Classes in Provo offering tips on basic home repairs
Peterson teaches classes offered by Habitat for Humanity of Utah County. (Anyone can attend the free five-course Basic Home Maintenance series.)
At a recent class, Peterson tackled basic electrical repairs, changing a furnace filter and gutter and downspout care at the last session.
Topics included how to replace a faulty electric switch. Only a flathead screwdriver is needed, but an electrical current tester is recommended. If a homeowner doesn't have one, plug in an appliance and see if it works, he said.
Peterson cautioned that the white wire in a light switch is the ground, but the black is live. "It's the black one you need to be careful of," he said.
The task is simple. Remove the wires, attach to the new switch, then reinstall.
Peterson taught class members to replace door bells. "They are low wattage," he said, "so don't worry about being shocked."
Replacing a furnace filter is simple, it just doesn't get done frequently enough, he said. On April 24, he will teach interior painting and wall repairs, how to repair leaky roofs and how to understand home warranties.
If you go ...
What: Home Maintenance Series
Where: Habitat ReStore, 626 N. Freedom Blvd., Provo
When: 6:30 p.m., April 24 (last Thursday of each month)
Cost: free, no reservations required
Phone: 344-8527
You can be the first to comment on this story.