Getting to the Root of the Problem

Before using wiring tools for your bathroom, first time renovators should check with their local building inspectors prior to carrying out any electrical work in their home. From voltage testers to wire cutting pliers, putting together a comprehensive kit of quality electrician’s tools will initially cost you less than if you hired a professional trade person to do the job.

Installing electric wires in your bathing space can be a major home improvement task but even unskilled home owners can master the basics of connecting circuits with the proper tools and training. Often, the work takes only a few hours and essentially even longer jobs can be accomplished over a free weekend. The type of electrical tools needed depends on the type of wirework and the exact problem in the facility.

Conducting the Right Repairs

Before working on the circuits in your home, make sure that you really do have an electrical issue by identifying common symptoms of lighting system problems. A good piece of equipment to have is a multitester which tests your voltage and checks devices for electrical damage.

You might notice that the lights in the bathroom flicker frequently. If a single wall scone flickers, try screwing the bulb tighter in the socket. If the problem relates to the system of electric distribution, you should notice multiple lights flickering. Take heart that most of the fixtures around your home operated by electricity can be fixed with the right instruments and some very basic washroom rewiring knowledge.

Your lighting circuit problem might manifest itself in different ways. Instead of flickering, your ceiling lights might fail and not turn on or off when you flick the light switch. You might also notice a mild electric shock when you touch the button. An electrical shock indicates a serious problem with your room’s wiring and must be addressed immediately.

Don`t Forget to Include This Device

A handy device to have on your electrician’s belt is a receptacle analyzer, this instrument indicates if a receptacle is grounded and polarized when plugging in your small appliances.

Most newbie renovators forget to include this tool in their toolbox but one of the things you typically need for an electric distribution project is a cutting device, such as a jig or circular saw. While these devices a re not conventional electrician’s tools they in fact are needed to cut through the walls to gain access to the circuitry behind the drywall.

Mark the Location of Wall Studs

A circular saw has a large round blade that cuts smoothly through different surfaces, while a jig saw has a flat blade, designed for cutting through flat surfaces. Both saws are appropriate for cutting through the walls in your home, as the blade is strong enough to penetrate the plaster, drywall and any wallpaper or decorations on the surface of the wall.

When using a saw, be careful that you do not cut through the timber frame of your home. A stud finder lets you quickly locate the braces inside the walls, which give you an idea of the frame`s location. Cutting through the frame is dangerous because the frame serves as the base or foundation of the room. Try sketching directly on the walls, marking the location of each part of the frame so you know what to avoid.

Testing the Current

Once you have access to the wires inside the walls, you need a test meter instrument. Most test meters have two cords that attach to a small box. When you connect the cords to the wires, the box indicates the level of current passing through the area. With this, you quickly identify any faulty wires, as well as those lines without any electrical current. Use the test meter and mark the faulty cables that it finds for replacement.

Don’t Get Shocked

After finding the bad wires, you must turn off the power to the restroom. Do not work on any circuits as long as current moves through the system, as you increase your risk of electrical shock[...]