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Should I use 12/2 or 12/3 to wire a 220V electric baseboard heater and thermostat? When I bought my baseboard heaters, thermostats and 220V breakers I was advised to get 12/3 wire. When I attempted to install the heaters I found that the thermostats, heaters, and even breakers have connections for only 2 wires. I have ...	I like the idea of using 12-2 with ground, and marking the white wire red. Try to get wire with black and red conductors for 220 volts.
Installing bathroom exhaust fan: what to do with vapour barrier and insulation? I'm adding a bathroom exhaust fan, which is being mounted in the ceiling of the bathroom (in the attic) and venting out through a vent in the wall. right now, there is a vapour barrier (paper) between the insulation in the attic and the dr...	Make sure vent pipe is insul wrapped
Replacing pavers with grass, what do I do with the sand? My backyard was pretty much entirely paver stones and I'm pulling them out to put in grass. I've pulled up many of the stones and underneath them is sand (fortunately they did that right). My question is, do I need to get rid of the sand before planting grass (pr...	Depends on your ground/soil type but lawns generally like well drained soil so having sand mixed into it would be good.
PEX for hot water tank I was just replacing an electrical hot water tank. Had to call a plumber because I didn't fancy my soldering skills on something that could flood the house. The plumber simply cut off the old copper lines (after the shutoff valve) and used pex to connect the tank and as a vent pipe. Apart from ...	There's no need to use Pex on your water heater, and you probably shouldn't, seeing as how your T&P valve won't go off until after you've already exceeded Pex's maximum operating temperature. PEX fittings can be expensive. Because PEX is flexible, it's less likely to fail due to freezing or earthquake, compared to rigi...
Are hydraulics stronger against compression or tension? I would like to use a pair of hydraulic pistons to raise and lower a surface that will hold about 150 lbs, and be capable of remaining in either fully extended or fully contracted modes for long periods of time. Should I mount them so that A : expansion pushes th...	One of the problems with a compression system is that the system could buckle if they are not positioned and supported correctly so I would worry less about the hydraulics and more about the lifting system as a whole.
Two dryers connected to the same exhaust via a "Y". Backdraft problems? I have two dryers (one gas, one electric) and their exhaust pipes are merged with a "Y" to a common exterior exhaust. I'd like to keep it that way to minimize cuts through the wall (and eventually I may get rid of the old electric dryer). The new...	Don't put anything in the path of the outlet of a dryer, the reason is lint will catch on it and build up which can lead to a fire. What you want to do is join the two lines so that the airflow is like a Y so that air from each dryer will flow outward to a single pipe. I don't know whether you can get them to fit insid...
What precautions should I take before moving my family into a pre-1978 (lead-paint-era) house? I am about to sign a lease and move with my family, including a 3 mo old and 2 yr old, into a home that was built in 1944. The house is in good condition and has been repainted at least once in the last decade. The lessors ...	One of the big things I'd look at is if or when the windows were replaced; as the original wooden windows will be grinding the paint, even if there's a layer of paint over it, you'll get dust there, which can become airbrone. If you still feel concerned, you can have the house tested. So, if you find paint flaking anyw...
Why does my latch not retract when I push or swing the door shut, but will retract when the knob/lever is used? This just started today. I have to turn the knob in order for the latch to retract. Before, I could just push to door shut and the latch would retract when it hit the plate on the door frame. But now it just ...	You may have a deadlocking latch bolt, which in addition to a normal door latch has a plunger.
What is the best way to remove dried egg from a house? Some troglodytes egg my house anywhere from every 1-6 months, and have been doing so for the last four years. They just did it again tonight, so I have a fresh supply of drying egg to now remove. My question is: What is the best way to remove dried egg from a hou...	Both dish soap and carwash soap are designed to remove sticky biological goo from relatively hard non-porous surfaces like vynil.
What type of ethernet cable do I need for outdoor use? I want to run about 100 meters of Ethernet cable out my attic and down a drainpipe. The cable will be exposed to the elements, and attached to a gigabit switch (indoors) at both ends. What kind of cable do I need? Can I get a basic Cat5E bulk cable, or does...	I'd recommend cabling with an outer coating of PE rather than PVC, hence impermeable to water. You can get proper outdoor network cable in varying lengths.
How do I meet the 7 feet high ceiling requirement after finishing the basement? My basement ceiling joists are exactly 7 feet above the concrete slab. The requirement for finished living space is 7 ft from the finished floor to the finished ceiling. Since I'll loose a couple of inches with the flooring (I'll have Del...	Per the wording of that code, you can't be adding anything to the floor or the ceiling as you'll be under the 7' minimum.
What is the safe/correct way to work on gutters? From a ladder or from the roof? I am very comfortable working on the gutters (usually just cleaning them) from one story up by just sitting on the roof. I do this on my own home over the garage and at my parents one-story home. I noticed some debris in the gutters on my...	If you do need to walk on the roof, stay low with your feet always lower than your body, wear shoes/boots with a good grip, and if possible, have a rope attached to something fixed.
What wireless temperature monitoring systems should I look into? I'd like to monitor and log temperature on few locations in my home. Wireless monitoring with normal consumer batteries etc would be preferable for the sensors. I have an Mac OSX server running at my home where I could log the temperatures and browse the ...	Get an radio tranceiver (transmitter and receiver) from: http://www.telldus.com/products/tellstick_duo Get a wireless temperature sensor (or maybe even multiple) The Elertus Sensor monitors and receive changes in: Door opens and closesMovementTemperature LevelsHumidity LevelsLight Levels
When should I not use WD-40? Looks like WD-40 can be used for lubricating just about any metal parts. Are there non-obvious cases where using WD-40 will be harmful to the stuff lubricated? <Q> Firearms - you should never use WD-40 to clean or maintain firearms. <S> Gears of any type - WD-40 doesn't have enough lub...	Drive chains of any type - because WD-40 isn't a lubricant it really will not work well on Drive chains of any type. It never should be used on AirSoft or PaintBall weapons as it melts the seals.
Is there a recommended vent for new roof? I am redoing my roof. I already decided to add sofit ventilation which I currently do not have.I have gable vents, and already decided to go with normal eyebrow vents Vs ridge ventilation. Question is: which type?I hear from the roofers themselves that sometimes they leak! (I ...	In general, it seems ridge and sofit venting is the way to go.
How do I get rid of birds living in an air vent? On the outside of my house I have at least one bird living in an air vent. I would rather that they lived somewhere else. I was thinking I could put some sort of netting over the vent when the bird does not seem to be around. My wife is concerned that there could be a bi...	Moving the nest to a completely new location might be too risky. Go rent a shopvac, and gently suck them up. But, as noted by Doresoom, the issue of leaving a scent on eggs is not a problem.
How to repel pigeons so that they don't loiter behind my windows? I live in a apartment in a multistory building. Pigeons often sit onto edges of window openings behind my windows and leave excrements which is rather annoying. Is there some simple, preferably without violence, way to repel pigeons off my windows? <Q> ...	Get some super itty bitty bear traps and bait them with birdseed.
Automatic garage door opener opens when it hits the floor I have a garage door opener that has been working fine until the past month or so. Now, during a close cycle, once it hits the floor (where normally it would stop) it will switch back into an open cycle. It's created several 'Ack I left my garage door open' in...	One possible cause is that there is an obstruction on the floor where the door meets the floor.
How to make a 6 inch hole through a brick wall for venting I'd like to vent my range hood out through an exterior brick wall. How would I go about making a 6 inch hole for the vent? I'd guess I'd use a masonry chisel to chip out the mortar and then pull out a couple bricks on the interior and exterior layers of the ...	The key is to make sure that the hole doesn't leave a whole brick unsupported from below when you make the hole and with a 6" diameter this shouldn't be a problem unless your bricks are very small. I used a 12V Milwaukee palm nailer with a &frac38; inch drill bit as a mini jack hammer for busting out the brick pieces a...
Looking for alternatives to AutoCad to make floorplans and interior elevations for my kitchen I am looking to remodel my kitchen. I want to start with floorplans and inside elevations of the 4 walls, cabinets, and major appliances. I've been using LibreCAD because it supports Autocad 2000 format (dxf) and is free and...	I personally use Google SketchUp to model both the interior and exterior of our house. Sketchup (free) allows you to export DAE, which can be converted via FBX to DXF.
Stink in Washroom - Possibilities? I had a previous question about my toilet leaking in my washroom. For some strange reason, the washroom has a strong, persistent stink despite everything we do to remove it. What are the possibilities to investigate? Could it be mold? We've tried: Turning off the toilet water sup...	The wax seal under your toilet could have failed.
Why do my bulbs glow brighter when the microwave is running? When I run the microwave oven in my rented apartment, the incandescent lights nearby glow much brighter. What sort of mis-wiring could cause this? EDIT: Suspecting a bad neutral connection, I measured the voltage between hot and neutral at a nearby electri...	You can check the ohms between the ground in an outlet and something else that should be grounded (metal stake hammered into the earth, or try a plumbing fixture like your sink).
What can soak up moisture from a closed space I have a really weird problem. I have a bedroom wall where the paint kept bubbling and peeling off. I have re-textured and painted it several times. I finally ripped all the drywall off and discovered that there is a large space behind the wall that has all the plumbing ...	Because of the high bathroom humidity, you probably want a vapor barrier. While you've got the opening in the wall, consider turning it into an access panel to more easily get to the plumbing in the future. Edit : One more thought, check where the bathroom vents are blowing. If you don't have one, don't rip out your dr...
Re-oiling a wooden worktop I've sanded down a wooden worktop and I'm attempting to re-coat it. I've done 5 thin coats of oil so far, a day between each, but it's still quite dull compared to previously. How many coats should I need to get a good finish? I've heard it needs a lot, but how many is a lot? Also, what kind...	Something like Danish Oil or Scandinavian Wood Oil would work nicely.
Can a stove be beneath a window I'm upgrading my kitchen and after endless deliberating, feel that the kitchen is best laid out having the stove directly beneath a window (the window is about 8" above the stove). I was wondering whether there are any huge reasons why i should avoid doing this. <Q> A few concerns: <...	There is a risk that you would reach over the stove to manipulate the window while the stove is on, such as when it rains and you don't want water going into your frying fish. If it is a gas stove it should not be placed close to a window or exterior door:
Is it safe to charge a DeWALT 18v battery if the charger emits a whining noise I have 1 DeWALT 18 volt NiCd batteries. One charges without incident. If I attempt to charge the other, a whining noise is emitted from the battery or charger. Is it safe to attempt to charge this battery? <Q> It's possible that the battery'...	An electrical engineer (which I am NOT) could probably explain why you get the noise with one battery and not the other; I can only speculate that the charger is having to crank up the voltage a bit to force a charge into that one.
Replacing pool pump/plumbing etc. that is below the level of the pool We need to rework some plumbing on a pool, and the level of the pool is 3-4' above the plumbing. Obviously we need to drain the pool, but the problem with that is that the valves aren't working, and we can't shut off the skimmers, which are sucking ...	If you have a hose for a pool cleaner or vacuum attachment, simply place that in the skimmer intake and lift the other end above the water level and out of the pool.
How to power 12V LEDs from a 12V AC power supply I have a 12V power supply that I am using to power some lights in my garden. I want to also power (in parallel) a set of 12V LED lights which (of course) require a 12V DC supply. Is there a simple method of AC->DC conversion that I can use? I am pretty handy at electonic...	Not to get all techy on you, but to do what you want to do with a 12 vac power supply, you will need a bridge rectifier. Realistically, since the Led lights probably have such a small amp draw, you probably could pick up a 24VDC power supply for cheap money online or maybe even your local Radio Shack, and save your sel...
Latex paint dried and thickened, can I still use it for a touch up? I was just about to do some touchup work in a room when I discovered upon opening the can that the remaining paint had thickened into a much thicker consistency. I think the lid may not have been on correctly. Can I use it as is for touch ups? Or woul...	You can thin the paint with FLOETROL.
How can I fix a garbage disposal with crushed glass in it? I have a garbage disposal that had a shot glass fall in. It got ground up. The disposal got jammed; I unjammed it and now it makes a glass grinding noise because of the shards inside. How do I clear the glass? What do I need to do to fix this? <Q> The easy w...	First, vacuumed out the glass from above, inserted the Allen wrench below and ground up the shards in the disposal until the disposal moved freely.
Will colouring mortar weaken it? My neighbour has recently had some work done to her roof. The old mortar was red and the new mortar is grey (uncoloured). So it looks a little silly with both colours present. She's not very happy about this and when she complained they told her that colouring the mortar would make i...	Regardless, adding mortar dye will not weaken the mortar if used properly.
Should I use nails or screws for hanging drywall on the ceiling? I'm replacing water-damaged drywall on my ceiling and was considering using screws. Other than cost, is there any other reason I should use nails instead? Or am I too paranoid that nails won't have enough holding power? I'd prefer the cheapest option th...	The perimeter of the sheets have to be fastened so close to the edge that screws often tear the paper or completely cause the edge of the drywall to blow out. I agree with the posts above; screws have a better grip and the fastener is the first stage of the finished product; no one wants to see nail pops or the like - ...
Is it a good idea to paint during Winter? I heard that interior painting is not a very good idea during winter. How accurate is this statement and why? <Q> Absolutely not accurate!!!!!! <S> There is no reason not to paint inside as long as temps are above 60F. Today's latex acrylic paints dry fast, adhere well, and...	Actually, in winter the relative humidity is usually lower, so paint dries faster than in the heat and humidity of summer.
When should I replace a circular saw blade? Is there a rule of thumb for how often a circular saw blade should be replaced? Is visually inspecting the blade condition enough? <Q> You should replace your blade when its dull. <S> Ways to tell its dull: <S> it starts binding <S> it tears <S> /chips the substance more...	Blades should be replaced when they get dull or after you hit a screw or a hard knot.
Can a plumbing vent go up and then back down to the connection with the vent stack? I am changing the location of all the fixtures in my bathroom. This move will put the toilet and sink on the opposite wall from the stack. I was originally planning on running a vent up the wall with the sink and across the ceiling to...	If in the connection to the vent stack there is no area for water to get trapped, then you might still consider it. Not sure if this is allowed or not, but it might be something to look into.
How to tidily integrate power into an island I'm currently running the ducts for wiring into my gutted kitchen and was wondering how best to integrate power into my island. I've seen pop-up products like this and this that fit nicely into the island, but am not sure of whether they're actually practical. Also, I'...	Assuming the island is fixed in position, simply run wires up from under the floor, install device boxes in the left and right side panels of your island.
What is the cheapest way to add texture to a wall The previous home owners used a perforating tool to remove wallpaper, and just painted over all the holes and lines. I am in desperate need of some texture with no budget. I need to put a new baby in the room. I don't want to buy a hopper, and the cans of texture are...	Since you should paint over any texture you apply, combine the two into one step and use a texture paint such as popcorn or sand , both available from Home Depot (similar products are available at other stores). Ribbon mixer (found in drywall taping tool area of the home improvement store) Drop cloths 5 gallon bucket(s...
What is the easiest way to remove a large root in a post hole I'm digging? I'm digging a 36" deep post hole for a fence I'm putting up, and about 15" down I ran into a very large root. Since the root seems to be running almost directly in line with the fence, and there isn't a tree attached to said root, I'd like to ge...	I've dug my share of trenches and post holes and found that a chainsaw does the trick quite nicely.
Why is my tall fescue wilting? I currently live in North Carolina and this past fall I had tall fescue sod and an irrigation system put in my backyard. This spring I used Scotts fertilizer (in March). Since then I have been watering my lawn twice a week for 25 minutes each session (unless it was already raining). ...	Your soil may be compacted which prevents water and nutrients from getting to the roots as effectively.
Why is it bad to flush baby wipes? I've always heard that you shouldn't flush baby wipes because They don't dissolve in your septic system They can clog old pipes. I currently live in a modern, multi-story apartment building. There is no septic system and only a few inches of pipe between the toilet bowl and the m...	Consider using flushable wipes as they are smaller in nature and less likely to clog If you use wipes, you have to use it with toilets that use more water.
Septic Replacement: Can I Do it Myself? I am looking at a property with a serious fixer-upper on it. I want to place a mobile home on the property while gutting out existing building to see if it can be renovated. My question is about the septic. I has a well and eptic, but has been abandoned for a few years now. I...	Replacing a septic system is a really crappy job, you'll want to let the pros handle this one.
Do I need a wood hardener for worn door hinge screw holes? My house had a door removed by previous owners. The recesses in the jambs for hinges and catch were filled in with pieces of board (I don't know exactly what, but not solid timber), and painted over. I've hung a door there, removing the filled parts and placin...	Wood hardener will harden the wood, but still not provide anything for the screw to bite into.
How can I keep my doors from expanding in the heat? During the summer months, some of the doors in my house become difficult to open and close. I can get them to shut by either slamming the door or by pulling upwards on the doorknob before opening or closing the door. My assumption is that this happens because the hea...	Wood will warp and change shape as moisture levels change, and depending on the grain, each door may warp differently. If the doors are hung properly (use a level to check the jamb) and you just want a simple solution, you might be able to get away with shaving a little off the side of the door that sticks.
How can I tell if a circuit breaker is worn out? I was installing a light and tripped the breaker (in retrospect, should have turned the breaker off before starting). When I finished installing it I reset the breaker and tried the light switch. The light still had a short, however, instead of the same breaker trippin...	An experienced electrician can tell if the springs are weak when she switches them on as they won't feel as stiff as they should.
What kind of lubrication should I use for a lock? I recently made the Yale lock on my front door much easier to open by spraying some WD-40 in there. However, I just saw this question on WD-40 not being a “true” lubricant, and wondered whether it was appropriate to use on Yale locks? <Q> OLD ANSWER (Improved below) ...	® KeyMark® cylinders are lubricated from the factory with a Teflon® lubrication. For locks that are in such bad shape that one is unable to get graphite powder in it, you can first use a little bit of LPS 1 (Greaseless lubricant). Think of WD-40 as a very good cleaning agent, not a lubricant.
What's the best way to protect myself from a rental house? I am in the market to rent a home, and am looking to compile a list of things to check both before and after taking possession. Before to make sure the house is in a condition I am aware of, like checking all the toilets flush and the lights work, no visible mo...	Take photos and make a list of anything wrong with the apartment when you move in so you can't be blamed for it when you move out. It is a good idea to make sure the appliances and utilities are all in good running condition, but more because that indicates how well the landlord maintains the property and gives you som...
Door jamb on a 2.5" thick wall What approach can be used to fabricate and install a door jamb on a 2.5" thick wall? The wall is composed of 2x4 on side (1.5") and two sheets of 1/2" drywall. Edit:I have an old 5 panel door that fits the rough opening and old casing that I'd like to use if I can. <Q> You can pull the ...	I can think of two options using the prehung doors available in HI stores:
What's the best way to hang an unframed poster on a sloping wall without using something that will damage the poster? What's the best way to hang unframed posters on a sloping wall without using tape or velcro or glue that would damage the poster? Thumb-tacks don't work too well because the poster ends up sagging betwe...	I hang my posters gallery-style.
hammer drill not making any progress Aiming to put some bike hooks into a plaster on brick wall - We've acquired a hammer drill and have been practicing on a spare brick and a backyard cement wall but the drill is just barely / not really progressing. Not at all working as quickly as it shows in this video: http://ww...	You should find the drill vibrates a lot when hammer action is selected and the drill will need some pressure applied in the direction of drilling for hammer action to work.
There's a difference between hot/neutral AC lines in a plug, but does it matter? Saw the good answer to this question: Is there a difference between the two conductors in 120VAC wiring? But I'm wondering as a followup, since the two primary prongs in an AC mains plug are different, why (in many plug configurations) ar...	In some countries, at least in Europe, the outlets are polarized, so that appliances can 'know' which one is the hot wire.
When wiring two circuits through the same conduit, what wire coloring is required? Problem I am wiring a septic control/alarm box to a subpanel. They are on the same post, so the wire run is through a short stretch of 3/4" flex conduit. There are two circuits required: a 240V for the pump and 120V for the control/ala...	For individual wires you often have to buy a spool of each color which makes going that way for one project more expensive, though you may be able to buy by-the-foot. : 2 12AWG's (black/red) for the pump circuit As far as code goes, I think you're okay with your approaches since you've tagged hots appropriately. I thin...
How can I remove a stump? I need to level a patch of ground in order to put in a shed, but there's a large stump right in the middle of where the shed will go. Since I'm in a suburban setting, dynamite is out, fires are illegal, and I can't get a truck anywhere near the location. Is there any way to easily remove the...	Get a mattock, a digging bar, and a shovel, and dig it out. I've taken care of tree stumps with a 3/4" drill bit and a recip saw, but honestly, it isn't worth the trouble.
What is up with this wall, and what is the right way to hang something on it? I just moved in to a new apartment, in a very old house. The landlord mentioned that it is over 100 years old. The walls are plaster, which means (to the best of my knowledge) that there is lath beneath the plaster. On most of the walls, I'v...	I suggest you try the Command (tm) picture hangers or hooks from 3M.
Does the code inspector look at preexisting work, or only at recent work? I would like to have my service panel upgraded from 50 to 200 amps by licensed electrician, but am worried about preexisting code violations. If I had it upgraded and a building code inspector came out to inspect it, would he/she just inspect the...	If the panel itself doesn't meet code, that must be replaced as well, and in some cases even the wiring out to the pole is the responsibility of the homeowner and thus the electrician doing the work.
How do I prop-up or fix a wall that is slowly moving? In the image, the single stack of breeze blocks on the right hand side has been slowly moving away from the wall over the last 4 years. The gate latch (also on the right hand side) is now rubbing against the breeze blocks and it's almost impossible to close the gate...	If you end up needing to use some ugly but strong utility type brackets, you could build a nice looking small valance box covering and stucco it to match.
How do I install an electrical outlet on a live circuit? In my dorm room closet, there is a junction box with a blank plate (no outlet). Inside there are three wirenuts (hot, neutral, ground). I know it is generally unsafe to do any work on a live circuit, so I will see if I can set the circuit breaker. If I cannot, ...	They do not normally put outlets in a closet, as cords plugged into them tend to get buried in junk if close to the floor or a shelf, creating a potential overheating and fire hazard. There is a reason they put a blank over that box.
Is it possible to a drill hole in the bottom of a terracotta gardening pot? I would like to make some drainage holes in the bottom of some terracotta pots I have. I am tempted to use a drill but am not sure whether this will work and how should go about it. Has anyone ever done this? <Q> In addition to using a tile bi...	And i have had good success using mortar drills on tiles... Just be gentle and make sure to keep the drill bit cool other wise it will go blunt and you will be drilling your whole life.
What's the correct way to pass wire to exterior electrical box? I'm doing some remodeling in our basement, and came across the following (see pictures). It looks like the contractor simply wrapped tape around the conduit to secure the box to the wall. How are exterior boxes usually secured to an exterior wall? What ...	If the box was securely mounted to the wall from the outside, and the space between the nipple and the hole filled with silicone sealant or duct seal, then it would be OK. Otherwise this box will stay fastened to your wall forever and ever. There are lots of ways to run cable through the sheathing as seen in the pictur...
Is styrofoam good for attic insulation? A neighbour is trying to sell me some of his leftover styrofoam insulation. I need to insulate my attic. Is styrofoam a good insulator, or should I use another type of insulation? <Q> That styrofoam insulation will work, but it is not cheap per R-value <S> (however it gives you a...	You could also go with the blown-in fiberglass insulation option, which is less dusty, but more expensive.
Is it ok to use pneumatic tools underwater I have a concrete that is stuck underwater. The concrete piece is too heavy. I think that I could break it into small pieces with my pneumatic impact drill. <Q> I do light underwater work as a part of my job. <S> One thing I do is drill in rock underwater with a CP9 rock drill...	Yes, I have used harbor freight standard air drill underwater (fresh) and it worked fine.
Dowel joints in plywood I plan on replacing my kitchen cabinets later this summer. The old ones were home made by the previous owner and are oddly sized so I need to make my own out of plywood. Is it possible to put dowel joints in the edge of a piece of plywood, or will a hole that large force the layers apart? <Q> I ...	I'd try different dowel sizes to strike the balance between small enough so it doesn't split the ply, but large enough to hold the piece together.
Using fire rated drywall/sheetrock in a partially finished basement Background: We have a full basement and I have recently completed about half of it as a hang out spot for my teenage boys and their friends. The other side I use as a workshop and a place to store "stuff". The ceilings are about 9 feet high in the u...	There is absolutely no codes, IRC or otherwise that require fire rated materials between a standard domestic furnace space and other living spaces as you describe. If you want to do it, then by all means, do so. This will likely be a location specific issue, so it doesn't hurt to check your local codes.
How do I soundproof my vaulted townhouse wall? I want to soundproof my wall. In fact, it's this wall: I know, right? It would probably be an enormous task, but I really want to get it soundproofed because I have a neighbor on the other side and my entertainment center is right up against the wall. I have no speake...	Both for your own enjoyment and to help your neighbor sleep, the easiest solution would be to install some acoustical panels on the wall. The next step is to ensure there's a full air seal so that no sound is being transmitted through the air..
How strong are bolts compared to welding and what qualities to look for in foundations? I'm planning on building a home climbing wall, made from a mild steel subframe. It will probably be around 10 feet tall approx. I was thinking along the lines of using mild steel angle, cutting to size, drilling bolt holes then joi...	A simple bolted connection should give you more confidence about the strength than a welded joint even though the capacity of the connection may be lower.
Heating/cooling system recommendations for this small house? I will soon build my first house and I need to choose what type of heating/cooling system I'll have installed. I know very little about this and I'm seeking recommendations, ideas, suggestions, etc. The details: The house will be in the city limits of Ashev...	You are pretty much in the perfect lattitude for a heat pump. If you're not opposed to heating with wood, consider a wood furnace rather than a simple wood stove. Some kind of alternate (non-ducted) heat source would be a good idea.
Why is my new water heater making a clicking noise? I have a relatively new water heater (installed by previous owner). I've only been in the house a few months and did not notice this noise until after being there a few weeks. What happens is after any amount of hot water has been run, a loud snapping/clicking noise c...	You probably have sediment buildup in the bottom of the hot water heater.
How do I remove a 4x4 fence post that is snapped off at ground level? I'm trying to come up with a cheap and easy way to remove a broken-off fence post. It's a 4x4 lumber post that's snapped off flush to the ground, without any concrete around it. * I'd like to pull it straight out and sink another post in the same ho...	If it is good solid wood, screw a long eye-bolt into it and yank it out / work it out that way Wrap chain around 2x6 and using a cordless drill, screw lag bolts through chain into broke off fence post. Used a hose pipe, with the nozzle set to jet, to erode the soil that had got in, then wiggled what I could, and some c...
Running electric cables in basement shop I am setting up a workshop in the unfinished area of my basement. I need to run a couple of electrical outlets and would like to run them along the block walls through grey PVC. Will this be a problem or should I use metal conduit instead? There's one circuit already installe...	PVC trunking should be OK as long as you earth the cabling at each socket. You might be able to get away with Schedule 40, but since it will be exposed (and in a work area where it could get smashed with a wayward piece of lumber) I would go with Schedule 80.
Framing a cement room Under our garage is a cement room (23' x 20', 8' high). We added it to the construction plans as a storage room, with the option of using part of it as living space. Everyone seems to think it would make an amazing home theater room... ^_^ Well, before we can even use it effectively for storag...	Tester gave you an excellent basic framed wall design which should work well for running wiring and hanging drywall. I would also use a moisture resistant, or paperless, mold proof sheetrock instead of standard sheetrock. And every basement I've been in using that method has smelled really musty.
Should I Get My Bathtub Refinished? The bathtub at my new place isn't in horrible condition, but it does have a few patches on the bottom that look a bit grayer than the rest of the tub, and are rougher. In general the bottom is not as smooth as the sides. We think it is a cast iron bathtub (at least the bottom is al...	I have had many tubs and surrounds refinished as opposed to replacing the units.
What happens if I use vegetable oil instead of machine oil or grease? It's kind of tempting to use vegetable oil for lubricating door hinges and other similar basic mechanisms around the house - vegetable oil is readily available in almost any household. However I always hear it's a bad idea, but could never find any d...	Vegetable oil would probably decay over time and begin to smell; stain the trim surround. There is nothing inherently wrong with food oils as lubricants or industrial oils, in fact there are some in common use and are very effective.
How do I properly paint a wood floor made of plywood? I have built a yurt platform, which is basically a deck with 1 1/8" tongue-and-groove plywood as the decking. Usually that stuff is used as a subfloor, but in this case it's the floor itself. Call it rustic. I bought this deck (and yurt!) standing at another locati...	I would finish this floor the way you would finish a deck.
Carpet company wants to charge me for the waste they will have left over. Is this normal? My floor measures out at 296 sq ft, but the carpet company wants to charge me for 330 sq ft. Their reasoning is that they are not charging me for the actual square feet of total area, but for the carpet they are bringing with the...	They're charging you for the carpet which they will actually dispense and consume to do the job, which, as others have stated, will usually be more than the measured size of the room. I think they also avoid putting seams within a foot or so of walls (so there isn't a narrow strip of carpet running along the wall). Pri...
How to loosen a nut when bolt and nut move together? I have a sofabed whose back is fixed to the bed by bolt and nut. When I try to loosen the nut by wrench, the bolt and nut move together. There are no rust. How shall I loosen the nut? Update: the head of bolt has a shallow hex hole. I have got help from another who...	Best way: put a wrench on the nut and the proper driver or socket into or over the head of the bolt, and turn one while keeping the other stationary.
Bathroom vent terminates to attic not outside. Bathroom vents terminates to attic. The Inspector recommended that it terminates to the outside. What is the best way to do this. Should I just place the bathroom vent next to the roof vent opening. <Q> You could vent out the wall with one of these guys ( Louvered Exhaust...	It's also not a good idea to vent out the wall too close to the soffit vents, as the exhaust will just be sucked back into the attic through the soffit.
Need an apparently-discontinued moulding profile; where to look? My wife and I recently bought a house, and one of her highest-priority projects was to strip some rather kitschy wallpaper and repaint the walls in our kitchen. This is nearing completion; however, the wallpapered wall had a paper border strip while all o...	A millwork shop can make special "knives" and turn out an exact duplicate of your existing moldings.
Self Priming Aura paint vs Priming Then Painting We've just finished an addition and had it skim-coated. Does anyone have an opinion on whether or not we should prime and then paint or use a so-called "self priming" paint, i.e., Benjamin Moore Aura self priming. <Q> We were in the same situation as you last year. <S> ...	Benjamin Moore recommended that we use a sealing latex primer first on the new drywall and then use the Aura pain.
Using a window as a dry-erase surface I'd like to put some kind of easily removed clear (or semi-translucent) material on my large windows so I can use them as a dry-erase surface without blocking out the light. Any suggestions on what to look for? Cheaper is better : ) <Q> You can write on glass with a dry-erase marke...	Dry erase markers work great on Windows and mirrors. When I worked in a lab, we used to write on the fume hood sashes and glassware all thetime, with permanent markers, that way they wouldn't smudge. Both types of markers are labeled "conforms to ASTM D 4236", so they're the exact same; the magic marker one is just thi...
How to prevent odor in clay pots, resulting due to drinking water storage? We use clay pots to store drinking water in summers. Clay pots keep the water cool. The water lasts for 2 days and then I wash the pot with soap and fill the water again. There is no tight lid for the pot, just a normal steel plate is used to ...	Your best bet is to use a solution to kill the bacteria that might be living in the pot.
Identify a washing machine part - the exit port I'm trying to identify (= find the name for) a washing machine component.Unfortunately, I don't have this part - I gave it to my landlord who is looking for a replacement. It's basically the exit port for the washing machine water that connects to the drain hose. It has ...	If that doesn't work, look for a parts diagram of your model. My usual approach, which has served me well, is: Find the manufacturer's service website.
Water coming in through the walls of an old concrete garage I recent bought a house with a detached garage, made of old concrete (high aggregate content) reinforced with steel rods and set into a hill. Built in 1938 or so; no waterproofing. Now that Boston has turned into a rain-forest, water is seeping / leeching thr...	Then, you need a waterproof wall liner; it doesn't stop water leaching through the walls, but it catches that water behind the liner and directs it down to earth, where it will seep into the weeping tile, while keeping the liner's interior surface dry. Short of that, check the grading of the land around the garage and ...
Replacement key for an old sewing machine? I'm having an old sewing machine with a simple lock, for which I can't find the key. What's the best way to: Find a good replacement key for it If it's not possible, pick the lock so that it'll be always open, with no damage to the actual lock. break the lock open, with m...	If you're not able to pick it, then it depends on the design of lock as to whether you'll be able to slide something into a crack to push a spring loaded latch to the side.
How to sharpen a lawn mower blade? Is it possible for a DIYer to sharpen the blade on their lawn mower? If so, how would I sharpen the blade on my lawn mower? It is a reasonably basic push mower but it does have a 'mulching' blade. <Q> Remove the blade by removing the nut that attaches it to the mower. <S> If th...	The big home improvement stores sell a little "kit" for sharpening and balancing your blade that is pretty cheap . A bench grinder, or failing that an angle grinder and a bench clamp, are the tools for this job. A dremel will do in a pinch
Small Concrete Paver patio under BBQ I have a BBQ that's currently sitting on a not so level grassy area. I'd like to create a very small base for the grill with two 2ft by 2ft concrete pavers so I have a level base, but I don't know how to prep the area for the pavers. Do I need to dig down, how far, and what do I pu...	You may have to dig deeper depending on where you want the pavers to sit (at ground level, slightly above ground level), and how thick the pavers are.
How do I fix a chlorine feeder that's nearly impossible to open? I've got an off-line Hayward chlorine tablet feeder on my pool (it has a 1/4" hose that taps off some water from the pressure side of the pump before the filter, and it outputs via 1/4" line to the return lines after the filter). This thing has a screw-t...	Try to get some air into it by opening up the air pressure relief valve atop your filter, or by draining your filter.
Sealant used to prevent water getting between bath and wall? What's the name of the 'rubbery' sealant they use between the bath and the wall, and why don't they use it in between the wall tiles? They use a hard grouting between wall tiles, but if the weight of the bath water makes the bath slightly drag the tiles down...	Silicone sealant, or some other flexible bathroom caulk is what is required.
What's the best way to remove a wall plug? I use wall plugs a lot for putting screws into brick walls. It's easy to get the screw out when you want to remove them and usually you can loosen the screw a bit and pull and then both the wall plug and screw slide out. Sometimes, however, the screw slides out but not the...	You can use a small metal rod the same size as the plug, using a hammer to knock the plug in, then patch the hole.
How to clean the LCD screen of the television? Due to my carelessness the LCD screen of the television has developed a sticky layer on some areas. Can I clean it with a cloth and water? Or Any other (less expensive) solution for cleaning it? I don't know much about the chemicals available in the market, and thus cann...	You can buy a microfibre cloth intended for cleaning windows.
Is it feasible to make a sealable hole in the freezer door seal? I want to operate a small mixer in the freezer, for churning ice cream. I can close the door over the power cord, but the door seal isn't flexible enough to enclose the power cord, so it creates a crack. My idea is to make a small hole in the seal, for ...	So your freezer full of cold air is like a bucket of water: the cold air is trying to flow out only where gravity will let it. Put the cord/hole in the top of the door, and it really won't matter: It is difficult to understand and see how to run this wire. This will be more work but is the cleanest solution.
troubleshooting a hot tub/spa that won't heat up We have a Hotsprings/Watkins brand hottub/spa that came with the house we bought last September. At the time that we bought it, the hot tub appeared to work and heat up properly. However, now that we've unwinterized it and tried to use it, it no longer heats up and the...	Make sure the breaker for the heater is on.
Does this 2x4 support my gable ridge? I'm installing a floor in my attic. To open up the space and simplify the flooring I'm removing temporary construction bracing. Most of the bracing is easy to identify, since it clearly does not support anything: It doesn't touch the ridge or rafter, has no real structure on the...	It looks to me like that is the board used to hold the ridge up until the rafters are nailed to it.
How can I attach normal framed walls in between concrete columns? I'd like to add partitions to this grid of columns. I want to make "normal" walls, framed with 2x4 and faced with plywood or drywall. My concern is how to attach the walls to the columns. Naively, I would build the wall frames, put them in place between ...	What I'd probably do is get Simpson L-ties (or just angle iron) and fasten them to the edge of wood framing the width of the columns.
How to remove old vinyl tiles? I have a layer of old, crumbly and very sticky vinyl tiles that I need to remove to bring the old tile back (see picture). What is the best way of removing these? Bonus question: How do I get the adhesive off the floor underneath? <Q> Use an iron! <S> It is cheaper and less damaging to y...	Use a heat gun to heat up the tiles and soften the adhesive underneath and pry it up with something (putty knife/scraper/pry bar). Realistically, use a sledgehammer and lay a new subfloor.
Resource for ballparking current home construction costs? We're about to move several states away and have begun the house hunting process. We're moving to a region that, like most in the US, has seen housing costs tank, though it is a small enclave of relatively higher costs homes due to location (compared to even 40 ...	If you are in the UK, get yourself a copy of “ The Housebuilder’s bible ”, it contains a lot of very useful costing tables.
What is the safest way to cut up an old kerosene storage tank? Folks, I need to remove an old kerosene storage tank (for central heating) from my in-laws back garden. The tank is moulded plastic, and has a 1,000 litre capacity. The access point it was originally brought through is gone. The tank has been empty for ...	If you cut a plastic tank with a angle grinder this is not going to cause any problems because no sparks are produced even if there were a few it wouldn't ignite what little fuel was in bottom of tank A reciprocating saw, aka sawzall, will do well with plastic. If you have access to a welding supply - use C02 or Nitrog...
How to remove a stuck key? A hypothetical question - if I get a key in the door lock from one side of the door, could I somehow use another key to open the door from the other side? And what if you could "engineer" the stuck key - is it possible to allow the other key to open the door? <Q> Before the key gets stuck, u...	If you can't gently unstick the key (forcefully removing a key may bend the pins in the lock, rendering it useless), then it's probably easiest to replace the entire lock.
How to make lights turn on one at a time? So we've all seen this scene dozens of times in movies: a character flips a switch and lights turn on, one at time, down a long tunnel, or throughout a giant garage, or something like that. I'd like to mimic the effect in my garage and patio, so that all the lights don't come ...	When switching on an inductove load like a light bulb or fluorescent tube, a shortly-timed voltage spike (and current spike) surges through the system. I have a reverse version of what you are looking for set up as a "good night" button in our bedroom -- it turns off the lights one-by-one, leaving the last one to slowl...
How to stop a door from banging while closing Besides closing it very slowly, any good tricks / gadgets that will slow down the door so it doesn't close with a thud? <Q> There are a few things you can do: <S> Check the hinges and use a level to see that the door is square. <S> A heavy door hung incorrectly can slam ...	Some tips from it: check that the hinges are tight, not too heavily greased, and the same distance from the frame.
How do you know when and where it is safe to drill into a wall? Lots of home projects involve cutting or drilling through walls (everything from nails, screws, or hooks to mount things to cutting through drywall and drilling through studs to run wire). In general, how do you know what's safe to break through and what ...	If a line goes through a stud, there should be a metal safety plate on the stud that will keep you from going any further. If you don't need the support of a stud, then just poking a hole in the drywall should be well short of any line that is running between studs, however, it doesn't hurt to exercise a bit of extra c...
How to stop fridge water line without stopping everything else? So. My old fridge finally went and I will be getting a new one delivered. The company that I am buying the new fridge from is going to haul away my old one. I noticed that I don't have any type of "shut off" behind my fridge for the water line. When I ...	If you're up for it, I would install a valve in the wall while you have the water shut off. I assume all the builder-installed shutoffs to be broken (to date, every one >5 years old has failed when I tried to actually use it) and if I need to use them I consider the first part of the project to be to remove them and re...

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