Sawdust on the Floor

Every home, apartment or trailer needs to have working smoke detectors installed. National building codes now require builders to install smoke detectors in all new homes, some communities are also requiring smoke detectors be installed in apartments and school dormitories. Many older homes do not fall under these new requirements, but the need still is very real.

Installing a battery operated smoke detector is a real simple project. Going to the store and buying it is often the hardest part. Installation is a simple matter of finding an appropriate location, mounting the device to the wall or ceiling, installing batteries and you’re done. If you can install your device into a wall stud, then simply screw it to the wall, if not use Molly Bolts, designed for drywall. If you are replacing or upgrading, you may have move the mounting holes. If so simply fill the old holes with Fast Patch and then sand.

A word about the location, fire marshals recommend that a smoke detector be installed on each floor, outside any room that can be used for sleeping. I have found out that you want to avoid installing a smoke detector directly outside a bathroom door as the mist caused by a hot shower can cause a false alarm from the smoke detector whenever the bathroom door is opened. Other than that, any place that is accessible to you will work fine. Remember that you have to replace the batteries twice a year. I try to change mine each year when we set the clocks ahead or back for day light savings time as is recommended.

Some smoke detectors work off the household power and some municipalities actually require them in new construction. The advantage to these, is that you don’t have to replace the batteries each year, the down side is if you loose power, then you loose the effectiveness of the smoke detector. I would recommend that if you have powered units, that you back them up with battery operated units. Installing a line voltage unit is not as easy as installing the battery operated units. There are several requirements that have to be met, the first is that you have an electrical power source for the smoke detector, and that this source not be controlled by any electrical switch. It wouldn’t make any sense to have a smoke detector that could inadvertently be turned off. Most line voltage smoke detectors are connected directly to the circuit breaker panel, Some of the more advanced units are interconnected with other line voltage smoke detectors in the house, so that if one detects smoke the rest will sound the same alarm. If you are rewiring your home, then the line voltage units may make more sense, than the battery operated units.

If you are considering adding line voltage units, look for our article on smoke detectors 102, installing line voltage units coming soon.

Smoke detectors range in price from around $10.00 to $50.00. Some, like the Kiddie model 21006672, combine a smoke detector with a Carbon Monoxide detector. Carbon Monoxide is a tasteless, odorless poison that can be present in any home that is heated by a gas furnace. It is recommended that you have Carbon Monoxide detectors in every location that you have a device that burns natural or propane gas.

If you happen to have an alarm system installed in your home, most alarm companies offer the installation of both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that are connected to the alarm systems monitoring package. That way if the alarm sounds while you are away from home, the Alarm company can alert the local fire Department.

When you are at the store purchasing a smoke detector, consider also picking up a fire extinguisher, something else that every home should have.

Replacing a door knob on an existing door is a relativity easy project that almost anyone can tackle. In most cases the only tools that you will need is a Phillips screw driver, a utility knife, and maybe a chisel

Let’s start with the easy part, removing the old door knob. There are basically two styles of door knobs, and depending on which type you have will determine how we take the old one off.

The door knob handle and the trim ring will either be a one piece unit or two separate pieces. Start by looking under the handle of your existing door. Look for a small set screw, which is loosened by using a Hex Head wrench, (also known as an Allen Wrench) or a small rectangular button. If you have the set screw, simply back out the setscrew, and pull the handle off. If your door knob has the button, use a small screw driver to depress the button, and the handle will pull off the shaft. If the old knob doesn’t have either the set screw or button, it is a one piece and the handle and the trim ring will come off as one piece.

Door knobs are made up of two pieces, one on the face side of the door and the other on the back side of the door. There are two screws normally installed on the back side the door which hold the two pieces together. Removing these two screws will remove the two halves of the knob.

Now you will have to remove the mechanism from the edge of the door itself. Simply remove the two screws, and pull the mechanism out of the door. Now you can remove the strike plate, which is on the door jam itself. This is also held on with two Phillips screws. Congratulations, you’re half way there.

We start by installing the new mechanism (plunger assembly) into the door. Look at the end of the part, the plunger will have a flat edge; this always goes away from the door jam. When you install the part into the edge of the door it must fit flat. Sometimes the new piece will be a bit larger then the part you removed. If your door is made of a soft wood, you can carefully cut out the offending wood. If the door happens to be made out of a hardwood, then you may need to use a sharp chisel to remove the wood. Once the plunger assembly fits flat, fasten it with two screws.

Now let’s install the two halves of the door knob. Start with the face side. It should simply push into the existing hole. On some door knobs, you may have to depress the plunger to get the parts to fit together correctly. The face piece will have a shaft that passes thru the plunger assembly and out the other side of the door. Then place the back side of the door knob on the shaft. Just like the two screws that held the old knob together, the new one will have two screws that hold the two halves together. One word of advice, tighten the screws evenly, if one side is too tight the knob will bind.

The last thing to do is replace the strike plate on the door jam. Simply install the new one using the new screws. Check your new knob to be sure it functions ok. If the plunger binds, then check the screws hold the halves together. If the door will not latch, check the strike plate. You may need to move it further away from the door stop. If the door rattles when closed, move the strike plate closer to the door stop.