Superior Fix Handyman

This was a good one.

Got called out to a rental property for flickering lights and to replace a thermostat.

The thermostat was in rough shape, so I replaced it as requested. After the replacement, I noticed the furnace still wasn't working and found a failed transformer. Replaced the transformer, and the furnace fired right up.

The lights were still flickering, though. I checked the electrical panel multiple times, and everything looked normal. Finally, one of the times I checked it, I caught the problem: one leg was around 100 volts to neutral and the other was around 140 volts to neutral.

The property had an overhead service, so ComEd was called. They found and repaired a bad neutral connection on their end, and everything returned to normal.

Replaced a blown fuse in an older panel and cleared a clog.

Outside, fixed a bad GFCI setup—extension plate was wrapped in electrical tape (not waterproof). Found a 20A outlet on 14-gauge wire, so I:

Installed a 15A weather-resistant GFCI
Added a proper sealed box
Swapped the breaker to 15A

⚠️ 14-gauge wire on a 20A breaker = fire risk.

Clearing some main drains out, replacing a remote for a ceiling fan, replacing a light and a smoke detector.

Replacing old and broken outlets, also adding in GFCI protection for the kitchen counter top. I didn't put the covers back on because they were in the middle of painting.

Got called out for an electric stove that “wasn’t working.”
Turned out the stove wasn’t the problem — the electrical was.

This house has an old Wadsworth panel, and the stove was on a 20-amp, 240V breaker — totally undersized. It kept tripping… and here’s the kicker:
the breaker didn’t even look tripped. I had to turn it OFF and back ON to get power.

Wiring was sized correctly, so I upgraded it to a 30-amp breaker.

While I was in there, I found another hidden problem:
a 50-amp dryer breaker feeding 40-amp wire. Not in use now, but if someone ever plugged a dryer into it, the breaker wouldn’t trip. Fire risk.

Because it’s an older Wadsworth panel, UL-listed replacement breakers aren’t cheap —
Well over $100 each — but it was the right way to fix it.

End result:
✔ Stove works
✔ Breakers sized correctly
✔ Future fire risk eliminated

Old panels hide dangerous stuff most people never catch.

Another day, another set of fixes done the right way 👌

🔧 Electric baseboard thermostat replacement
Before & after on an electric baseboard thermostat that was failing. New thermostat installed, tested, and dialed in for proper operation and comfort.

⚡ Electrical panel correction (important one)
Found a tandem breaker that wasn’t fully seated in the panel. The issue wasn’t the breaker itself — it was installed in a location not approved for tandem breakers, even though the home was only a few years old.
Breaker was relocated to the correct, manufacturer-approved position so it seats properly and operates safely.

💡 Exterior light replacement
Old fixture out, new exterior light installed and secured — clean, simple upgrade that makes a big difference.

This is the kind of stuff that often gets missed, rushed, or done “close enough.” I take the time to do it correctly and safely, even when it’s not obvious at first glance.

Replaced a bathroom fan exhaust motor, replaced a bad pull chain light. The red wire nuts you see in the picture is prone to burn and I seen quite a few so Everytime I see them I replaced the wire nut. Looking them up apparently the plastic is thinner in that area and when there is heat it burns up over time. That's just my experience when I see those types of red wire nuts. Also got called for a sewage back up, crawl space was full but I was able to clear it on the roof. This is a job where you say well it's better you than me. Here is a video if you want to see the struggle lol https://youtu.be/nvJaRN1Ca8Y?si=CvLHLZVyRPdgdqsh

I got called out to this rental, it was for a tripping circuit breaker. When I got there I realized it was a arc fault breaker. It's an older property, so what usually what happens is that they usually have too much on 1 circuit. So I went around unplugging stuff, checking for high power using items and I didn't see any. I looked up and seen a light full of water. I drained the lense and replaced the wire splices and everything worked. I let them know they have a roof leak.

Unclogging some drains and toilets
Had to free up a drain snake that they got stuck in the pipe
Fixed some sliding glass shower doors
Pulling some roots out of a main drain line
Troubleshooting a tripping breaker and found out the light was full of water causing the GFCI breaker to trip (roof leak).

Big thanks to Sanyipace for sending me their sewer camera & locator kit to test out in the field. 📹🔍
I put it through its paces — here’s how it actually performed!

Sanyipace Sewer Camera Review 2025 – Pipe Inspection Camera & Locator Field Test $70 Discount Code: Handy70S510DSRKM: https://bit.ly/4d9zy16?ref=HandyS8951DSTM + S68R (Locator): https://bit.ly/3PW69xT?ref=HandySanyipace Website: https://s...