Ehow - lellujah!
I'm organized but not very handy around the house. Everywhere I've lived I had a handyman on speed dial for whatever joy of home-ownership crisis occurred. So this is HUGE for me....drum roll please.... I fixed my own toilet handle this week!
It all started when the little plastic thingy that attaches to the handle ("lever" I've since learned is the correct term) on the outside just broke off. Not that I'm ever surprised since my home was built in 1928 and stuff just happens. My first panicky thought was to call the plumber. Now, I actually really really like my plumbing company (shout out to City Plumbing and Electric in Hot Springs), but writing the check is usually painful.
Fortunately, I mentioned my problem to a savvy handy woman friend who told me about E-how. She described it as the website for newbie DIY'ers, and said the articles were apparently written by real people rather than professionals. I was dubious, but looked it up. Low and behold, there was my exact issue with the broken thingy, and they explained in about 5 simple steps how to fix it. It began with "1. Take the lid off the tank." Precisely my level of expertise here.
Anyway, I asked around locally and was directed to a plumbing supply place rather than the Big Box Home Store for the part. A wonderful gentleman at Falk Supply asked what I needed, nodded confidently, disappeared in back for a few minutes, and returned with just the thing. He said he didn't carry the cheap plastic ones like I had before, only metal and brass. I'm still being very pliant in my Absolute Beginner Trying to Be Cool state and said that was fine, but kinda wondered what the "much better brass" one would cost. It was $3.50 - you read that right: 3 dollars and 50 cents!!
Took it home, followed the e-how directions and OMG it works! I am Woman Hear Me Roar/Rosie the Riveter/Josephine the Plumber got nothin' on me, etc. etc. Seriously, I feel all competent and stuff in an area of life skills that previously intimidated the heck out of me. Plus I figure I saved about $60 over the plumber visit. So check it out. E-how and how!
It all started when the little plastic thingy that attaches to the handle ("lever" I've since learned is the correct term) on the outside just broke off. Not that I'm ever surprised since my home was built in 1928 and stuff just happens. My first panicky thought was to call the plumber. Now, I actually really really like my plumbing company (shout out to City Plumbing and Electric in Hot Springs), but writing the check is usually painful.
Fortunately, I mentioned my problem to a savvy handy woman friend who told me about E-how. She described it as the website for newbie DIY'ers, and said the articles were apparently written by real people rather than professionals. I was dubious, but looked it up. Low and behold, there was my exact issue with the broken thingy, and they explained in about 5 simple steps how to fix it. It began with "1. Take the lid off the tank." Precisely my level of expertise here.
Anyway, I asked around locally and was directed to a plumbing supply place rather than the Big Box Home Store for the part. A wonderful gentleman at Falk Supply asked what I needed, nodded confidently, disappeared in back for a few minutes, and returned with just the thing. He said he didn't carry the cheap plastic ones like I had before, only metal and brass. I'm still being very pliant in my Absolute Beginner Trying to Be Cool state and said that was fine, but kinda wondered what the "much better brass" one would cost. It was $3.50 - you read that right: 3 dollars and 50 cents!!
Took it home, followed the e-how directions and OMG it works! I am Woman Hear Me Roar/Rosie the Riveter/Josephine the Plumber got nothin' on me, etc. etc. Seriously, I feel all competent and stuff in an area of life skills that previously intimidated the heck out of me. Plus I figure I saved about $60 over the plumber visit. So check it out. E-how and how!
posted by Becca at
5:38 PM
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