Who said that power tools were just for boys? Check out some of these helpful tips to so you can be your own “Handywoman!”
How to Change a Tire
Waiting on AAA to come and tow you out of an awkward situation can sometimes be a total pain, especially if you are in a hurry. Always have a spare tire in your trunk so you can put it on when you’re in a pinch!
1. Pull over to safe location. Remember to pull onto the shoulder as best as possible and not to park in the middle of approaching cars. Don’t forget to turn on your parking brake!
2. Switch on your hazard lights. You’ll want to make sure that other cars know that you’ve stopped to prevent any accidents on your behalf. This is also when you should get your spare tire, wrench, jack, and anything else you might need.
3. Loosen the lug nuts. Using your wrench (remember: righty-tighety, lefty-loosey!) loosen the lug nuts. Use your body weight to help you fully turn your wrench if they are difficult to loosen.
4. Lift your car. Depending on your vehicle model, you jack may need to be placed at a different so pay attention o the user’s manual for instructions. Then, jack your car until it is about six or seven inches from the ground.
5. Remove the lug nuts and the flat tire. Take off the loosened lug nuts and put them to the side. Remove the tire by pulling it towards you.
6. Place the spare tire on add lug nuts. Align the lug nut posts with the holes in your spare and push the tire against the wheelbase until you can push any farther. Now, place the lug nuts on the posts but don’t tighten them yet!
7. Lower your car. Using your jack, lower the car back to ground. Remove the jack from underneath the car.
8. Tightened lug nuts. Now it’s time to secure everything. The best method is to tighten each lug nut about half way and then move to the opposite side and tighten that one. Keep alternating and gradually tightening them until they are all secure.
9. Put away your flat. Make sure to grab your flat tire and any tool you used and put them back in the car. Now you can continue on your way!
Keep a Toolbox
Whether you need to change a light bulb or fixed a clogged drain, keep a few of these gadgets around to make fixing those pesky household problems super easy.
1. Claw Hammer. Super handy, the claw hammer removes nails from walls and help to fasten things like picture frames and shelves. It shouldn’t be too heavy, so try a few out to find the perfect fit. Oh, and of course, don’t forget to get some nails too!
2. Tape Measure. Try to find one that has an automatic lock button and is around 35 feet long. They even come in really tiny sizes so it’s more functional to fit in small dorms and apartments.
3. Pliers. This is a real multi-tool that you can use for tons of different projects. From everything to cutting wires or pulling nails, pliers can do it all.
4. Crescent Wrench. Use this for loosening and tightening nuts. You can adjust the width of the wrench to fit even the tiniest of nuts.
5. Screwdriver. These range in size and length, so if you buy a set of a few, that would be your best bet. Make sure to have at least one Phillips head (the one with a cross at the tip) and Flat Head for use with different types of screw heads. Screwdrivers help taking off light switch plates, hanging curtains, or attaching hardware.
6. Utility Knife. Another great all around multi-tool, the utility knife can cut anything from cardboard to carpet. Great for household repairs and crafts!
7. Level. Need to hang up your DIY project or arranging a gallery wall in your bedroom? A level makes sure that everything is aligned and straightened on whichever surface you’re using.
*Safety First! No toolbox would be complete with out a pair of safety goggles and outdoor dusk mask. Make sure to exercise safety in all of your home projects and repairs.
Trip a Breaker in Your Panel Box
It’s Friday night and you and your girls and getting ready to go out: you’re blow-drying your hair in your bathroom, your roomie has her flatiron on 400 degrees in the next room, speakers are blaring the latest Top 40 party mix and then all of the sudden… the power goes out. Don’t panic, if you paid your electricity bill on time (which is the first thing you should check) then what most likely happened is one of your circuit breakers has tripped because a circuit was shorted or overloaded. It only takes a few seconds to reset the breakers so you can get back to you night out!
1. Locate your electrical panel. In houses, they are usually located near the hot water heater in the garage or basement, but because apartments are smaller, it maybe be near the kitchen or hot water heater.
2. Identify the tripped breaker. If the breaker is tripped, it will be shown in the “on” position or in between the “on” or “off” position. Also, look at the line of breakers – if one is pointed in the opposite direction of all the others, this is most likely where the problem is located.
3. Reset the breaker. To reset the breaker, you need to push it back on. First, stand against the wall and use your thumb to push the lever on the breaker to the “off” position. Then walk to the other side of the panel box and use your thumb again to flip the breaker back to the “on” position”. You should hear an audible click as it flips back into the “on” position.
4. Turn back all your devices. Now you can plug back in all your electronics, but be mindful when you are using so much power at once!