Thanks, Dad, for Teaching Me How to Change a Lightbulb
Had it not been for you, I would have sat here in the dark
For some reason Father’s Day is the one holiday when Americans celebrate how handy our dads are. It seems so unfair to men who struggle to flip a light switch.
A few years ago, a survey conducted for HomeAdvisor* found that 47% of Americans considered themselves “handy.” As to where they got their home-improvement knowledge, 43% of the respondents said they picked it up from their parents.
“Wow, we’re a nation of Do-It-Yourselfers!” I thought to myself.
Then, I read a list of “projects” that respondents said they felt most comfortable doing. Here is a ranking, with the percentage who said they could comfortably execute the task:
Change a lightbulb - 69%
Build a piece of ‘assembly-required’ furniture - 59%
Unclog a drain - 58%
Change the batteries in a smoke alarm - 53%
Unclog a toilet - 49%
Paint a room - 48%
Find a stud - 49%
Replace the filter on an HVAC unit - 40%
Mow the lawn - 39%
Hang a picture or piece of art - 38%
Is it just me? Or do most of these tasks make it just a little too easy for people to earn their “handy” bona fides? OK, sure, I could never operate a drain auger to clean out tree roots clogging a sewer line. But I can handle a plunger. Would I use a 20-foot extension ladder to paint a second-story house gable? Probably not. But I can repaint my bathroom.
Here’s a more challenging list of DIY projects from Family Handyman. The headline: 12 Easy Things Everyone Should Know How to Fix:
Fix a wobbly ceiling fan
Fix a running toilet
Fix squeaky floors
Fix a crack in drywall
Fix a leaky faucet
Fix cracked grout
Fix an unbalanced washing machine
Fix a clogged drain
Fix common refrigerator problems
Fix gutters
Fix a water heater pilot light
Fix leather and vinyl
Speaking for myself, I think many of these are doable, but I know my limitations:
First, if the job wasn’t done correctly in the first place—if there’s faulty wiring or wonky plumbing, for example—I will call a professional.
Second, I wouldn’t attempt to replace the circuit board or fan on my refrigerator. Family Handyman readers may find it easy, but I would tank the fridge. Similarly, I’m not going to replace the thermocouple on my hot water heater. Not in my skill set.
Some jobs are easier with two people, such as when one person is on a ladder to fix the wobbly ceiling fan, the other person is on the ground. And if a repair involves entering the crawl space underneath the house, count me out.
Remember that some little problems may point to big problems. A crack in the drywall may be an indicator of foundation issues. Recurring toilet clogs could mean major septic or sewer issues. If you suspect this, call a pro.
And, yes, Happy Father’s Day!
*****