The Fix Is In, Even Among Amateurs

If you have hired tradespeople lately, you know that costs for labor and materials are going through the roof. Fortunately, you have an alternative: You can do the work yourself.

“Who, me?” you ask. Yes, you. Many repairs can be done by novices. See it as a puzzle, and it can be fun. Remember, you can always call in help if your repairs are not successful.

According to Black & Decker, 50% of appliance repair calls are prompted because an appliance is not plugged in. Eighty percent of door and window repair calls could have been prevented with periodic cleaning and lubricating.

Here are some important steps in approaching most home repairs:

* The water, power or gas to the broken appliance must be turned off. Your utility company can tell or show you how and where to turn it off.

If, for example, the circuit breaker is tripped, do not turn it back on until you know what caused it to trip and have rectified it. Maybe it is something as simple as using too many appliances at the same time.

* Look closely at the problem. A makeup mirror and flashlight come in handy for looking under or behind something. Often you can fix it yourself if you just take a couple of minutes to look carefully.

* Take your time. Think slowly and thoroughly about possible causes and solutions.

* Patience is a virtue. Fitting pieces together from instructions written by an engineer in a foreign country or the fourth trip to the hardware store will test anyone’s patience.

* Take one small step at a time. And keep an open mind. A common-sense approach usually works, but be open to almost anything.

For example, common sense dictates pushing a plunger down when trying to clear clogged toilet. A better method is to push the plunger down slowly and pull up sharply. It de-compacts the blockage so that it passes through more easily to the next pipe.

* Stock a selection of “kitchen drawer tools.” Two tool boxes are easier to tote than one heavy tool box. For supplies, you can use the coffee can storage system or check out the selection of innovative parts keepers at your local home center. Fishing tackle boxes are ideal storage for tools and supplies.

Be sure to have some basic tools on hand. Most how-to books include a “basic tools” section.

Surprisingly, you should beware of their advice to buy the best tools. For example, fixing a dripping faucet may require a tool called a “handle puller.” You may use this tool only once in your life. Consequently, the $6 version will do the job as well as the $30 version. It just may not last long enough for your grandchildren to use.

* Be informed. Besides asking your neighbor or brother-in-law for help, you can always browse the Internet for tricks and tips.

My top book recommendations are Home Depot’s “Home Improvement 1-2-3,” which contains a “skill scale” giving estimated project completion times, a “stuff you’ll need” list and a “trip saver” tip that cuts trips to the store.

Black & Decker’s home repair books have the most stunning photography, and the photos illustrate repairs using women’s hands, very rare in how-to books.

Steve Ettlinger wrote “The Complete Illustrated Guide to Everything Sold in Hardware Stores,” and it certainly lives up to the title.

* Timing is everything. The best time to start home repair is on a weekday morning. The next best time is on a Saturday morning. The worst time is on a Sunday afternoon, when the plumbing and electrical stores may have closed.

Although some lumber and hardware stores may be open on Sundays, be ready for the possible repair that may require a unique part or tool from the specialty store.

* Anticipate emergency help from a plumber or electrician by having recommended names at hand.

Be advised that most of them charge more on evenings and weekends. You are still better off trying to do the work yourself first.

* Something old, something new. Most repairs require a new part--a latch, a nut or a motor. But how do you tell the clerk exactly what part you need?

Take the old part with you and, if possible, include any pieces connected to it, and take the manufacturer’s name, model name and model number when applicable. Most specialty supply stores organize their parts by manufacturers’ catalog numbers. Taking the part to the store will help you get the right part on your first trip.

Keep the old part for a few weeks after you have completed the job. Sometimes a problem that may not reveal itself until days or weeks later may require a comparison to the original part.

* By the numbers. Once you have taken it apart, how do you put it back together? An easy way to keep the parts in order is to find a shoe box top and, with a pen, divide the inside of the top into eight sections.

As you disassemble, put each part, in sequence, in a section; reverse the order for reassembly.

By the way, fix both the hot and cold faucets even if only one is dripping. You are already dressed for the job and have all the tools laid out. And you can bet that the other faucet is going to cause trouble as soon as you get everything put away from the first repair job.

* Another parts tip: Often the screws provided with towel bars, shelf units, fire extinguishers, etc., are inferior and difficult to use. Replace them with Phillips-head drywall screws. They are pointier, so they grab better, and the Phillips head screw holds the screwdriver better than a slotted-head screw does.

* Safety first. Wear safety goggles to protect your irreplaceable eyes, and use a back brace belt for lifting.

Keep your tools sharp. A dull blade will cause the cutting action to bind. Use the right tool for the intended job and use the correct size.

Put a “do not touch” note on the circuit breaker panel or fuse box when you turn it off.

Work under good lighting; you can make mistakes more easily if you can’t see what you are doing.

Remove jewelry that may get in the way or caught in a power tool.

Use a knee pad to protect your knees. Work at a comfortable height; that will make it easier to use tools and will cause less fatigue.

Read the instructions; besides the obvious reasons, it gives you a chance to rehearse the job, which will give you more confidence.