How to Repair Electrical Items

Have you decided to tackle electric repairs by yourself for the first time? Are you new to the world of DIY repairs and need some help getting started? We have the right video tutorials, top projects, and discussion boards to equip you with the knowledge, tips, and hacks you'll need to succeed. Good luck!

Do This to Your Outlet to Save so Much Money This Month

Making Safe Electrical Repairs

Turn the power off before starting: Switch off the electricity at your home’s breaker box. If you’re not sure which switches to flip for certain rooms, turn off the main breaker.
Get to know your electrical layout: Make sure you’re comfortable with your home’s electricity set up, and that you can identify different types of wire before making repairs.
Practise rewiring plugs: If you’ve identified a plug as the problem, ensure you rewire it with undamaged wires and the right size fuse. Practise on a spare plug first.
Dry your surrounding area: Ensure that electrical repairs are done in a dry environment. If there is damp on the appliance, wall, or floor, then don’t start working.
Avoid using metal ladders: If electrical repairs require you to use a ladder, avoid standard aluminum ladders. It is safer to use ones made of non-conductive materials.

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Top DIY Electrical Repair Projects

Looking for the top projects of DIY electric repair? Look no more!

How-To Replace Outdoor Wall Sconces

Thinking about updating or replacing your outdoor wall sconce lighting? Before you buy a new exterior light fixture, there are some things you need to know!

Porch Daydreamer

How to Install a Vanity Light

If you’re replacing your vanity lighting, this is a DIY project you can finish in a matter of minutes. NOTE: Vanity lighting can vary across manufacturers, so this is meant as a general guide. Be sure to follow the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Holly

How to Wire a Lamp With Lots of Pictures

Whenever I've made a lamp, I've told people how easy it is. Seriously, I am not electrician. I don't like electricity, the threat of a shock scares me...yet I have made about 10 lamps out of some very cool things and I hope to inspire you to do the same. My advice to any person about to wire a lamp is to buy a lamp kit and follow the instructions in the package. But if you like to do your project with pictures, this post is for you. First thing you need to do is to buy a make-a-lamp kit. These are available at the large home improvement stores as well as Amazon and Walmart. As of this post I've found that Walmart has the best price. You can buy the pieces separately but I can't beat the convenience of the kit.

ScavengerChic

Simple Trick to Changing a Broken Light Bulb That Will Save You

Have you ever broken a light bulb in the socket? Yup, we did tonight. Thankfully we had a potato to save the day

Katiewatson2009

DIY Home Decor

How to replace outlet covers with new decorative outlet cover...

Installing CHEAP! Hanging LED Lights to Brighten a Work Space

Our shop was in dire need of new lighting. When we purchased this property the shop only had a single CFL bulb hanging from one of the ceiling joists. After working on a few other renovation jobs, I had fallen in love with LED bulbs. They are simple, damage resistant and best of all - cheap! Did I also mention they are extremely bright?

Waylight Creations

Power Where There Was None! New Power Outlet From a Light Switch!

We just got a new cordless stick vacuum. They are so handy to just grab and clean up on a nightly basis. The only problem is finding a place that is out of the way but has power near by.Luckily I know a trick... tie into an existing light switch on wall wall to feed power to a new outlet on the other. Here is how I did it.WARNING: We are all smart adults here. This is a general disclaimer that this is for educational purposes only. I am no expert and most likely, neither are you... so if you are NOT comfortable doing this... call a pro. I just want you to know you have options for power you might not have thought of.Lets get going....UPDATE:I added in the notes some tips if you want to simply add an outlet to an existing light switch. Several options. Check it out below in the Question section.

David McIntosh

1940's Metal Army Cot Turned Light Fixture

Revamping my classroom and wanted a unique light fixture! I happened to have a 1940's Metal Army Cot so my honey and I decided to add 25 Edison Bulbs to repurpose this into a fabulous fixture!

Pieces of Time East

Can Lights for the Master Bedroom

Step by step on the mechanical side of the can light installation. I did not include electrical instructions. These may vary from location to location, so it's best you check your local codes, and PLEASE verify the wiring in your home!

Jim Cox

How-To Replace Outdoor Wall Sconces

Thinking about updating or replacing your outdoor wall sconce lighting? Before you buy a new exterior light fixture, there are some things you need to know!

Porch Daydreamer

How to Install a Vanity Light

Holly

How to Wire a Lamp With Lots of Pictures

ScavengerChic

Simple Trick to Changing a Broken Light Bulb That Will Save You

Have you ever broken a light bulb in the socket? Yup, we did tonight. Thankfully we had a potato to save the day

Katiewatson2009

DIY Home Decor

How to replace outlet covers with new decorative outlet cover...

Installing CHEAP! Hanging LED Lights to Brighten a Work Space

Waylight Creations

Power Where There Was None! New Power Outlet From a Light Switch!

David McIntosh

1940's Metal Army Cot Turned Light Fixture

Revamping my classroom and wanted a unique light fixture! I happened to have a 1940's Metal Army Cot so my honey and I decided to add 25 Edison Bulbs to repurpose this into a fabulous fixture!

Pieces of Time East

Can Lights for the Master Bedroom

Jim Cox

Electrical Repair Videos

Check out our DIY video tutorials on how to repair your home's electricity.

Installing CHEAP! Hanging LED Lights to Brighten a Work Space

Waylight Creations

Restoring a Ruined Vintage Light

Amazing!!! Restoring a ruined vintage lighttext text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text

DIYfixman

Don't Ignore Flashing Lights - Sign of Serious Electrical Issue

This is the real life kind of DIY stories I share. I am glad I followed my gut and shut off circuit. This could have lead to fire in my home. Please don't ignore flashing lights and weird electrical occurrences. Your house is trying to talk to you!

DIYHIPCHICKS

Retrofitting a Florescent Shop Light With LED Tubes

In this video, Andrew shows you how to cut the ballast out of an old Florescent tube shop light and replace it with an LED tube. Note: these instructions do no work for fixtures with a shunted or Instant Start (IS) Ballast.

Andrew Laine - The Hesitant Handyman

Hometalkers' Favorite DIY Electrical Repair Projects

Here are the best DIY electric repair projects on Hometalk. Check them out!

How To: USB Outlet

Make your outlets as efficient as possible with a USB outlet!

Becky at Flipping the Flip

How to Change Out a Light Fixture

Our house was built in the early 60's so most of our overhead light fixtures are outdated glass globe lights. We are slowly changing them out as we can. Recently we visited Black Dog Salvage and fell in love with a Mid Century light fixture that was perfect for our front entry. I am going to walk you through how we changed the light fixture and what issues we ran into.

Mary from Real Girl's Realm

Safety Tips! Warning Signs of Faulty Wiring in Every House

Most of us are likely to take electricity for granted and we tend to rely on it heavily on a daily basis, until something suddenly goes wrong and we’re left in the dark. Electrical problems must not be neglected, as they can result in more than just a blackout. There can be damage and safety hazards as well. According to statistics, more than 50000 house fires each year are the result of electrical malfunctions and many of them could have been prevented if attended to in time.Most districts require an inspection only when you modify a system during renovation, but as prevention, it’s advisable to have a professional examine the whole system every ten years.In the meantime, knowing the typical symptoms of an electrical problem can help you do the necessary repairs or if it gets too serious and dangerous, call the professionals in time.

Gabriella

Closet Lighting Issues: Solved!

Is your closet dark? Can't see things at the bottom? Try this!

Becky at Flipping the Flip

Stop Tripping!! (The Breaker)

A problem arose when the outlets in the kitchen were used they tripped the breaker. To solve this problem we needed to investigate what was causing the breaker to trip. We just installed a back splash to the kitchen a few months ago. Now a new electrical line was added from the breaker box into the mother-in-law suite about two years ago. And all of the new wiring was suppose to be tied into the new electrical line. And this is the problem the new line that was added all of the outlets were supposed to be tied into the new line. So now we have to tear out all the hard work. It’s time to get to DEMO. If you are not comfortable with dealing with electric PLEASE CALL AN ELECTRICAN.

Taylor.kimberly001

Common Apartment Problems - How to Be Your Own Handyman

One of the main benefits of renting rather than owning is the fact that when something needs fixin’, a call to the landlord is all that needs to be done! However, sometimes it is much quicker and easier to handle simple repairs on your own — especially if you deal with a very busy property manager who may not have the bandwidth to respond to your problem immediately. Here’s a quick 101 on several basic home fixes even an amateur can handle without assistance.

ForRent.com

How To: USB Outlet

Make your outlets as efficient as possible with a USB outlet!

Becky at Flipping the Flip

How to Change Out a Light Fixture

Mary from Real Girl's Realm

Safety Tips! Warning Signs of Faulty Wiring in Every House

Gabriella

Closet Lighting Issues: Solved!

Is your closet dark? Can't see things at the bottom? Try this!

Becky at Flipping the Flip

Stop Tripping!! (The Breaker)

Taylor.kimberly001

Common Apartment Problems - How to Be Your Own Handyman

ForRent.com

Popular Repairing Electrical Discussions

Check out our DIY electric repair discussion board. Let us know what you think.

How can I repair an electrical circuit that keeps switching on & off?

/> Mike

I have a house built in 1939. A few electrical renovations have been made over the years. One circuit now seems to be acting up. Lights flickering, power going out. My electrician contractor can’t provide an answer or solution. Any suggestions out there?

View discussion

How to run and connect romex wire in old house?

/> George

View discussion

How can I install motion detector lighting?

/> June Maloney

Motion sensor light downturn off

View discussion

How can I replace my light fixture?

/> Jmj Coo

View discussion

New Electrical Repair Projects

We've collected our new DIY electric repair projects. Have a look around.

How to Make Solar Lights Shine Bright Again

I love solar lights and have them everywhere! I tend to get really disappointed when they no longer work. Sometimes, the panel on the top just needs a good cleaning! Here is an easy, inexpensive and foolproof way to make those lights shine again!

Cher @ Designs By Studio C

How to Rewire a Thrifted Lamp

It has been fun to take you along the ride of giving my old bedroom a remodel From the accent wall to the plant stand and art gallery- everything has been rolling along greatly! But it’s about time to keep things functional too with some light. What a better way than to grab a thrifted light that I snagged for $5 and give it some love!! I wanted to keep things looking retro and fun so I left the light as is and just made it function- what a concept. tee hee. I am no electrician, but apparently Chanda Panda is- she helped me out with rewiring the lamp with a kit I got from Home Depot. Check it out!!Original Blog PostPhoto Cred: Anya McInroy

Zest it Up

Install a USB Outlet Cover in a Snap!

We came across this neat product called SnapPower, which adds a USB port to an outlet cover. This seemed like a great solution for a bedroom, kitchen, or anywhere you need to charge your phone, tablet, camera, and more!Before we discovered this product, the only way to add a USB was to completely remove the existing outlet and wire in a new USB compatible one. This one requires no wiring! We ordered one on Amazon to give it a try. It really is a fast way to add some tech to your home!

Mother Daughter Projects

6 Rookie Tips for Changing an Electrical Outlet

I recently changed my first light switch and learned A LOT from this experience. I was always nervous to tackle a DIY electrical project because.... well, it's electrical! But I'm happy to report that changing and outlet/light switch isn't nearly as scary as I thought it would be! As long as you're careful and you follow these 6 rookie rips, you can do it too!

The DIY Playbook

How to Install a Power Strip

My kitchen has two outlets that are easily accessible. Once you plug in the coffee maker and the under cabinet light that doesn't leave you much to work with. My oldest was forever unplugging the light to plug in the mixer to make mashed potatoes but then he'd forget to plug the light back in. Oh well there are worse problems in the world... At least it wasn't the coffee that he unplugged.