 6" x 4". You will see the wires, a water temp thermostat control which you can adjust and a red safety reset button. Push in to reset the button, put the covers on and turn the breaker back on. If it keeps popping out, turn down the water temp. You are really getting smart now.
4.Any tank that has water coming out of the bottom of it needs replaced as soon as possible. As I said in the plumbing section, I recommend going for at least a 50 gallon, instead of the standard 40 gallon. It is worth it if you have 3 or more people in your house.People that like to wash, shower, do laundry, dishes and stuff like that I mean.
5. Never plug a dripping safety release valve, unless you liked The Poseidon Adventure and want to relive it in your basement.
6. Dip tube problems discussed in plumbing, many people having this problem now which results in very little hot water. May be under warranty. Call your plumber for this one.
Washers---Dryers---Dishwashers.
1.Check for button switches on doors. 2. Leaking washers may have a bad or loose hose, most washers can be accessed by loosening screws and lifting the entire metal cover up and off the front. Yeah, the whole big box like metal cover comes right up and off.
3. I'm not even gonna tell you to clean the lint trap on the dryer.
4. Dishwashers that won't fill up with water may have a float sticking or something on it. It is the little plastic ball on the inside bottom. Open the door and look in, you'll see it. Move it up and down, it should be springy.
5.Dishwashers that leak out of the front may have a bad gasket, it's a little tricky but you might give it a shot.
6. You can buy specific manuals on all these appliances and you better if you are going to attempt any major repairs. Remember the last screw you try to remove is always the hardest, most rusty, in a bad spot and enough to drive you insane, screw.
| Average life of furnace and air conditioner. 15-25 years. Average life of hot water tank. 7-15 years. Average life of plumbing fixtures. 10-20 years. Average life of plumber. 72.5 years Average life of roof. 20-25 years. Average life of windows. 25 years. Average life of electrical systems. 30 or more years Average life of untrained electrician. 22 years. Average grade I got in school C Average of all the above, well you figure it out since I was only a C student. |
| Listen up. I know you have seen those home repair and improvement shows. There are many of them on various channels with various hosts. Most of these hosts are more suited to TV than to the real world of construction. I'll bet that any contractors or repairmen you have hired don't look or act like these characters. The truth is that most home improvement/repair jobs are not really that much fun. They usually start out OK but pretty soon you get fed up. Things don't fit exactly like the directions say, something breaks, you are in a dirty hot place with not much light, your patience wears thin, cuss words start to form in your mouth. Now all you want to do is get this darn project overwith and the next time you are going call someone and just pay them. Sound familiar? You bet it does. I know because I have done this stuff for a living for 25 years or so. Still, there is much you can, and should do yourself. If you own a house, especially an older one, you just have to know how do do some things on your own. The best advice I can give you on this are twofold 1.Know your mechanical limitations. 2. When things go bad, take a break from the job and get refreshed. I remember many, many times at the end of the day trying to wrap something up and just screwing it up more. Things that took 1 hour to do at 7 PM would take 15 minutes the next morning. Go into the project expecting the unexpected and be prepared to deal with it. Good luck. |
| -Always start with a good flashlight. Mag lights are the most reliable ones. Batteries don't last forever so keep some around. -Channel Lock pliers, 12". Great for everything especially plumbing. -Regular pliers. -Needle nose pliers. -Spring lock pliers. -Good screwdrivers, regular and phillips, several sizes. After you have been trying to fix something all day and just can't get it right, a good screwdriver made with Absolut is also helpful. -" If I had a Hammer." Make sure you do. -Pipe wrench 12". -Crescent wrenchs in various sizes, not too big. -Wire strippers or side cutters. -Hacksaw and regular saw. -Tin snips. -Crowbar. -Caulking gun. -Cordless drill with several good drill bits and various heads for screws and small bolts. -Safety glasses and when you get old, regular glasses. Accessories Screws, nails, bolts, caulk, glue, oil, rags, beer, tape both electrical and duct, washers, thread sealer, batteries, gloves, cable ties, wall anchors and whatever else you can fit in your junk drawers. Keep the beer in the fridge. |
| Check out Allabouthome.com It has some good info but advice is linked to Servicemaster who want to charge for service contracts and such. It's still has some good free advice. Other links: Doityourself.com |
| Pictured below is a solar powered lawn mower. I made it out of some old parts I found in the my garage along with a lot of duct tape. I can only cut the grass on sunny days but I really save on gas. |
| Refrigerator Stuff 1. When you set up your new refrigerator, adjust the front legs up a little higher than the back. This tilts the fridge backward just a smidgeon and the door will close by itself when left open. Remember to just do it a little, it should not be obvious. 2. If you have an automatic ice maker and it poops out, check the arm that swivels up & down in front of where the tray drops this ice. This will be kept up by ice when the bin is full. This is how it shuts off so you don't fill the kitchen with ice cubes. Often the arm gets stuck, just push it a tad. 3. I already told you to clean the coils and you didn't do it did you? Bad boy/girl. 4. Surprisingly, there is lot covered under 5 year warranties even if it doesn't say so. Broken shelves, trays etc. will often be replaced at no charge if you just ask. 5. Any major repairs on refrigerators out of warranty such as replacment of compressor, evaporator, Freon leaks are ill advised. Go buy a new one. I know you don't want to but it's better than putting a few hundred into the old one and then buying a new one. 6. If you get water forming where it never did, check the drain tube that usually goes from the freezer to a tray under the fridge. 7. Not even the three stooges use a screwdriver or ice pick to defrost a freezer. Shut it off and if need be use a hair dryer, on the ice, not on your hair silly. 8. If you install an auto ice maker also get an in-line water filter for it. It really helps. Read the instructions and don't have a beer until you are completely done. 9. If the bulb burns out be aware they are a special kind, replace with the same thing. Very rarely the little door, button type, switch will go bad and the light either stays off or on all the time. If it's off, well, you need a flashlight to make a sandwich. If it stays on, your fridge will not work well at all. It will run a lot and possibly not maintain 40 degrees Sometimes this switch also controls the indoor fan: On when the door is closed and off when it's open. 10. If someone says they have an old refrigerator you can have to make a beer meister out of, don't fall for it. They just need someone to take it away. |
| Ovens 1. Electric ovens have burners and heating elements which usually just plug into a socket of some kind. If one quits working you can do this yourself without too much trouble.Hardware stores carry many general type replacements or check under appliance parts in the good ole yellow pages. 2. Electric ovens also use special high temperature wire so if you are brave enough to replace any of that get the right kind. 3. Themostats are pretty expensive for some of these babies. So before you start buying parts like that think about it. Some stores won't refund electrical parts or controls, just in case you installed them incorrectly and fried their insides. You wouldn't try to return a part that you just electrocuted like a prison warden, would you? Did I phrase that right? You get the picture. 4. Gas ovens also have replaceable burners which are not too hard to change. They usually don't go bad though. 5. Gas ranges use thermocouples to prove pilot flames. If the pilot lights but won't stay lit, it could be that. New ranges use spark systems and you don't wanna mess with that. 6. Flexible range connectors, used to hook up the oven to the main gas line behind it, can easily leak. Make sure they are tight and sniff around behind there when hooking them up. Don't be funny, you know what I mean. 7. Never use ovens to help heat your house. It's dangerous and just a big no-no. |
| HOT WATER TANKS 1. Also discussed in plumbing section, check it out. 2. The gas ones use thermocouples to prove pilot flames. You light it but when you release the button the pilot goes out, replace the thermocouple. Here's How Don't try squeezing your mits into that tiny opening. Use a small crescent wrench to unscrew the 1/2" tubing from the thermostat valve which is mounted right on the bottom front of the tank. It is basically the only part on the tank.(except for the safety valve) Unscrew the 1/2" tubing and the 1/4" tubing from the t-stat valve, which goes to the pilot. Now slide the entire pie shaped burner out of the tank. It rests on a post or pivot. With the burner out it easy to change the thermocouple and while you have it out tap on the burner/pilot to clean off the sediment. Put it back in reverse order. Be careful when screwing the tubing back into the valve. It is aluminum and if it isn't lined up just right it will mess up the threads and then you got problems. It should go in pretty easy by hand at first. If not, don't force it, back it off and try again. 3. Electric hot water tanks: No Hot H20- Check the breaker. It will be a big double switch type(read the electric section.) Also, if you are up for it. Find and shut off the breaker. Remove the top and bottom front metal covers. they are about 6" x 4". You will see the wires, a water temp thermostat control which you can adjust and a red safety reset button. Push in to reset the button, put the covers on and turn the breaker back on. If it keeps popping out, turn down the water temp. You are really getting smart now. 4.Any tank that has water coming out of the bottom of it needs replaced as soon as possible. As I said in the plumbing section, I recommend going for at least a 50 gallon, instead of the standard 40 gallon. It is worth it if you have 3 or more people in your house.People that like to wash, shower, do laundry, dishes and stuff like that I mean. 5. Never plug a dripping safety release valve, unless you liked The Poseidon Adventure and want to relive it in your basement. 6. Dip tube problems discussed in plumbing, many people having this problem now which results in very little hot water. May be under warranty. Call your plumber for this one. |
| Washers---Dryers---Dishwashers. 1.Check for button switches on doors. 2. Leaking washers may have a bad or loose hose, most washers can be accessed by loosening screws and lifting the entire metal cover up and off the front. Yeah, the whole big box like metal cover comes right up and off. 3. I'm not even gonna tell you to clean the lint trap on the dryer. 4. Dishwashers that won't fill up with water may have a float sticking or something on it. It is the little plastic ball on the inside bottom. Open the door and look in, you'll see it. Move it up and down, it should be springy. 5.Dishwashers that leak out of the front may have a bad gasket, it's a little tricky but you might give it a shot. 6. You can buy specific manuals on all these appliances and you better if you are going to attempt any major repairs. Remember the last screw you try to remove is always the hardest, most rusty, in a bad spot and enough to drive you insane, screw. |
