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What are the different types of drywall anchors, and what are the advantages of each? I recently put up wire shelving in my pantry, and spent forever figuring out what type of drywall anchor I should use. I even found several types that I didn't even know existed. It might be good to have a reference page for drywall a...	Recently I saw anchors where you drill a 1 inch hole in the drywall and this big contraption grips the inside of the drywall and is effectively a bigger version of toggle bolts (made by Moen and they're called SecureMount ). I almost always use the self-drilling stud solver type anchors.
Wood for boarding a loft? I want to board out my loft - just for easy storage of things like tools, boxes, old clothes, suitcases, small unused furtniture etc (i.e. nothing too heavy). I am wondering what kind of boards to buy for this purpose. Most of the boards I see advertised for doing this are chipboard, but they ...	For occassional storage chipboard or any plywood 1/2" or greater will be fine. I would probably recommend you use "real" plywood though rather than the chipboard stuff.
What are the pros and cons of different types of windows? I live in the North Eastern corner of US, and my house has 50 year old single-pane wooden windows. They held up not too bad, considering, but now I want to replace them all. Things that are important to me are: Decent energy efficiency (this, hopefully, is eas...	First, the cost of the windows themselves is only part of the equation. One important factor when choosing a material is environmental. Vinyl may also become brittle in extreme cold. So if you live in a place where you regularly expect extremes in temperature, I would avoid vinyl.
Why are my deck boards of uneven width? I bought 12-foot-long 5/4 x 6 in pressure-treated pine deck board from Home Depot. Not until I laid them down did I notice that the boards' width tapers significantly toward the ends of each board. See the picture below. My deck is finished (as of last night—yay!), but just so...	This may come from different moisture levels in the wood.
Does decking board orientation really matter? I've been told that decking boards should always be installed "bark side up" so that the boards crown (and shed water) as they age rather than cup (and collect water). But then I've also heard that it should be done the other way around. And I've also heard that it just ...	Although both ways are advised by different sources, I have built dozens of decks in Maine as a contractor and have found that pressure treated and cedar boards almost always crown to the bark side and recommend the bark side face outward.
What can I use to hang a frameless mirror? I'm looking to hang a mirror on the wall on my bathroom. It weighs about 20 or so lbs. There are no built in hooks on the back of the mirror? What should I use to hang this thing? <Q> They are no where near as big as a j channel and the top two have a small spring inside of th...	At Home Depot (or Lowes) you should be able to find these Spring Loaded Mirror Mounting Clips made specially for hanging a mirror.
Can a bathroom vanity be installed higher than 30 inches? "Standard" bathroom vanities are 30", where as kitchen counter tops are typically 36". For me (6' tall), the 30" vanity is rather low. Is there any reason to leave vanities that height, or can they be installed higher? Is there any practical downside to having...	Depending on your height, most people would find a taller vanity to be more comfortable. A 36" height is not uncomfortably tall for anyone but small children (which is why they're only used in the master bath).
How can I speed up my slow hot water? Our water heater (gas) is located in the garage. It is 25 to 30 feet away from the closest faucet, which I'm guessing is the main reason it takes so long -- a minute or longer -- to get hot water flowing into my house. What can I do to reduce the time it takes to get hot water flo...	The best way to speed up hot water to the tap is through the use of a booster heater, also known as a "point of use" hot water heater.
Should I apply car wax to the outside of my air conditioning unit? Through different conversations with family members and friends, I have been told that it is good to apply a coat of car wax to the outside of the air conditioning unit frame. I assume that this is to maintain a protective seal and prevent corrosion. Ha...	If you're interested in keeping the unit looking nice from the outside, then it could help.
How do I hang shelves on poor quality brick/concrete walls? I'm trying to install some shelves in my apartment (brick/concrete) but when I drill holes the walls almost seem like they're made of sand. I'm not able to securely fix the screws (I'm using wall plugs) and the shelves appear like they're going to fall down at...	but if you had an alcove you could fix vertical battens up the sides and then hang the shelves between those.
Electric Fireplace worth it The wife is bent on getting an Electric heater for the living room. We opted not to purchase the gas fireplace when we built our home (through Ryan). She claims these things can cost up to $1000. She has a guy on craigslist thats trying to get rid of his for < $200. Says he bought it pre...	I really doubt it will affect your property values one way or the other unless you do some kind of permanent installation.
What are the black spots on my bathroom ceiling? Are they mold? My bathroom above my tub is getting some black spots on it that seems to be growing. I assume it's mold. I am wondering how should I deal with this? What should I expect it to cost? <Q> What you do next depends on this. <S> Assuming it is mold you need t...	And then make sure you ventilate your bathroom well after taking a shower (or whenever the humidity levels in the bathroom increase). First find out whether it is mold or not.
Will running a dehumidifier near new concrete cause it to cure poorly? I have a new house with high humidity in the basement. Will running a dehumidifier constantly cause the new concrete to cure poorly? <Q> 1) <S> The issues around curing concrete too quickly are where the concrete is thin and in direct sunlight (i.e...	The concrete in your basement has cured enough to be structurally sound.
How wide should I make my game-room if I want to fit a "full-size" pool table in it? I'm starting to look at finishing my basement, and am playing with a couple different layouts. I definitely want to put a pool table down there - and later sell the house with this being one of the big selling points. Length shouldn't...	At a minimum, you'll want 5 feet in every direction around the table to have enough room to use a full size stick.
Is a gas water heater safe in a bedroom? My existing water heater is electric and is likely to need replacing soon. The heater is in a converted garage that I use as a guest room. As the house is piped for gas, I'm considering the purchase of a gas water heater to replace the electric one. Is there any hazard with a ...	In order to make the install safe, ensure that the new gas water heater is properly vented through the ceiling.
How often should the air filter in the furnace be changed? Does the period of change of this air filter have an affect on the longevity of the heating and a/c system? What is a good rule of thumb to require replacement? <Q> Dirty filters not only make the HVAC equipment not last as long, but the low air flow makes them...	The rule of thumb is every 3 months but it does depend on the filter and your air quality. In general, the cheapest filters that cost only a couple of bucks have to be replaced once a month.
How can I have a pond but prevent mosquitos to nest there? I would like to have a small waterfall leading into a small pond in my garden. Due to the Westnile virus, it is essential here to prevent mosquitoes to nest. What can I do to prevent mosquitoes to be able to nest in it? <Q> A couple options: <S> Make it smal...	In addition to introducing predators like fish and dragonflies and moving water, many folks use Rabon blocks which are fed to livestock to prevent flies and mosquitoes from breeding in the animal waste.
Good low cost tools for woodwork I'm starting to get into some woodwork for building a desk for my home and I need to purchase some tools, but I'm not really sure of what to look for to determine if a tool is of good quality. I don't want superb top of the line tools as I won't be using them that often but I need some...	For power tools I find that Ryobi has decent tools for a good prices.
Why does my kitchen faucet cut out intermittently? Sometimes when I'm running water from my kitchen faucet, it will cut out for no apparent reason. It doesn't seem to matter if I'm running hot or cold water (or a mixture), but does seem to happen more often if I'm running the faucet fully open. I can usually fix it b...	The valve that diverts the water to the spray nozzle may be (partially) clogged or defective.
Is it normal to miter the non-pivoting edge of a door? Recently I've seen someone miter the edge of a bathroom and closet door so it swings shut without hitting the door frame. I've never seen this before -- is it normal? Clarification: The edge that was mitered was the part that would swing into the door frame first ...	This may be necessary to repair an old door and frame where age may have been a factor in reducing clearances.
Plugging a hole in the ceiling We had an electrician install a light in our ceiling. In the process he had to move the fitting about 10 centimeters which left a hole roughly three centimeters in diameter. He tried to pug it using filler which is a disaster. What's the best way for a hack like myself to plug this hol...	After you have spackled and attached the patch, then spackle all over the patch to smooth it out. Correct way to do it is as instructed on 'Canada's worst Handyman'
How can I seal the grout on kitchen wall tiles to give lasting stain and mold protection? I have 1.5mm of white grout between rectified white tiles on my kitchen walls as a splashback (or backsplash in North America *) behind the sink and cooktop and I'm concerned about stains from food and mould. I've read on the we...	Grout sealer would be the obvious way to do it, but another way would be to have the tile reglazed.
What are the recommended settings for a dual-zone air conditioning unit? What are the recommended settings for an air conditioning unit that is dual-zone? Meaning, if I have a house that is two stories I know that in Florida they recommend you keep it at 78 F in the summer and 69 in the winter, but the top half of the ...	A simple solution is just to set the thermostats up with an allowance between them to compensate for the thermal convection.
How do I seal seams between bricks on a patio without using sand? I have a patio that's made of bricks with fine sand filling the gaps. This is turning out to be a maintenance hassle. Every time the kid or dog gets mud or crud on the patio I hose it off and manage to blow more and more sand out of the cracks. Is ther...	You could mix up a fine sand & cement mixture brush that into the gaps then water the patio to turn that into mortar in place.
re-using wood from a concrete form? I strive to not waste materials wherever possible, and "use once then discard" methods are particularily irksome. So with this mind, what suggestions do you have for enabling re-use of lumber used for concrete forms? <Q> If you use it for a form again no problem . . <S> . <S> otherwi...	Anybody that's ever watched a concrete skyscraper go up in New York knows that you can reuse lumber forms again and again.
How do I compensate for the sun confusing my garage door opener's sensors? Only during summer and only when the sun is close to the horizon the light from the sun confuses my garage door opener and in order to close the door I have to hold down the wired button which is a real pain if I'm leaving. A friend suggested I...	You could swap the emitter and detector units so that the emitter is on the sunlit side. Perhaps a polarized filter for a camera would be taped or somehow fixed to the unit. I cut one lens off and slid it behind the sensor so that it covers the lens: I used an old pair of polarized plastic safety sunglasses that were $...
Are High End Furnace Filters worth the cost? There are many levels of furnace filters. I can get cheap ones at walmart of a few bucks. Then there are ones that cost upwards of $30. I realize that if you have allergies or low immune systems, these are probably worth it. Also if you have pets they may help. But for ...	The slightly more expensive filters often only need to be replaced every 3 months or so, which in reality doesn't actually make them that much more expensive.
How to get discount prices for replacement parts I inherited an old fridge a while back that had a broken ice maker. I never had an ice maker before I so started to look into fixing it. I found a parts store and bought a new one for $100 and installed it myself . . . it was surprising easy. I thought I was king of th...	You will probably never get the same prices as a professional as you don't buy as much as they do.
How do I fix gutter nails that are coming out? Many houses in my neighborhood are about 5 years old and are experiencing similar problems with their gutters. The nails holding them up are pulling out little by little. A couple homeowners had their's fall off. I took a look at mine and saw a few nails sticking out. ...	The best way to fix your situation is option 4: remove the nails and use hangers with or without screws.
How do I fix stucco that is falling off of the walls? I have slump block walls that were covered in stucco at some point and now in places it's falling off. I know I need to power wash the wall and then use some kind of bonding agent so the new stucco will stick to the old wall but how do I apply the stucco? I feel lik...	The best thing you can do is remove all the stucco, then fasten a metal lath over the full area, then apply your base coat or base coats, then apply the finish coat.
What is the best quick repair for a drain pipe? In particular, a cast iron drain pipe. It doesn't have to be pretty, but needs to be effective and should last until it can be fixed properly. <Q> Depending on how and where it broke it going to affect what you can use. <S> I'm going to assume you're not looking for a s...	For long straight sections, where I had to cut a pipe, I've used rubber pipe connectors .
Where should my furnace filter go in a Lennox G40UHX series furnace? I have a Lennox G40UH(X) series furnace , which is installed in our attic (We have a single-story house on a slab). Because the furnace is installed in the attic, it is "laying down" on its side, and the incoming air is piped into what would be the b...	If furnace is located in the basement then filter is placed at furnace between intake ducts and blower motor. Page 28 of the installation manual (PDF) says this: Filters All G40UH(X) filters are installed external to the unit.
Is it normal to install (pvc) decking like hardwood flooring? Forgive me I'm a newb. We have become the proud owners of a new deck. One of the features that we thought was great was that the boards are installed fairly snugly and diagonally nailed into joists like hardwood flooring. However, I'm used to seeing decking...	Some contractors use nails because it is faster and cheaper than doing the same with screws, and it'll be a few years before the owner has to redo anything.
How do I safely and cleanly remove sealant from a plastic bath? I really need to replace the sealant around the bath, but I want to do a good job of removing the old stuff first. The bath is a plastic one, and the walls are tiled. What's the best way to get the old stuff off without leaving any residue or damage, so ...	We have a fiberglass tub surround and after using a razor blade I used Bar Keepers Powder on it and with a bit of rubbing with a wet cloth it all came off and did not dull or scratch the finish. You could try using a plastic safe cleaner.
How do I balance a ceiling fan? About a year ago I installed a new ceiling fan in my living room and when it was installed it was balanced nicely, but it has a little wobble. How do I bring it back in to balance? <Q> Most new fans comes with a balance kit. <S> It includes a heavy clip and a set of stick-on weights. ...	When installing ceiling fans I always use one of these braced boxes . Besides cleaning and swapping fan blades, check to make sure it the down rod with the ball (if you have one) is properly seated in with the slot in the down rod ball with the tab in the bracket that goes to the fan box.
How do I replace a bulb in this bathroom light/fan? Can figure out how to open it. alt text http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/2743/img4094s.jpg Maybe somebody has a similar one. <Q> Try turning the glass and see if it has hooks that hold it in place (kind of like how a smoke detector hangs onto that plate on the ceil...	Then I just undo one of the clips to get at the bulb.
What material should I use for a custom, do-it-yourself desk for my home office? I am currently remodeling my office, a converted formal dining room, and I am stuck on what material to use for the desktop. Currently I have a 1" thick Cherry Veneer particle board that is 6' wide x 30" deep. I want to increase the dept...	I like plywood with a nice maple or oak veneer with a solid wood border made to whatever thickness you want to see. Perhaps kitchen worktop is the way to go - plenty of choices in finish, thickness and size.
How can I fix a door that doesn't close because it doesn't fit the frame? Two closet doors in my house won't close all the way. When they are about 85% closed, it stops because the top of the door is rubbing up against the frames. It looks like I need to move the door down about 3-6 inches a half inch. The doors are ...	The easiest adjustments you can make on a door is to tighten or loosen the hinge screws.
How does central vacuum suction compare to regular vacuum? We recently moved into a new home with central vac. The vacuum unit is in the garage, as is typically the case, and seems to be in good working condition. I cleaned the "bucket" underneath and made sure the grid inside is free of dirt/lint etc. It seems to me ...	Certainly more powerful suction now than my regular vacuum.
How do I clean the oven really well? I need to clean my kitchen's oven really well. It is electric, has a "grill" element on top, and a fan behind a grating which, apparently, cannot be removed. I tried with the spray products for ovens but I cannot reach every part of it, and I always have the sensation that I'm not c...	To remove burnt-on food, I use baking soda and water . You can try calling an appliance parts store with your brand and model: they'll have a manual so can tell you how to get the grate off.
The carpet on my stairs is worn. Should I repair it or just remove it? In our house the second floor and the stairs to them have carpet over top of old hardwood floors (installed by previous owner). The carpet is wearing out, particularly on the stairs where it has come untacked in a couple places so that when you go ...	If you do want to leave the stairs uncarpeted, you can just remove the tack strips, being careful not to damage the floor underneath. Before removing anything, take a look at the hardwood stair treads and make a preliminary decision about whether you think they're in good enough condition to leave exposed.
Hanging an interior door I reversed the doors to my bedroom (they're small "french" doors I guess but they don't have glass or open to the outside like normal french doors) so they open out instead of in (the room is small despite the big door opening). Come to think of it there was a door missing when we bought the h...	Could be that the frame wasn't securely attached to the studs and the weight of the doors is causing the frame to pull out slightly. Make sure all the hinges are mounted to the same depth.
What's a good way to seal a flat concrete roof? My guess is that a long time ago there was a fire in part of our house and what was the top storey was capped and the floor replaced with thick slabs of concrete. This was then sealed over with bitumen and left as a flat roof, with traditional pitched roofs on either side...	Consider a spray foam roof.
How much cooling can I expect from a central air conditioner? Yesterday's high was 106.0F, low of 79.2F, full sun all day. AC set at 78F, indoor temperature reached about 85F.Today's high was 105.4F, low of 81.1F, full sun all day, now about 102 at 7pm. AC set at 78F all day, temperature climbed steadily through the ...	As others have said, if the unit is properly sized for the house, and the insulation is good enough to keep the heat out, and there is enough airflow in the house, the A/C should be able to handle almost any temperature you set it to.
Best review sites/web resources for finding a contractor? Many times we need to hire a contractor and try to extensively google for reviews on that contractor. Sometimes to no avail :( Just curious what web resources you use when trying to find a contractor? Be it a review site or some other method, what have you used...	I have used ServiceMagic (http://www.servicemagic.com/) in the past and been pretty happy with the results (I was able to find a good electrician through it), but that was along with checking up on the contractor through a Google search. I strongly recommend that you read the full text of all angieslist reviews before ...
What "code" applies to projects that I do in my own home? A good portion of the answers and discussion on this site references "code". What does a DIY-er need to know about code as it relates to project in their own home ? Most of what I can find online either refers to commercial projects or third-party projects. ...	Any homeowner with the proper permit(s) can perform work on their home - but the work is required to be done to the applicable code, inspected and signed off, just like a professional contractor.
Is toenailing necessary for a joist-to-ledger attachment? Is it sufficient to rest joists on joist hangers or should you always toenail (drive screws/nails at an angle through the joist). And does the toenail have to drive into the ledger or just hold the joist on the joist hanger? <Q> You should always nail your joist...	It's better to run the toenail into the ledger, but just attaching it to the joist hanger is fine too.
What's the best way to install a pet door in an exterior wall? I want to install a pet door to allow my dog to let herself out. The door would run out onto a deck attached to the back of the house. On the wall connected to the deck, I have a sliding glass door and enough wall space that the pet door could be located in...	I would go with an in-wall installation - since you live in Fargo, you're likely to want the extra insulation it can provide. There are different types of electronic doors that you can get that have a tag you put on your dog's collar to allow them in and out.
How can I find a match for ~100 year old door/window trim? Our house is around 100 years old, and during the course of a bathroom demo, the contractor irreparably broke part of the window trim. Of course, the big box and local lumber stores are completely useless for finding a match. I imagine the design was common an...	If there is a "ReStore" or other building salvage store in your town, you may be able to find some original vintage trim options there. Look for a local furniture shop or woodworker and ask if they can make it.
How can I straighten pipes behind a wall? The original builders did a shoddy job when they installed the plumbing in the bathroom, causing the taps/faucets to come out of the tiled plasterboard wall at a slight angle - about 5 degrees - so the flanges aren't flush against the wall. Any ideas on straightning the pipes w...	Be aware, however, that if you do, it may not help - if the pipes are at an angle, and you straighten them out, you're going to end up with the pipes wanting to come out at a position slightly to the side of where they are now.
Is there a detector of plastic pipe? I know metal detectors for walls, but in my house there are places where it has a plastic pipe. I wonder if there is a good detector to buy. <Q> I used a thermographic camera to detect pipes in my house. <S> Let the hot or cold water run for 2-3 minuttes, and the pipes heats/ <S> co...	Just let the water run through the pipe and use a big, long screwdriver as a sound probe. Typically in the ground they use expensive sensors and ground-penetrating radar to accomplish this.
What are the different gauges of electrical wire available? What are the different gauges of electrical wire available for homes and how do you determine which gauge you should be using? If it helps, I'm wondering specifically about recommendations as I finish my basement. <Q> This article has a full list and gives exa...	14 gauge ("white") wire is used for 15amp circuits and is what you will probably use for everything you are doing.
Which hammer drill should I buy? I'm looking to buy a cordless hammer drill. What should I buy? Note: It can be just a drill not a screwdriver too if that makes a difference. Its purely for diy. No real budget in mind, more just looking to see what makes I should be considering. <Q> Cordless <S> I re-read your quest...	Lithium-Ion Cordless Hammer Drill is another quality product available for about the same price as the Milwaukee drill.
Why does the plaster crack beneath the window sill? Sorry if this is an obvious question. Can anyone tell me why the dry lined plaster in our house so frequently cracks beneath the edge of the windows? At first I thought it may be relating to the heat changes or something over time; however, we've recently had a room...	I would try either taping over the crack with mesh tape and plastering over the tape or if it's just a hairline crack, caulk it and paint it. I spoke to a geologist who said that houses built in Edmonton actually "floated" - that is, they'd shift seasonally, sort of swaying back and forth on the soil.
How can I effectively use Google Sketchup to render walls, doors, and windows? This question falls dangerously close to being a software question, but it's definitely specific to DIY... My house is around 100 years old. Off-the-shelf home design programs have nice libraries of drop-on components like walls and windows...	You can also convert Google Sketchup designs into native SH3D objects.
Is it safe to spray herbicide on the bark of a tree if you don't get it on the leaves? I've got a bunch of poison ivy growing up a tree. I'd like to kill the poison ivy, but obviously not the tree it is growing on. It is just about impossible to spray the ivy without hitting the tree, but I was curious as to whether ...	To answer your question directly, it depends entirely on the type of tree and the type of herbicide.
How do you protect solar panels from hail? Saw another question on solar panels and it reminded me of one big thing that always made me hesitant to consider them. We get several hail storms each year and having an expensive glass covered(?) panel facing almost straight up seems like it is asking for trouble. How do ...	You could add some kind of a rail at the top end of the array to protect the top edges from damage. I do not think it is very expensive to get your solar panels added onto your home insurance policy (if they are not covered already).
How can I get rid of the weeds and moss growing between the paver stones in my driveway? I used the extra strength roundup to kill the weeds. Now I have brown weeds that are still rooted in the soil between the paver stones in my driveway. I've been scraping the weeds and moss out with a screw driver but, darn, that'...	I pulled all the grass and their roots out.
How can I make my sink smell better? My sink has a tendency to smell awful. A few times I've poored a lemon juice & baking soda mixture down it, but it only reduces the smell for a few days. What are some longer term solutions to this problem? The smell isn't taking over the kitchen, but it's a real nuisance for someo...	Then get under the sink (with a bucket!) and take off the trap for the sink that smells. If that's too difficult or too expensive, you can install a "cheater valve" right before the trap.
What's the best strategy to reduce moisture in this garage? First of all, I know this garage will never be dry . It's a standalone, one car garage built into the side of the hill that my house sits on. It abuts the neighbor's yard, and they have landscaping and flowers they frequently water. My neighbor even says the ...	, you might have to go the route of digging down to the foundation and sealing the wall; you might also be able to drain away the moisture by cutting through from the inside, and installing a sump pump below the level of the foundation, but that's going to get expensive, too. I think you're going to have a lot of probl...
What are some causes/solutions for poor drainage? What are some causes/solutions for poor drainage? It seems that our house tends to drain water very slowly. The bathroom sink could probably overflow if the water was left on, the bathtub also seems to take a while. Even the kitchen sink seems to drain slowly (though ...	When all drains are draining slowly, the first step is to check the main drain and sewer lines.
What is the best way to demolish a little brick wall? Since this is a small wall, I do not wish to buy any expensive tools. seems they used some mortar. I failed when trying to use nothing but a small (nail) hammer. Any tricks? alt text http://is7.itookthisonmyphone.com/m/00140/fe5e15de-72ab-4553-9f81-ba9663b8af62/f8...	A masonry chisel and drilling hammer should probably do the trick.
How do I clean my jetted whirlpool tub? The master bath of our new house has a jetted whirlpool tub. We haven't used it yet, since the previous owners were, um, lacking hygiene. Is there a good way to clean it out without taking the whole thing apart? I've heard that some people use dish detergent, but then I've heard ...	We actually ended up using Ahh-Some Jetted Bath cleaner .
Can I use a 50 Hz device in a 60 Hz power frequency? My mother in law just returned from Europe and brought me an espresso machine. It's rated 220v - 50 Hz (as written in the label), but the power system here is 220v - 60 Hz. Funny thing is that in the manufacturer website it says the model is actually 220v - 50/60 Hz....	There are unlikely to be any safety concerns with using the wrong power line frequency in this case.
Can you paint a ceiling that has acoustical texture?? My guess is that a paint sprayer might be easiest, but are the other ways that won't remove the texture? <Q> <A> Yes, you have to use a segmented foam roller . <S> I didn't have to thin the paint <S> and I don't think that is necessary. <S> I have done it and ...	You can use a really thick-napped (1" nap) roller, but make sure to go very slow, or you will fling paint everywhere.
Where can I find garage building plans? If I wanted to build a detached garage/workshop, where can I find complete, detailed plans? I'd like to be able to estimate building cost from a materials list. I'm not certain what style I'd want, so I'm open to suggestions. For sake of discussion, let's assume the main house...	There seems to be a lot of sites that will supply you with plans for a fee. You could also try using software like Google Sketchup or other drawing software to create your own plans, if you go this route make sure to get your plans approved by the appropriate government offices.
There is water in my basement and the outdoor sump pump failed. What am I doing wrong? My house has water problems with the basement. Here's what the entrance to my basement looks like . When I get a really heavy rain storm, water manages to rise up and start seeping in under the door. Given an hour I have a real m...	As for the flash flood issues -- you might be able to either regrade the area to change the catchment area that drains towards the door, and possibly add a lean-to roof to reduce the amount of rain into the area, or increase the size of the pump to deal with the increased flow. In addition to the other comments, the ga...
What should I do about a gap between hardwood and drywall? First-time home-owner - house less than 1 year old. We had our home built last December, and have been discovering all sorts of problems with it. The latest was a trail of ants within our kitchen ascending from behind the stove. When we looked beneath the stov...	If the ants have a nest in the house, you will have to find the nest and destroy it. You could put spray foam there, but it will only have a negligible affect. You may have to remove the siding to see everything, but I suspect the exterior wall may need to be patched. You should NEVER be able to see daylight through a ...
How do I use three-prong appliances when my outlets are mostly two-prong? I am living in a house where most electrical outlets are two prong. There are a smattering of three prong, in particular where an addition was put on. Am I hosed when it comes to where I can plug in electrical appliances that have three prong p...	If you have grounded boxes, you can either buy two-prong to three prong adapters that have a lug that you put the plate's screw through
Miter saw advice and recommendations I'm buying a power miter saw sometime this week; and early birthday present to myself. What should I consider and what brands do you all recommend? I'm not a contractor, web guy by trade, and do mostly weekend projects. <Q> There are a few different things to look at: Compound vs....	Brand wise, DeWalt makes some really nice ones, as does Hitachi. My suggestion - if you plan on using it mostly for trim or framing work, buy a 10" compound non-sliding saw.
How do I run ethernet, speaker wire, and coax through a wall into a crawlspace? I would like to run three low-voltage cables from my entertainment center through an old plaster wall, down (1-3 feet) through the sill plate, and into the crawlspace. The cables are Ethernet, coaxial-something (for a roof mounted UHF/VHF ...	I don't know of any other way to get cables/pipes through the sill other than drilling, and it's allowed for plumbing, electrical, etc, so long as you then spray foam You're better off going with a backless box like the one you linked to, because it makes running cables so much easier. Leaving at least 2 feet of extra ...
What are some recommended cordless trimmers/weed-eaters? I'm looking to pick up a cordless trimmer/weed-eater. I have a bit of an anti-noise bias, so I'm hoping to find something that's electric cordless, not a gas-powered one. Are there any trimmers of that sort that have decent power and battery life? Or is the ve...	I own this cordless string trimmer: Black and Decker NST2018 ($100)
Should my toilet flange sit on top of the backer board or the tile of the floor? The bathroom model saga continues. The old toilet flange was rusting, and the subfloor was rotting, so I pulled up the subfloor around the toilet, and replaced the drain pipe with ABS, and an elbow. The plan is to tile this bathroom. So...	The toilet flange needs to be on top of the finished floor. If it's on top of the tile, I think you run the risk of cracking the tile when you're tightening the nuts on the flange, so I say attach it to the backer-board.
How much should it cost to add a circuit breaker? In this question , I asked about problems between my circuit breaker for a circuit shared by my microwave and sump pump. The conclusion was that another circuit should be added to support the microwave on its own. I have open spots for breakers in the box. Assuming I h...	So the better plan may be to move the sump pump and/or basement receptacles onto separate circuits. It is fairly simple to add an additional breaker to a box If they are making any modifications to a circuit that has anything not allowed by the current electrical code (which it does), they will have to make it all corr...
How do I fix a ceiling fan that won't turn off? I have a ceiling light/fan fixture in one of my rooms connected to a single electrical switch. There are two pullchains on the fixture, one that controls the light, the other controlling the fan. I'd expect the fan chain to switch it among fast, slow, and off. However, wh...	It sounds like someone replaced the pull-chain switch for the fan with one made for a light. Replace the pull-chain step switch. We have to know the make/model to find out for sure.
Should I hire an architect to design my house? I am planning to build a house for my family. It's relatively simple and modest by modern American standards. I plan to do much of the work myself, and want to keep costs down. I have been working on some designs, but I wonder what a professional would bring to the table....	You can use either a designer or an architect, but depending on where you are building and the complexity of the home, you may need an engineer to stamp the plans.
How do I get started with dovetail joints? I've never made a dovetail joint before, and I'd like to do things right for my next project. I have the router and table and all that - but I don't have a dovetail jig. The prices vary from $40 to well over $400. Do I need to buy a special jig, or is there a way I can just...	I personally cut them by hand (with a dovetail saw, $10 at Sears, and chisels)
How should I prepare damaged plaster for painting? We are redecorating our hall. We have stripped all the wallpaper off and have discovered that the plaster behind is not in great condition. What suggestions do people have for preparing a slightly damaged wall for painting? (See photos below) Our budget is fairly low...	Given that about 20% of the wall is damaged to the point that you'll probably need professional help to repair it, I would strongly consider just putting up some new 3/8" drywall over the existing plaster.
How can I calculate how large an airconditioner my house needs? I know there are a lot of possible factors that go into determining the size of the air-conditioning system a house needs. Is there a standard way of calculating what is needed, or do A/C companies each devise their own method? Is there a guide somewhere...	You'll want to check out the ENERGY STAR Air Conditioning Sizing Calculator .
Can I build a deck this low to the ground? I want to build a deck off the back of my house. The door is near grade level, about 1' above. The grade doesn't have very large slope, so that means that the beam at the far end would be below grade: Note: Forgive the crude pen-drawing i sketched out at work. Didn't real...	In Massachusetts, you can use wood for foundations as long as it is the right kind of pressure-treated wood.
Buzz in my electronics I bought a house that had a lot of fluorescent lighting installed. The kitchen has four fixtures with 2 42" bulbs each. The front bathroom has a fixture. The garage has 12 fixtures. The shed has 8 fixtures. There are a lot of them. But I get a buzz in my electronics. Buzz on my computer. ...	I have seen more electronic equipment come with a power cord that includes a toroidal choke or ferrite bead inductor that helps eliminate some of the buzz that might leak into a device by way of the various wires connected to it. A fluorescent tube glows when an electrical voltage is set up across it.
What type of wood for moist exterior location that is also paintable My rear screened porch has some has 2x2s that hold the screens in place and many of them are rotted from moisture. It looks like they are plain old 2x4s that were ripped down (though I'm not sure) and then painted (poorly) with exterior paint. What...	As long as you make sure that the wood is isolated from the source of moisture as much as possible (or better still remove the source) then any decent quality wood properly primed and painted should be OK.
How do you remove the stick-on child safety locks from appliances? I have a few stick-on child safety locks, such as this one found on Amazon. When it comes time to remove them, what should I do to avoid destroying the finish on the appliances? They are stuck on really well and won't budge by hand. <Q> I had these ...	We had put some of that foam sticky tape on an old apartment door once and I found that by spraying it with WD-40 and scrubbing it, I was able to remove the foam tape and residue easily without removing any underlying paint or finish.
Can I vent a bathroom fan through the eaves? I want to fit a fan in our bathroom. The easiest way to do this seems to be to drill down from the loft and put it in directly above the shower. I'm then considering running the vent (flex pipe) through the loft and tape it to the vents (already in the eaves). Can anyone ...	I like the idea of venting through the soffit, so that no rain can enter the roof if I do a less than perfect job of sealing the vent.
Roof stone tiles. How to fasten them? I am watching a TV program where they are restoring a ruin into a cottage. One thing that left me aghast is the fact that the roof was made with flat, very heavy stone tiles. Ater they rebuild the roof frame with wood, they put the tiles back on the wood by drilling the tiles and u...	Most of the roofs I have seen have used nails, and only in certain places, relying for the most part on the friction and weight of the roof tiles to hold them in place.
How to best clean the inlet vent screen on a microhood? Over the years, my microhood has developed a greasy buildup in the inlet vent screens on the underside of the microhood. They're an aluminum mesh that comes out easily with a label near it saying not to use harsh chemicals or excessive water. The verbiage stops ...	I would take it outside and wash it thoroughly in a pan or bucket of very hot water using some liquid dish detergent (Dawn, for example). I guess sometimes the simplest approach is best; don't overthink the situation.
Are water heater blankets a good idea? Is it a good idea to wrap a water heater in insulation? Does it lower the heating cost? Does it shorten the life of the water heater? <Q> A lot of water heaters (that I've seen anyway) are in unheated spaces -- basements, garages, attics (in some countries). <S> The rate at wh...	The tank will provide some insulation, but adding a blanket for another layer of insulation will definitely help.
How do I reinforce the attic floor? We have an attic I'd like to use as an extra room. The frame of the house is solid 2x8" beams and i'm told that the weight is not a problem there. The attic framing is just a typical framing though. Can I reinforce it with joists and have it hold up a typical load of furniture and p...	This is one of those questions that is tough to answer without actually seeing the attic, there may be more issues here with turning this in to a living space than just will it hold the load. There are codes to what can and cannot be a livable space, because of this I would consult a contractor and/or engineer.
Dresser/Chest with convex front I'm contemplating building a dresser and am looking at designs and such to get my creative juices flowing. Today I noticed that some dressers/chests have concave or outwardly curving drawers on the front face. Usually I can figure out how to do most woodworking feats, but I'm not sure ab...	The options here are Cut the drawer faces from thick stock on a bandsaw. For a curved surface, a vacuum bag is probably useful to get it to form to the surface.
How can I finish this "peeled" drywall? While doing some work in my bathroom, one thing led to another and paint started peeling. I found that under many layers of paint was some wallpaper so it seemed natural to pull... I started peeling it off like crazy, in huge pieces before I realized that what was left behind wa...	If you don't want to go the plaster route (per ChrisF), you could try painting a thick coat or two of primer (which should, in theory, absorb a bit into and stabilize the surface), then sand that a bit before another coat of primer and then paint over it. Trim all edges of the affected area with a sharp razor knife to ...
How do I prepare an already painted wall for new paint? We are repainting a number of rooms in our home, do we need to put primer over the existing paint? Are there any other gotchas that we need to prepare for before repainting the walls? <Q> No, in general, you don't need to prime existing paint, but there are excep...	There's one tip that was completely missed, and should have been at the start: When painting over a surface that has had to be repaired or was very dirty (scrub it clean first), get both the paint and the primer tinted to the same color.
Does PEX require home runs? I've been told that PEX requires home runs to a manifold (or star topology, to borrow from networking) to maintain the same flow rate/pressure as copper. Anyone else heard this? <Q> PEX uses fittings that have a smaller inside diameter than the tubing, unlike copper where the fitting ID is t...	As PEX is just the material the pipes are made out of, you should need exactly the same configuration as you would if you were using copper.
How do you reduce floor sound transmission? How do you reduce the sound transmission through a floor? Using "green glue" between a couple layers of plywood subfloor seems to work well. Are there any other tricks or suggestions? <Q> Here's what we've done so far. <S> I'm curious whether there may be better techniques......	Carpet + underlay works well.
What kind of wall material should be used in wet areas in a bathroom? I'm replacing a one piece fiberglass tub with a two piece (tub + surround) unit. In the bathroom right now, there's just drywall, no special material. Should I replace the drywall with greenboard, or with a cement board material (i.e. Durock)? How...	For right around the shower/tub I would use cement board since mold will not grow on that.
Lubricant for squeaky doors I'm looking for a long term solution to my squeaky doors. Our home is fitted with brass hinges on all doors and lately they have all been starting to squeak. I've tried several silicone based lubricants but none have solved this issue permanently. <Q> Properly lubricating the hinges should...	Lithium grease is a better option for sure, I just am putting this out there because it can be applied without taking the hinges apart, and works reasonably well.
Do I need a cordless screwdriver if I own a cordless drill? I currently own a cheapo corded drill and one of DeWalt's lower-end cordless screwdrivers. I want to buy a cordless drill because I am done with extension cords. Most (good) cordless drills seem to be able to function as a screwdriver. If I did buy a cordle...	You really need to make sure it states it has a screwdriver function, but yes it will effectively replace your cordless screwdriver.
What's the fastest way to strip paint off of a piece of installed trim/moulding? Let's say you have some detailed moulding around several interior doors and you want to strip the paint off with the least amount of labor (time-wise)? How would you go about it? Heat gun, chemicals, removing the trim and reinstalling, etc...	Chemicals will be useful where you've got delicate/intricate mouldings but will probably take the longest as you might need several applications if you've got lots of layers of paint. Getting someone else to do it is always the least labor-intensive: if you have a paint stripping service nearby, ask them about doing it...
Can a dryer be vented through the roof? In my home the dryer vent is set up to vent out into an enclosed back porch. The problem is that all sorts of lint (and heat) get pumped out into that enclosed area and makes a mess. Directly above the dryer there is a ventilation pipe that goes to the roof (also connected to th...	The dryer may actually vent into the bathroom which will fill it with hot, moist air if not lint. If you do find and install such a thing, it's going to be difficult to keep clean and operational.
What is the purpose of a watt regulator in my ceiling fan? The lights on my harbor breeze fan stopped working this morning. When I came home from work, I got the ladder and took down the lights. I don't have a multimeter but I saw that there is this Watt Regulator (pic below) in the fan. I traced the wires and it seems...	If you install bulbs that exceed the specified wattage, the wattage regulator either shuts off the bulbs or limits the wattage they receive to prevent overheating.
How do I select a color to paint various rooms in my home? What color guides are best? I am prepare to paint my "old" house rooms, to clean it up. But I do not know how to select a color to paint my bedroom, my baby room, and other living room. This house did not have too much light because is on base floor surround ...	I used color scheme designer when trying to figure out a good color transition between my dining room and adjacent kitchen. Some paint stores (as opposed to big-box stores) will, for minimal cost, come out and do a plan for you

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