Tired of that old, worn doorbell button or the sound of the chime? Replacing the doorbell components is simple. New doorbell buttons ($2 to $10) and wired or wireless doorbell chimes ($10 to $80) are available at hardware stores and home centers.
The doorbell is powered by a small transformer mounted somewhere in your house, usually close to the main panel. It’s connected to a standard electrical circuit. Shut off power to the old doorbell by turning off the main power or flipping the individual circuit breakers and testing the doorbell until it stops working.
You can replace the chime in about 10 minutes (Photos 1 – 4). The three wires—one from the transformer and one from each button—are connected to the corresponding terminal screws. Label them so you can hook them up correctly to the new chime.
Mounting the new button(s) (Photo 5) probably will involve drilling new mounting holes, and their size will be specified in the instructions.
The trickiest part of the job is working with the old doorbell wires. The wire sheathing can flake off, or the wires can break and become very short. And it’s usually impossible to pull in new bell wires. If the wires are too short for the new button, widen the hole with a chisel or utility knife and then extend the wire length with additional 18-2 doorbell wire and a couple of small wire connectors.
Or try a different style button that requires less wire length. If all else fails, pick up a wireless doorbell that comes with a battery-powered button.
Click image to enlarge.
1. Turn off the power and lift off or unscrew the old chime cover.
2. Label the individual wires with masking tape and the letter on the screw terminal. Unhook all the wires, remove the mounting screws and discard the old chime.
3. Mount the new chime to the wall with the enclosed hardware. Hook the wires to the corresponding terminal screws on the new chime.
4. Rest the new chime cover over the new chime, turn on the power and test the doorbell.
5. Remove the mounting screws, then unscrew the terminal screw wires and discard the old button. Wrap the wires clockwise around the new button terminal screws, tighten them and mount the new button.
