Complete requirements for Home Repairs merit badge including basic tool safety, painting, carpentry, plumbing, electrical repairs, and home maintenance to earn this merit badge.

Requirements

  1. Safety Basics

    Do all
    Do the following:
    1. a.
      Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while working on home repairs and what you should do to anticipate, mitigate and prevent, and respond to these hazards. Describe the appropriate safety gear and clothing that should be used when working on home repairs.
    2. b.
      Discuss general precautions related to home repairs. Name at least 10 safe practices that every home repairer should exercise.

  2. Outdoor Fix-It Options

    Choose 3
    Under the supervision of your parent, guardian, or counselor, do THREE of the following:

    1. Yard Tool Tune-Up

      Maintain or recondition a yard tool and show that you know how to clean up and properly store this equipment.

    2. Weatherstripping a Door or Window

      Weather strip a window or door.

    3. Exterior Caulking

      Caulk cracks or joints open to the weather.

    4. Patching Concrete or Asphalt

      Repair a break in a concrete or asphalt surface.

    5. Screen Repair

      Repair or replace the screen in a window or door.

    6. Replacing a Window Pane

      Replace a pane of glass.

  3. Shop and Structure Projects

    Choose 3
    Under the supervision of your parent, guardian, or counselor, do THREE of the following:

    1. Tool Storage Solutions

      Install or build equipment for storing tools.

    2. Building a Workbench

      Build a workbench.

    3. Furniture Repair

      Repair a piece of furniture.

    4. Painting and Varnishing

      Paint or varnish a piece of furniture, a door, or trim on a house.

    5. Fixing a Sagging Door or Gate

      Repair a sagging door or gate.

    6. Repairing Steps and Railings

      Repair a loose step or railing.

    7. Fence Repair

      Repair a fence.

  4. Safe Electrical Repairs

    Choose 2
    Under the supervision of your parent, guardian, or counselor, do TWO of the following:

    1. Breakers and Fuses

      Locate a main electrical switch box and know how to replace a fuse or reset a circuit breaker.

    2. Cords, Plugs, and Sockets

      Replace an electrical cord or repair a plug or lamp socket.

    3. Installing a Light Switch

      Install a single-pole light switch.

    4. Replacing an Outlet

      Replace an electrical wall outlet.

  5. Water Shutoffs and Plumbing Fixes

    Choose 2
    Under the supervision of your parent, guardian, or counselor, locate and know how to turn off the main water source, including well pumps, and do TWO of the following:

    1. Clearing a Drain or Trap

      Clear a clogged drain or trap.

    2. Fixing a Leaky Faucet

      Repair a leaky water faucet.

    3. Repairing a Toilet

      Repair a flush toilet.

    4. Repairing a Hose or Connector

      Repair a leaky hose or connector.

    5. Cleaning or Replacing a Sprinkler Head

      Clean or replace a sprinkler head.

  6. Interior Repair Options

    Choose 3
    Under the supervision of your parent, guardian, or counselor, do THREE of the following:

    1. Painting a Wall or Ceiling

      Paint a wall or ceiling.

    2. Repairing Flooring

      Repair or replace damaged tile, linoleum, or vinyl flooring.

    3. Hanging Curtains or Drapes

      Install drapery or curtain rods and then hang drapes or curtains.

    4. Patching Drywall

      Repair a hole in drywall.

    5. Using Drywall Anchors

      Secure a picture, plant hanger, or other object approved by your parent or guardian to drywall using anchors.

    6. Reinforcing a Picture Frame

      Reinforce a picture frame.

    7. Mending China, Glass, or Pottery

      Mend an object made of china, glass, or pottery.

    8. Drawer and Cabinet Hardware

      Fix a drawer slide or fix/replace cabinet pulls.

  7. Future Paths in Home Repairs

    Choose 1
    Do ONE of the following:

    1. Exploring a Home Repair Career

      Explore careers related to this merit badge. Research one career to learn about the training and education needed, costs, job prospects, salary, job duties, and career advancement. Your research methods may include—with your parent or guardian’s permission—an internet or library search, an interview with a professional in the field, or a visit to a location where people in this career work. Discuss with your counselor both your findings and what about this profession might make it an interesting career.

    2. Building a DIY Hobby or Lifestyle

      Explore how you could use knowledge and skills from this merit badge to pursue a hobby or healthy lifestyle. Research any training needed, expenses, and organizations that promote or support it. Discuss with your counselor what short-term and long-term goals you might have if you pursued this.