Attempting to remove or modify your doorbell without first making sure that the electricity is off could result in a nasty shock. If your circuit breaker isn’t clearly labelled or you want to confirm that the power is off for safety’s sake, press the doorbell button. If it rings, it means there’s still current flowing to it.
Most doorbell units are situated in the hallway or foyer close to the front entrance. [3] X Research source If you’ve never replaced your doorbell before and you’re unsure where it is, have someone press the button and listen for where the sound is coming from.
It’s a good idea to tag the wires or mark the terminals with the corresponding color to help you remember what goes where. If you don’t want to go to all that trouble, simply take a snapshot with your phone. [5] X Research source Typically, there will be 1 wire for the front doorbell and 1 for the transformer, with an additional wire if you have a separate doorbell for the back door. When the doorbell is pressed, a small current is directed from the button to the box unit, activating a series of chimes. If the old doorbell wasn’t working, use a battery tester or a meter to make sure the wires are intact before you install the new doorbell. If they’re not, consider switching to a wireless doorbell, instead. [6] X Expert Source Jacob PischerHome Improvement Specialist Expert Interview. 4 September 2020.
Chuck your old doorbell in the trash, or consider having it repaired and using it as a backup in case you experience a problem with the new one.
Attaching a different model may require you to drill new holes. Use a level to line up the edges of the new unit more precisely. [9] X Research source
Use plastic anchors to keep your walls from being damaged by the screw threads. [11] X Research source Replace the screws in the upper corners first to hold the unit in place while you finish tightening the bottom corners.
Crossing up the wires could even put the doorbell in danger of shorting out.
Avoid handling the new doorbell unit while the electricity is live.
Push the button a few times to make sure it works consistently. A dysfunctional doorbell with no obvious causes may be the result of a bad wire or transformer. Call an electrician to come out and take a closer look at your doorbell’s power source and replace it if necessary. [14] X Research source
Use a small strip of tape to keep the wires from falling into the hole in the door frame while you switch out the buttons. While you have the doorbell faceplate off, it may be a good idea to test the outgoing current using a multimeter tool to see if bad wiring is to blame. [16] X Research source
If you live in a big house, you might find it useful to install 2 different doorbells for the front and back doors. Each will have a distinctive chime to let you know which door your visitors have arrived at. [17] X Research source
