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Drywall over plaster with furring strips So I just removed staple on ceiling tiles from my curling to find they were done on top of plaster, my questions are: 1) is there any fear in any case of the drywall adding to much weight to the ceiling? This house was built in 1908. 2) when installing the drywall do I attach...	You may want to check, using a stud finder to assure yourself that the strapping is attached to the underlying floor or ceiling joists. If the ceiling height is tight, but I think you may have high ceilings anyway, you can remove the firing strips, which will let a lot of plaster fall, (not good) and screw the drywall ...
Does my crawl space need venting I have a crawl space under my main entrance of the house. It's about 3' tall. I added a heat duct because the floor at the entrance was always cold. So my question is do I need to vent the crawl space because I added the heat vent. Even if I just cut a hole in the door leading to the cr...	Seasonally block the vents if you like, but only if you're sure it will not cause moisture issues. In SOME areas you may be allowed to put a fan to the outdoors.
Renovating Crawlspace with Poured Concrete Floor My newly-purchased 1950s home has a below-grade crawlspace with a poorly-poured concrete floor. Specifically, it is very coarse and looks like it was poured and spread with a garden rake. In some places, there are large holes that seem to go down to the dirt. Not good. A...	The crawlspace contractor broke the concrete in a pitchfork-shape (to get good radon coverage and get around some concrete footings that are supporting the steel I-beam). Again, your radon contractor who can see the space should be able to advise you properly and make all the connections to your existing system. We are...
What type and thickness of glass to use for floor over stairs? We have created a new loft room and over the already built stairs, the covering over the deepest part of the stairs is a plywood covering. I would like to replace this with glass that will be tough and strong enough to stand on. For this purpose should I...	Using glass on a walking surface is not recommended due to slipping. Your best bet would be to call your local glass shop.
At what temperature does a WiFi thermostat stop sending a signal to the router? I recently purchased and installed a Honeywell WP6500 WiFi thermostat and thanks to Stack Exchange, got it up and running. I have a house in New Hampshire, which I use occasionally during the winter. I do not like to keep heat on in the hou...	You're looking for a specification called the operating temperature range of the thermostat or router or both.
Paint is scraping and wiping off too easily I recently painted some of my house with Glidden Duo eggshell (primer included). Days after painting, my wife informed me that the paint was wiping off and scraping off extremely easy (just the new paint- you can see the old paint underneath). This is still happening after a...	It could be a bad batch of paint, or a strange interaction between the old paint and the new, but I think it's more likely that the wall just needed a little more preparation than is normal.
What should I do about a gap between a quartz countertop and backsplash? I had new quartz kitchen counters installed yesterday. On one side by the cooktop there is no gap between the counter and backslash. The other side, by and behind the sink, was left with a gap between the counter and backslash! One side looks grea...	Might just need to run a bead of caulk and they'll have the right color to work with the stone you selected. It's not unusual for there to be a gap between a backsplash and the wall, especially if the wall is uneven or made of something irregular like brick.
How can I fuse galvanized sheet metal with a circular bottom together so that it is water tight? I want to make a large circular pot out of sheet metal that can hold water. How should I construct it so that it has a circular bottom and ensure it is leak-proof. Boiling water will be poured into this pot. Thank you <Q>...	I would think that soldering would make a good seal provided you could keep the 2 surfaces tight to one another.
Accidentally Touching One Lead Of A Multimeter While Other Is In Electrical Outlet If I have a multimeter, and I put one lead in the hot slot of an electrical outlet, will accidentally touching the other lead complete a circuit and electrocute me? Likewise, if instead I put one lead in the neutral slot of an elect...	If everything is wired correctly, you would not be shocked in the neutral scenario, however swapping hot/neutral is a pretty common error, so it is not a given that you would want to assume is correct.
How do I install fire blocking while finishing a basement? In Colorado, the building code asks for a fire block when finishing a basement. I know this goes against the out walls (foundation). I've seen 2x4 and OSB used: which is better? And how does the OSB get installed? <Q> OSB would be easier and faster, it gets ins...	I would suggest to rip the OSB a little shy of the chalk line.
Will running out of fuel oil damage my tank? My home heating oil is very low. I have 2 questions: 1. If I run out of heating oil can my tank/ furnace become damaged? 2. Can I use diesel fuel until I am ready to fill my tank? <Q> You are likely to clog your filter, so plan on replacing it if you do run out (it may be go...	My understanding is that diesel fuel has additives that are not needed for an oil burner, but will do no harm to the system. If you run out of fuel, your burner will shut down, as there is a safety system that disables it if there is no flame when the burner is running.
Can I install a receptacle outlet below a window? I need to add a receptacle outlet to an existing line. I will run the line from an existing receptacle outlet. Is it okay to locate the new outlet below an existing window? <Q> Yes. <S> As long as you have part of the wall under your window (your window doesn't go t...	Under widows does not appear to be a useable wall space for a receptical in The City of Calgary's current homeowners electrical wiring guidelines.
Can furring strips be installed diretly to a cinderblock wall not in a basement? I've tried finding a definitive answer but it's far more common for folks to have block walls in basements that need to be furred out, so the information deals primarily with that and I believe this is different. Problem: The original ...	It's best to have some of the firring strips near/around the box even if not secured to the block, to prevent movement when the outlet is installed. I'd be careful with ramset and concrete block. As someone noted, thin foam insulation is better than none at all, it will slip between the block and drywall.
How can I dim landscape lights permanently? I googled this question before posting here - I cant seem to find anyone with my exact needs, so I am asking here. I have a light switch connected to an outlet that is under my house. From here I have a power strip mounted to the joist then there are 3 sets of Home Depot bra...	This particular site doesn't support a schematic-drawing tool, but it would be possible to wire a double-pole double-throw switch to select between normal and greatly-reduced brightness.
Do I have to increase the water line diameter all the way to the water meter? I have a 1/2" water line into my house from the meter. I would like to change that over to use a 3/4" or a 1" line into my house. Do I need to replace all the 1/2" pipe back to the meter with my larger line, or can I just start replacing it...	You could start replacing things in your house but this won't help your water pressure situation - until the main line gets replaced.
Why are some light switches giving shocks? Some of our light switches are giving light shocks and sometimes you can see a spark. What <Q> Could be <S> static - kinda depends on the nature of the shock/spark. <S> If you still get a shock from the switch, move on to: <A> Just a thought that I had after verifying the s...	Not uncommon in the winter (dry inside the house) to get a static discharge to the grounded screws - try touching a doorknob or some other metal thing before touching the switch - if the other metal thing has the shock then, and the switch does not, that might be it. If it's more than just static, call an electrician A...
Can I install laminate (Pergo) flooring over previous underlayment? I tore up laminate flooring and the underlayment is still intact and in very good condition. Can I install the new laminate (which has the underlayment attached) on top of the existing underlayment? <Q> I am sorry I don't have time to research this ri...	I would advise you to check the existing subfloor to be sure it is secured well. Of course you can install over an existing subfloor in good condition.
How to fix small holes/separation in caulk around bathtub? I'm sure this is a relatively simple task but I've never done it before and want to make sure I get it right. There are some holes/separation appearing in the caulk between the bathtub and the wall around it. Here is a picture: What would be the most appropri...	Do remove the old caulk by carefully cutting the openings that are there bigger with out scratching the plastic tub or wall liner.
How do I know if my wood front door's finish is weather proof? We just moved into a new home. The wood front door is semi-sheltered by a small porch. The front of the house has southern exposure and has the most exposure to the weather. There was an unsightly screen door on the outside that we removed. The door has a ...	depends on how well you small porch shelters it, the outer coating, the type of wood, and if it is solid or not. All but the most delicate finishes will provide decent water resistance, but UV light will break down anything not specifically designed for it.
What could be causing my three way switch to malfunction? Ok we recently moved in. There is a problem with our kitchen three way switch. I have not opened the box yet, but feel comfortable doing so, and working with a volt meter and what not. Here is the problem. The switch that turns off the light HAS to turn it bac...	I had a similar problem on a circuit with two switches for one light.
Why does my furnace drip bucket fill up so frequently? We have an oil furnace that heats the house using a two-zone hot-water circuit, and also acts as an on-demand hot water heater. There is a pipe coming off the collection of pipes coming out of it that has a 2-quart drip bucket beneath it. This bucket fills every ot...	It could also be a straightforward leak, (usually) from an overpressure/overtemperature valve - look for that type of valve on the pipe that is dripping.
How much ventilation space does a refrigerator need? The person who built our refrigerator cabinet box only left 1" for ventilation at the top of the refrigerator. Is this enough space for proper ventilation? There is a 1" gap on either side, and a 4" gap in the back (due to a narrow heating duct going up the wall be...	It's common to have the cabinet above the fridge a bit less deep than the others, to allow for airflow. Samsung's current models require 1" on top, half inch each side. The sides do not need any clearance at all.
Is there a motion sensor light switch that does not need ground? My house was built in early 1950's and all electrical switches do not have a ground.This was found out with an electrician when I asked them to install Lutron Maestro , but it would not power on since there was no ground to connect it to. His suggestion...	It may be possible to extend a grounded (neutral) conductor from the light to the switch box, which could then be used to power the device. Green/ground connections should only be intended for a safety current path, not for the operation of the switch.
Circuit breaker does not trip - but produces no voltage under load Some lights and outlets started going out intermittently in my home. Circuit breaker did not trip off but under inspection with a multi-meter, produced no voltage. I disconnected the load from the breaker (Disconnected the black wire from it) and check...	You might have a break in a wire, a loose connection, or corrosion.
Mold on Ceiling on Flat Paint Not sure what exactly the line of thought was here, but my bathroom walls were painted with flat paint. While there is a fan in the bathroom, I'm not exactly sure how well its working, as it seems that the moisture from taking showers is not able to escape properly. This has led to both mo...	But before you do those get rid of all mold in your bathroom, then use a mold resistant primer and paint on the entire bathroom. The third best is that you create a system that allows the fan to suck air in to a dehumidifier in either an adjacent room or in the bathroom itself. Inspect it to see why and check to see if...
How do I stop lights from flashing when I turn on my table saw? I just installed a hanging fixture for two 40W T-12 fluorescent bulbs over my table saw. If I power up the saw when the lights are on, they flash off and come right back on (after the usual flickering). The saw is 1.75HP, 110V, 14A, and the circuit is 20A....	The only other thing that will cure the problem is a motor starting capacitor. Better to provide a lights only circuit, then when you manage to trip the outlet breakers there's still light.
Can I let rainwater run along the wall? I have 2 concrete small slabs (2m x 5m) that are sloped with 1.5% ending in the wall of the lower floor, 3 sides of the slabs have walls (just the low level doesn't). What is the best course of action to deal with this rain water? Can I just let it run along the wall below? Sho...	I would add a gutter and then use a ladder standoff You could add some drip edge flashing, such as the one in the top right:
What is the easiest way to replace an existing backsplash? I've got an unusual backsplash in my kitchen that I would like to replace. As you can see from the picture, there's about 6" of granite tile acting as a proper backsplash, but above that it appears they installed sheetrock (flush with the surface of the tile...	Throw down some tile that fits in with the granite.
What are the steps to cutting polyurethane? I've seen a lot of tips about cutting the first coat of polyurethane with mineral spirits to reduce drying time. However, given that it's the first coat, I have a full can of polyurethane. I'd pour some polyurethane out into a separate container, but am worried this will cr...	You WILL get bubbles if the varnish is too thick when you put it on unless you are a real PRO.
How can I increase water pressure after installing dual-head shower? I recently installed a 2-headed shower system in my master bathroom (2 shower heads coming from one pipe). Afterwards, the problem I suspected occurred. Having the "gate", if you will, set to direct all water flow to one head works great. However, ...	If your shower has a large cartridge you might be able to remove it and feel if there's a restrictor, although removing said restrictor would probably be difficult from inside the valve.
Soundproofing a room so sound doesn't go out as much So the building I live in is really bad with sound. What I want is a way to soundproof my room so I can talk with my normal voice without upsetting the people who live above me. The floor above me is the 5th and they can even hear the guy playing guitar who lives in ...	If that's not enough... Add insulation to walls and ceiling. Blown in rockwool has very good sound absorbing properties. Since you own the place... this is what I would propably try...
How should a water heater drain pan be installed on a concrete slab floor? My water heater sits on a concrete slab floor in my utility room next to a wall with a bathtub drain, and a few feet over from my washing machine drain. When I replace the heater I would like to install a water heater pan and have it connected ...	Placing a Drain Pan under your hot water heater is a smart idea.
What are the benefits of a Floating Vanity over a Vanity that is secured to the floor? Would this be purely design choice? <Q> Most standard type box vanities are constructed with a back stile across the width of the unit at the top/back. <S> We never connect them to the floor. <S> We find the studs in the wall and scr...	Easier to install vanity.
Make new walls match thickness of old walls I'm working in a 1952 house and the studs used then are apparently 3 5/8" thick instead of the studs today at 3 1/2". I know it's really close so I'm wondering if I fill in door ways along a wall to make it into a longer hallway, will the difference be obvious when you cover ...	I shimmed out drywall in a similar situation and it is really easy if there is such a small difference in widths.
How do I remove a lead stain from my windows? I have lead around my windows and after a new lead installation there has been a stain there for over a year. I have tried window cleaner and multi-surface cleaner but no success. I had an 'easy clean' treatment applied to the windows when I bought them and wonder if the ...	The marks came off a treat with really minimal rubbing with a soft cloth moistened with the product. I also found a thread where someone recommended Hob Brite - so off I popped to Poundland and sourced some.
Air Compressor Quick Connect Coupler Won't Latch Background: I just purchased a new air compressor. I was surprised to see that the collar on the quick connect coupling is retracted (I'm used to pulling the collar back to insert the male fitting), but figured that it would latch when the male fitting was placed inside...	One quick fix that worked for me is to put some oil onto the quick connect coupling, above and below the collar to try and get it to move better and snap forward.
How to fix gaps between flooring planks in mid-1800s house? I live in a mid-1800s house, which I plan to sell this Spring. The original (I think) wood flooring has gaps between the planks, some pretty sizable (photos follow). Is there any good fix for this? I've seen people use wood filler/epoxy, and it didn't seem to...	When we had the floors refinished, they used wood fill for the gaps. When desired, rope could be used to fill those gaps because it is soft and pliable and will compress when the boards expand, then expand when the boards contract.
What is a proper high-quality sub-floor preparation for porcelain tile floor installation I am preparing to do a kitchen remodel where I am replacing an existing tile floor with a new porcelain tile floor. The old floor that is being replaced has several areas where it is not level and some areas where the old tiles ha...	For most installations you're good with just using a cement underlayment like Hardiboard that is secured to the subfloor with screws and laid on a bed of thinset mortar.
How do I secure a one-armed toilet paper holder, which constantly slips off the mount? I have a toilet paper holder attached to a tile wall with a single finger bracket (per the manufacturer). The holder constantly slips the finger bracket, goes loose, and leans to the side. The finger bracket is quite secure to the ...	It might be possible to bend the fingers of the bracket on the wall inward a bit so that it pulls the holder more snug to the wall giving it enough traction to hold more firmly without being permanently glued in place.
Why should I repair/replace roof just because it's old? My roof is old. Shingles are worn down, some are torn, and there are some nails coming through some shingles. I'm being told by some contractors there for other reasons that my roof needs immediate repair or replacement. They question they're not really answering ...	Maintenance is cheap, repair is expensive, crippling and you might not be able to get a mortgage to cover the renovation necessary to reclaim occupancy.
How often should heat strip turn on for a heat pump unit? I have noticed my heating bill is higher than my cooling bill now that I have installed a Heat Pump. I am trying to find a way to reduce this winter cost but am not sure how often electrical heat strips should run, if at all. I have never selected the "emergenc...	Heat pumps do not need a heat strip unless the outdoor temperatures dip
Baseboard lumber choices for staining I am in the process of selecting lumber for my baseboards. My flooring is prefinished maple, dark red/brown, stained, looks great. I was thinking about also smooth finished but not stained maple but someone told me maple doesn't stain well. It is also expensive (approx. $4/ft) ...	If you're going to stain it anyway, poplar (in the lumber trade that almost always means tulip poplar) is a nice, cheap, stable wood.
How do I keep my house cool especially my terrace during summer? I live in Bangalore in an apartment on the top floor and during summer, my terrace (built of concrete) absorbs a lot of heat. When I come home and switch on the fan, it ends warming my room and it is not cool throughout the night. The sun doesn't shine th...	A light fabric shade on the terrace will cool terrace considerable and also help to make a shade for small parties.
How do I level a sloping floor that has been tiled? We have a large room that we want to use as a bedroom and it has been tiled, over a concrete slab. On further inspection we now realise that there is a slope of approximately 5cm from one end of the room to the other. There are no cracks in the tiles, and I don't wa...	There's actually no need to level the subfloor to install a hardwood or laminate floor. This type of material is often successfully used over much less ideal substrates.
How to install a new window header that overlaps an old one I'm attempting to move some windows. I have an engineer drawing up the exact plans of how to make sure it is structurally sound, but my question here is more on actual implementation. In one or two locations I will be installing a new header of fairly signifi...	Even if it sagged a little while you are getting your new header in will be of no concern. That way when everything is done, you will not have a dip in the ceiling and the cracking drywall related to wood movement at the header, from using regular framing. I've done several jobs where I had to install headers that were...
Is it OK to re-paint a gas-range grill with paint? I have a gas range (gas stove - indoor) for cooking, and the metal grate that goes over the top has some areas of rust. If I was to sand down the rusty areas, would it be advisable to paint it with a high-temperature rated paint, such as Rutland 1200 Degree Brush-on ...	I personally would paint the grates, then burnish the paint off where it makes contact with the pans so the paint doesn't transfer onto the pans.
Should I replace my magnetron? Is there anything else upstream of the mode stirrer? I have a very nice over-the-range microwave that died after 6 years of use (or after 8 months of renting to a very messy person). To replace with the same model used would be cost over $250, thus I decided to trouble shoot it. If i pl...	If you are getting high voltage and still no heat, its most likely the magnetron. You can replace the fuse, temp rating is usually written on the device itself.
Can I drill a 3 1/2" hole through 5 joists? I need to move a toilet to the other side of room approx. 6 ft I will have to drill a 3.5 in hole for the waste line in 5 floor joist on the second floor. Can I double them and still drill the 3.5 in hole and be in compliance? <Q> You can remove an section of the joist in the...	You need to box off that floor joist. The maximum permissible boring in a floor joist is limited to 1/3 of the height of the joist (with a 2" minimum). While the above image was a solution designed by an engineer, it is not a solution that will work in all situations.
Why is smoke entering my home through the fireplace? I recently moved to a new home with a wood burning fireplace. I've never owned one of these before and I want to become familiar with it. With a fire extinguisher and a pot of water ready, I placed some kindling and a dry log (that came with the house) in the firep...	It is a simple case of pressure - if there's less pressure in the room than in a slightly-blocked flue you will still get smoke blow back into the room.
How can I contain epoxy while it sets up? So I finally built my portable home bar but I would like to have a bottle cap bar top with epoxy coating. However, I do not want to add wooden edges to contain the epoxy when I pour it over the bottle caps because of the wooden molding design that is already present. So what wo...	I have successfully used electrical tape a multitude of times as a "cusp" around glass capillary tubing.
How do I remove Cement Board that has been screwed in and is bonded to wood subfloor with thinset? I am in the process of purchasing a townhome and I am looking to tear up the existing 12" ceramic tile that covers the entire main level... an area close to 600 sq. ft. to make way for laminate flooring. Thinset has been ...	Then a 2 lb hammer to knock some holes, then just pull off the durock in fairly big pieces, like 3 x 3. Open windows, block all vents and mask required!
30amp dryer on a 50amp breaker? After many pitfalls, I have gotten my new dryer working. It's a Kenmore 81182 electric dryer. ( Manual from sears ; Sears website ). Very long story short, the neutral wire at the breaker box wasn't tight, at all, not in the least (how my previous dryer ran 10 years is a mystery). Go...	With this wire size, the breaker must not be larger than 30 amps.
How thick should should wood be to hold 160 to 180 pounds over a four-foot span? I want to paint the walls above my living room stairwell. The stairs are four feet wide. I'd like to cover the stairwell with wood boards so I can stand my ladder on the boards to paint the walls overhead. The length of the boards would...	Regular framing lumber in good condition held together with boards running perpendicular every 2' or less would work well.
PVC pipe cutter not working properly I got a PVC pipe cutter a year or two ago, and used it once. Now I need to use it again and I am finding it extremely difficult to get it to cut the pipe. This cutter is of the style where there is a sharp disc on the outer edge and two black rollers on the inner edge with a screw...	Whatever you cut with, but especially with this type of cutter (which will deform the pipe and create a lip) you should ream the inside of the cut pipe to remove any burr and ensure full flow (on any type of pipe, not just PVC.) You either have the wrong cutter or a bad blade. I think the hardware store sold you a copp...
Adding a C wire to a new Honeywell WIfi Thermostat I am trying to install a new Honeywell touchscreen WIFI thermostat and need to add a C wire to my terminal inside the furnace (using the help found at How can I add a "C" wire to my thermostat? ). BUT.. I have a white wire that runs from the A/C unit outside that is...	If you have to run a new wire, and the PC board has no "C" terminal (very old PC board), you can connect one end of the new wire to any metal part of the blower assembly (chassis) and run the new wire to the "C" terminal in the new thermostat.
how to fix rotten exterior wall Due to moisture my outside wall is rotten in a small section of house. Picture attached. What is the best way to fix this. <Q> I see that you have posted two questions about this situation. <S> I fear you have to address a couple of problems here. <S> First and foremost is to try to ro...	You could install a horizontal trim piece along the bottom, under cut or flashed to the siding if the rotted section is not too high up the wall. You need to regrade plus move spout out. This is one of those jobs that require a look-see and adapt a solution as the amount of damage is determined. The bottom foot or two ...
How do I get my recessed light fixture flush? I installed two new recessed LED light fixtures using 4" new construction IC housings . The problem is that both fixtures are not flush against the ceiling after installation, they are dipping down on one side 1/4" or so. Am I doing something wrong? Is my 1990's(Minne...	When it was almost completely flush I just wiggled the electrical tape and pulled it out.
How can I repair a towel bar with one end ripped out of the wall? I'm in desperate need of assistance. I'm a tenant living in a rented apartment and one end of the towel bar just fell out of its socket! Can anyone tell me how, if possible, I can fix it myself without telling my landlord? Or in the worst case scenario ...	Your landlord may have a stock of the exact towel bar and thus have factory new parts. I agree that the best solution here is tell your landlord, provided you have a reasonable one.
How do I even out a pair of bookcases on an uneven floor? So, I have a couple Ikea Billy bookcases, normal. I got them with doors, so with the forward weighting, I'm a bit extra paranoid about tipping. I put them together; all fine. Then I try to place them against the wall. I find the floor is uneven. Not just slant...	Next you place the book cases in to their intended location and use some 1x2 pine board strips which you will clamp onto the sides as temporary "stilt" legs.
How do you remove a wire from a push-in fitting when there is no release opening? How do you remove a wire from a push-in fitting when there is no release opening? Note: “ What could cause two of my receptacles to stop working? ” is my post. Note: My home is a 1980 manufactured home. It had junk plumbing (I have rep...	If the wires are way too short, and the circuit is dead, put on safety glasses and use a hammer or locking pliers or a bolt cutter to smash the crap receptacle and release your wires quickly.
How to identify the type of plastic I'm wondering if there's a practical method of recognizing what kind of plastic a something is made of. This is a recurring issue I face when trying to fix/glue/work-with plastic stuff around the house. More specifically, I was trying to fix the connection of a garden hose reel. I ...	If you really want to fix plastic, proper heat welding or carefully-matched chemical or epoxy welding is the way to go.
Will an old oak tree close to my house cause problems? I'm considering buying a 45 year old house. The house is in good condition, and has a big old oak tree 15 or 20 feet from the back of the house. It's a beautiful tree, clearly as old as the house, but I'm concerned the proximity of the tree could threaten the house...	Many problems can be mitigated if you like having a tree in your yard - no point in mitigating them if you don't.
Running computers in basement storage room safely I have kinda an odd one. I'm mostly concerned about fire safety here and am not concerned about power, I already know how to handle that properly. I have a somewhat large basement with an unfinished storage room that is probably 150 square feet total. The room also con...	Real walls, floor, ceiling will bleed off some heat, but you still might have a problem without some active ventilation. You could probably run 10 servers in an open rack and be fine in a basement room that size... and I don't think it is an issue unless you treat your house as an unconditioned space...
How do I run ethernet and speaker cabling in 2 story home? My home is 1988 built and I put my modem and router upstairs. I want to have a music system around house and also want to run Ethernet cable to my tv downstairs. How can I do that? I do not want to open walls for this if possible :-( I am running tv on wire...	You can remove other wall plates for existing phone lines/cable and use cutout as an access point for running the wire.
How to remove silicone caulk from a shower wall? I took down a shampoo dispenser and now I have several big blobs of moldy silicone caulk on the shower wall. I bought a plastic razor scraper and a bottle of Goo Gone Caulk Remover, which gets high marks for removing silicone on Amazon, but I haven't even made a dent. ...	The easiest way that I found to remove silicone caulking from tile was high acetone nail polish remover with a magic eraser.
Should I refinish hardwood floor with scratches? I am in a process to to get my hardwood refinished. The floor have few deep scratches and is of oak type hardwood. My question is: 1) Stain or not to Stain ? Is it a good idea to stain the hardwood floor if it have significant scratches. I think many of scratch will ...	Unless you want to darken the wood, I wouldn't consider staining unless necessary to match color in a damaged area... especially since you have to strip ALL the varnish off first or the stain will go down unevenly. So I would definitely recommend sanding, if nothing more than to even out scratches a bit.
How can I check for drywall behind wood panelling? What's the best way for me to know whether there is drywall behind wood panelling walls? The wood panelling looks inexpensive, and it's in a big room (a converted garage). <Q> If there are electrical outlets, remove one and look. <S> otherwise you need to remove a sec...	You could try carefully popping out a few nails in the middle of a panel to see what's behind it.
What is the best way to fill finishing nail holes on door and floor trim? There have been a couple of similar questions but none for my exact usage or that provides a good answer. I consider myself average to weak on finishing wood work so would like to hear some good input. Let's assume that the floor or door trim i...	This spring I filled in large holes in trim using Durham's (the lock holes).
Why are my fluorescent lights not working sometimes? I have a fluorescent light fixture in my kitchen, which uses u-shaped tubes. A few weeks ago they just stopped working. I could turn the switch on and there'd just be no light. Not flickering which I've read indicates a bad bulb. No buzzing sound, which I read mean...	If the lights work for a period of time and go out on their own,that usually indicates an over-heating ballast - replace theballast. Bad switches can be intermittent.
What should I use to repair plaster in a bathroom? Our house was built in 1941, so all original walls are plaster (I'm assuming lath and plaster?). This is true for the bathroom in question. The walls in this bathroom are plaster, and are painted with latex paint. Where the shower curtain rod is in contact with the wal...	I suggest priming the wall with an interior/exterior grade primer that will be able to stand up to the moisture.
How do I fix a leaking connector between my garden hose and faucet? I am trying to connect a garden hose with the faucet. After connecting and turning on the faucet, the water still squirted out. Please see the attached picture. I am not sure whether I need a wrench to tighten it, or it is just because the faucet or h...	Combined with garden hose gasket, you don't even need to tighten the connection that hard.
Can armored bx cable come into contact with other metal objects? I am running armored 12/2 bx to wire 4 high hats, the armored cable is grounded. There is a heating duct which I must go over, but the AC will come in contact with it... Is this ok or do I need to avoid having it make contact? <Q> Armored cable is meant t...	The armor itself is grounded when properly installed, and touching other metal should pose no risk (assuming the armor is not so bent or compressed as to expose the conductors). If you're working with MC cable, it's not likely any fault condition could lead to the ducting becoming energized. Apart from electrical consi...
How do I patch a large hole in plaster and lath? I am having some plumbing repaired in my 1913 house that will result in a large access hole (2' x 16") on the first floor. The wall is currently plaster and lath and I'm trying to get a handle on the best way to repair the damage after the plaster and lath are removed. ...	If the depth of existing plaster is greater than (on hand) drywall, then add a piece of drywall to the exposed lath with drywall screws, With wood lath, it can never guarantee the cracks will not return. When you purchase your patch, ensure you buy a piece that is narrower than the lowest spot of your patch.
How to get rid of moisture in hardwood flooring? We have recently come to a halt with our building due to our hardwood floorboards cupping and swelling in several places.(Boards were acclimatized for several months before installation) They were laid by a so called professional installer, who sealed the concrete firs...	Before you rip out the whole floor you might want to consider renting a dehumidifier first. You need to have the concrete sealed. There are several vinyl plank type floors that look like wood or tile that are good choices in a damper area.
3 wire service to panel... neutral and ground wires on the same bar? I'm getting two conflicting reports and was wondering if anyone can help me. I was told that on the distribution panel, grounded conductors (neutral) and ground wires need to be separated in the distribution panel. The point of disconnect is at the me...	If it is a meter main combo, with an extended service, the neutral and ground must be bonded together at the meter main combo and separated at the interior panel.
How to fit 4" rigid aluminum duct vent in between walls when there is an angle brace? I want to do what these people have done here: The problem is I have bracing going diagonally and it is not leaving enough space for the 4" aluminum duct vent. Can I saw the bracing off for the 1 section where I need to pass the p...	Also, it will compound the issue @iLikeDirt pointed out in keeping it clean, especially if you have transitions to round pipe anywhere. I recently re-did my utility room and discovered an in-wall rigid steel duct just like the one in your picture which vented through the roof. If done all the way across one wall surfac...
What's the true longevity of exposed fastener metal roofs? I want to replace my roof. Exposed-fastener metal roofs are popular and common where I live, but nobody nearby has owned one long enough to really comment on the longevity. I worry that over time, the metal's thermal expansion and contraction with ambient tempe...	We are seeing screws that at this point can live roughly 50 years if not longer without failed washers. If you want to go for exposed-fastener metal roofs be sure you get them of good quality and their installation is done correctly.
Do I really have to cut my wood flooring to a 1 inch width? So my flooring in almost done, I have about 99% of it installed. The only problem is that the gap between the last board and the wall is only 1 1/2 inches. Is my only option really to cut down these nice full pieces of flooring into strips? Worse so is th...	I had to angle off all my boards and cut out drywall bottoms because the first cuts were too small to make. You would have used the same amount of boards. Well I didn't think about the walls not being 90 degrees at all.
How do I cut 1968 cast iron rough sewage pipe? I have a rough in bathroom that was done in 1968 for the homeowners to finish. Cast iron pipes for shower and toilet are about 4 in. out of floor. How do I go about cutting them to install a toilet and a shower? To be flush with the concrete floor. <Q> Usually, the easiest...	A diamond wheel in an angle grinder is another possibility. Use the widely known name brand, blue grease cutting dish soap full strength on wet disposable rags.
Do brass ball valves have to be oriented with the flow of water? I bought this brass ball valve from Home Depot and installed it in the orientation of what I would consider "backwards". I'm not sure if it actually matters and before I close up the wall I would like to make sure orientation isn't an issue with these. M...	If there's no existing valves, and no clearance issue, then the most common convention is to have the handle point in the direction of flow.
Should I install a floor drain in my laundry room? I am relocating my laundry to a room over my garage. I have an opportunity to put in a floor drain. My old laundry has a floor drain (not sure why -- it is carpet and subfloor with only crawlspace below). Putting in the new drain will not be easy. It requires findi...	In some jurisdictions, floor drains in a laundry are a requirement of the local building code. Another significant risk is from a failure of the filler hoses; they have the potential to dump much more than 40 gallons on the floor.
Does electrical wires on exterior need to be in conduit? Do I need to run electrical wires exiting the breaker box on the exterior wall of the house & traveling across the wall in conduit or can the wires be stapled to the wood siding with steel staples? <Q> In the US -- the general rule is that outdoor rated cables (M...	*Any wire in a conduit that is outside must be rated for wet locations.
Fix a copper pipe leak I have a copper T joint that is leaking on one side, what is the best way to repair this joint that does not involve cutting the joint out and starting over? -- Update -- The pipe in question is for hot water and is soldered together. <Q> Sometimes when undertaking a repair like this it can be ...	If this is soldered copper slip joint fittings there really is no other choice other than cutting out the faulty parts and starting over.
Why is water from the dispenser slow after replacing the water filter on my refrigerator? At one of our rental properties, we have a GE GSH25JFXN WW Refrigerator. Our tenant changed out the water filter because of the recommended time to change it. He said that before he changed the filter there was good water flow at ...	Apparently the filter is obstructing the water flow.
How to properly ground a subpanel in detached building? I Will be installing a subpanel in a detached garage. The subpanel will be 60 amp. The garage is about 30' from the main-panel in-house, and I will of course get an exact length before selecting the proper gauge wiring. I'll be using pvc underground for the wiring...	Grounds are for any equipment that becomes shorted in itself and must always have a ground attached to the equipment and then run to a ground bar that is grounded to the ground. Ground rod at the shed.
How do I determine the fill rating of a conduit? I Will be installing a subpanel in a detached garage. The subpanel will be 60 amp. The garage is about 30' from the main-panel in-house, and I will of course get an exact length before selecting the proper gauge wiring. I'll be using pvc underground for the wiring. There...	All conduit has a fill rating (which equates to 40 % of the free area full of wire, unless there are only 1 or two wires - in practice, less fill is better - the full-rated fill is VERY hard to pull into conduit. If you're using all the same size conductors, you can use Table C.9 or C.10 from Annex C Annex C - Conduit ...
How can I get a 60 Hz refrigerator to work on a 50 Hz system? I bought a refrigerator with 4 doors (model #: LMX31985st) in the USA, for use in Europe. I also bought the slow down converter. I'm afraid that the frequency in the USA is 60 hz, and in Europe it is 50 hz. Because of this, the appliance doesn't work. Does t...	A sufficiently hefty non-switched UPS (uninterruptible power supply) intended for North American power can do the frequency and voltage conversion, but it won't be just any off-the-shelf UPS.
Newly installed water heater with faint gas smell Installed a new water heater last night (Rheem Performance Plus Model #XG50T09HE40U0). All went well with installation (including gas line bubble test), but this morning I could detect a faint smell of gas. I had re-used the existing gas line last night (except for a n...	Where the flexible gas line connects to the fitting on the water heater, you DON'T use Teflon (or any other sealant).
What could cause my oven to trip at a certain temperature? I have a (fairly old) Whirlpool fan oven, which turns itself off and trips all of the electrics in the kitchen when the oven reaches a certain temperature (around 150). If we then reset the trip switch and turn the oven down everything works again, and as long ...	The blower's circuit is mis-wired within the range.
Is there anything I can use to remove gorilla glue from hardwood? I have a very thin layer and some thicker blotchy spots on some steps and was curious how or what I could use to remove it? <Q> I would first try a plastic scraping tool to see if you can physically remove it. <S> This page, under the FAQ tab from the...	Cured glue can be removed with a chisel, scraper or sandpaper.
Does big current draw make GFCI outlets go bad? About 2 years ago during a kitchen update, I replaced a GFCI outlet with a new one, 20-amp (both pass through and the GFCI outlet itself). Branching downstream from it are two more outlets, one on the other side of the sink, and one right behind it on the outside of the h...	To be honest, I think they are sensitive to overloads and simply are damaged.
Apartment on the top floor gets very hot - cheap, eco friendly ways to keep the place cool? I have an apartment on the top floor of an apartment building (the community roof is right over us). In summer, the place gets very hot! I can't start a community garden upstairs and am dying with the air conditioning bills. Is ...	Adding insulation to your ceiling is probably the ultimate answer, but it may be expensive and disruptive. Placing a fan near the A/C source may also help draw a greater flow of cooled air.
Adding a two-way circuit to a three-way circuit I have two overhead lights controlled by two separate circuits of two three-way switches. One is wired like this: The other is wired like this: There are two three-way switches for the overhead light in a three gang box. Is there a way to add a separately contr...	What you call circuit power supply cable , electricians call the feed . To do what you want you would need to run another conductor from where there is unswitched power available.
How to solve a miswiring of neutral and ground An Outlet in the dining room which had a microwave plugged into it stopped working. I found 120+ volts from hot to ground and 96+ from hot to neutral. Also at one point my "three light tester" showed hot-ground reversed at one point, but also good at another point. Aft...	If you've checked all the boxes and terminals for loose connections, you may have a damaged wire in the structure somewhere. The high resistance will cause heat (and risk of fire) if you continue to use the circuit. Also it sounds like you don't have a small-appliance receptacle circuit in your dining room and maybe no...
What features do I need in a stud finder for use on plaster walls? I have an old house built in the early 1930s. The conventional stud finders are useless on plaster. The more sophisticated ones are more expensive in the $50 range. What features would a stud finder need to have to work well in my situation? <Q> This ...	If metal mesh was also used to help secure the plaster to the lath in some instances, even metal finders may not help you find the stud. A strong magnet on a string!
How can I protect the soleplate when framing basement walls? I plan on finishing my basement and I have a specific question about framing the walls and protecting the soleplate. I plan on framing and setting up the walls BEFORE laying the subfloor, but that means I need to protect the soleplate from moisture. I plan ...	Use a pressure treated sole plate on these interior walls. Using pressure treated lumber will prevent rot, but not prevent it from wicking up moisture. What you really want to do is create a break between the concrete and the wood. A sump hole with an optional sump pump at the lowest part of the basement is ideal.
How do I remove a brass pipe that has been jammed into a larger iron pipe? I was replacing the sink this afternoon when I noticed that the p-trap would not reach the drain pipe. No biggie, right? I'll just buy some extensions from the local big box and be on my way. I attempt to take off the drain pipe so I can fit ...	You should then be able to use a vise-grip or pliers roll it in to a smaller diameter and pull out the last bit. As the volumetric thermal expansion coefficient of brass is nearly twice that of steel at room temperature, but the amount of heat needed for sufficient effect might damage the existing installation (or you)...
How do I wire a switched outlet with the switch downstream? Can I simply use the same switch loop technique as with a light? in combination with this: replacing the light with the final outlet? <Q> Only if you either have only one outlet or have 3 conductors all the way between the feed and the switch. <S> Notice i...	If there is only one outlet between the feed and the switch, you just wire it like your top diagram with the outlet as the "light". A grounded (neutral) conductor is now required at each switch location, so this would no longer be possible without an additional conductor.
How can I bend skirting for a bay window? We have a bay window in our living room with a fast approaching deadline for the carpet being fitted. We need to bend the skirting as it won't be as pleasing to the eye if we do it in chunks and our bay is curved. Can anyone please advise on how to do this as our joiner can't ...	If there is a molded profile on the face of the board, this becomes trickier, since you need to be careful not to cut through the board where the molded profile is deep.
Hooking up a 50A hot tub breaker to a 60A subpanel I am considering adding a hot tub to my backyard. Most of the ones I've seen require a 240v 50A breaker, presumably with #6 4-wire. It would be most convenient to run the line for this from my subpanel in my detached garage. I had an electrician put in the subpanel j...	The 60A breaker is protecting the wiring to the subpanel (and its internals). You can put the GFCI breaker in the main panel, and protect every circuit in the subpanel just like that. That would also allow you to use one of GE's "double-stuff" 2-pole 50A breakers, that is only 1" tall, leaving you 2 spare half-spaces i...

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