The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

Care And Repair Of The House

How Repairs Are Made.

The first step is to loosen the screws inside the plug cap and remove any short pieces of wire which may be attached to the screws (See fig. 29.) Then clip the end of the cord and push it through the hole in the cap from the rounded side. Next, split and remove the outside braid of the cord for about 1 inch from the end, which will expose the two separately covered wires within. Then carefully remove the insulation from these wires and scrape them until bright. To relieve pulling strain on the individual wires, tie them together in a knot intended to rest in the recessed part of the cap. (See fig. 29.) The knot portion should not have the insulation scraped on, and the knot should be wrapped with a small piece of friction tape.

Twist the strands of each wire to keep them together, wind clockwise, one wire around each of the binding screws, and tighten the screws. The tightening of the screws should also tighten the wires around them. Be sure there is no opportunity for bare wires to come in contact with each other. If there is, remove the screws and shorten the bare portions.

As a finishing touch to the job, snip off the loose ends of wire and pull the cord until the knot and wires settle firmly inside the cap.

New Cord—Type to be Used.

If a cord becomes badly worn, it should be replaced with a new one. It is advisable to get a reinforced cord of a make approved by the Underwriters' Laboratories. A type S cord is recommended for use in a garage, or wherever it will be subjected to severe usage.

Miscellaneous

1. HOW TO STOP CREAKING OF FLOORS

If the boards in a floor are not properly laid, or not well attached to the joists or sub floor, they will creak when walked upon.

The trouble may be due to improper nailing, warping of the boards or floor joists, or faulty construction of the floor as a whole.

The boards in warping may have loosened or drawn out the nails or perhaps an insufficient number of nails were used in the first place.