There’s a 3 way switch in this apartment that doesn’t work properly!
I had the ”maintenance guy” in last week to fix a few things and after I brought the wiring issue to his attention,
he just said it was that way in his apartment too
(and he didn't even try to fix it).
Then last night it got worse. Neither switch would shut off the light until I flipped one on and off 4 times, wiggled it and jammed it down hard the last time! Then it was, off but I was nervous there was a short in the switch that was going to catch fire in the middle of the night. (It didn’t, phew!)
The thing is, I brought all my electrical tools. I don’t even know why but I was packing up and I had just used them to wire a timer switch and I threw them into the toolbox.
Serendipitous is what that was!
Ater all, I’m not one to wait around for someone else if I can do myself. I know it’s not actually my property, but we’re talking about our safety here. I kind of need this taken care of NOW. (Not in 2 weeks which is how long it took to get maintenance in here the first time.)
So, sometimes I do a little minor electrical work. Changing out a light or switch, moving an outlet…stuff like that.
Sometimes I run into a situation where I need a little guidance.
For instance, 3 and 4 way switches throw me for a loop, every time. It seems like every time I install one, it’s a new scenario.
Wow! You really CAN do it all. You’re awesome.
Most of us can do most of it. We just might need some direction now and then.
Perhaps you should offer to fix the one in the maintenance guy’s apt.
Sandra, you’re so smart
Thanks for this!
www.iheartmygluegun.com
Ha ha!
SWEET! I hear the unfinished basement calling my husbands name! Or if anyone knows of a babysitter who will babysit 5 kids for free, I’ll take his place.
5 kids? I don’t suppose you could get them all to take a 2 hour nap everyday, all at the same time so you could chip away at it…little by little? Good luck either way.
I’ll have to try that! I’m sure they would be very accommodating… HA!
I have been putting off calling our electrician. For the second time in 23 yrs, our basement GFI outlet will not reset. This happened after the storms last week. It means that the bathroom outlets are not working AND 2 out of 5 of the outlets in the kitchen aren’t working either. I have had to dry my hair sitting on the end of the bed, while leaning far to the right to see in the mirror. PITA (pain in the…)
Beckie
Beckie, I’m sure that is a real PITA but I can’t help laughing at that funny picture you just painted. Call that electrician before you give yourself a PITB/N (back/neck which is what would happen if I dried my hair like that)!
Sandra so did you get the switch fixed? Of course you did, you’re wonderwoman – maybe that ‘maintenance man’ should hire you as long as you’re there and all.
Jaime I had to replace the switches but yes, it’s fixed now! When the “maintenance guy” told me his appt was the same way and that’s just the way those switches were, I said, “Really? ‘Cause I’m pretty sure I could fix it myself!” (Sometimes I’m a little big-headed)
He replied that if I did fix it would I let him know how. Brother! I guess I’d better get a message to him and let him know that all the switches that are “just like that” have shorts in them and need to be replaced! I wonder how management would respond to that.
Can I be you when I grow up? You seriously rock!
On that whole new outlet thing…when is it okay to just do, and when is it necessary to get a permit?
Haha, I wouldn’t wish that on you but it’s really sweet of you to suggest!
Electrical codes and requirements are different everywhere. Someone recently told me (so sorry I can’t remember who) that they have to get a permit to change a light bulb! LOL You just have to find out what is required in your area.
Electrical issues are so frustrating — though we haven’t had any like yours that require jiggling or make us fear fire! — because you can’t see into the walls to figure out what’s what. We’ve opened up almost every light box and switch and outlet receptacle in our place to find it wired differently. So we’ve ended up having to call in the electrician at least once for every room we’ve renovated. Thankfully we only needed a one hour visit each time, but it would have been a lot easier if anything was even a little bit consistent!
Needless to say, we have done a lot to make things MUCH easier for the next owners.
xoxo,
tanja
I’m sure the next owners will be very appreciative but what a pain for you. Even with only a one hour visit each time, that’s still a lot of $$ spent on electrical work. Oh well, that’s home ownership. Right? (Resigned sigh!)
Wiring is tricky. I mean, it’s easy, but there are just so many things (wires) to remember. I think printing the diagram out and taping it next to the project is the best idea I’ve heard in a long time! We just redid an outlet (a tricky outlet, that is) last week, and I had to refer to my computer screen at least 20 times. A printed diagram would have been 10 times quicker. You are brilliant!
You’re awesome Andrea. I keep wondering why on earth you’re not blogging about more of your home reno projects yourself. You’ve done everything and you’re so cute and creative! So it gives me great pleasure to know that I was able to share a small gem of brilliance with you! Haaa-ha!
p.s. It took me several tricky wiring projects of running to the computer screen 20 times before I decided to come up with a better option. So, you know, I’m sure you would have come up with the same plan yourself at some point.
Oh don’t get me started on the crazy wiring in this house. We have two switches in the dining room, one with a dimmer. But if one is flipped a certain way the other won’t work. We tried to correct it when we bought new (white) switches but it was impossible. After hours and hours we gave up.
Your “remember to turn off the power” comment reminded me when I was home for the weekend visiting parents and got zapped because my mom was working on a switch and took a break & forgot to go back and fix it. Her comment when I complained was, “But normally you’re not here.”
Impressed by it all!