Replacing an Electrical outlet

Replacing an electrical outlet is an easy undertaking with a basic understanding of how residential electricity works.

In a basic residential wiring circuit, a black (hot) wire comes out of a breaker in the electiric panel and runs to the outlet.

A white wire (neutral) runs from the elecrical outlet back to the ground bar in the electric panel.

There is also an uninsulated wire - just copper with no plastic insulation - that runs from the green screw on the frame of the outlet back to the same grounding bar in the electric panel.

These three wires run together in a larger plastic sleeve. This sleeve can be one of several colors but the most common colors for a basic residential outlet is white or yellow

Electricity leaves the panel through the black wire runs to the outlet. When an appliance or light is plugged into the outlet, the electricity leaves the outlet via the prong of the plug which corresponds with the black wire. It then travels through the appliance or light. When the appliance or light is turned on, the electricity travels through it and returns to the outlet to the prong which corresponds to the white wire and back to the electric panel. Pretty basic.

Sometimes electric outlets wear out due to frequent plugging and unplugging of appliances. Sometimes they burn out due to plugging in an appliance that draws more amps than the outlet is designed to handle. Either will require the outlet to be changed.

BEFORE CHANGING ANY OUTLET DETERMINE WHAT BREAKER IN THE ELECTRIC PANEL SUPPLIES POWER TO THAT OUTLET AND TURN THAT BREAKER OFF. TEST IT WITH AN INEXPENSIVE TEST LIGHT TO ASSURE THE FLOW OF POWER HAS BEEN INTERRUPTED!!!



Rather than explain how to change an outlet, I've included yet another video which is sure to keep your attenton span from expiring. :)

Installing a Sump Pump

This winter brought us a LOT of precipitation. So much, in fact, that the ground is completely saturated and any more precip must be run-off. This has presented problems that many of us have never experienced. Water in basements and crawl spaces. This is a direct result of high water tables and is a problem for several reasons. First, those of us who have basements often store seasonal items there. Water, often a foot or more deep, will ruin stored items. Water will cause mildew to grow on floor joists and other framing members. This mildew will digest the cellulose in wood eliminating its strenth causing structural damage to your home. Water will also create an environment in which toxic black mold will thrive - all very good reasons to take the necessary steps to remove it immediately and permanently from under your house.



In light of this we will cover the installation of a sump pump in order to pump this water out.



First, we're going to choose a pump. Pumps vary in horsepower and voltage, as well as how far it will pump water up hill, or "head". For example a pume in a basement will have to pump water up hill to get it outside. A pump in a crawlspace will only have to pump it vertically. This video will give you an idea of what pump you will need.







Next we will need to dig a hole beneath the lowest horizontal surface - the floor of the basement or the dirt bottom of the crawlspace. You can buy many different sizes of plastic sumps to accomodate many different applications. A plastic sump is a small plastic "drum" with a removable top. This drum will have holes drilled in the sides (or you may have to drill your own) and it is placed into the hole you dig. The sump should be at or slightly above level with the surface when placed into the hole. The hole should be a larger diameter than the sump so that you can add stone or gravel around it to keep dirt from getting into the holes in the side of the sump.



Once the hole is dug, the sump is place into the hole, and the gravel is placed around the outside of the sump, it's time to place the pump into the sump. Locate the pump in the sump so that the float is free to move up and down as the water level changes without hitting the side of the sump. this is important if you want the pump to work properly. Once the pump is properly place into the sump, it's time to install the plumbing necessary to get the water out of the basement or crawlspace. The most common drain line used is 1 1/2 inch PVC drain line. Follow the instructions that come with the pump and always use a check valve to make sure a portion of the water you pump out doesn't drain back into the sump after the pump shuts off. Here is another video to give you an idea of how a good system should look. It shows all the components even though this may not be your specific situation - you may have a crawl space installation which will look different but the components will be the same.







Providing an exit for your drain line will be different depending on your circumstance. The most common way is to bore a hole through the foundation wall, slide the pipe through, and seal it with mortar. I have, however, seen these drain lines tied into the public sewer system.



It should be noted that in basements with concrete floors it will be necessary to break through the concrete. This can be done by using a circular saw with a masonry blade or a small jack hammer (and a HEPA respirator with safety glasses).

This is a relatively complex project and should only be attempted by those with a fair degree of mechanical ability.