Replacing electrical outlets is easier than you think

By Al Carrell and Kelly Carrell

If you have an electrical outlet that isn't working properly and you feel like it's time to replace it, we're here to tell you that it's not very hard to do. There are a few precautions you need to take and a few tools you'll need to use, but it's nothing that you, as an average do-it-yourselfer, can't handle.

Turn off the power to the circuit at your breaker box. Double-check it at the outlet with a continuity tester. Now you are ready to make the switch.

Remove the cover plate by removing the screws holding it in place.

Remove the screws holding the receptacle in the box and pull the receptacle away from the box so you can access the wires. Use your tester again just to make sure there is no power going to the outlet.

Make sure you use a replacement that is the right size and type for your outlet.

Remove the wires from the existing receptacle by loosening the screws holding them in place. If your current outlet uses the “stabbing” connections, you can release the wires from these by inserting a small screwdriver into the slot just above the wire. (We don't recommend using these connections.)

Use needle-nose pliers to straighten out the old wires and make sure they are in good shape. Trim off any damaged areas and re-strip them with wire strippers if you need to. It's a good idea to curl the wires to fit easily around the terminal screws. You want to install them in the same direction that they will be tightened so they will cinch up as you turn the screws in. Make sure there are no wires sticking out past the terminal screws.

Push the receptacle back into position and reinstall the screws. Replace the cover plate and give it a test.

If you still have doubts or any problems with the circuit, call an electrician. Better safe than sorry!

Put retired golf bag to work as caddie for yard tools

FORE! Old golf bags are great for carrying around yard tools when you are gardening. A typical bag will hold a shovel, rake, hoe and all of your hand tools. You also will have pouches for seeds and gloves, and even a thermos of your favorite cool beverage. The bag will be easy to carry with the strap, or you can use your manual cart to carry it. Your yard might not look like your favorite green, but with a little hard work, it won't look like the rough either!

Packing material has many practical uses

Getting orders through the mail is always a treat! Obviously, we are easily amused. Whether it's something you NEED or something you WANT, it's still fun to open up a box delivered to your front door. An added plus is that the packing material can be recycled. Some municipalities allow you to recycle crushed boxes, and you can take packing materials to your local shipping outlets in some cases. The big Styrofoam chunks are great for storing screwdrivers, pencils and other small tools right on your workbench. Just put a chunk on the workbench and stab a few tools into it. Talk about handy!

Super hints

Ÿ If you want to make your table saw cut like “butta,” put a little baby powder on the table. Your wood will slide right over the table and smoothly through the blade.

Ÿ If you want to know if your water line is leaking behind the fridge, use a hand mirror. It's a whole lot easier to do this than to move a heavy appliance. This also works for seeing behind a stove, armoire or many other large things you can't move to get behind. The mirror lets you see everything, even the dust!

Ÿ When you are moving, put plants into paper sacks and bags. The paper still breathes and will keep the leaves from being damaged, and if the plant falls over, the dirt stays in the bag.

Q. My outdoor lamp bulb keeps burning out. Any idea what might be causing this?

A. Make sure the wattage you are using isn't too high for your lamp. Overheating can cause the bulb to burn out more quickly. Perhaps this is a sign that you should make the switch to a compact fluorescent light bulb, which uses much less electricity and will not get as hot as an incandescent bulb.

Q. My water heater makes a lot of noise, especially after I shower or wash the dishes. Is there a problem, or is this normal? Is there a way to quiet it?

A. Many times the metal tanks will make popping noises when they are heating up. Make sure to drain the sediment from your tank a couple of times a year in order to keep it from building up inside the tank and causing problems. Make sure the temperature isn't set too high, as this can cause too much heat to build up and can cause problems. Consider adding a water-heater jacket to keep some of the heat inside.

Q. We are going to replace the carpet in our den. We have removed the old carpet and examined the padding. It doesn't look that bad to me. My wife thinks we should replace it anyway. What is your opinion?

A. If your carpet is worn or stained, then the padding probably is due to be replaced also. It might not seem like padding is very important, but it can make your carpet last a lot longer. For what it costs, it certainly would be worth replacing, in most cases. It's also worth getting at least a midrange-quality padding. We have to agree with your wife this time!

Reader tips

Ÿ I have been working on my old lawn mower, trying to make it last one more year. I ran into a bolt that I just couldn't break. I tried everything I had, and nothing would work. I put some vinegar on the screw in the hopes that it might cut through some of the rust and caked-on grease. It did a pretty good job, and I was finally able to loosen it with my socket wrench.

Ÿ I sanded our butcher-block kitchen island for my wife. It had become scratched and pitted as well as rough and stained during the many years of use. After sanding, it was smooth and looked really great. She wanted it to have a finish on it, but I was unsure of what to use; after all, she would be preparing our food on it. I did a little checking around and found that I could use olive oil to protect it. I also found some oil that is made for cutting boards, but had already used the olive oil. So far, so good. We keep it clean with salt and lemon juice and more olive oil.

Ÿ I found a great source for shop items that I needed to clear out. I just donated them to my local Habitat for Humanity. They take all sorts of building materials, and they either use them on projects or sell them in their stores. Either way, it's a charity to support, and it frees up some room in my workshop for new projects and supplies. You should consider doing this, too, when you get overwhelmed with overstock.

Ÿ My daughter taught me a neat trick. You can clean copper with ketchup. I know it sounds crazy, but it works. You just smear some ketchup on the copper and let it sit for a few minutes. The acid in the ketchup gets rid of the tarnish and brings that shiny copper finish back to new again.

Ÿ We finally bought new windows for our home. It was costly, but our electric bills are much lower now than what they used to be. We even were able to salvage the old windows after the installation, and have built a closed-in breezeway between our home and garage. The roof was already there, but now it is closed in with the windows. It looks neat and has made our breezeway less “breezy.”

Shop talk

Ÿ Mineral deposits build up in pipes and can cause a lot of problems in valves, joints and other parts of your home's plumbing system. If you have noticed that the pressure in your water supply has diminished over time, especially the hot-water supply, it might be possible to do something about it. There's a way to back-flush the system, and you can do it yourself with our instructions. It's a very simple thing to do, and it may just solve your problems — at least your water-pressure problems. You also can get this information directly from our website, www.thesuperhandyman.com.

Ÿ We all know how much easier it is to transfer materials into smaller containers with a funnel. Well, now you can funnel leaves into containers just as easily with the Leaf Loader. It's a 4-foot-wide funnel that is adjustable to fit a variety of bags and other leaf containers. It's tough and lasts through your biggest cleanups, and is very easy to adjust to different sizes and situations. It folds up flat, too, so it can be stored easily just about anywhere. To find out more about the product, including a video and where it is available, go to www.leafloader.com.

Ÿ For a long time, epoxy has had to be mixed by hand for application. Now it's finally available in a caulking tube for use with a standard caulking gun. Jet-Tac Tack Strip Epoxy was designed for the purpose of attaching tack strips to concrete or wood floors. The specially designed nozzle is the key, and it mixes the two compounds before they are extruded from the tip. It sets up in just five to seven minutes, allowing plenty of time to get the strips down in just the right spot. It also takes less of the adhesive to do the job, so you save both time and money. It has superior holding power that is so easy to put down, you've got be crazy to do it any other way. To find out more, check it out at www.duo-fast.com.

Ÿ Write to Al and Kelly Carrell in care of the Daily Herald, P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006 or visit the Carrells' website at thesuperhandyman.com.

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