Tuesday, August 31, 2010

diy....not what you expected?

One of the things we've been meaning to do is replace the outlets in our kitchen. They were not up to code and you know how I hate not being to code.....so, I remedied that yesterday afternoon during nap time. I wish I had images of me replacing the light switches a year and a half ago when I was 50 weeks pregnant {at least I looked that pregnant}. My brother said I was the only pregnant electrician he'd ever heard of. Anyway, it's not so tricky. I am my father's daughter and I take after his handiness and knack for figuring it out. I do have to call him in when it gets out of my league, which doesn't take much.

NOTE: Electricity is not something to mess around with, so only DIY when it's as simple as replacing a switch. Otherwise, call in the big guns.

You'll need:
1) the new outlets {or switches} and new faceplates, if necessary.


2) the directions that come in the box. Usually I find directions very confusing, especially when it's for something that is new to you and has new jargon you're not familiar with. But these are the BEST instructions I have ever used. Super easy to follow.

3) some tools, including electrical tape
4) your breaker box. Our labeling isn't the fanciest, but it works. Previous owners didn't label anything so we've just had to figure it out as we go. {No, we don't have a pool, though the house did at one point. Sometimes wish we still did, but mostly happy we don't.}

New outlet installed and lamp is ON. Outlet #1...victory.
{NOTE: For safety's sake, you should screw the outlet back into the box and attach the faceplate before turning the power on to test it. Once I saw that it worked, I turned the power back off to wrestle it back into the wall and move on to the next.}

#2...victory

#3...victory

#4...victory

Next project: our toilet that runs every 10 hours. It's not so frequent that it's a real problem, but frequent enough to want it to stop.
Happy DIYing.
P.S. And yes, all the screws in the faceplates are facing the same direction :)
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6 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 31, 2010 at 6:50 PM

    i definitely just went to look at my outlets and the screws are definitely facing the same direction too! sometimes it's amusing how OCD God made people like us....

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  2. Angie ElliottAugust 31, 2010 at 9:42 PM

    I'm so impressed. How much do you charge for travel to albany/work? :)

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  3. Springer and Laura SusanAugust 31, 2010 at 9:42 PM

    Way to go, L! I would have never tried this on my own... you're so brave!

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  4. natalie samsSeptember 5, 2010 at 4:02 PM

    I forgot about your handy dad! I remember your bunk beds at Church Hall. They were amazing! Did you keep them? What fun beds for Henry's big boy room!

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  5. natalie samsSeptember 6, 2010 at 1:30 PM

    p.s. we need a "before" picture of the outlets! were they really old? I have been wanting to update our outlets because they are cream-colored and old and the rest of our trim is white and they don't match. and i am ocd too. maybe i can do it myself!

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  6. LindseySeptember 6, 2010 at 8:32 PM

    Natalie,
    The "before" were just basic white outlets. They were fine, just not to code. The ones I installed in the kitchen were GFCI outlets that you have to have where electricity and water could mix - kitchen, bathroom, etc. It took me 2 hours to do those 4 outlets so do it when you have some time to start and keep going. Once you have all the tools out and the power off it's easier to just finish! The light switches were a normal switch before we installed the panel switches shown in the photos. You could totally do it yourself!

    ReplyDelete

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