Deadbolt with Key.
Having a quality deadbolt lock on your door can be vital to your home security, so it's best not to put off on any repairs or replacements that are needed. Don't let a thief take advantage of your broken deadbolt before you get a chance to take a crack at repairing it. If you need to replace your deadbolt lock, this article will make a handy guide for getting started.
First, it helps to understand that there are generally two types of deadbolts - internal and external. An interior deadbolt will generally be more secure, but can be a little more difficult to remove or install, while an exterior deadbolt will be the opposite - not quite as secure, but easier to remove. If you're a solid do-it-yourselfer, you should have no problem installing a quality interior deadbolt.
When it's time to replace your deadbolt, you'll want to make sure you prepare adequately. This means you'll want to test the quality of your door's wood - if it's so old that nothing will come out, it's generally a good idea to simply buy a new door. You'll also want to look and see how your current deadbolt is installed for any clues you can get about installing a new one. Also, make sure you do proper research and preparation in terms of your new deadbolt - it should be able to fit properly once you place it in the door.
To begin, simply remove the screws from the old deadbolt and remove it as best you see fit - generally, you'll want to remove the smaller pieces before the bigger ones, though this rule isn't always set in stone. Remember to make a mental note of what you're doing in case you need to work the opposite way when you install the new deadbolt.
When you put in the new deadbolt, do your best to follow any instructions you have. Your new deadbolt should be able to fit if you've done your homework. Make sure you install the right side up - a good way to check this is to make sure any writing isn't upside down - and make sure that the new deadbolt is properly installed and secure in the door. Give it some tests, having someone help you by locking it from the inside and having you try to open it from the outside. After a few tests, you should be good to go. Congratulations! You've installed a new deadbolt.
Photo Credits: The Suss-Man (Mike)
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Posted by Fix Handyman on January 14, 2010 in
Handyman, How to Fix, Locks, doors
Replace that broken fridge handle quickly and easily.
Around the house, the refrigerator is probably one of the appliances we take most for granted. It keeps our food fresh for days, keeps liquids cool, and the freezer can store foods for months. If you have a broken refrigerator handle, you've already experienced what it's like when this appliance doesn't work like it usually does. You probably have one thought: "I need to get this fixed immediately!" Though the handle breaking can be a minor inconvenience, it's something you'll want to taken care of. Here's how to fix it yourself.
Fortunately, repairing a refrigerator handle is an easy thing. Why's that? Because the simplest way to do it is simply to replace the door handle itself. And in order to accomplish this, you'll follow a few, simple steps.
First, you'll want to get rid of the old door handle. Presumably, you've left this handle on. Identify the areas on the handle that are attached to the refrigerator via screws, and then loosen the screws. Make sure to keep those screws in case you need to use them with your new refrigerator handle. Even if you buy the exact model of refrigerator handle from the manufacturer, there's no guarantee that they'll include the right screws you need. Rather than go through the trouble of finding new ones, simply save the old ones! (This is unless, of course, the screws were the problem in the first place).
Next, it's time to install the new handle. Line it up with the matching holes and twist in the top screw - this will allow the refrigerator handle to hang. Don't necessarily tighten this screw right away, as you'll want some flexibility for later. Next, twist in the bottom screw to near tightness with some flexibility. Now, use the flexibility of the new handle's position to align it correctly with the refrigerator. Tighten the top screw and then the bottom one. Voila!
Often times, repairs like this can be as simple as going online and ordering the right parts. Some manufacturers will even replace broken parts for free - some will do this while requiring that you send them the old part. In either case, make sure to explore your options and take care of this right away: don't let your house deteriorate. You never know when a guest might show up unexpectedly and try to open your refrigerator.
Photo Credits: Avoir Chaud
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Posted by Fix Handyman on August 10, 2009 in
Handyman, How to Fix, appliances, kitchen
Midnight kitchen raid anyone?
Your pantry cabinet in your kitchen can come in a lot of different shapes and sizes: while some people have simple shelves, others will have full-on walk-in pantries. But no matter how big your pantry is, there's no escaping the potential for a breakdown or the need for repairs. The question is simple: will you be able to repair it yourself? After you read this article, you will.
First, it's important to realize that there are essentially two different types of breaks. The break is either superficial or structural. For example, a scratch on your pantry door would fall under the "superficial" category, in that it diminishes the attractiveness of your pantry but doesn't mean you can't still us it. Structural damage, such as a broken shelf, can be a little more substantial and might even effect your quality of life - daily life, that is.
The best way to fix most items around the house is to understand how it is put together - and then take it apart. You'll have to take apart most items down to the point of the problem itself so that you can make the necessary repairs and build it back together again. That's why it's important to properly diagnose what's wrong with your pantry. If you can't get to the problem, you'll have to do some removing, including actions like removing screws. Hey, it's not home improvement without getting your hands a little diry!
Common structural problems with pantries involve broken or stuck sliding mechanisms (for shelves and doors), broken hinges on doors, and broken shelves. Oftentimes, you'll be able to make the repairs simply by re-attaching something to where it originally belonged. If there is more extensive damage, however, you'll have to look into repairing the parts themselves and, failing that, replacing them.
You can replace virtually everything in your pantry if you understand how to find each part. If you know what kind of wood to use and how to get it properly colored and stained, you can replace a dented piece of wood. If you know the specific parts to door hinges and slides, you'll be able to order many of those online or find them in a hardware store.
What you do to fix your broken pantry will largely depend on the problems you face. But don't fret; what's important about your do-it-yourself home repair isn't always the problem, but the can-do attitude you bring to the table. Don't let your pantry be broken for weeks and then months on end: it's time to stop the procrastination and to get things done!
Photo Credits: la fattina
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Posted by Fix Handyman on July 31, 2009 in
Handyman, How to Fix, kitchen
Three Tips for Fixing a Lamp
When it comes to the type of lighting a lamp offers, we know that the mechanics working behind the scenes aren't exactly worthy of rocket science. But that doesn't mean someone who's inexperienced with electrical wiring and light fixtures will know what's happening inside a lamp, either. If you feel that it's time for you to take it into your own hands and fix a lamp, these three tips will help you safely and securely accomplish just that.
- Tip #1: Make sure the lamp is unplugged.
Sounds like common sense, right? Some people don't necessarily follow this tip. The lamp should be unplugged at all times when you're trying to repair it. This doesn't simply mean that it should be set to "off." It doesn't mean that the power going into the outlet powering the lamp is off, either. The plug should be out so that there is zero possibility of electricity going into the lamp before you work with it. This is the kind of silly lesson you don't want to learn the hard way, so do yourself a favor and make sure that you start at Tip #1 and unplug the lamp.
- Tip #2: Make sure you have the proper equipment.
There's only a limited variety of tools that you'll ever be using to repair a lamp, so making sure that you have them ready to go isn't a big challenge. With that said, however, you'll still want to know which tools to use should the need ever arise. Tools like screwdrivers and wire strippers, and materials like electrical tape often come in handy when you're fixing a lamp.
What will you use these tools for? Your screwdriver will be needed to loosen screws throughout the lamp, including the socket attachment. The socket can often be the source of problems with a lamp so this is a tool you'll want to make sure you have handy.
- Tip #3: Know your lamp.
The best thing you can do in order to repair a lamp is to know more about it. This isn't the type of situation where you necessarily want to go in poking around before you learn about how to fix the lamp. Instead, you'll want to make sure you know the relationship between the socket, wires, and bulb. Knowing how your lamp works will help you not only diagnose the problem with a broken lamp, but help you fix it when you decide to go in.
Fixing lamps doesn't have to be difficult - if you're smart and prepared, you can make sure that you don't have to buy a new one. Just make sure that you follow some basic safety rules before proceeding.
Photo Credits: Leonid Mamchenkov
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Posted by Fix Handyman on July 27, 2009 in
Electrician, How to Fix
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