Weekend Mr. Fix It

As a homeowner, I am always looking at my house and the little projects that need to be done. I've never generated a list of things to work on as I thought it would depress me, but things that need attention often make themselves known. The bathroom exhaust fan became the big one when the noise it would make was awful. However, this repair would involve playing with electricity, which is not my favorite activity.

Saturday, I was feeling my oats and decided today was the day to tackle the job. After a visit to Home Depot where I kept being distracted by blue collar daddy bear types, I came home with the necessary tools and the replacement fan. My house was built in the 1970's and the fan model was small and I'm pretty sure unavailable. So I got the smallest size I could find. I figured out which breaker switch shut of the power to the bathroom, checked for no current, and started to work.

After spending the next hour sweating and cursing in prying the old fan housing from the ceiling (I only drew blood once), I got my new little handsaw out and cut the hole to fit the new fan. Luckily the wiring part was fairly simple as was connecting the old exhaust hose. I hammered the new housing in place, connected the new fan, and flipped the power back on. The moment of truth came when I flipped the switch and the sweet sound and feel of a working fan came about. It really does feel good to have that handyman moment when things work out, especially when the house doesn't catch fire.

I looked in the mirror and I looked like I'd been to war. Covered in drywall dust and fluffs of fallen insulation, I thought I needed a picture for posterity. I love that drill, one of the best purchases I've ever made. So the bathroom is now all clean again and I'm a happy camper.