DIY Home Repairs You Can Actually Do Yourself (and Save Hundreds)

[CrealCritter]

My Mother in law had squeaky bearing in her ceiling fan. I brought some thick and tacky red grease with me. But she insisted that I use sewing machine oil instead. I wasn't going to argue with her so when I had it apart I said get your oil and come oil the bearing. She did and was satisfied with her job. I rehung the ceiling fan. 3 days later she called and said it squeaking again but worse now than before.

So again I took the ceiling fan down and exposed the bearing. I said come look at the bearing it's dry. She couldn't believe it. Sewing machine oil was her go to for most all her life. I said I got some grease and she said go ahead. I think that was a little over 3 years ago and still no report of squeak.

Some people are just set in their ways. But I'm a firm believer in the right lubricant for the purpose. I mean I wouldn't put gear oil in a engine, nor would I put engine oil in a hydraulic system. Use the right lube/fluid for the job and be happy you did.

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[CrealCritter]

My ex had sparks go clear across the room because he wouldn't listen to me about that. "Oh I'm an Aviation Electrician! I know everything about house electricity!"

Me "I've seen this done before by qualified house electrician. Turn off the power."

Zzzaaap!

I have more stories about dumb crap he did. Mom will never forgive for some of the stuff he did to her house and vehicle. He did even worse to our house

I'm not advocating at all.. But some electrical work I've seen. I've had to purposely Zzzaaap! So I could figure out which breaker(s) the mess was attached to. I suspose a controlled Zzzaaap! is better than a non controlled Zzzaaap!

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[Hinotori]

I'm not advocating at all.. But some electrical work I've seen. I've had to purposely Zzzaaap! So I could figure out which breaker(s) the mess was attached to. I suspose a controlled Zzzaaap! is better than a non controlled Zzzaaap!

Jesus is Lord and Christ

This was light switch quit working. Just a remove and replace. Shouldn't have taken 10 minutes. Took him 4 hours

 

[flowerbug]

Definitely a better option for door locks.

yes, those are a good example.

i first used it in model railroading, a few very delicate spring controlled items where any kind of regular oil would eventually gunk up with bits of dust that would cling to the oil.

 

[flowerbug]

ok, one for the new times of electrical systems, if you have someone who's from a long time ago and hasn't been paying attention, even if you turn off the breaker in the main panel for outside power coming into the house you still may need to be wary because a newer house may have solar panels and/or batteries connected.

you need to test everything now!

 

[CrealCritter]

This was light switch quit working. Just a remove and replace. Shouldn't have taken 10 minutes. Took him 4 hours

Just curious when he was done, did the switch read ffO and nO?

We've all made that mistake once.

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[flowerbug]

some of us are klutzy enough that we know that it is much better to have someone else do it instead. dirt and plants are much safer for me... usually...

 

[Hinotori]

Just curious when he was done, did the switch read ffO and nO?

We've all made that mistake once.

Jesus is Lord and Christ

He may have during all that. I got fed up and left the room when sparks flew. I have issues with electricity.

 

[FarmerJamie]

As I have been updating in this twenty+ year old house, I have been replacing switches and outlets, getting rid of the dingy beige and replacing with clean white fixtures. I am slow, but deliberate. Only replaced one light fixture with a ceiling fan light combo, hard to work over my head solo.

Plus, I donate the old ones to habitat for humanity.

 

[FarmerJamie]

Wall patching, yeah, doing that myself, too. I love my orbital sander