Home Repairs

Home Repairs merit badge requirements

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.

2. Under the supervision of your merit badge counselor, do FOUR of the following:

   a. Maintain or recondition a garden tool and show that you know how to clean up and properly store it and other tools.

   b. Weather-strip a window or door.

   c. Caulk cracks or joints open to the weather.

   d. Waterproof a basement.

   e. Repair a break in a concrete or asphalt surface.

   f. Repair the screen in a window or door.

   g. Replace a pane of glass.

   h. Solder a broken wire or metal object.

3. Under the supervision of your merit badge counselor, do THREE of the following:

   a. Install or build equipment for storing tools.

   b. Build a workbench

   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.

4. Under the supervision of your merit badge counselor, do TWO 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.

   c. Install a single-pole light switch.

   d. Replace an electrical wall outlet.

5. Under the supervision of your merit badge counselor, do TWO of the following:

   a. Clear a clogged drain or trap.

   b. Repair a leaky water faucet.

   c. Repair a flush toilet.

   d. Repair a leaky hose or connector.

   e. Clean or replace a sprinkler head.

6. Under the supervision of your merit badge counselor, do THREE of the following:

   a. Paint a wall or ceiling.

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

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

   d. Replace window blind cords.

   e. Repair or replace a window sash cord.

   f. Reinforce a picture frame.

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

• Either a parent or the merit badge counselor may supervise the Scout’s work on any Home Repairs requirements.

The official source for the information shown in this article or section is: Boy Scout Requirements, 2016 Edition (BSA Supply SKU #621535)

A FREE workbook for Home Repairs is available here! with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need! Or click here to print just the Home Repairs requirements.

meritbadge.org has PDF and DOC versions of Boy Scout merit badge workbooks, Webelos workbooks, and Cub Scout workbooks.

• Per the BSA: "You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject." Pamphlets (books) are at local Scout Shops and online at ScoutStuff.org.
• "Get a signed Merit Badge application from your Scoutmaster." An online, printable Word doc file version is available.

• Boy Scout Merit Badges: American Labor - Automotive Maintenance - Drafting - Farm Mechanics - Graphic Arts - Home Repairs - Painting - Plumbing - Surveying - Truck Transportation - Woodwork
  
• Webelos Activity Badges: Craftsman - Handyman

• An Introduction to Merit Badges – how to get started, who chooses the counselor, etc.
• Merit Badge Worksheets & Requirements – with the revision dates, diagrams, charts, checklists, logs, and links you need.
• Merit Badge Application – offers online resources to let you print "Blue Cards," etc.
• Merit Badge FAQ – answers dozens of questions like: Who can be a counselor? Can requirements be added or removed?
• Merit Badges Requiring Prior Approval – Certain requirements need prior approval. Most do not. Here is the list.
• Also see: List of how many boys have earned each Merit Badge – Merit Badge policies – Merit badges required for the Eagle Scout rank – Merit Badge Days
• Additionally: List of Merit Badges by Field of Study – Merit Badge Pamphlets & Libraries
• Merit Badge Counselors must complete Youth Protection Training, file an Adult Application (and Merit Badge Counselor Information Form); and be approved by the local council. (See the Guide for Merit Badge Counselors for additional details.)