Well, here we go again! Flooding rains are all across the U.S. and there will be cleanup underway when the floodwaters finally go down. Sometimes these floodwaters come without warning. Sump pump sometimes are no match for the swollen rivers and streams when they come out of their banks. They approach your homes and then enter, only to do damage and leave a mess inside.

When flood waters suddenly inundate your home without warning, the damage can be catastrophic. You're suddenly forced from your home because of rising water and many times, everything must be left behind. Of course, you can't wait to get back into your home following the disaster. As soon as the water stops rising and it begins to fall, you figure that it is now safe to go in and start evaluating the damage. Not so fast! There are plenty of hidden dangers that have to be thought out before entering your home. Don't become a statistic by coming back home too soon! Know what to do!

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Adding receptacles in an existing wall can be challenging, but it can be done. There are flexible bits that can be purchased to get wires through existing studs or you can try this method.

This method involves cutting away some of the base drywall to expose the wall studs. Once exposed, they are easily accessible for drilling and pulling wires through the drilled holes. The best part is, if you're lucky, the base trim can often cover the cut portion of the drywall that you removed. You may not even have to mud the seam back!

Adding a few receptacles from time to time is necessary to allow just the right amount of recepacles on each wall. Older homes are notorious about having too few outlets and this is a way to increase the number of outlets without taking an entire wall apart. Are you ready to add an outlet?

Receptacles, or outlets as they are often called, are an integral part of every home and its electrical system. They are used in combination with cords and plugs to connect many different electronic devices, electrical devices, and machinery to your home's electrical power. There are many different styles, types, and colors of receptacles, but each has its place in a home, garage, or out building.

There are outlets for 120-volt connections and those that are for 240-volt installations. Some have specific uses like air conditioner, electric dryer, electric range, isolated ground, clock, GFCI, and several twist lock outlets.

You may be building a new home that you'll need to know how to wire and install some of these outlets and I'm going to show you how in this handy step by step.

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Receptacles are a convenient way to plug all types of appliances and lighting into to supply power. However, these convenient devices have their share of problems over the years. Here is a look at the many things that can go wrong.

Over time, there is wear and tear on the contact points of receptacles from use. Being a mechanical device, this leads to a breakdown of the contact surface and the tension of the contact blades themselves. This tension allows the rceptacle to hold the cord plug firmly within the contact blades for maximum contact. If the plug is falling out of the receptacle, it's a prelude to trouble.

Then again, there are some ohter trouble points like outdated outlets without grounds and cracked outlets, not to mention some receptacles that have defective covers or noneat all! For you and your family's safety, please take a few minutes this week to look over, test, and change if needed, your receptacles that do so much for you everyday. A few dollars now will be well worth the peace of mind.

That's why before you plug in that extension cord, desk lamp, or toater, you should examine the receptacle for trouble spots. Are you ready to find recepacle troublespots?

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Photo: Timothy Thiele