Easy plumbing and electrical you can do at home
Hey folks! Recently I was able to have a great discussion with Scott from Milestone Home Services with me, and we got to talk about some practical tips every homeowner should know. We’re talking about easy, DIY fixes that can save you time, money, and maybe a little frustration too.
Plumbing Tip #1: Rebuilding Your Toilet Ever had a toilet that won’t stop running? Instead of calling in a plumber and paying for a simple fix, you can handle this on your own. Changing the flapper or even rebuilding your toilet is a straightforward task. I’ve got videos showing you how, and trust me, it’s easier than you think. Not to mention, plumbers hate charging you for those small repairs that you can do yourself.
Electrical Tip #1: Stop That Smoke Detector from Chirping Scott here has a tip that could save you a call to an electrician: fixing that annoying chirping smoke detector. Here’s the deal: if your smoke detector’s chirping, it usually just needs a new battery. But don’t just swap the battery and call it a day. To do it right, there is one more step that most people don’t know about. Disconnect the smoke detector from the wiring harness, remove the battery, and hold down the test button to drain any leftover power. Then you can pop in the new battery, reconnect it, and you’re good to go. No more midnight chirping!
Plumbing Tip #2: Know How to Shut Off Your Water Here’s a big one that every homeowner should know: how to turn off the water in your house. Whether it’s a burst pipe or a toilet disaster, knowing where your water shut-off valve is can save you from a flood. It might be out by the street, in your garage, and you should also have individual valves in places like under the sink. But make sure you know where it is and how to use it.
Electrical Tip #2: GFCIs – What They Are and How to Reset Them Scott also covered Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs). These outlets are designed to protect you from electrical shock, especially in areas where water is present, like kitchens, bathrooms, and garages. If your outlets stop working, it might just be that the GFCI has tripped. You need to unplug everything connected to it and the outlets it’s tied to, then hit the reset button. Did you catch that part of the outlets it’s tied to? Each GFCI often has a chain of outlets tied to it, and if the GFCI is tripped, those outlets will stop working too. And if it keeps tripping, you might have a faulty appliance causing the issue.
Now these tips aren’t just for homeowners—they’re for anyone renting a place too. Knowing how to do these simple repairs can save you from calling in the pros for something you could easily handle yourself. And remember, if you ever feel like you’re in over your head, call a professional like the folks at Milestone.