How To Replace A Doorbell

Doorbell Replacements Can Be Complicated

On the surface, replacing a doorbell might seem like a simple proposition. However, locating all of the components (inside the wall and out) can be more complicated than that. Here are the components to find:

The transformer: This is a square block typically located near the electrical panel, in a closet near the front door, or in the basement mounted to a joist under the front door. The chime: This is the box that makes noise when someone presses the doorbell. It’s usually located above the front door. The doorbell: Mounted outside the front door.

Once you locate these items, the job may move forward quickly. If not, there’s more work to be done. This guide will explain the latter.

How To Replace a Doorbell

Resources

Heath installs a doorbell using the old doorbell wiring. The previous homeowners disabled the doorbell and buried the old chime location in the wall.

How to Repair a Broken Doorbell

Heath uses a tone generator to find the location of the old wiring. After confirming there is doorbell wiring behind the front hall walls, Heath uses a magnetic stud finder to confirm the location of the studs. Knowing where the studs are tells Heath where the bay in the wall is, so he can run wire to the chime. After deciding where the chime will go, Heath uses a box cutter to cut a square opening to feed the wire through the wall. Using electric fish tape, he can run the thermostat wire to the chime and the basement. To connect the power, Heath installs a new transformer in the basement near the electrical panel.

Materials

Telephone wire Electrical tape Fish tape Doorbell transformer Doorbell chime Doorbell button

Tools