How to Replace Dining Room Dimmer Switch

By Gary Boutin

Fig.1 Outlet tester

Supplies and Tools:
Dimmer switch kit

Flat-head screwdriver

Outlet tester
Wire caps 

George Baker is a used car salesman who live in Chino Hills, California and he live in a studio cottage overlooking a golf course overrun by carts and flying golf balls. George is a tinkerer and he touches everything he believe that he can repair. He did mention that the dimmer switch had never worked and the ceiling light had never worked since he purchase his home.

This post shows the twelve steps on how to replace a standard dimmer switch in a dining room.

Step 1: Fig.1 shows the removed the dimmer switch plate and wires.
Step 2: Fig.2 shows that the electrical circuit for the dining room outlets is turned off.  The most important step in this job is safety, and this job requires that the power is turned off.

Fig.2 Switch wires

Step 3: Fig.3 shows the electrical panel.

Fig.3 Electrical panel

Step 4: Fig.4 shows the dimmer switch kit that George purchased for the job.

Fig.4 Dimmer switch

Step 5: Fig.5 shows the outlet by using a outlet tester to make sure the power was off in the dining room, there is no lights on the tester.

Fig.5 Plug tester

Step 6: Fig.6 shows the wiring, the grounds were attached together. The dimmer switch was dandling from the wall, and both of the wires except the ground were black and tied together with a very old and loose wire nuts. 

Fig.6 copper and 
ground attached

Step 7: Fig.7 shows George had purchased a single pole dimmer switch because there was only one switch in the dining room. The new switch had one green wire(ground) and two black wire.

Fig.7 Old dimmer switch

Step 8: Fig.8 shows the switch remove each wire nut from the old switch and replace with the new switch. After hooking the hot black wires from the box to the switch, twist and attach a wire nut to the ground wires. Black electrical tape is attached to each wire nut making sure they do not come apart.

Fig.8 Each 
connection taped

Step 9: Fig.9 shows the switch is finished and the wires need to be pushed back into the box.

Fig.9 Wires finished

Step 10: Fig.10 shows the dimmer switch plate is attached to the wall box

Fig.10 Front of 
dimmer switch

Step 11 Fig.11 shows the wall plate is attached to the wall.

Fig.11 Dimmer
 switch blank plate

Step 12: Fig.12 shows the circular pole knob is attached to the light switch and to turn on the power,

Fig.12 Button added 
to wall switch

Step 13: Fig.13 shows the outlet tester light are turned on. George turned on the dimer switch and the dining room lamp was not on, I replace the bulb and then for the first time in ten years the lamp was, illuminating the dining room. 

Fig.13 Plug Tester

DIY Advisor Blogs:

Handyman Blog: DIY Advisor

Food Blog: From Kiwis To Pistachios

Artwork Blog: Light in Dark Artwork

Class-A Tests: DIY Class-A Drivers License Tests

• Cookie Alert: European Union laws requires that you know that this blog uses cookies. If you are concerned about this please click here to see how Google uses this information.

Note: The DIY Advisor assumes no liability for omissions, errors or the outcome of any jobs. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed contractor if in doubt about any steps on these posts. All names were changed to protect client's privacy. DIY Advisor. Reproduction of site content including photos without permission prohibited. All rights reserved. © Copyright 2011-

How to Use Tub Drain Unclogged with Hair and Grease Plumbers Acid®

Fig.1 Back of the Hair 
and Grease ® 
plumbers acid

By Gary Boutin

Supplies and Tools:

Hair and Grease ® Plumbers Acid
Safety glasses
Safety gloves

Mrs. Skissors called me to her home in Grand Terrace, California and she needed some basic tub plumbing maintenance. She stated her upstairs master bathroom tub was clogged. She mentioned her daughter washes her hair every night and she believed her hair was causing the the tub to drain slowly.

This post shows the four steps to unclog a bathtub with Hair and Grease Plumbers Acid®.

Step 1: Fig.1 shows a quart of Hair and Grease Plumbers Acid® was purchased for this job at a local hardware store. Notice the plumbers acid is stored in a thick plastic bag this is for the your protection.
Step 2: Fig.2 shows the person who pours the acid into the drain must wear rubber gloves and a full face mask to protect the face. Acid when it run into water can spit into your face, arms and hands. Acid causes severe burns, if you are not sure about this job, hire someone who knows how to handle acid. These precautionary measures will keep you safe.

Fig.2 Front of Hair 
and Grease ® 
Plumbers Acid

Step 3: Fig.3 shows the acid starting to drain past the clog. She told me she had poured several bottles of solvents a few days to no avail. The directions states to pour 2-cups of acid into the drain and after 5-minutes run the faucet with hot water for 30-minutes.

Fig.3 Hair and Grease ® 
Plumbers Acid

Step 4: Fig.4 shows the bottle directions and it's important to heed the warnings. Now Mrs. Skissors has no drain problems, her tub pipes smell better and she is happy that the tub empties quickly.

Fig.4 Warnings!

DIY Advisor Blogs:

Handyman Blog: DIY Advisor

Food Blog: From Gary Boutin

Artwork Blog: Light in Dark Artwork

Class-A Tests: DIY Class-A Drivers License Tests

• Cookie Alert: European Union laws requires that you know that this blog uses cookies. If you are concerned about this please click here to see how Google uses this information.

Note: The DIY Advisor assumes no liability for omissions, errors or the outcome of any jobs. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed contractor if in doubt about any steps on these posts. All names were changed to protect client's privacy. DIY Advisor. Reproduction of site content including photos without permission prohibited. All rights reserved. © Copyright 2011-

How to Replace Garage Fluorescent Tubes

Fig.1 Old burnt light

By Gary Boutin

Supplies and Tools:

T12 cool white fluorescent tubes 34 watt, 48 inch set

Mrs. Yang Lu called my repair service to troubleshoot her garage lights. She was a referral from another client. 

This post shows the five steps to replacing two fluorescent tubes in her garage wall light fixture.
 
Step 1: Above right fig.1 shows the burned out garage wall fixture. 
Step 2: Fig.2 shows the tubes were burned out. A dark black edge on one side of the lamp was visible. 

Fig.2 Edge of lamp burned out

Step 3: Fig.3 shows the lamp unit without fluorescent tubes.

Fig.3 End of connectors

DIY Advisor Blogs:

Handyman Blog: DIY Advisor

Food Blog: From Gary Boutin

Artwork Blog: Light in Dark Artwork

Class-A Tests: DIY Class-A Drivers License Tests

• Cookie Alert: European Union laws requires that you know that this blog uses cookies. If you are concerned about this please click here to see how Google uses this information.

Note: The DIY Advisor assumes no liability for omissions, errors or the outcome of any jobs. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed contractor if in doubt about any steps on these posts. All names were changed to protect client's privacy. DIY Advisor. Reproduction of site content including photos without permission prohibited. All rights reserved. © Copyright 2011-