Handyman Sydney

Home Improvement, Home Repair And Home Renovation

How to install a doorbell

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Photo: goodgearguide.com.au
Photo: goodgearguide.com.au

Although there are doorbells, which are air operated, called manual doorbells, most are now operated by low voltage supplied from batteries or a transformer. They comprise a bell or chime unit located on an inside wall, usually near the door, a push-button outside on the door frame at about an adult’s chest-height, and twin bell wire connecting the two. Some doorbells come complete with everything you need to install them, others require you to supply the wiring, push button and fixings as extras. The choice of styles is very wide these days. Doorbells come in multi facet designs, with textured metal surfaces or ceramic tile inserts, or with long anodized metal chime tubes. Some chimes have a signal for one door only, others incorporate two different signals -one for the front, and one for another door.

 

How To install a Doorbell

1. Decide on the best location for the chime or bell unit. Chimes sound best when fixed in the hallway about 2m from the floor. Fix tube types away from droughts or places where people will keep brushing against them. Do not install the bell unit over radiant heat sources such as stove or radiator, or on the door itself where it will be subjected to vibration.

2 Remove the back from the bell or chime unit. It will usually pride apart with your fingers.

3. Measure out a length of twin bell wire long enough to travel between bell unit and push button. Leave some slack so it can be tucked away behind moldings or door-frame.

4. Attach the two ends of the wire to terminals in the bell unit and on the push button as directed by the manufacturer.

5. Mount both units in desired positions. Fix wiring out of sight with wiring nails or staples hammered into place every few centimeters.

6. Fit the number and size of batteries specified. Some doorbells can be fitted with an appropriate transformer if mains operation is desired. This reduces the mains power to a low voltage and makes the system safe. On no account should the doorbell be connected directly to the mains.

Material you’ll need:

  • Doorbell and instructions
  • Twin bell wire
  • Warring nails or staplers
  • Push button
  • Batteries or transformer
  • Antistatic cloth

Tools you’ll need:

  • Penknife
  • Screwdriver
  • Hammer

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What is Plumbing

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home plumbing system
Photo: preferredplumber.com

Although the plumbing in your home may seem complicated, it really comes down to two simple systems: one for bringing water to your home and another to draw
away waste and used water.

In coming water supply. see photo.The most common kinds of pipes used in homes are copper and galvanized iron. Plastic piping is now being used more and more as technology gets over problems such as high water temperatures. At present, copper is probably the most desirable material for piping because it is non-rust and does not build up scale which can clog galvanized piping. Rust, which can occur in galvanized pipes, not only discolors and “tastes” water, but can stain fixtures and clothing washed in it.

Because the water reaching your home is under pressure, you have only to turn on a tap and the pressure forces the water out. This pressure also ensures that the water can travel wherever it is needed, upstairs, around corners or whatever. All the water comes to your home as cold water. lt is fed through pipes to all cold water outlets and one part of the cold water system carries water to the water heater. From here, the hot water is carried to the required fixtures such as shower and kitchen sink.

Water heaters

There are several different water heating systems you can have installed. The simplest is the instantaneous type which supplies hot water to one or more outlets. Turning on the tap automatically switches on the water heater, whether it is gas or electric operated. Another heater is the storage type which has a tank or cylinder in which heated water is stored until drawn off, when cold water comes into the tank to replace it. Storage heaters contain their own heating element and the tank is usually sited near the main draw-off point, such as the kitchen. Storage heaters come in different forms. It may heat and store water during periods of low fuel demand (called off-peak). Ask about various kinds of water heating at your supplier.

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