A Simple Renovation

Today, I would like to welcome back my wonderful husband to The Mustard Ceiling. He is here to teach you how to replace electrical outlets and light switches. I cannot tell you how nice it is to finally have 3-prong outlets throughout our home. For months we had to carry around plug adapters for the computer, coffee maker, etc.

Welcome back Alfred!

Our home is old.

How old is it?

The wiring in the house has circuit breakers, screw in fuses and the Bar fuses in the electrical system.

Yeah it's really old, and yes I am getting middle-aged myself.

A quick cheap way to update any room is to replace the electrical outlets and light switches.

You will need:
1- Flat Head screwdriver
1- Flashlight
1- Needle Nose Pliers
1- New cover for each plug/switch replaced ( I recommend splurging on the unbreakable kind)
1- New Switch or Plug for each one that you want to replace.

Step 1: Turn off circuit breaker to the switch that you want replace. (Otherwise you may kill or seriously hurt yourself.)

Step 2: Check to make sure the circuit is off. You can check this by plugging in a light and try to turn it on. If you can't turn it on then you should be ok.

Step 3: Remove the old cover and remove the screws on the top and bottom of the plug.

Step4: Pull the plug out of the wall. Don't go hulk and just yank it out, but it should have enough slack in the wires to be pulled out of the wall a few inches.

Step 5: Loosen one of the wires, remove it and replace the wire on the new plug on the same corresponding location.

Step 6: Repeat step 5.

Step 7: If the plug has more than 2 wires, then refer to this link.
http://www.ehow.com/wall-socket/

Step 8: Replace the Switch/socket and replace the cover.

If you don't feel comfortable trying this project then do not. Calling an electrician is always an option.

Good Luck,
Alfred

Thank you for stopping by today, and for changing out the plugs and light switches in our home. I also want to thank goodness for handy husbands, they help with so many projects and always seem to have it figured out.

This week I am linking up our dining room at Houseography.

Melissa hosts a link party every week, featuring a room in the house, this week we are linking up dining rooms.

Also, check out this amazing giveaway at Just Dandy.