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train · 95.7k rows

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How to unscrew screws that are barely accessible? I need to remove the face of a fake drawer that is screwed from behind. Unfortunately, a kitchen sink is preventing me from using a screwdriver. There is approximatively 4cm of space. The screw head is a PZ2. Is there a tool can could help me remove this screw ? <Q> You...	For tight spots, they make Offset Screwdrivers.
What are the key criteria to consider when purchasing new locks and deadbolts? On twitter, the cofounder of GDGT Ryan Block comments : Surprisingly difficult to find a list of expert-recommended consumer locks, padlocks, etc. Lots on defeating security, but few suggestions. So I'm curious, what are the key crite...	Here's a suggestion: Make sure your door and frame are properly installed and REINFORCED before even considering installing any lock that is above consumer grade.
How can I get High-CRI lighting for a small room? I plan to replace a CFL lighting fixture in a small room (10' x 15'), due to its being too dim and giving less-than-perfect light. I'd like to install something that would give me 3500K light with color rendering index (CRI) ≥ 85. My options are seemingly halogen an...	LEDs use the same tricks as fluorescents to reach reasonable CRI levels-- multiple phosphors with different spectra excited by the lamp's primary EM emission.
Are 2" roofing nails through the nailing fins of a new window enough to hold the window in place permanently? Is using 2" roofing nails on the nailing fins of new construction windows enough to hold them in place permanently? It seems to me like there should be some fasteners in the extension jambs, but maybe I'm just...	Finally, once the silicone is dry, you should apply flashing tape to the sides, then the top of the window.
Why would cold water be introduced into underfloor heating system? What connection has the cold water distribution to a washing machine and laundry sink have to do with my heating? There is a tap-off from one of the flow pipes for the heating which goes through what I've been told is a 'balancing valve' to the cold wa...	The pressure reducing valve serves two purposes: 1) it limits the incoming water pressure to the level required by your heating system, and 2) it acts as a one-way valve to prevent the water in your heating system from contaminating your domestic hot water.
Should I get a keyed chuck for cordless drill? I am thinking of getting a Milwaukee M18 fuel drill/ driver combo. The drill is insane with 750in-lbf of torque. It comes with a hand tighten chuck though. My other Milwaukee corded screwdriver has a key tighten chuck and I like how tight I can get it. My current drill...	a keyed chuck comes with risk of losing the key and with risk of injuring the hand should it slip while tightening.
How should I insulate a room built into a metal barn? I'm building a room into our (existing) barn; how should I best go about insulating it? The barn is a Morton building -- pole barn construction, metal siding. It's closed on three sides but open on the fourth, so it's not as much a closed-in building as a glorified...	My personal recommendation would be rigid foam on the exterior walls and ceiling with fiberglass batts on the newly built walls. Essentially, you're going to be building a little tiny insulated house inside the barn without the need to weatherproof it.
Why is it taking so long for my house to heat up? Firstly, I should probably mention that I'm in the UK... My wife and I bought a house new from a builder over 9 years ago and have had no problems whatsoever with our central heating system in that time. It is a typical modern system with a gas boiler in the kitchen fe...	It may be your boiler simply doesn't have the grunt to heat your house for that long.
How can I fill a screw hole so it can be used again? My dishwasher attaches to the cabinets on the side via a screw. This hole has become a little stripped, is there a way to fill it in and then screw in to it again? I can't change the location of where the dishwasher attaches. <Q> If you are lacking a wooden peg or ...	I agree with using wooden pegs, matchsticks, or toothpicks to fill the holes, but rather than wood glue I recommend epoxy because it's better at filling spaces, and doesn't need clamping to form a strong bond.
Where can I find very strong wall brackets capable of supporting a punch bag? I'm looking for an alternative to brackets actually made for punch bags as those available to me are very expensive. I need a bracket capable of holding a ~35kg/77lb punch bag that would be swinging around. Ideally a part of it would stick ou...	How about you get two of these type brackets (they come in a pair) and mount them to two adjacent studs but triangulate them together to a mount point for the punch bag to hang from.
How can I stop interior doors from opening when exterior doors are opened? In our church every time someone comes into the building through the main entrance, the interior main sanctuary doors come open and make it possible to hear noise from the hallway. Is there some piece of hardware that can be installed on the sa...	A magnetic closet door catch (similar to a magnetic cabinet door latch) may provide enough "stickiness" to keep the vacuum from opening the door, but require less force than a ball catch.
Is it expensive to switch from an 80% to a 90% efficient furnace, to comply with the new mandate? I'm told by some HVAC companies via mail flyers and websites ( example ) that it may be very expensive to retrofit new PVC pipes to update an 80% efficient furnace to a 90% one. Therefore, the logic goes, it's better to i...	The extra expense is entirely dependent on how easy it is to route these pipes from your furnace to a suitable location outside (which I believe has minimum clearance requirements from windows and doors). In general, I would only consider this if you think your existing furnace is at the end of its life; otherwise, you...
How do I fix the cracks in my brick foundation? I have some cracks in the foundation of the house I am about to buy. The house is 100 years old, there doesn't seem to be water leaks. The cracks don't look to be offset.Attached is the picture (sorry for the quality, I got it from inspector). This is townhouse and there ...	Fill the crack with mortar using a small, sharp trowel to force the mortar into the full depth of the crack.
How do I reduce the number of screw pops in my drywall? Background: I'm gluing and screwing 5/8 in drywall on the ceiling in my own home. I'm attaching it with screws and construction adhesive directly to the attic joists -- which are 16 in OC. I'm placing 12- and 8-by-4 sheets perpendicular to the joists. And I'm pu...	I've read on many forums about tightening screws, making sure the right screws are used and the amount of screws used per plasterboard, but the main problem is the plaster doesn't bond with the screw heads. If none of that helps, then most likely you are screwing too deep. The important thing is to differentiate betwee...
Can I use 2x4s to extend studs so I can mount my TV? I need to mount my 55" TV to the left of the studs. Can I do this simply by running a couple 2x4s off the studs, and then connecting the mount to the 2x4s? While I imagine this can be done for lighter items, I want to make sure it will work with the heavy mount + TV....	This should be OK, but I would recommend attaching the 2x4s to studs on both sides of the TV, not just the right side as you've shown. I would use plywood and paint it to match the wall.
How to choose between chrome-coated and oxidation-treated tools? How do I choose between a chrome-coated (nice and shiny) and an oxidation-treated (dark oxidized surface) tool, all else being equal - same steel, same design, same handles, just one has its metal parts chrome-coated and the other has its metal parts oxid...	I prefer chrome, because I expect it to give better rust protection.
Will insulating pipes shorten the time it takes for hot water to reach the faucet? Ok, so I took a few weekends and totally insulated all hot water pipes I could get access to from the water heater. Now, I still wait approx 90 seconds for hot water to reach the farthest faucet from the water heater. So my question, d...	Insulating the pipes will of course make the water in the pipes cool down slower, but once it's too cool for your shower (or whatever), you'll still have to wait the same time for hot water to arrive from the tank.
How do I properly cut pre-existing kitchen backsplash tile for new low voltage wall plates? I'm doing a little bit of kitchen remodeling, overflow from my home theater remodeling. I'm adding some RCA input ports to a pre-existing low voltage wall plate that previously hosted just Cat5 and RG6. Problem is, when this pla...	What would probably work best for cutting tile that has already been placed would be a quality oscillating tool with a diamond blade.
What is the difference between equivalent watts and lumens? I have two lamps 6W LED (OSRAM 50R): equiv 40W or 170 lm 15W WW827 Tornado Philips, equiv 85W or 950 lumen Why the 2x power difference and 6x luminosity difference? <Q> There are a couple terms involved that all have specific meanings: <S> Watts : the a...	Luminous efficiency : the amount of light put out by the bulb per watt.
How to shape the zone a radar motion sensor detects? The light in my bathroom is controlled by a radar motion sensor. The idea was that radar based sensors can be hidden inside the lamp itself and thus be invisible (so no sensor, no switch, only the lamp is visible). Unfortunately, since it's a small bathroom and some ...	It is a bit of an issue, some PIRs can change orientation and/or have ways to mask part of mirror or lens to change the coverage pattern in addition to sensitivity. There may be a way of applying something to the walls whether conductive paint, a mesh, metal sheeting or so on. The problem is that even if your foil cone...
How to wire MR16 LED lights? I am building a wall cabinet with downlights in the shelves, for which I would like to use MR16 LEDs. However, my first attempt was obviously deficient, since two of the LEDs blew. I'd appreciate some help to figure out a) what went wrong, and b) what I need to install them properly. As y...	Even though the bulbs used did meet the transformers minimum load requirements, I suspect the transformer was faulty.
How can I wire an exhaust fan to turn on from multiple locations? I just bought a Panasonic FV-20NLF1 inline bath exhaust fan that I planned to used to exhaust 2 different bathrooms. I want each bathroom light switch to control the fan, so when the lighting turns on in either bathroom, the fan will go on. If both ligh...	To have only one light go on with a particular switch, you need a pair of single throw-double pole switches where one pole of each switch goes to it's associated light and the other pole of each switch both go to the fan. This is just a standard 3-way switch circuit. This approach as a distinct advantage of allowing th...
How can I avoid cold rooms due to combustion air intake? I have a newer split level house (2006) with unfinished basement. The natural gas furnace is on the lower level in a utility room that is also laundry and bathroom. There's an enormous 8 or 10" pipe that serves as combustion air intake just over the furnace, whic...	You would probably need some vents out of the closet to maintain this, but they can be relatively small, so the enclosure would still largely contain the cold air. The water heater and possibly your clothes dryer also need combustion air. Be sure to determine the needed clearances and working access for each appliance ...
How can I secure a plastic toolbox to the wall? I have a plastic toolbox that I want to mount on the wall. I need it to be extremely stable once mounted, and I was therefore considering simply screwing it directly to the wall. However, I'm concerned that I might crack the plastic. What would the best way be to do somet...	I think that your best bet would be to build a small shelf for under the tool box and secure that into the wall studs.
What kind of drill bit would I use to grind down the end of a protruding screw? Let's say I have a 1"-thick piece of wood. A 1 1/4" screw is driven through the wood, resulting in 1/4" of the screw protruding out the other side. What type of drill bit would I use to grind that tip down just beneath the surface, leavin...	A grindstone bit, for use in an electric drill. A piece of hacksaw blade will suffice, held in my hand flat against the surface to avoid damaging the wood. Sandpaper on a sanding block, as suggested by one answer is an option, but sanding down a 1/4 inch steel stub will take some time and probably tear the paper into s...
Can I ground my workbench using an unused outlet's neutral? I haven't found any advice on my specific predicament, so I'll ask here. First, some background. I just moved into a house with old electrical wiring (read: ungrounded outlets). Unfortunately, the area where I'll be working with static-sensitive devices (micr...	As far as I can see, this would be safe because you will have completely disabled the entire circuit by repurposing both wires to be grounds. Do not do this. Now you have to go around to all other receptacles on that circuit and remove them or at least label them as non-functioning. Jumper the computer case to the mat ...
What can we do about previously filled holes so I can varnish wood? We have bought a house that has nice wooden doors, but holes in them have been filled ready for painting. We would prefer to varnish the wood - what can we do about the white filling in the holes? <Q> Test it first. <S> You may be able to just stain t...	You can find many good sources for simple approaches to creating a painted finish for those spots that would mimic the wood.
How can I prevent spillage from my bathtub? Let's set the scene: The horizontal surfaces of the bathtub in my apartment are flat. We have a double shower curtain (with the waterproof bit that hangs on the inside of the tub and the fabric bit that hangs on the outside of the tub) and are careful not to splash too much...	If the water problem is primarily just right at the one end, you could cut a shallow triangular piece of plexiglass, with a nice stylish curve if you like, and glue it into the corner with silicone sealant.
How do you properly clean hardwood floors? I've been cleaning my hardwood floors with all sorts of cleaners for the past 2 years and this has created a thin whitish film covering the floor that I can't wash away. I've tried scrubbing with a dry cloth as well as with plain water, but it won't go away. I've read that lot...	If you use a pure cleaner (I like Bona's), it will leave the floor clean.
How do I fix a slow toilet flush? If I press the toilet handle or pour a bucket of water down the toilet, the water flows down slowly. What can I do to find out the cause of the issue along with steps to fix it. I've tried cleaning that little hole at the bottom of the bowl, still no success. Solids don't seem to flo...	It's also possible you could have a venting issue, but I'd expect bubbles, gurgling, or bad smells with your other plumbing if that were the case.
Could my wall have been damaged while the painters were painting? I recently had my bathroom renovated. Before the renovation I had noticed some minor cracks in the ceiling. The building is 1962 and the walls are plaster. I had semi gloss paint used which I know can highlight imperfections a bit more. However I did n...	It is hard to say but my initial guess is that since I see what looks like a shower curtain rod right below this damaged area, that I would think it might be plaster damage from a previous shower curtain rod mounting. They are not as strong and can fall rather easily.
How can I remove a receptacle and abandon the electrical outlet? We are trying to remove an electrical outlet. We turned the power off and disconnected the wires from the outlet. Then we twisted the + wires and tapped them and did the same with the - wires. Then we covered up the hole. When we turned the power back on ...	You created a circuit with no electrical resistance so the breaker pops to prevent you from melting the wires and burning down your house.
Are there any ductless mini split systems that offer standard HVAC wiring controls? Have been looking for in the US a ductless mini split heat pump system something like the Mitsubishi Electric Mr. Slim that uses a non proprietary wiring scheme for its wall mounted thermostats. Ideally it would be the standard 24VAC...	Found some Mini Split units that can use standard 24VAC thermostat controls and it is made by EMI - Enviromaster International LLC - USA .
What is a good solution for hiding insulation in an unfinished basement? First off, let me note that I am a tenant in this house. My landlord lets me do small improvements, but I'm not going to finish the basement with drywall myself. Basically, we have an unfinished basement space in the house that is used for storag...	If you don't want to invest in sheetrock or paneling, perhaps you could stretch some attractive fabric over the studs and staple it. In terms of breathing, the insulation shouldn't post a problem if it's left undisturbed.
Can I use low voltage lights with a motion sensor? I have installed and wired low voltage exterior lights. They required a transformer to bring the AC to 24 volts. I want them controlled by a motion sensor so before the transformer I installed a motion sensor. The lights work, but only with the switch. The motion senso...	Sure you can, mostly just like everyone has been telling you.
How can I tell what dimmer switch to use with LED lights? I replaced the halogen GU10 bulbs in my kitchen with LED bulbs... I'm really pleased with the results but as the bulbs I bought are dimmable, how do I know what dimmer switch I can use? I did try them with a dimmer switch but they were flickering very noticeab...	After a little research I discovered that most dimmer switches are "Leading Edge" dimmer switches and that these aren't compatible with LED bulbs and will result in a flicker and reduce the lifetime of the bulbs.
Are generator interlock kits permitted in residential applications? There have been some questions on the site lately, that reference using interlock kits with portable generators. This has inspired me to read through article 702 Optional Standby Systems of the NEC (which is short so it wasn't much effort), where I...	The only safe way to install a temporary interlock for a portable generator - say in the case of a power outage - is to disconnect the main power grid from the house (even if that just means shutting off the main).
Do home radiators waste water? I received my second quarterly water bill and cannot believe it says I'm using 49,000 gallons of water each quarter. That's over 500 gals per day! So I started thinking about average water usage per appliance, shower etc and it still does not add up. The only thing I can think of, is may...	Sounds to me like the supply line between your meter and your house may be broken.
What kind of material can I use to cover a window to keep the cold out? I have a small window in my bathroom that is high up near the ceiling. It's pretty useless, but since the bathroom is always really cold I think it is letting cold air in. I'd like to prove this theory by covering it up with some sort of temperatur...	Next, if the window is single-paned or otherwise just poor quality, the cold could be coming straight through the glass. Essentially it's shrink wrap taped around the window.
Is voltage too high in C wire going to thermostat? I've managed to add a C wire to my thermostat. I then decided to check the voltage between the R and C wires, and find that it read as 27.8 volts, not the 24 volts it was supposed to be. Could this cause problems? I do have a Lux thermostat which is having trouble wit...	If other transformers are also giving higher than expected voltages, check your input line voltage - if that is high, so will the transformer output.
What options are available for insulating interior walls myself with minimal damage to the wall? United State \| California I'd like to insulate the interior walls in my house using a minimally invasive method. My understanding that is that "blown-in insulation" requires specialized equipment and licensed professio...	Retrofitting walls with insulation as a DIY project isn't really viable if you don't want to tear open the walls.
Is it normal to see nails coming through the roof decking after a new roof was installed? Our home was built in 1954, and is a Florida ranch style home. We have about a two-foot overhanging soffit with trusses that show and with tongue and groove under whatever that’s called. Sorry, I don’t know the proper terms… I h...	The plywood of your roof is typically not as thick as your standard galvanized steel roofing nail, so it is expected for nails to show through this in your attic.
How do I remove cat spray smell from the exterior of the house? My in-laws have a cat problem. The neighborhood cat is spraying the outside of their house and evidently it really stinks. How can they get rid of the smell? <Q> Short of industrial cleaners and Kilz Primer, I've not found a better product for dealing w...	Use the same kind you would use for first aide as if it was water, mixing in a bit of dish soap to remove the urine won't hurt either. If it is feral, trapping is an option as well.
How can I measure the r-value of a wall? What is a reproducible test to measure the r-value of an exterior wall? Or even a specific spot on a specific wall? It needn't produce an absolutely certain result, but a good estimate with known level of confidence would be helpful. This is more a science question than a quest...	A thermographic camera would be an expensive way to measure heat loss.
Can I install hardwood floors (not floating) on a concrete floor? We have recently bought an old house, and the ground floor has a hard floor and is currently covered in tongue and groove laminate - which we hate. We'd like to put reclaimed floorboards down - is this possible on a solid floor!? If so how would be go a...	Installing hardwood flooring over concrete is generally not advisable for multiple reasons. So this is generally not done as a remodel project unless you're remodeling the whole thing. We called Dricore and they walked us through what we needed to do.
Should I install an inline water heater for my bathroom? It takes 3-4 minutes of the shower running before the hot water reaches my upstairs bathroom. I'd like to not have to waste all that water and time. My initial though was to install an inline water heater to supply my bathroom. Is this feasible? Or are there oth...	Combine convenience with reducing water usage would be worth the added expense of in-line heater, if you can afford purchase.
How can I remove paint from slotted screw heads? What techniques work to dig layers of paint out of small slotted screw heads,when the slot is so full of paint a screwdriver won't work? I've tried an awl, utility knife and screwdriver/hammer. These all work, but are tedious when there are a lot of them. See also: H...	I just had good luck removing dried latex paint by soaking the screws in hot water, then rubbing them with a rag.
How can I add a piece of timber to my metal shed wall without creating a leak? I have a garden shed with steel (powder coated) walls. I'd like to attach a piece of timber to the inside of the wall. I'll use the timber to attach hooks for hanging tools. I don't want the holes I put in the wall to create a leak, and I d...	Instead of through bolting get 3 or 4 3/4" disc Neodymium magnets and cement them to that 2x4.
How can plywood edges be finished to conceal the plies? My cabinet doors are tired and have many coats of ugly paint. Rather than strip all the paint off, I'm considering just chucking the old doors and making new ones. I like the plain style of just a simple, painted rectangle of plywood. But how can I finish the edge...	A standard approach on shelving (which works on doors as well) is to glue a solid strip of wood to the edge.
Does a whole house humidifier go on the intake or outlet of the furnace? On what side of the furnace do I install the tank of the humidifier (the warm side or the return air side)? <Q> All the humidifiers I've seen mount on the return plenum and have a duct installed that bypasses the air handler to the supply plenum. ...	Bypass style evaporative humidifiers can usually be installed on either the warm (supply) side or the return side; either side provides essentially the same results.
Why does my central heating system comes on on its own accord? Can anyone tell me why my central heating comes on by itself: the radiators get hot and stay hot for around 1-3 minutes then the system turns back off again. This can happen any time throughout the day and night, and you can hear the system kicking in. <Q> ...	If your system also heats your domestic hot water, it may be coming on to maintain the hot water temperature.
How can I repair water-damaged hardwood countertops? Me and my housemate are complete novices when it comes to home improvement/DIY/etc. so when we moved into a recently renovated house with solid wood worktops, we were oblivious to what care they might need and the thought never crossed our minds. We treated them just...	You might try washing soda or dish detergent if the baking soda alone doesn't do it.
How to mount ceramic tiles in a wrought iron frame? I bought my wife some ceramic house numbers and a wrought iron frame for Christmas. I had assumed I could just pop the numbers into the frame, but that is not the case. The numbers are free floating, and do not fit into the frame snugly. There is about a quarter inch ...	Use construction adhesive to attach the tiles to it
Can I split a 3 wire circuit into 2 separate 2 wire circuits? I currently have a 3 wire running from my panel, red is connected to a 15 amp breaker, black is connected to a separate 15 amp breaker. White is connected to the neutral bus. This is running to a split receptical. I want to install 2 extra outlets. Can I cu...	Treat the red and black as two separate circuits and the whites as a common neutral. You are also required to have the circuit breakers tied together so if one trips, both are shut off. Yes, you should be fine to do this. In my opinion, they should be used all the time when you are running non-metallic cable. Not reall...
What should I look for when diagnosing electrical circuit gremlins where load is much less than capacity? We have an electrical circuit with these loads (all on different outlets): 15W aquarium pump, 250W LCD television, 35W cable box, 13W GoogleTV box, and a 100W ceiling fan (plus an integrated 50W halogen bulb). I be...	The power supplies inside LCD TVs and LCD monitors use cheap electrolytic capacitors that go bad and cause problems with the device.
How can I retrofit this existing wall-heater with an external thermostat? My house has several wall-mounted gas heaters. All but one of them have external, easily accessible thermostats. However, the one that happens to be the most used has no remotely mounted thermostat, to change the temperature you have to open the...	The style of gas valve you have has a separate temperature sensor which cannot be adapted to a remote thermostat. I think what you have is a mechanical thermocouple sensor that is connected to the regulator.
How can I fix a table top that I spilled air freshener on? I spilled air freshener on the top my dining table. It is a veneer top with urethane finish. The area is sticky to touch. How can I fix this? <Q> As mentioned, goo gone and any similar organic solvent should help... <S> Things like mineral spirits, wd40 etc. <S...	If the thing you spilled dissolved the finish and left it rough, then the way to fix it is to get the exact same finish liquid and rub a very small amount of it on the surface and rebuff it.
How do I get even temperatures in my two-story house? There is only one A/C system in the house. I noticed there is at least several degrees difference between the two stories. How do I get both stories to have the same temperature? <Q> If you have forced air, running just the blower fan to recirculate the air may hel...	On my HVAC ducts, I have dampers that adjust how much air goes to each section of the house, so it's quick to switch from winter to summer that I do when switching the thermostat from heat to AC. The straws act as insulators and prevents sunlight from being absorbed.
Why does my toilet randomly start running? Sometimes my toilet starts running for a few seconds at a time, like it's just finishing filling up the tank. Usually this happens when the bathtub is being drained, or when I turn on the facets in the sink, but I think it also happens sometimes when no water is being used an...	Almost certainly your flapper no longer seals properly.
Can I float a tongue-and-grooved 1x12 pine floor over a concrete slab on grade? I have bare concrete floor that was, until recently, covered with carpet. After recently seeing a friend of mine purchase raw pine, shape the tongue-and-groove himself, and seal it to achieve a wonderful result, I wanted to do the same. The...	But seeing as the laminate flooring barrier is plastic it would protect the wood from rising damp anyway. First of all hardwood floors are 3/4" and meant to be nailed or stapled using 2" cleats or staples into plywood the opposite direction of homes floor joists for strength Laminate flooring is quite thin compared to ...
Can a gas fireplace insert heat an entire house? I have a single-story 1400 sq/ft house (4 bedroom). Here's a VERY rough sketch of the layout: The house has blown-in insulation on the exterior walls but no insulation on the interior walls. Windows are single-pane aluminum (we're getting ready to systematically repl...	I believe you could (depending on where you live) heat your house with a gas insert, but it is a very different way of living to central heat.
How to make a Bevel Lap Splice joint, for connecting a portable floor? I'm new to woodworking, and I've read that I could potentially create this joint using a table saw, jointer, or even a circular saw - but I do not want to rent/purchase one and find out that I can't. Here is what it looks like / description: Beve...	This type of joint can easily be done on a table saw with an adjustable dado blade.
Do Wood Stove/Fireplace Inserts come in 'direct vent' configurations? It appears that gas fireplace inserts are common in a direct vent configuration (where combustion air is brought in from the outside). Are there wood burning fireplaces that are direct vent? I'm not finding any with my web searches. Do they exist u...	Depends on how you are defining direct vent.
How could I use 40lb Propane tanks in a residential hook up? I have two 100 gallon tanks from suburban propane but end up using so little, that I am charged approx $5.30 per gallon. I am reasonably sure that I could use two 40lb tanks and do the legwork myself without much inconvenience but I have no idea if such a set...	One thing to consider is OWN the tank, shop around for the fuel. I recommend you have a certified gas man check your installation to make sure it is safe, most will do it off the books night or weekend and charge you under $50 to check. Call suburban, tell them that you don't want the tanks any more.
How do I determine which wax ring to use under my toilet? Other questions almost answer this question. What is the purpose of the flange on the wax ring? I can purchase a ring with or without the flange. How do I know whether to get the standard ring or the thick ring? I really don't like the idea of trial and error....	The purpose of the flange on the ring itself is to help guide installation and to keep excess wax from obstructing the drain.
Can I vent my bathroom exhaust fan into a plumbing drain vent? I installed a bathroom fan in the ceiling. My bathroom is in the room right next to the laundry room. The washing machine has the standard drain pipe vent of a pvc pipe venting to the outside through the roof. To avoid cutting another hole in the roof I ...	And if any lint/dust gets pushed out by your fan, it risks accumulating on the sides of the vent pipe, potentially blocking the pipe and slowing both your drainage and ventilation. So this is a topic that concerns me. You're now not at code for the sewer or the fan. Also, your statement that it's "very unlikely" that r...
what is the easiest way too clean adhesive residue from glass? Stickers have left residue on some windows and old glass jars. I have typically used acetone to clean the residue but is there a better / easier way? <Q> Orange oil (limonene) based cleaners dissolve sticker residue as well or better than acetone. <S> Put ...	also you can spray some simple window cleaner onto the glass while scraping.
Is it safe to shut off cold water entering water heater? I have a pretty bad situation at my place. I have a leaky shower faucet which has gone from drips to a steady stream. I calculated the flow at .3 gallons per minute. My very old home has no private shut off valve for the water. I tried to shut the water off at th...	I see no problem with shutting off the water supply to the water heater as a short term measure to curb the water waste from the leaking faucet in the shower.
Can I block a skylight during summer without condensation? I have a small fixed skylight and figure that during winter it's no problem to block the tunnel at ceiling level as suggested by an answer to a similar diy.stackechange question . (The only difference is that I like the light the skylight provides, so rather t...	If you were located in an extremely cold climate then you may have a problem, but with such a temperate climate as central CA, the difference (inside to outside) is minimal and the thermal pane windows will not condense. We use Velux here too and we usually spec the skylights with motorized shades (sunscreens). If it d...
Which side of a sink should I install a garbage disposal in? I am about to purchase a garbage disposal to install myself. Our kitchen sink has a large, deep side, and a small, shallower side. Which side is more appropriate to install the disposal in? <Q> The small bowl is typically called a veggie bowl. <S> The idea is...	I've always seen the garbage disposal installed on the smaller bowl. I'd like it on the shallow side to give me the most range in height for the drain lines going out the disposal, through the trap, and into the wall. Don't think there is a rule per se on which is correct or incorrect.
Are there websites to manage home improvement projects? Are there any websites where you can create an account to manage your home with things such as: Layout or floor planning Budgets, project logging Wiring plans I'm aware of FloorPlanner.com and Google Sketchup, but those are rather specific and I'm hoping for...	There are products that do that Chief Architect comes to mind, though its an install-on-your-PC program, it does all you ask.
How can I shave about 1/8" from a 8'x3/4"x1 1/2" strip of oak? I attached a 8' x 3/4" x 1 1/2" strip of red oak to the edge of multiple layers of plywood in order to make the plywood more rigid. Altogether, the three layers of plywood are 1 3/8" thick. This means that the wood strip is 1/8" too thick, so I need to ...	The tool of choice for this type of shaving operation is a router with a ball bearing edge cutting bit.
What could cause my radiators to go cold when the hot water is turned on? When only heating is selected on my program timer the radiators all work fine and are hot. But when both heating and hot water are on the water gets hot but all the radiators go cold. When the hot water is up to temperature on the tank thermostat...	The actuator isn't wired in correctly and so isn't receiving the correct signals.
How do I open a padlock after it has frozen? I do some maintenance on the neighborhood ice-skating rink. To control the lights, there is an outside electrical panel that is locked with a padlock. This padlock always gets frozen. Every time I need to mess with the light controls, I have a hard time trying to even get t...	Boiling hot/warm water may also be used to melt the frozen contents of the lock, but has the potential to make the problem worse since it will freeze.
Should I let pressure treated lumber dry before building with it? I bought some treated 2x4's from Lowes, and it was fairly wet and heavy. I went ahead and built a firewood rack, but screwing into it releases a lot of water. It got me thinking, is it better to let the wood dry out a while before building with it? ...	The answer is simply No.
How can I protect my (engineered) hardwood floor from scratching? I have engineered hardwood that scratches easily (be it from furniture being slid on it, a kid playing with hard toys on it, or simply from regular wear and tear). We currently mitigate the scratching by coloring the wood with some Old English. However, ...	If it is the finish that is scratching, choosing a more durable finish and applying several layers would be the closest to bees knees.
How can I verify that the protective earth/ground is separate from the neutral wire in an electrical AC installation? It's easy to verify which wire is the phase without relying on wire colors. But I'm not sure if I'm able to determine which wire is the ground and which is the neutral. I have heard that using a multim...	The neutral is the sheathed wire that has continuity with the ground wire (NOTE: when testing continuity, turn power off on that circuit just in case!)
How to replace wire next to another wire? Currently I have, courtesy of the last owner, 3 wires running to the "socket" behind my TV. It's a coax and 2 audio cables (image below), and they go to the fuse box/meter box in the hallway. . I'm not sure how they run, but at least: in the wall they go up, through the ceiling...	Use this string as a pull string to pull back in the cables that you want. There's a really simple solution for this since you have conduit. Pull all of the existing wires out.
What water:cement:sand ratio gives the strongest mortar? A typical mortar mix ratio is 1 cement : 3 sand. But what is the water ratio? Is it 0.5:1:3? Would a 0.5:1:2 ratio be a stronger mortar? Our next door neighbor has a dog that digs like a pro. The dog somehow manages to dig underneath some parts of our wire fenc...	A ratio by weight of 0.5 water, 1 cement, 3 sand, and 3 gravel should make a fine concrete, although a little less water (0.4 by weight) would make stronger concrete.
What should I do with a shallow closet? My guest bedroom has an extra shallow closet (15 inches deep). This is too narrow for a hanger, so clothes hung on the rod end up being angled, rubbing against the back wall and the door, etc. What can I do with this thing? It needs to remain a closet, but I need an alternate ...	I had a closet once that wasn't particularly shallow, but it did have 3 closet bars mounted front-to-back, and I found the multiple bars very convenient for organizing my clothes.
How can I make wooden stairs slip-proof? My wife loves the idea of removing our stair carpet and putting bold/bright wallpaper on the vertical faces (risers)... ...but we're concerned that the horizontal parts (treads) would be much more slippery as plain wood, compared to carpet. With a 4yr old in the house, and ...	If you do opt to add grit, look into "Interdeck No Skid" which is a marine supply grit additive.
Is it wrong to connect multiple J-bends (traps) together? My tenants recently told me that they have constant clogging problems with their bathroom sink and had me come take a look at it. I found the following 3-trap configuration: This was done because the sink is too far to the right for it to mate with the drain i...	Keep the first trap out of the sink and the last arm going to the wall. You could use a right angled slip joint connector (running horizontally).
How can I shut off circuits when I have a generator with an automatic transfer switch? We had professionals install a generator with an automatic transfer switch. I showed them our circuit-breaker box and told them which circuit numbers should be on generator power. Okay, everything's working hunky-dory. WELL ... I wa...	The load center with the transfer switch (or "critical load panel") should have a circuit for each circuit that was specified to be connected to the generator.
How to use ceramic glaze to waterproof an earthen tank? A rammed-earth architect and myself have had the idea of building rammed-earth water tanks that would be coated with ceramic glaze on the inside, as an alternative to a cement / concrete tanks, for remote areas of Nepal, where transporting cement would be logistic...	Another path might be to use materials that would be used to waterproof swimming pools.
How to prevent incandescent light bulbs from heating up the room, safely? Currently I have ten 60W incandescent light bulbs heating up my room, very little ventilation, and no ideas on how to stop them from making the room so very hot. If I had other lighting option, I would've switched to them by now, but I have to wo...	You haven't mentioned what sort of fixture these bulbs are in, but this sounds like a classic case for compact fluorescent lights (CFL).
Is it OK to have ground wire connected to breaker box wall instead of neutral bus? After having issues with lights flickering, I noticed the main 100A breaker was warm and arcing slightly. Instead of just replacing the breaker, I decided to call in a electrician to install a larger panel with spaces for more breakers, ...	As mentioned in the comments both proper installation and a compatible grounding bar is required for it to be safe.
How do I insulate the ceiling in my crawlspace? I'm desperately looking for some advice on how to properly insulate the crawl space. I live in eastern Massachusetts where it has recently been in the teens and 20s for low temps in winter.I have a large crawl space under my kitchen and 3 season porch ranging in height fr...	Rigid foam glued to the foundation walls would also help if the area is fairly air tight. There is netting that is used to hold loose insulation up; it could be attached under the joists and then loose-fill insulation added. It usually comes in 4'x8' sheets which you could cut to size in order to properly fill your mix...
Is it bad that my cordless drill is smoking? I was using my cordless drill today. I was trying to drive a bolt that was stuck with my drill in low gear and it wasn't really budging. I tried a few times and then noticed that smoke was coming out of my drill's cooling slots. My drill has a brushless motor and 725in-...	A one time burn is no big deal just don't repeating it.
Why is an AFCI tripping when a particular light on a different circuit is turned on? I have 4 GE AFCIs in a GE subpanel in my basement. Occasionally, when I turn on a bank of dimmable CFL lights via a CFL-rated dimmer switch, I get a trip in a particular AFCI breaker that's on the other phase. This doesn't happen eve...	The trip would only occur when the bulb was on (single bulb in the circuit) and then a larger current draw device was energized, immediately on energizing the higher draw device the breaker would trip. If the problem follows the breaker, then you know the breaker is the problem.
Should I use 3 wire or 4 wire for a range? I am trying to do a little work and have an electrician check it. I have a range that is a 3 prong 50amp 125/250 (looks like the 10-50R). List of materials purchased: 50 amp Siemens Circuit Breaker 25 ft of 6/3 Aluminum wire Staples Cable Brackets 50amp 125/250V recep...	If your range has a 3 wire attachment plug, you'll have to follow the manufacturers installation instructions to change to a 4 wire plug. If you are installing a new circuit for the range (which it sounds like you might be), or modifying the existing range circuit, you must follow all currently adopted codes.
What size ceiling joists and rafters should I use for a 14' span? I'm going to build a single story addition to my home with a width of 14ft. I plan on using ceiling joists every 16" but I'm not sure which size to get. The roof will be asphalt shingles and the attic will not be required to hold storage. I've looked at ...	You should inquire with your local building authority for this kind of information. For rafters with no ceiling finish in the typical attic situation, you can use 1/180 span under combined dead and live loads. The roof live load will typically be some portion of the ground snowload, depending on roofing material and pi...
Is super insulating exterior walls with rigid foam board insulation possible? 2" rigid foam-board insulation can have an R-value of up to R-10, layering 4 boards would create a R-40 value, right? However that creates an 8" foam wall above the actual wall. What would be a recommended way to attach all the boards to the ...	If done well, you can get very good insulation.
Can I use a paint & primer combo on new wood? I'm currently painting a window and door that are both new. Although I initially bought primer which I used on the window (but haven't painted over yet), when doing the door, I just used my paint/primer. I only did the front part of the door this way, and then realized ma...	If it's an outside wooden door I'd definitely go for a full three- or four-coat treatment.
How do I slow down a pocket door when opening and closing? I had a pocket door installed in 2009 and the pocket door slides way too fast when opening and closing. I can't work out how to slow it down. <Q> I'm currently installing a pocket door. <S> It's a full 1.75" exterior door thickness, flush door that weighs 120 l...	You would need to select a pad that is just thick enough to rub gently against the door.
How can I finish and seal an interior exposed brick wall? I have exposed a 100+ yr old brick wall inside, tuckpointed, cleaned with cup brushes on a grinder, and Sureklean 600 . I don't have a picture right now but it looks beautiful. Two questions: I want to finish the wall with polyurethane or something mildly s...	A sealer I use for stone and grout (also rated for brick) is Miracle 511 Porous Plus .
How to make a floor plan? First, I'm not good with home improvement or anything too manual for that matter - I'm more of a computer geek. I am soon to move into a new empty apartment and I am going to go furniture/appliance shopping soon. I figured before I start shopping, I need to know where to put things and what ...	If you are looking for something free, then Sketchup is great, but without plugins is not as easy out of the box to use for floor plans.
Where should I place nails when installing crown molding? Is there any particular place on the crown molding where I should position a nail (middle, inside creases, top, bottom, multiple locations)? <Q> What is important when nailing crown molding is hitting a solid background. <S> This can be plates for small crowns o...	I always put the nail on a part that is accessible by sandpaper and a finger.
What causes a water heater's relief valve to discharge water? I have a Gas Reliance Water Heater 1212. I found recently (in winter) there is a water dip through the relief valve into a 5 gallon bucket. Sometimes, it can fill the whole bucket. Sometimes, it has no water drip at all. I can't find the reason why that ha...	If there is an issue with aquastat, the tank may over heat the water resulting in the temperature getting higher then that of the setting of the relief valve.
What material can I use for this custom corner desk? I'm looking to make a custom desk. I'm trying to decide on a material for the desk's surface. I have a fair amount of tools and am familiar/experienced in cabinet making (though it's been awhile). I have not, but probably could do laminate. What gets me confused is ...	I'd prefer the MDF, like most options you have it would be available to be done in a single sheet/piece.
Can different gauge wiring be used in the same circuit? I am extending a lighting and outlet circuit in a basement. The current setup has the following characteristics 15 amp. circuit breaker (200 amp service) 4 existing lighting fixtures using CFL bulbs (~ 20 W each) 1 existing double duplex outlet box (no regular...	I wouldn't use 12 gauge wire for the project for a few reasons: Your plan is perfectly fine. If they want to add something to the circuit, they will have to go turn off the circuit breaker first, and then they will see they are working with a 15 amp circuit.

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