Split (1)

train · 95.7k rows

source stringlengths 620 29.3k	target stringlengths 12 1.24k
How can I remove the wires from this lamp holder? The wire on my lamp is too short, so I'm trying to replace it. The fitting/fixture (what's the correct term?) however doesn't play nice: I can't see the correct way to remove the old wire (and still be able to insert the new one). I'm not seeing any screws at all, so i...	I think the key is to press just enough to insert the wire.
What cut of wood should I use for door stile & rails? I'm starting a project to build a pair of bi-fold doors for a closet (its an odd size, and so there are no prebuilt doors of the required size). I've done research on building the doors, and think I have a handle on the actual building part, but I'm having a hard ti...	Soft woods like pine tend to warp or wain and check easily and aren't the best for framing long narrow stiles etc.
How can I wire this three-way circuit between two buildings with only 3 conductors? I am rewiring my entire house after a major malfunction of two antique knob and tube circuits. I'm up against a challenge with some outdoor lights. Here's the situation:I have a detached garage. It has a porch light over the service d...	The three-way switch in the house and garage, instead of controlling the power to lights directly, controls the lighting of two tiny LEDs hidden inside each opto-isolator. From here, you can use the 12/2 cable's neutral and ground conductors to provide neutral and ground to the garage light without causing the current ...
How do I easily separate unglued PVC pipe from joints? I've been retrofitting an existing PVC irrigation system around my house. Part of that work requires that I work in shallow holes adding T joints and elbows in places where there were none before. In an effort to measure twice and cut once, I've been assembling the...	Another solution could be to mark how far in the fitting the piece should go and lay them next to each-other in that position, even tape them together, to check your layout. I fortunately had 2 rubber strap wrenches i had brought for some plumbing work and with these i was able to get enough torque to get the pipes apa...
Should I mount brackets to the wall or the shelves first? I've planning to mount some shelves using these IKEA Lerberg brackets Should I mount them to the wall or the shelf first? <Q> You may not have a choice if the shelf locks in by sliding forward. <S> If that's the case, you mount to the shelf first and then hang...	I would mount the shelf onto the two brackets then take the entire shelf and mount it to the wall, first screwing or nailing one side ONLY the top screw and then leveling the shelf then screwing in the second bracket ONLY top screw.
Why won't my deadbolt unlock and how can I fix it? We've got a deadbolt that decided to stop working today. When we turn with either the key (outside) or the lever (inside), the knob/key moves the full motion, but the deadbolt only moves about 1/2 an inch. It does not retract all the way inside the door, and therefore ...	You've probably fixed it by now, but generally it's because the deadbolt has slipped out of alignment - entering the deadbolt hole at a slight angle instead of horizontal. : Get a few new parts for it.
Is it possible to reduce a 1" thick board to 1"/N boards? I have some project plans. Most of the project calls for using 1/2" parts. I bought 1" thick wood, which actually only ends up being 7/8" when I measure it (I have heard this is normal). Anyway, there are some parts of the plan that call for 1/4" wood. Is it re...	Trying to cut a board less than 1" thick will be really difficult and the kerf of the blade alone will probably make this unrealistic.
How can I use a separate transformer to provide a C wire to my thermostat? Update 02/02/2019I appreciate all the responses and help but unfortunately i must have not seen the emails stating there were responses!I am now looking into a NEST thermostat and was curious if they too, use the same connections.Lastly, looking...	You CANNOT use just one wire from a transformer and expect to get it to do a thing for you.
Can I steal a neutral wire from another circuit? I have some Z-wave light switches that I want to install; below is a link to the diagram for the light switches. Basically I can have all the wiring completed minus the neutral wire for the switch at the bottom of my steps. It will be harder for me to get the neutral fro...	Using another circuit's neutral will make the GFCI detect a current difference and it might trip. The other answer and the comments are of course correct, but there is a second aspect to it: it won't work. Trying to bring the kitchen up to code, I was going crazy trying to figure out why the GFCI would trip every time ...
How do I fix bubbles under linoleum flooring? We put down a sheet 12X9 of linoleum in our kitchen and it went under the new cabinets and baseboard. The flooring depot said no glue was needed. Well now we have bubbles, a great big one and several others. What is the easiest way to fix this problem? <Q> Most likely you h...	If you are brave, you could cut the flooring along the edge of the cabinets, take it out of the room then apply adhesive and reinstall the floor. We usually go back an hour after the initial rolling and give it a second roll.
If I turn off the breaker to the Gas furnace will the pilot light go out? I need to turn off the breaker for the furnace but am afraid this will turn off the pilot light to my gas furnace & I don't know how to relight it. Are any special steps necessary to prevent turning off the pilot? .This is a Lennox G2 Series Gas...	Depending on how the furnace is wired, the pilot may or may not go out.
What should I check if my chainsaw fails to start? My chainsaw stopped working and I've got a tree that fell and needs cut up. Does anybody have any idea what I can do to get my chainsaw started? I've done a bit of stuff on cars so I'm willing to try to take it all apart, though part of me is tempted to just drop $200...	To me it sounds like your carburetor is clogged; you should try opening it and cleaning it out. Get a small bottle of fuel additive for small engines and add a small amount of that into your gas tank.
How can I convert my under cabinet lighting from halogen to LED? Our kitchen has under-cabinet lighting that uses halogen 20 watt G8 socket bulbs. With 15 bulbs in the kitchen that is 300 watts. I'd prefer to replace them with 3 watt LED bulbs. I've been searching but I haven't found any 120 volt AC G8 LED bulbs...	Bottom line.. rip out the sockets.
Will plaster on basement walls and ceiling provide insulation? My basement's insides are completely unfinished. It has bare brick walls and bare concrete beams-vaults as the ceiling. I though of coating the walls and the ceiling with 2 inch thick plaster with the objective being that the house's ground floor won't be s...	I don't think plaster is going to provide you any reasonable level of insulation.
How do I get a plastic bag logo stain off my finished wood table? The bag in the photo below stained my wood table (see the photos). The bag had held some heavy books an was laid face-down on the table. I don't know if this happened through basic time and pressure, or if my cleaning lady applied cleaned the table wit...	I had exactly the same problem on a varnished wood table and yesterday came up with my own solution, washing up liquid mixed to a paste with washing powder applied with a sponge in a circular motion, it removed an 8 inch stain in15 minutes without any damage at all to the finish on the gloss varnish
How do I fix an exterior door knob that will unlock but not turn? My back door (which is only two years old) has a door knob that recently suddenly stopped turning. I can lock and unlock it, but it just won't turn. Here's a picture of the inside of the door knob: The very center bit is the lock mechanism, and I can t...	Replace the whole door knob/latch assembly with new
Should I be concerned with my back flow valve pit filling with water? I have never had foundation or ground water problems in my basement but I did have a sewar problem and as part of a recent replacment of that, I had a back flow valve installed that looks like this: (source: a-to-zplumbing.com ) I have been per...	The fact that the water is seen in the pit only after a rain is a good thing, meaning your water table is not the problem, because that would mean a sump pump for sure.
Why do light bulbs all over the house burn out disconcertingly fast? I've found a couple answers to this question. This generally revolve around the scenario where it's bulbs in a general area such as a fan. My issue is that light bulbs all over the house burn out pretty fast. They don't last more than a year and thi...	Replacing the light switches with new high quality switches could help.
What is a 'grounded neutral' and how bad is it? I bought an electrical device a few months ago. A few weeks ago, it failed, complete with the release of magic smoke. I contacted the company, and they've had me mail it to them and have been investigating the failure. Today they contacted me asking to have an electri...	The equipment ground protection however is a safety feature for YOU so that you won't be electrocuted in the case of an appliance fault.
Are there any advantages to using higher priced sealers? I want to use a water based sealer on my pavers to bring out the color and also for some resistance against dirt and fading. I went to the store and saw sealers varying in price from about $11 per gallon for Thompson's water seal to about $24 for a Behr brand lo...	Linseed Oil makes a great concrete sealer/sealant. One thing I have learned so far in life - if it is something important that you want to last, spend more money on it.
Why won't my portable generator start? With a storm bearing down on the mid-Atlantic US and robocalls from the local power utility warning of the possibility of extended power outages, I figured tonight would be a good time to check the status of my 5700W portable generator. After turning the fuel valve to 'on' and eng...	You should also check that the spark arrester in the exhaust pipe isn't clogged up with carbon. Our generator ran out of oil and totally stopped.
How do I wire a GFCI combination light switch when power enters at the light? I have a Leviton 7299-NW GFCI/switch combo The diagrams in a response to the question " How do I wire a GFCI/switch combo? " is helpful. But I want to see a diagram for a situation where the power enters at the light and the device is wi...	The easiest way to accomplish this would be to install a GFCI breaker, that way the entire circuit is protected.
How can I safely cut this pipe with an angle grinder? I have a two inch cast iron pipe w/cup coming up from a concrete floor. There used to be a connection at the cup for a sink drain. That piece was broken by my handy man and subsequently removed by me. Now I need to cut off the cup to facilitate repair using ABS p...	The wedge shape of the chisel will lift the cup up and away from the pipe, and like cutting glass, it'll snap right where you weakened it. At least that is what I used successfully to cut my cast iron pipe. I think the best way to do it is using a reciprocating saw (which most folk call "Sawzall") and
Connection for C wire on Mastertrol Mark V zone control panel I have spent hours searching the web for information on this 20+ year old zone control panel, which supports 3 zones of Heat and A/C. The thermostat I'm replacing (on Zone 3) connects to T4/T5/T6 as W, R, Y respectively (the wire colors do not match becaus...	A separate 24VAC transformer is required for each zone thermostat that needs a C connection.
How can I prevent these LEDs from blinking when turned off? In a block of units we installed 240v EARTHED downlights. I believe the neutral maybe 2-3volts above earth causing the lights to flash when turned off. The fittings are provided with earth connection as they are metal and operating at 240. If I disconnect the ...	Bad flashing is normally caused by dimmer switches or illuminated switches. MEN does not normally stop LED/CFL flashing, and you'd still expect 2-3V at the light fitting.
Are non-GFCI outlets that are downstream of a GFCI outlet ground fault protected if they are fed from the GFCI outlet's load side? Are non-GFCI outlets that are downstream of a GFCI outlet ground fault protected if they are fed from the GFCI outlet's load side? If those non-GFCI downstream outlets were not fed from ...	The GFCI outlet will only protect its own outlets and any outlets that are connected via it's 'Load' connections.
Should I paint door hinges? Is it better to paint door hinges when painting a door and frame or should I remove them so they keep a metal look? I've hung a new door with new hinges and am about to paint. Most of the doors I see have painted hinges but is this just because someone hasn't gone to the effort of removing ...	If you are going to paint the hinges, it is better to use a paint that adheres well to metal, so you avoid chipping and peeling fresh paint.
How can I rewire this circuit? In my basement, I am removing an existing fixture and planning on installing pot-lights. Previously when I have switched out a fixture, I generally find white + black + ground, which is pretty easy to deal with. In this case, when I was removing my existing fixture, I found the followin...	This is how I suspect the circuit is wired, but you'll have to investigate to be sure. The circuit may be wired this way because it continues on to feed other rooms, or simply because the switch is a "smart" switch that requires a grounded (neutral) conductor.
How to reduce noise from my refrigerator? I live in a studio appartment and there is a fridge in my room which makes sleeping difficult. Is there a way to reduce the noise it makes? Is it maybe possible to cover it with noise insulant without keeping the waste heat inside? Update: Thanks for your tips and hints. I ju...	This may seem crazy but mounting the fridge on wall brackets so it doesn't touch the floor can make a big difference. As you have deduced, the condenser coil needs to get rid of heat in order to work properly. To be clear, I'm only suggesting a flat wall hanging, nothing to trap heat. If it works, enclose in a cotton s...
How do I fix drywall around wall box so switch plate covers damage? In my house, there are maybe three or four outlet boxes and switch boxes where there was damage done to the drywall surrounding the box at some point. There are no structural or electrical issues (well, none that I haven't already fixed at least—some w...	The fiberglass tape is nice for repairs like this because you can stick it to the wall and then mud on top of, unlike paper tape which you need to apply on top of mud. Just size down to fit your application. This guy's pretty good and has a solid 7-part series on new installation.
Can I paint over XPS insulation? I've a top floor apartment in India which gets almost like an oven during the summers which is like for 9 months out of 12. I've decided to apply under the deck XPS 50mm (nailed to the ceiling). I dont want to do a gypsum false ceiling after that, since I like to keep the height and cos...	For better insulation, the south or west wall of a room should also be insulated as they gain the maximum time of heat during the day. For noninsulation interior uses, Dow permits latex paint .
What can I do to avoid incandescent bulbs for my 3-bulb ceiling fan, yet maintain brightness? My ceiling fan takes 3 candelabra (E12) base bulbs for lighting. The bulb slots are labeled 75W - 125V. The fan light is dimmable and I currently use 3 60w incandescent flame tips. I plan to switch to LEDs or flourescent b...	The only thing I've found that is workable right now are halogen bulbs.
How can I close a rectangular PVC pipe without using glue? I will use a rectangular pipe (65mmx100mm) for growing herbs on the wall outside my house.I want to close both ends of a rectangular PVC pipe without using glue so I can pull at anytime both ends for cleaning purpose. Does anyone has a good mechanical idea?I'm...	Depending on your frequency of cleaning, you can put a bead of silicone around the outside after joining them. Alternately, if there is a proper cap for this pipe, you could drill a single bolt through both the cap and pipe, and hold the cap in place with the bolt.
Why do builders say that wet concrete/mortar is not as strong? I have been watching a few videos demonstrating the mixing of mortar and cement and a constant theme is that you must not have the mix too runny. I cannot fathom the reason... Does anyone care to elaborate? My only guess is that a watery mix will have th...	If there is too much water, the chemical reaction (hydration) that "cures" the cement in the concrete is adversely affected if there is too much (or too little water) in the mix, leading to weaker concrete than if the optimum amount of water is used.
How to repair this shower/bathroom wall for bathroom remodel. I have a nasty bathroom downstairs. It looks like the previous owners built it over a floor drain, not entirely sure if this is a good thing or not (not even sure if that's what they did but see attached photos for the washer height knobs). Obvious water d...	You must remove all water damaged drywall. Replace rotten studs, one at a time (full-length, don't patch). You don't won't to remove a whole wall at once, it may be load-bearing.
How can I fix a small slightly damp area in my basement wall? I am in the process of converting a bedroom in our walkout basement, into an office. Back in 1999, the previous owner had finished the basement. The basement foundation walls are hollow cinder block, and there have been no water problems anywhere in the ba...	You may need to dig down and apply water proofing in that area, or repair the crack. (I have since taken a blow dryer and dried out the breaker box, and as there is significant corrosion inside, will be replacing it) Put poly outside, as in under the slab or outside a drainage plane along the basement wall (on the outs...
How can I rehang heavy fire doors? I need to re-hang a sagging door (actually several). I've seen this question and answer , but wonder if my situation doesn't call for something a bit different. My issues: 1) its a heavy fire-door with a door-closer. 2) It is currently hanging completely on the door jamb. 3) Each...	If they are a bit loose also, put some wood shims coated with wood glue in the screw holes, let it cure and reinstall the hinges.
How can I prevent grout from sticking in the small dimples in tiles? I have installed a glass/natural stone tiled backsplash. I used a darker grout but when I cleaned the excess grout off,all of the holes and dimples in the stone tiles were filled with the grout and I can't clean them out.It looks awful.Would a sealant...	But you can use the wide masking tapes and then just try to grout as cleanly as possible.
Is the lack of a vapor barrier in the attic causing my mold issue? For the last couple of days we have noticed more and more mold growth on the ceiling throughout the house. Wondering what was going on, I climbed into the attic this past weekend and notice that no vapor barrier was ever put in place along with an inad...	It is mostly due to poor attic ventilation where the is a temperature difference between the attic and outdoors.
How to remove construction adhesive from concrete? We removed a wooden dance floor that was glued to concrete with liquid nails. How do I remove the liquid nails that is all over the concrete floor? Has anyone had success with heat, mineral spirits or any other remover product? <Q> Removing glue from any surface is a...	: Pry off the tack strips with a Wonder Bar, and use a brick chisel (3 inches wide) to remove the majority of the adhesive, followed up with an angle grinder to remove the remaining residue and smooth the area.
Should a concrete slab slope toward my house? I am adding a room to my home, the contractor poured a concrete slab for the addition and it slopes toward the existing house and it is now raining and water is coming under my floors. Is the slope of the poured slab correct? <Q> The slab upon which the addition is to be bu...	If this is a slab floor for living space, it should be level with no slope at all (strike one for the contractor).
Is there a way to drill a 1"-diameter hole through 1/8"-thick steel using a standard cordless power drill? I am trying to reinforce a custom door I am building. Because it's made only of two layers of MDF, it is not as rigid as I want it to be and shows signs of bowing. Since it's going to be a soundproof door, any c...	A rectangular hole can be cut by drilling some smaller round holes and then using a saber saw with a metal cutting blade to open up the area to near full size and then following up with a mill file to shape to final size and fit.
What's the difference between Husky brand and HDX brand? At Home Depot I have noticed the advertising of HDX products lately that are really low price items including tools and other household things. As far as I knew Home Depot already had their own products marketed under the "Husky" name. From what I can tell th...	Husky & HDX are two separate brands, Husky hand tools have a lifetimewarranty and HDX does not, but is a more affordable house brand oftools we sell now.
How can I hide the gap at the base of the stairs and the door, when installing laminate flooring? I am starting to plan a project to lay laminate flooring in my hallway. Already I can see two areas which are not as straightforward as the rest of the area. The first area which I can see me having problems is when I rea...	You have your expansion gap built in, you have multiple prongs hitting the floor to secure it, and you have nice curves on both sides. This is the best image I could find. When I laid my laminate floor, the store sold a variety of edging to use where you couldn't simply cover over the gap with baseboards. One of the th...
What's a simple solution to have 2 NEMA 14-30 receptacles and switch power between them? Currently I have a NEMA 14-30 receptacle for the dryer. I'm wondering is it possible to split one receptacle into 2 NEMA 14-30 receptacles and install a switch to select which receptacle to use when needed? I need to have an extr...	Do note that if your panel is currently full of single wide circuit breakers for lights and outlets it is easy to remidy that situation by replacing those breakers with newer ones that provide support for two circuits per single width location. You spent good money on a nice electric vehicle, you deserve to have a prop...
How can I attach a 1/8" strip of steel to MDF so that it stays secure forever for eternity? I have attached two 3/4" panels of MDF together, so the end result is a 1 1/2"-thick panel. I need to reinforce it so that it does not bow, so I thought of attaching a 1/8"x1 1/2"x6' strip of steel along the edge. Simple researc...	Depending on depth of the panels, you could have threaded rod welded to the inside surface of the steel and drill matching holes through the MDF panels and attach with a nut on the other side. Liquid Nails comes in various formulations, some better than others.
What is the liquid in a Radon U-tube Manometer? What is the liquid in a radon U-tube Manometer? I'm assuming that it's not water because of evaporation. Mine is clear in color, but I've been reading that it's normally blue or red. Is it a particular type of oil? Can it be refilled/replaced? Some bubbles have appea...	It is oil of a specific density to correspond to the scale. When my radon mitigation system was installed I was told the blue liquid would fade to clear in a few years. I wouldn't use vegetable oil as it may get rancid.
Why does our "granite" worktop mark so easily? We had a new kitchen installed, supposedly by experts, but the "granite" worktop that was installed is really really fragile. I had expected a granite worktop to be hard and durable, but this is almost not fit for purpose as a kitchen worktop. You only need to put a mug ...	I suspect you may have purchased a bargain brand that is inferior to Silestone or solid granite or good grade Quartzite type.
Can I cover junction boxes in the attic with insulation? This may be a duplicate of What are the codes for electrical wiring in attics? I have an attic which is accessible via a ladder through an access panel in the garage and in a bedroom. The trusses and joists are all open and there is blown in insulation up to t...	I would suggest that you install access panels in the ceiling for these concealed boxes, and then cover them with insulation. Listed boxes and handhole enclosures shall be permitted where covered by gravel, light aggregate, or noncohesive granulated soil if their location is effectively identified and accessible for ex...
Why does my bathroom shower have too much water pressure? I have the same shower head, nothing has changed except the pressure. It sprays so hard that it hurts, and in 10 minutes the hot water is almost gone. What can I do to fix this? <Q> Turn both the hot and cold shut offs back to apx half or simply turn on you...	The simplest way to reduce pressure would be to use the water turn off valves usually located in the wall or under the floor near the shower controls.
How can I transition between these floors? I have recently fitted some new laminate flooring to my living room floor. This floor meets directly with the tiled floor of the kitchen. I'm looking to fit some sort of transition bar between the laminate floor and the kitchen tiles, however, the complication is that along ...	A tile mosaic laid at an angle so as to "ramp" up to the height of the floor wood look nice. If you try to install something that looks perfect, it will always look imperfect.
How do I reverse erosion which is lowering earth around fence posts? Erosion has exposed several fence posts behind the back yard. I've considered building a retaining wall, buying dirt and filling the area in then growing some ground cover, or eventually rebuilding the fence and digging the posts deeper. All of thes...	I would build the retaining wall and fill in up to where the posts are supposed to be covered, then plant plenty of ground cover both above and below the wall.
Can I use brake fluid or steering fluid to stop a fan from squeaking? Can I use braking fluid or steering fluid on my squeaking table fan? Are they safe? I'm just wondering if I can use anything that's already lying around the house. <Q> Power Steering fluid and Transmission fluid are petroleum based hydraulic fluids, ...	Brake Fluid is not a lubricant, but a glycol based hydraulic fluid designed to have a high boiling point and to absorb water to prevent corrosion (why the brake system should be completely bled out every so often). A non-drying oil like Olive oil, or Bacon Grease'll work.
What is the most durable wood to use for an outdoor swing set I'm looking to build an outdoor swing set for my kids in the garden. I'd like to know what is the most durable wood to use that doesn't warp or bend. I've been down to the big department stores to get wood, but it is mostly warped already and it has been dif...	If you can source it, Eastern White Cedar is a wonderful wood to make a play set out of, as it wont give splinters as easily
How should I use fiberglass batts to insulate between floor joists over a stone basement? I have an old home built on a stone foundation. The stone foundation is solid, as well as the floor joists. I run a dehumidifier in the basement full time, to keep the air moisture low. There is never any water in the basement. ...	Do not seal the bottom side of the insulation with a vapor barrier since that will trap moisture which can lead to mold and mildew.
How can I install an electrical panel when the stud cavity is too narrow? I am installing a sub panel in my garage and ran into a problem. I have the usual 14" of space in the stud cavity but the problem is that the subpanel I bought is 14 1/4" wide. I'm wondering what the best option is to get it to fit. My first t...	An 1/8 notch is not a problem, especially if you have access to a Oscillating Multi Tool (OMT ), of the class pioneered by Fein. The common solution is to attach a piece of plywood larger than the panel to the studs, and then attach the panel to the plywood.
How can I add ventilation to my basement office? I have a finished basement with an office, guest bedroom and bathroom. All about 700 sq ft.I work 12+ hours in the office and really need to get some fresh air circulating by extracting stale air. I'm looking for a good method of doing this. I had considered running an a...	If you have forced air for heating and cooling, a thermostat that would also run just the fan once in a while to provide circulation might be sufficient. As a spot unit, you could just run the unit in your office.
How can I hang a heavy frame without making holes in the walls? I live in an apartment, so I don't want to put holes in the wall, but I have a large (2'x3') wire-suspended frame, weighing 14 pounds, that I'd like to hang. The heaviest-duty 3M Command product (the Sticky Nail Wire-Back Hanger ) only holds 8 pounds and ...	A nicely framed section of painted drywall or other type of surface can make a nice accessory for the room.
How big should a gap be between a built-in oven and a shelf for mounting a microwave? I want to put a microwave on a shelf above a built-in oven. What gap should I leave between the top of the oven and the shelf? <Q> All appliances should list minimum clearances in the technical specifications, make sure you follow th...	You will notice that built-in microwaves generally require only 14 inches of clearance from the bottom of the microwave to the cooktop. There is no general rule of thumb as each appliance is different.
Can my drywall act as an air barrier? I am preparing to improve a building in a cold climate zone. Since it does not seem to be properly insulated, I am reading a book about insulating and weatherizing. That teaches me that I should create an airtight thermal boundary. I have many questions about that, but this one i...	Housewrap over the sheathing should prevent moisture from entering the wall from the outside while allowing moisture to escape from the wall cavity.
What are good options for protecting expensive lawn equipment? Question is self explanatory. We had a zero-turn stolen last year. We plan on buying another one this year, and I want to protect it. I've never looked into options available, but I'd like to tag my gear so that it can be tracked if stolen. Besides obviou...	Wheel your gear into a shed or garage and lock it up.
What is a good PWM driver for LED lighting? I am looking at lighting options for my new flat. I'm looking for any recommendations and suggestions for the components to power and control the LEDs. If we consider the main room (i.e. the open plan living/dining room/kitchen), my idea is to have a number of sets of lights...	I would love it if PowerOverEthernet would provide the answer and it still may, but after reading examples of the voltage drop and drop in brightness along a series of LED strip lighting, AC sounds better.
How difficult is it to cut a big (flange) hole in brittle marble tile? How difficult is it to cut a big (flange) hole in brittle marble tile?I am just asking this question here because, even though I will not be laying my tiles myself, my tile setter is currently overseas and inaccessible yet I am designing the floor t...	A diamond hole saw will do the job, use plenty of water and light pressure. You want to avoid very small pieces along the borders.
I need a multiple-switch light switch which can't all be turned off at once I have a 4 switch (I think it's called "4-gang"?) light switch on the wall. It's not connecting to lights though, but to AC vent doors. Now, these AC vents must never all be closed at once. Meaning, minimum one switch must be on at all times. ...	The rotary switch forces one to be on all times, the other 4 switches allow selectively turning on any of the additional vents on in any combination. To move the guard to allow switch 1 to turn off, you must first turn on switch 2 to allow the guard to move. As you can see, each switch has exactly one position where it...
Can I use engineered I joists as studs in a wall? Project: 3m by 6m weekend house, roof 3m high, walls 20cm insulation. Question: I want build it from lighter/thinner materials, and i want to calculate from how thick materials i can build this I Joist (Picture One) So it would be same strength as 200mm by 50mm timber ...	While I joists are okay for hanging drywall on a ceiling, a wall tends to have a lot more nails, screws and anchors run into it for everything from pictures, TV's hanging on lags, etc... With drywall, the screws will be run into the sides of the I joist where they will not damage the OSB in the middle.
Which comes first - Flooring or Kitchen Remodel? My wife and I are going to upgrade multiple parts of our house but we really want two key areas completed first, but we're not sure where to start or if we should do then at the same time, which is why I'm here. We want to install hardwood flooring throughout our house...	The simple answer is if you are going to put down hardwood in the kitchen, it is usually better to install the entire floor before you put down the new base cabinets.
What could be wrong with my air conditioner? My outside fan (compressor?) will not turn on. I have a week or two before the weather gets warm so thought I would try fixing it before I hire someone. Symptoms - I turn on the air. The blower turns on. Nothing outside makes a sound or moves. Now the last time I used...	There is a relay switch that turns the outside fan on and its located in the outside unit beneath the panel.
How can I stop this GFCI receptacle from tripping? In my garage I have two wall receptacles on opposite sides of the garage. On one side the receptacle is a GFCI receptacle and the other side is a normal one. In the normal receptacle I have a small deep freeze, and a refrigerator plugged in. A couple of times a day I g...	A GFCI outlet works by measuring the magic electrons in and out on the hot and neutral legs and if they are different by a certain amount, trips the circuit to stop electricity from flowing, on the principle that those electrons are going somewhere bad You should see Black and White wires connected to the "LINE" Termin...
Will a Dremel multipurpose bit cut through 1/2 inch polycarbonate? Would I be able to use the Dremel multipurpose cutting bit (561) to cut patterns out of 1/2 inch polycarbonate (Lexan)? Dremel "experts" said no but I want to hear other people's opinions. According to them, the bit will snap. <Q> Polycarbonate likes to...	A saw is the right tool for this job.
How to narrow a closet door opening? I have a closet opening that has never had a door on it (has had a curtan on a rod for 30+ years). I'd like to install a bi-fold or similar closet door. The problem is that the door opening is 44 inches and all of the doors I have seen are 24" or 36". My plan is to narrow the openi...	You can get custom made doors of almost any size that you need.
How can I paint over an existing paint design without making it permanent? We have a baby on the way. We are currently designing the nursery. The room currently has a diamond-shaped pattern that we'd like to keep, since it is unique and cool looking, plus it came that way when we purchased the house. The problem is, we...	If you are looking for total wall cover like wallpaper I would buy the cheapest self stick stuff and paint over it - doing a very small test area to begin with.
What can I do about this gap between a wooden board and the sink? The board already started to rot from below, so I need to replace it. How can I seal this small gap without having a permanent seal? The problem is that the boad is attached to the wall and I still want to be able to move the sink table away from the wal...	Another alternative you might try is a strip of self adhesive rubber pillow style weather stripping to seal the gap between the sink and wall. Remove the wooden board and replace it with cement board, then tile the area.
What protection is needed to access the crawlspace under the house? We have a crawlspace about 2 feet tall under the house. (Scary!) Looks like it has a black plastic barrier on the ground (which I believe is just dirt). How should one dress to crawl under there, and what precautions are necessary. I'm talking about c...	I also wear boots, mechanics gloves and some safety glasses. Eye protection is great for keeping the falling dust out of your eyes. Get the kind with a hood and you won't have to worry about spiders down your neck. I second getting the Tyvek suit to protect your work clothes. Then I just throw them in the trash once th...
Why does water and gunk back up through the overflow hole in the bathroom sink? When I run the water in my bathroom faucet it sometimes (but not all the time) slowly starts to creep up the overflow hole and pour back into the sink. Included with the water is black and grey gunk. The thing that puzzles me is that ev...	Once the overflow outlets are functioning properly, nasty stuff will no longer come out of the overflow inlet, but this does not solve the issue of how water was getting in there in the first place.
What NEC requirements apply to installing receptacle next to a tree? I will install a receptacle next to a tree. I know it must be protected by a GFCI and weatherproof. But my concern is about how to support it and how high it should be from the ground. Where in the NEC is the information about these requirements? ...	The bottom part of the receptacle should be at least 6" off the ground.
How can I create low-cost, fire resistant, hidden in-wall storage? I've taken all the sheetrock off of an interior wall for some renovations we're doing. What I would like to do is use a section of that wall to create a fire resistant hidden storage compartment. It's not a safe, I don't want to spend that much money an...	So if you are like most people who have decided it's just not worth buying a fire safe; you might still want to build a brick and mortar box, surrounded by two sheets of drywall. Brick and mortar box. Can use an old fire oven door or something for the opening. The latter is not a promise, just my own guess that they mi...
Why does it take a second for water to come out of the kitchen faucet? Starting about a week ago, our kitchen faucet has exhibited some odd behavior. When you lift the handle for it, nothing comes out for a second. You can hear air or water flowing, but nothing comes out. Then, a second later, the water comes out. If ...	The problem was that the sprayer hose was loose on the sprayer end.
How can I tell if a ceiling box will support a real light fixture? I removed a fluorescent light fixture from kitchen but I'm not sure the work box will support a real light fixture. The work box is round and plastic. The fluorescent light wasn't even held up by the work box, it was attached directly to the ceiling. I...	Options from below only would involve removing the existing box and using one of several replacement boxes. As others have mentioned, the holes in the back of the box can be used to attach the box to a support. This box should have no trouble supporting a normal light fixture, up to about 50 pounds. The heaviest duty b...
What are these holes in my concrete wall and how can I mount things to them? I have several 2.3" holes in my concrete walls. I think they were likely used as part of the construction or assembly process. They're maybe an inch to an inch and a half deep, and they look like this: I'd like to use them to non-destructi...	Place the two halves of the plug into the hole and then pound in some wedges to make the plug fit into the hole as tight as possible.
What is the official name for wiring hole stops/plugs and where can I buy them? We have several holes in our house (floor and external wall) that are used for cables (coax and cat5e). The holes are bigger than the cable that goes through them so we'd like to minimize the excess space (to help prevent bugs from getting...	They are called "wire grommets" or "electrical bulkhead fittings", and if you search for those (or some combination of those words) you should find what you're after. I typically seal large exterior holes with expanding foam, and smaller holes with silicone caulk. You can leave some slack on both sides (I typically lea...
Is it a problem that my toilet flange is 3/8" below the surrounding tile? My tile setter had to elevate the tiles around the toilet hole in order to make up for some unevennesses. As a result, the toilet flange is approx. 3/8" below the surrounding tile. Can that be compensated for using extra wax ring or will it eve...	A double wax ring will probably work but IMO the better option is a toilet flange extender.
Suggested materials for monitor stand? I have a 27" iMac and a second 30" display, and since I'm fairly tall I need them raised off the desk by about 20cm / 8". What is a good building material/design to build such a stand? I'm looking for a clean/simple look - probably timber painted black. I'm fairly capable (my da...	You could build a simple box out of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) . In the end I bought a sheet of Melamine and some big chunky pieces of timber that were available on special.
Which is the bare wire in a 12-3 gauge cable? What purpose does the bare wire in a 12-3 gauge cable serve? <Q> The ground wire will not have any extra insulation, though it is usally wrapped in paper to seperate it from the other conductors. <S> 12-3 NM (aka "Romex") cable will have a bare grounding wire, white neutr...	The bare wire is the ground wire. The red and black wires are typically used for the 'hot' phases of split 240VAC center tapped supply (the standard residential power in North America).
How do I repair a warped sliding glass door track? I have a sliding glass door that barely opens and often jumps off the track. The track under the door is bent and chipped. Is this normal wear and tear? Would raising the wheels fix it? Do I need to straighten track? I'd like to know whether this is more complex...	A third approach would be to straighten the rib as best as possible, then grind the sides of the rib to remove the remaining high spots, then install a U-channel (rather thin, custom-bent, stainless steel) over the rib, using an epoxy glue to fill the gaps between the rib and the u-channel.
What material to use to close a too wide wire tunnel? During the cold days I noticed a little draft coming from the light switch next to my house door. Removing the switch revealed that the tunnel for the cables was widened to fit the cables for the electric strike control right next to it. The hole measures about 1/2"...	Another option would be to use "firestop" putty - it's designed for exactly this type of situation: closing off conduit runs to prevent fire/smoke entry, but it will also stop air from leaking through. Alternatively, you could try to stop the draft elsewhere.
How long does setting-type joint compound have to dry before priming? I put the final skim coat of 90-minute hot mud on the walls this afternoon, how long should I wait before priming? I've seen everything from overnight to 3 days, and the manufacturer's website doesn't have a number. Using Sheetrock Brand Easy Sand ...	I always wait for a FULL 24 hours for a light skim coat, provided the humidity is low and the fans have been running in the room non-stop.
How to prevent batteries leaking out in devices? Is there a common method of preventing batteries from leaking out and destroying the device? Why does this happen in the first place? I have laid another head lamp to waste because it was sitting in my truck unused for several months. Could it be because of the lack o...	Be aware that a sharp drop or case deformation (denting) of the battery could lead to degradation or failure of the battery seals. Don't mix different cells in a device which takes more then one cell.
What is the best method of filling the gaps in wooden floors? Two years ago we had wooden flooring installed. We had the wood sit out for 4 weeks to acclimatize as much as possible before we installed. About 6 months later (fall) we started to notice gaps between some of the floor planks. Since then they haven't gotten...	the best thing you can do is add wood strips to your floor. You can use a floor squeegee or a grout float for more control. After curing, an overcoat of water based poly will help blend the whole floor together.
How can I seal the edges of a linoleum floor that possibly contains asbestos? The linoleum floor in my kitchen was installed extremely poorly (long before I started renting the apartment). Many of the edges are curling and in some places, it was not cut to the correct size and they just left the excess curled over. I a...	If it is asbestos, trying to fix it yourself could make you liable for any damage you cause by futzing with it. Where possible, I installed engineered flooring and underlayment over the linoleum.
Is there a tool designed for holding multiple electrical wires together to keep them in place for wire nut? I am trying to wire three hot wires together with a pigtail which means I need to twist four 14-gage wires into a nut (I am using a tan nut which I believe is suitable for this). The problem I'm having is holdin...	Twist the wires together using the pliers.
Is creating a concrete driveway a diy? The entry of the driveway is just a rock bed with no concrete. I want to replace it, it doesn't have to be replaced with concrete so I'm open to suggestions there. If it is a diy, what are the high level steps involved? What about tools? I know the old stuff has to go, but beyon...	Removing and pouring a concrete driveway can definitely be done by a nonprofessional.
What are the issues with using sour smelling paint? My husband touched up the paint in our bedroom. The smell was rancid, like sour milk. I cannot believe he used the paint that went bad. I have a horrible headache and watery eyes, an obvious allergic reaction to the mold smell. When the paint finally dries will it...	Scrub the walls down with the thinner using towels to get as much of that bad paint off as possible. The smell traveled just a little to other parts of the house, but the room was already smelling so much better. let the walls thoroughly dry out with fans running before attempting to paint. I also put 2 large Moso Bamb...
Is it bad that my porcelain tiles were stored outside in the rain? I just picked up my porcelain floor tiles from the warehouse. They were stored outside in the rain for a week. They're still wet and being aired out now. But they smell of mold. Is this bad news? <Q> If they are true porcelain, they have not absorbed wa...	I would hit it with a bleach mixture to stop mold growth. First I would not power wash them. Unless you got an incredible deal on the tile I would return it.
Why does my GFCI circuit breaker trip with any small load, even after replacing the breaker? I have a 20A 240V GFCI breaker in my main breaker box going to a conduit to another breaker box outside.All worked well last summer. Now, when I put any load (weed-eater, light, etc.) on an outlet connected to the outside break...	Most likely this indicates that you have a fault between ground and neutral somewhere in the outside wiring. It may be that whatever device you're plugging in along with the pool equipment is drawing more than 30 amps and tripping the upstream breaker because the outside breaker has failed. Look for condensation in the...
How can I add insulation to my roof? I have an old 1930's house, the upstairs of which is in the pitched roof space. I've just checked and it has no insulation what-so-ever up there, so it is very much the same temperature as a loft at the moment - The layout is like so: (Apologies for the bad drawing - only have MS...	In summary a roof needs to be either well insulated, with no air gaps against the underside of it (fiberglass insulation right up next to the decking), or it needs good airflow.
How do I know if my windows are energy efficient? Hope this is a known one. New double glazing should be labelled, shouldn't it? But rather than getting new windows, are my uPVC windows fine? What checks? To elaborate - what should I look at on the windows as a means of checking they are adequately energy efficient so ...	If you look after your uPVC windows then they should be fine. Hire someone that can do an energy audit.
How do I get these toilet shut off valve out? As title says I am trying to figure out how to remove the old shut off valve from the pipe. I've been watching lot of videos, reading up on articles and all seem to deal with compression fit type but what I have at work (1 st photo) and home (2 nd photo) seem different fr...	You have to take the pin out to release the compression valve - if it were a sharkbite or similar you would need to buy a little horseshoe device to release it.
What is the process for power washing and staining a deck? I am planning to power wash my deck and stain it afterwards. But I am not quite sure the correct procedure for this process. After power washing the deck, can I stain the deck immediately or should I wait some time? Should I stain the deck first or apply the ...	Second, let the deck dry completely. Never put a sealer on before you stain, as it will block the stain from penetrating and adhering to the wood.
Why is my Central Heating taking so long to heat up? I'm in the UK with a small modern, well insulated, double glazed home heated by a traditional gas boiler. My heating had been achieving room stat temperature within 30 minutes but is now taking at least 3hours. After the boiler has run continually for about 2hours...	Another possibility I have experienced - the heat exchanger in the boiler may be clogging, reducing the flow through it.
Can I use flexible LED strips to get better lighting in my kitchen? My wife and I really hate how the lights in our kitchen are central and overhead, making it so that when we cut vegetables or work on the counters, our shadow blocks the light from being able to see what we're doing. Here's a little diagram I made to i...	If you want to get a smooth 'lightbar' effect, then you should fit your LED tape into a diffusing (frosted) tape extrusion - which blurs the individual LED 'dots' to give a more even glow. A cord-and-plug device, might be a good temporary solution as well.

Subsets and Splits

No community queries yet

The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.