All merit badges
Requirements
NOTE: A parent, guardian, or the counselor may supervise the Scout's work on any Home Repairs requirements.
NOTE: The official merit badge pamphlets are now free and downloadable HERE or can be purchased at the Scout Shop.
1.
Do the following:
(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.
(b)
Discuss general precautions related to home repairs. Name at least 10 safe practices that every home repairer should exercise.
Resource:
10 Rules for Safety (video)2.
Under the supervision of your parent, guardian, or counselor, do THREE of the following:
Complete 3 of the following
(a)
Maintain or recondition a yard tool and show that you know how to clean up and properly store this equipment.
(b)
Weatherstrip a window or door.
Resource:
How To Install Weatherstripping (video)(c)
Caulk cracks or joints open to the weather.
(d)
Repair a break in a concrete or asphalt surface.
(e)
Repair or replace the screen in a window or door.
Resource:
How to Repair a Window Screen (video)(f)
Replace a pane of glass.
3.
Under the supervision of your parent, guardian, or counselor, do THREE of the following:
Complete 3 of the following
(a)
Install or build equipment for storing tools.
(b)
Build a workbench.
Resource:
DIY Simple Workbench (video)(c)
Repair a piece of furniture.
(d)
Paint or varnish a piece of furniture, a door, or trim on a house.
(e)
Repair a sagging door or gate.
(f)
Repair a loose step or railing.
(g)
Repair a fence.
Resource:
How to Repair a Fence (video)4.
Under the supervision of your parent, guardian, or counselor, do TWO of the following:
Complete 2 of the following
(a)
Locate a main electrical switch box and know how to replace a fuse or reset a circuit breaker.
(b)
Replace an electrical cord or repair a plug or lamp socket.
Resource:
How to Replace a Lamp Cord (video)(c)
Install a single-pole light switch.
Resource:
How to Replace a Light Switch (video)(d)
Replace an electrical wall outlet.
Resource:
How To Change an Outlet (video)5.
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:
Complete 2 of the following
(a)
Clear a clogged drain or trap.
Resource:
How to Unclog Any Drain (video)(b)
Repair a leaky water faucet.
Resource:
How to Repair a Leaking Faucet (video)(c)
Repair a flush toilet.
(d)
Repair a leaky hose or connector.
Resource:
How to Repair a Garden Hose (video)(e)
Clean or replace a sprinkler head.
6.
Under the supervision of your parent, guardian, or counselor, do THREE of the following:
Complete 3 of the following
(a)
Paint a wall or ceiling.
Resource:
How to Paint a Wall (video)(b)
Repair or replace damaged tile, linoleum, or vinyl flooring.
Resource:
How to Patch a Sheet Vinyl Floor (video)(c)
Install drapery or curtain rods and then hang drapes or curtains.
Resource:
How to Hang Curtain Rods (video)(d)
Repair a hole in drywall.
Resource:
How to Patch a Drywall Hole (video)(e)
Secure a picture, plant hanger, or other object approved by your parent or guardian to drywall using anchors.
(f)
Reinforce a picture frame.
(g)
Mend an object made of china, glass, or pottery.
(h)
Fix a drawer slide or fix/replace cabinet pulls.
7.
Do ONE of the following:
Complete 1 of the following
(a)
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.
(b)
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.