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Are there any tips to prevent or reduce dust when working with drywall? With regard to patching, sawing, or drilling into/through drywall that is already installed (adding some outlets and ceiling fans), where dust control is a priority (the owner is very tidy), can anyone offer some tips and/or advice for keeping the ...	So a dust collector might be handy to use in conjunction with a vacuum.
How can I prevent unpleasant smells and organisms in our water tank? There is an 8000 liter water tank on top of my house which provides water for the house. Bacteria, fungi, algae, etc. often start developing in the tank, giving unpleasant smells, etc. The water is ground water that we pump up there with our own pum...	This may seem daunting, but I believe that this tank will be easier to maintain than an actual swimming pool because you will be using/replacing the water, so you will get familiar with adding chlorine once in a while or as you fill the tank. Chlorination is a widely used method.
How to add a gfci and surge protector to pool pump line? I want to add a gfci and surge protector to the 240v circuit for my pool pump. The 12 guage power wires (red and black) and ground (green) run from the corner of yard directly to the main breaker panel on the house, to a thin 20 amp double pole breaker. I would...	A surge protector should be located close to your service this would then protect everything not just the pool. You can change out the old breaker feeding the pump. The white wires from a GFCI or surge protector need to go to a neutral bus that is isolated from the ground bus in a sub-panel. You cannot connect a sub-pa...
How to mount a white board on a wall without making holes in the wall? I'm planning on buying a big white board to put on my bedroom wall. I don't want to commit to it though, so I don't want to nail it to the wall. Does anyone know of a non permanent solution to fix the board to the wall? EDIT: Haven't bought the bo...	Build an easel-like frame and set it on that.
soldering pipe with mapp gas I am trying to open up some solder joints on a 1/2" residential cold water line, and I am having trouble doing so. I am using a propane torch, and I confirmed that the pipe was evacuated. My brother says that some plumbers use solder with a higher melting point and MAPP gas. Is this true? T...	If the pipe was brazed with silver solder, which is common in HVAC systems, propane is not enough: you have to use MAPP to get it hot enough to work. Propane and MAPP both burn completely.
Difference between $50 and $175 breaker I have a Zinsko outdoor panel with a 100 amp breaker for the garage and 125 amp breaker for the cottage. The breakers are bad, so checked into replacing them. It seems a Zinco or Connecticut electric breaker is $175 or more each as compared to any other brand that are about $50 e...	The high price of breakers isn't quality , it's scarcity .
Using Zinzer BIN primer (shellac base) on previously waxed pine furniture I have a piece of pine furniture that has been waxed (not stained) that I have been wanting to paint for years. Finally started the project. I tried sanding, but the sand paper got coated with the wax, so not very successful on that end. I was ...	Wax will not readily dissolve (well) in alcohol and shellac will not dissolve in anything but alcohol (not water nor naptha).
How to hang electric fence from posts? I need to make some posts for a small electric fence (designed for small animals / gardens) in my backyard. This just encloses my vegetable garden to keep out rabbits. My wire is aluminum. I want to use rebar and/or PVC plastic conduit (the grey electrical variety) for the posts,...	If you need a sturdier fence you could put smaller metal conduit in as posts then slip plastic conduit over it as an insulator.
How to finish drywall under stair treads and risers seamlessly? I'm a homeowner who's building new home and am in the process of finishing drywall against a staircase. We're trying to get the stair treads and risers to meet the drywall seamlessly and without trim or casing. In order to accomplish this, ( the drywall...	Tape (use self-adherent mesh tape) the plywood-to-drywall joint just like a standard drywall butt joint, and roll a coat of thinned out drywall mud over the plywood to get the same overall surface as the drywall.
Is it safe to have two circuits passing through one junction box? So I found the following circuit diagram in my home. After receiving a fun little shock, I found that someone was using 14/3 cabling to carry 2 different circuits to this 1 gang box (line on left, load on right). Since the load for Circuit 2 doesn't have...	Secondly, the breaker(s) protecting the circuit must have the handles tied together, or a double pole breaker should be used. That's what's known as a Multi-wire Branch Circuit, and it's perfectly acceptable if done properly. You must "pigtail" neutrals - bring them all together in a splice, and add a short wire to the...
Tester showing ground, but I am not seeing a ground In the original portion of my 1940's house, I have three outlets that have wires being ran using conduit. When I test them using a three prong tester, it shows that they are grounded, but when I open them up there is no ground running from the outlet to the metal box....	To keep a bare wire from hitting the side screws (even if you use stabs), wrap the outlet with tape.
Can I connect a GFCI outlet's ground screw to the neutral wire if no ground wire is available? I noticed with a two wire cable (with a ground), the ground and neutral wires in the circuit breaker box all connect together. If I have a two wire only cable to a new three wire receptacle can I install a jumper from the neu...	The accepted way to handle the situation where no ground is available is to use a GFCI with its ground lead attached to nothing but with a label affixed reading "NO EQUIPMENT GROUND".
Why is this switch box wired like a 3-way when there's no other switch? I have a switch box that has two 12/3 cables coming into it. This switch controls a wall outlet (both top/bottom) that has a 12/2 coming in. There is no ground for switch or outlet. At the switch, black wires are spliced together and red wires are ...	So someone ran two extensions from the outlet to a double switch on two cables, each having a hot and a switched hot. Usually, the neutral splice you see in the junction box would be connected to the neutral of the recepctacle, but unless you know for sure that the circuit is not tricked out or not up to code, you shou...
Is it more work to replace or remove a skylight? We have a 20 year old leaking skylight, and right now I am contemplating either removing or replacing it. Not exactly sure why it is leaking, perhaps the flashing is bad, but it's leaked for a while. One thought was perhaps it had to do with the actual skylight mechanism...	If it's a composite roof, I think it's a little more work to roof over the skylight just because of the interior sheet rock repair, but much more expensive to buy a new skylight. The real answer is: Don't do anything until you've identified the root cause.
Is a home inspection of lead worth the money or will it basically tell me what I already know? We just purchased a house. It was built in 1939. There are areas of the house, around the base of some molding, door corners, around some door frames, etc., where paint is chipping. We didn't get the house inspected before ...	Peeling or chipping lead paint should be safely removed and replaced or covered (e.g. with an encapsulating primer designed to secure lead paint). Of course, it is safest to fully de-lead your home. Work done without proper precautions is a major risk for dangerous levels of lead exposure.
Which wire is the ground in this light box? So I'm trying to fit a new light fixture that's got the usual black, white, and copper/green wires coming out from the light itself. However, when I took off the old light and looked at the wires in the electrical box in the ceiling, the black and white are self-evident (see ...	In this case, you likely won't have enough slack in the ground wires to pull them out and pigtail them together -- I'd simply connect the fixture ground to the box with an appropriate grounding screw. Here's my best guess at the wiring based on the photo. Looks like you've got one hot/neutral coming into the box from t...
Suggestions for gate latch issue Let me preface by saying that I'm not really looking for "shopping advice". I just need some direction on how to tackle this issue. We recently purchased a house and it has a block fence around the back yard, with a side gate. The latch is facing the exterior so, I would like to put a ...	One option would be to drill holes through the post to allow you to use the lock that you have (or perhaps a slightly longer lock).
How can I project a clear light shape on the wall with an LED lamp? I'd like to build an installation which projects a star sky on the ceiling. The picture will explain the concept and the problem I've encountered: As you can see, there is plenty factors that I would need to take into account which I don't know. I'm ...	The distance between the light source and the apeture is another factor.
three prong adaptor caught on fire I have been using a three prong adaptor on my microwave. The adaptor caught on fire when the microwave was not being used, though I had used it approx. 5 minutes earlier. There's no sign of damage behind the cover plate, and a lamp works when plugged in. The microwave plug is sligh...	As a result, there was a weak connection inside the adapter, leading to either significant ohmic load or local arcing, either of which lead to meltdown and burning due to running the microwave. The answer is search your house for any loosey-goosey or sloppy-doppy outlet connections, and replace with quality outlets tha...
Should I get rid of a small wasp nest? My girlfriend has been offered an insect hotel and we decided to hang it on our balcony (we live in an apartment close to the forest in Denmark).It has attracted wasps and they have started building a nest inside a cavity supposed to be used by butterflies (I can see it through th...	I would get rid of it now, because they'll only be harder to get rid of when they're larger and more aggressive. Many small wasps are beneficial, preying upon or parasitizing other bugs or grubs.
Will a fan motor run in reverse if the receptacles polarity is reversed? Recently installed a range hood and it's not sucking up smoke very well. It's been uninstalled and checked for obstructions and none have been found. The dampers are opening and closing properly. One at the unit the other on the roof top vent. The...	Also, many DC motors also don't reverse if you reverse polarity. If the fan were running in reverse the test tissue would not get sucked up at all even if it brought right up to the fan. Reversing the field wiring does the trick.
What is the meaning of the term "trade size" While shopping for electrical parts for the next project, I keep seeing the term Trade Size. What exactly is this a measure of? <Q> It simply means what the item is referred to in size, .vs. <S> what any actual dimension may be. " <S> Nominal" size means the same thing. <...	Trade size depends on what trade we are talking about and the material.
How to hang a TV on a drywall with no studs and no room for toggle bolts? I am hanging a TV in a narrow wall space that has no studs behind it. I have verified there are no studs behind the drywall by using two different stud finders (a cheaper and a more expensive model). Both devices did go off once, but only in a ...	You'd need to drill with a masonry bit, and then you can choose either expanding anchors or epoxying in something more like a drywall anchor. As Joe points out, if this wall is original, then it's not drywall, but plaster. If you want to find out what's behind there, just try to drill it (with a drill bit you don't car...
How do I cut an angled cut with low clearance? I need to cut a header down on an angle to match my stairs. It needs to be cut on a 51° angle, which my circular saw can handle, but there isn't enough clearance under the joists to get my saw in there. What kind of tool should I use to cut this? I have marked lines on ...	A sharp ripsaw would be best - the coarser side of the low-end pull saws is probably the easiest way to find one of those in the current market.
What do you do with left over caulk in a tube? What do you do with the caulk when you don't need it all? Do you throw it away or can you cover it and store it? <Q> I wrap any adhesive tape I have on hand into a tube extending a short distance beyond the tip of the nozzle and pinch it shut at the end, then I dispense so...	I store it and when I need it later, I try to squeeze some out.
How to predict when the electrical infrastructure on my 1950s rental is going throw a breaker? I live in an old house; it has old electrical infrastructure. Last night it was really hot, and we were running an external dishwasher on the same circuit as the TV and a fan and a ceiling fan. Only the TV is connected with...	To estimate how much power you're using, add the wattage rating of all the devices on the circuit. If the breaker is tripping well below the rated load, it's in need of replacement. My hunch is this newer dishwasher has an integral heater, so it's meant for a dedicated 20A circuit, and using 14-15A all itself. A dishwa...
How to secure a top heavy tall iron headboard I have an iron headboard that is 80 inches tall in the center. It's very top heavy - and just plain heavy too. If it's just mounted to the bed frame wouldthat be enough to keep it from falling forward? (as in crushing me when I'm sleeping) I love this headboard but afraid...	I would 1) turn the headboard around so the already attached brackets are flush to the wall (attach at that point) then, 2) use "square tube brackets" to attach the headboard to the wall (at the highest point where the mattresses would cover the brackets.
Foul smell in bathroom, ONLY when air conditioning is NOT blowing/running There is a smell in an interior bathroom with no windows. The tub is rarely used. When I noticed the smell, I got on my hands and knees to sniff everywhere, stuck my head in the toilet tank, shoved my nose in the tub drain, put my head in the v...	To me it sounds like the vent from the bathroom to the outside must have moisture in it and growing something.
Breaker lets more Amps then its max The last few day's I had the main breaker triped a few times, I checked the amps with a multimeter and when the central air conditioner turns on it draws 150! amps for 1 second and then goes down to 20, its breaker is a double 50A breaker and the main is 125A. So is this the cause or...	It is normal for circuit breakers to allow overcurrent for a short amount of time.
Finding the other end of an ethernet cable that's punched into a 66 Block I have a Cat 5 ethernet cable that runs from a stereo cabinet to an equipment closet. A couple dozen other identical cables run from other parts of the house to the same hole in my drywall in this closet. They’re not all well labeled. Originally,...	In the equipment closet, I passed the tip over all the cables coming in from the wall. Encouraged by the comments to my question, I bought a tone generator and probe (I bought a Fluke). Through a process of elimination you may be able to go right to the one to disconnect for testing in just one or two tries.
Can I use construction adhesive alone to attach pressure-treated wall plate to concrete floor? Replacing walls in basement due to flooding. Contractor installed sump and drain pipe around the inside of the cinder block wall. I want to put in new wall, concerned that TapCon or other hammer/gun attachments will comprom...	I wouldn't fasten any wood (even pressure-treated) to undergrade concrete without a vapour barrier in between the two.
Drywall over irregularly spaced studs - how do I secure edges? I'm diy-ing on an 80-year old+ house, putting drywall over damaged lath and plaster (can't save the plaster because reasons). The wood lath is too weak/damaged to serve as effective backing, so I'm trying to nail off only to studs. Problem is, they're 17-1...	Your drywall should end on stud or be butted up in the center with another piece of drywall.
How can NEMA electric plug be safe ? I'm quite scared every time I have to use NEMA plugs (I live in Japan). Coming from europe, the bottom of the two connectors is insulated This ensure that even if you touch them while plugging/unplugging, it will always be safe to touch. Meanwhile with NEMA ones, there is no suc...	European plugs incorporate more safety features, which makes them safer. Do not pull plugs out by the cords
How can I create a movable insulated wall? I have a storage area which I need a sectioned. The smaller section will be cooled to 35-40 degrees with the help of our air conditioner and an attached Coolbot system. I want have the option of maximizing this larger storage area, while having an adjustable and insulat...	Depending on the weight of the insulation panels, you may need some "ballast" on the bottom shelf to hold things steady - or move the insulation to the inside back of the shelves, rather than the outside back of the shelves. Go visit a library stack area that has movable bookshelves to get an idea of what can be done i...
single handle shower faucet sticking - can I fix without turning water off? New homeowner of a condo and have a problem with single handle shower faucet sticking. It's really hard to pull out. Can I fix without turning water off? Problem is that water shutoff is a single one to the whole building -- have to give 48 hou...	The water needs to be turned off but you may be able to do it right at the unit.
What options are there for door stops away from a wall? I have a number of doors in different situations where opening the door fully will hit various things, in all cases I don't have a wall behind the door to fix a normal stop to. The only solution I can currently think of are the stops you screw in the floor, but t...	I would use a door closer that can hold open like this .
How should I repair mounting holes drilled into pvc window frames? A previous owner had drilled holes into the pvc frames to fit blinds, which have since been removed leaving small holes. I'm not expecting pvc can be filled flawlessly, but what would be the best thing to do? White silicone? <Q> It is not a material t...	White silicon may work to plug the holes but if you use it make sure to get the surface finish the way you want it before the stuff dries.
Are surface mount deadbolt latch door lock inherently unsafe? I want to install a digital lock on my front door. It is surface mounted and its latch-catch is attached to the jambs by just 2 screws. My house is in a gated community, so o don't expect anyone kicking the door anytime soon, but I'm afraid that just the r...	Using a proper threadlocker can also help (if and only if lock and door manual allows using threadlocker.) It's not possible to tell if the surface mounting alone will be the point of failure in your setup.
What is this mysterious pipe in my back yard? There's a plastic pipe with a vent cover in my back yard that runs to a green cap in the middle of the yard. What is this for? I don't have a septic tank. Update: this picture shows the entire length of the pipe that I'm aware of. The green cap from my second picture ...	It could let water from the screened end of the pipe drain out into some buried drain field.
What finish can I put on my pallet floor to fill cracks? What finish can I put on my pallet floor to fill in cracks and have an even, thick top coating? <Q> If you built a floor out of pallet boards I would expect that the floor would be uneven, have cracks between boards and rough surfaces. <S> That style is pretty mu...	If the larger cracks are sealed, you could then coat the floor with a polyurethane or something similar.
How to install a house number plaque on vinyl siding? I need to install house numbers on my house. I have obtained an aluminium plaque with the numbers and I'm now wondering the best way to install it onto the house. The house has vinyl siding, and underneath the siding is ZIP system sheathing. From some googling a...	There are many types of hooks designed for hanging objects from vinyl siding.
Hardwiring a plugged light I have a light that has a switch on the fixture and then plugs into the wall. I want to wire this directly into a circuit in my camper. Overall, I'm just looking for a quick explanation of how to do this. Also, looking at the wiring from the lamp, I only see 2 wire which I assume are the h...	Many cord connected light fixtures do not have a ground.
Acceptable joist depth for a second set of ceiling-only joists Background I'm installing a new ceiling in the kitchen of the bottom unit of a multi-family home. The house is quite old and uses 2x8 (actually 2"x7.5", not 1.5"x7.5", due to era of lumber) over a 12 foot span, which experience more deflection than is ide...	You can get a very decent sound reduction by using Roxul insulation and being careful about how it is cut and installed so that there are no holes or channels for sound to travel through. If it were my project would probably do Roxul against the subfloor above, hang new 2"x6" on 24" with joist hangers and bracing betwe...
Can I safely create another 120V outlet using the fourth neutral wire from a 4 wire 240V line? I recently just ran a 4 conductor 240 volt line out to my shed. I chose to run the extra conductor just in case, but I do not currently need it for my application. My question is, can I add a 120V receptacle using the extra n...	And disallows ordinary wired lighting on >20A breakers. If you do MWBC, it's best to feed it with a 2-pole breaker, which, by definition, takes 2 full spaces in the panel -- never, never, never a duplex/tandem breaker that crams 2 breakers into one space. But a different rule requires outlets have the same rating as th...
What knots/hitches should I use to attach a log to a screw eye? I have a log that I want to hang against the wall, creating a small shelf. I'm attaching the logs to two iron screw eyes using 1/4" hemp rope, for a rustic look. Here's a diagram: The screw eyes don't have a closed loop; they're open-ended like a hook. T...	For the hook end, any loop knot that won't collapse: An overhand loop would be easiest, but either a bowline or a figure-eight loop would be great.
Identifying positive and negative speaker wires My house came with 2 wall speakers. There is wiring for both of them. The right and left speakers have 2 wires each. I'm trying to hook them up to my amp but I have no idea which wire is positive or negative. They are both copper Neither wire has a stripe The insulat...	That wire is distinguished by ridges on one side and writing on the other.
How can I cut a bolt off flush with concrete in a corner? I've got the top of an old rusty bolt sticking out the ground in a corner (see image) I've tried flattening it with a heavy hammer. Can't get a hacksaw in there. Suggestions for leveling that bolt to the surface? <Q> If there's actually concrete under the dirt, ...	Other than a hacksaw, a sawzall (reciprocating saw) or angle grinder with cutoff disk are typical powertool approaches. Torch and a sledge hammer, that should do it Since it appears to be in dirt, dig it out would appear to be an option.
Should I use remodel or new construction recessed fixtures when installing a new ceiling? We have a stomped ceiling on the first floor in our new home (built in 1969) that we want to get rid of. Every contractor we've talked to says that scraping it off isn't an option because it's been painted over, so we are opting ...	Don't worry about the ceiling drywall pinched at the top by the wall drywall -- just cut it flush. Note that there are some nice LED options which look a lot like cans but are not actually recessed ; these may cause fewer problems.
Is it safe to pass a natural gas hose under a wooden step, and to keep it pressurized? Is it safe to take a flexible natural gas hose such as the one pictured and pass it under a patio's wooden stairs to reach a BBQ? Can it simply lie on the concrete under the patio? Can you ever leave a hose such as the one pictur...	Before we get in to the answers to your specific questions, you first need to read the instructions that come with the hose and whatever you hook it up to. I would say if it is outside and not damaged by weed eaters or being pinched by the steps it should be Ok.
Why are ball valves spherical instead of cylindrical? It seems strange to me that ball valves are ball-shaped, when I would have thought a rotating cylinder with a transverse hole cut in the same way would be easier and cheaper to machine. Does anyone have any ideas? <Q> A sphere allows for sealing with simple o-rings ...	Ball valves use less metal and are more reliable because the seal is a simple circle, whereas in a stopcock an entire surface has to mate.
What tools will help when removing a glued down floor? We are having a very hard time getting a glued down floor up. We have tried using large scrapers, a crowbar, and a hammer, none have been effective. Are there any other recommended tools that we should try? We have an air compressor so pneumatic tool recommendatio...	These mechanical scrapers are loud and create heat to scrape the carpet in strips, you may need another machine to remove the adhesive which essentially looks like a floor polisher.
How can I control lights on a 3-way circuit with a timer? I have a roommate who comes home at night and leaves the f@$%ing light in the hallway on, and I find it really annoying. She's not malicious, just a bit distracted, so I want to install some sort of light switch or something that will automatically turn off afte...	I put "smart switches" at each location, which provide the auto-off feature you require. Many motion sensors do not like to play with each other because of the weird way they power themselves.
Losing ceiling fans after the lightest thunderstorms. How to ascertain the cause? At my home after the lightest thunderstorms we end up losing ceiling fans - they fail to rotate. The fans' winding gets damaged despite power cuts enforced by the power supply company (they cut power during thunderstorms) and we turning o...	Get a proper earthing plate installed, and connected.
how to extend washing machine drainage hose such that it doesn't leak I have a portable washing machine that I want to keep in one of our bedrooms and thus need to extend the stock drainage hose. My current solution is: buy the necessary length of clear plastic tubing wrap the existing hose with electrical tape un...	Go to a good hardware or plumbing shop and buy a single length of heavy duty reinforced rubber hose and a hose clamp to fit.
Is it okay to use two 20x20 air filters instead of one 36x20 for my home AC? I am replacing the air filter for the first time. I came to find out the person before just used two filters that were size 20x20 and overlapped them. The size of the actual duct is 36x20. The 36x20 are super expensive, so I was thinking of do...	Even if you were to seal the gaps with duct tape, it would only last a little while before it came off. I think I would buy a replaceable medium frame that can be cut to size and the filter material in bulk like 25' or 50' at 36" then cut a new piece every month and replace the old one.
Regulating voltage at end of 200 foot 120 V AC extension cable I am needing to drill some anchor bolts into concrete using an electric Hammer Drill (Electrical Rating 120VAC / 60Hz / 10A). I am working in a warehouse, and the worst case scenario, the furthest anchor point from a receptacle is 200 feet. In the past, I s...	Alternately, I have also seen the wording "voltage regulator converter transformer" - basically add "transformer" to the search terms you're already looking for. They´re used a lot in the audio industry, less common for your situation. Your hammer drill doesn't seem very high power (with max 10A at 120V, it's max 1200W...
Range Hood Transformer Replacement to LED I have an Anacona Chef Range Hood. The two Halogen lights are not working. I suspect the transformer. I would like to replace it with the LED transformer.Is it possible? If possible, what type to install? The user installation manual for the hood is here ; the circuit diagra...	The easiest way is probably to use a DMM to measure voltage at the bulb's contacts but reaching both socket holes at the same time may not be so easy.
Would my fridge wear or be damaged when I unplug it for a week? My fridge is fairly 3 years old ( Here is the model of my fridge) and I am usually going to be at work area for the week and do not get home until Friday night. I do not put much food in my fridge, only enough to get me through the weekend. I am hesitan...	Unplugging a refrigerator will not harm it.
How to install 3-speed switch for ceiling fan I have a bedroom with a ceiling fan. Right now, the wall switch only controls the light (on/off, no dimmer). The only way to change the speed of the fan is by the pull chain. So if you want to change the fan speed in the middle of the night, you either have to get lucky a...	By how you have explained it you will need an extra switch wire going to your new light switch/fan controller.wire the switch as normal and loop a wire from permanent active from switch to one terminal of the 3 speed fan contoller and the extra wire you need is the return to the fan motor which you connect to other ter...
Must outdoor GFCI power outlets be covered? I have outside the regular (i.e. non-GFCI) power outlet that you see on the left. It has a nice double-cover that will keep water out. I am about to replace it with a GFCI outlet (right of the picture). The GFCI outlet will not accept the receptacle you see on the left, be...	Yes, it should be covered.
How to drill straight hole in 4x8 beam? I need to drill a 0.5" hole for a big bolt going through 4x8 beam (used in swing). Now I only have the hand drill and no drill press tool (which could be nice). I only need to make 2 holes and they must be straight from one end to the other. What are some tricks to drill a strai...	There are a number of tricks, ranging from placing a mirror next to the hole so you can see more easily whether you are really drilling perpendicularly to the board's surface to using a small square to check this to using a small jig with a guide bushing to hold the nit at the right angle.
Wiring for GFCI and 3 switches in bathroom I'm wrapping up a bathroom remodel. An electrician came a while back and ran new wiring. He installed a plastic 4-gang box which will have a GFCI receptacle and 3 switches for a light above the vanity, an overhead light, and an overhead fan. The wiring is already in place; ...	You need to ground your switches -- Code requires it. While the advice in other answers appears correct, it is critical to connect the "line" and "load" wires correctly to the GFCI.
How do I fix a counterweighted accordion blind that is stuck? We have accordion style blinds. These are assisted...meaning that we can raise and lower the blinds just by lifting or pulling down. No need to pull any strings directly. Now the assist mechanism is not working anymore. The mechanism is at the top of the b...	Your blinds may be a little different if they're from a different manufacturer.
insect eating holes in concrete My sister has an infestation of winged insects eating through the cinderblocks of her basement. Needless to say, this is terrifying. What are they and how do you control them? These insects bored about 20 holes though cinder block and about 5 holes through the mortar. the holes were ab...	Insects are incapable of "eating" concrete, but they do tend to exploit weak or damaged concrete to access something more appealing, such as a food source or nesting site. I believe that they are pavement ants ( Tetramorium caespitum )... Using a syringe to fill the holes that they bored seems to have worked.
Triple 2x4 beam post bowing away from foundation wall We have a fairly new home (2007). I noticed a strange issue that has to be fixed. The pictures below show 3 stacked 2x4's holding up a laminated beam; the 2x4's are bowing out. This is the only stack that is bowing out because the nail holding it to the concrete has...	I do not believe it is load related. Of course you could use a bracket around the stack and use tapcons or ramset to hold the stack against the wall. There is no need to jack it up, since when you tighten the nut and washer on the anchor it will have a lot of leverage to lift it if it is needed.
How can I reduce the force required to operate double-hung windows? I'm looking to create or even just buy a product that can be mounted onto any single- or double-hung window where the user doesn't need a lot of force to open/close a window. This is for an elderly home where the windows are hard to open for the older ...	I rigged the long cord according to this schematic diagram: Pulling down on the green section of the cord raises the window. If someone really wanted to maintain sash windows correctly, they could do so. Another problem is broken counterweight cords or wrong counterweights, possibly from the counterweight corroding awa...
Which tools to use for changing locks? I am new Home owner. I want to change locks and do it myself. I have never used a screwdriver set before and do not own one. If anyone can recommend what tools I will need to change the locks. Thank you. <Q> Congratulations on becoming a home owner. <S> You will soon learn to...	: If you want your doors keyed alike, find a package that includes every type of lock you'll need, and buy as many packages as you'll need with the same code .
Best Concrete for Pet Headstone I spend a lot of times on other areas of stackexchange, but this looked to be the best place to ask the following question. Feel free to let me know if it isn't. I'm going to layout exactly what I'm trying to do, though I'll be asking my questions in multiple parts. I just wanted you gu...	I would probably use either waterproof additive or waterproof concrete (with premixed additive).
How to frame a floor in an unfinished crawl space? I've got a "crawl space" (really an unfinished space) under the main floor in a 2-story-with-basement house. I'd like to build essentially a deck frame and cover it in 3/4" plywood so that we can more easily use it as a storage area. Picture of the space: I've been ...	If you anchored to the center posts at concrete pillar, there would be no support problems. I'd space them as appropriate for a rim joist around the outside of the space, and for a doubled flush beam in the center. I'd bring in a bit of washed rock to provide support for and allow leveling of the post bases.
Can I add another conductor to a 30-amp dryer circuit breaker? I have a 30 amp breaker that runs my dryer I want to know am I able to run another wire to that breaker to run a window unit <Q> No. <A> You cannot add a second or more wires to any breaker. <S> That is called double tapping. <S> In your case specifically, ...	Two hot wires from devices not exceeding the loading % for single pole breaker can be connected together via a wirenut, for example, then a single wire connected to the breaker. This exception does not specify voltage, so feel free to hang several NEMA 6-20 outlets off a single 240V 20A circuit. The 30A breaker is ther...
Window unit AC get outlet and plug hot How come when I use an extension cord to run my ac the outlet and the plug of the extension cord gets hot it's on a 15 AMP breaker and the AC states it is pull 12 Amps and there is nothing else running on that breaker <Q> Most AC units say specifically NOT to use extension cords. ...	The reason for overheating is voltage drop caused by the possible smaller gauge of wire and length of the extension cord. If it has backstabs, don't use them - use the screw connectors. That has got to be some kind of illegal.
How do I remove glow in the dark paint from my walls? A friend of mine painted on the walls of the apartment we are staying in with glow in the dark pain, and we have to get them off of the walls because we will get fined for it. We did not realize this until just recently, and so we don't have the time or money to rep...	A bad paint job can be a big problem: if the wall is improperly cleaned and prepared, all future coats of paint are at risk. As a landlord: I'd far rather the tenant came to me for a solution, rather than did some crappy DIY hack job painting.
How can I prevent a wooden door from expanding and binding when it rains? When we have heavy driving rains it causes the front door to expand and we're unable to close or lock the door until it has dried out and contracted. There is no veranda so the rain hits straight onto the front door. How can I prevent this? <Q>...	If the door opens inward, add an exterior water resistant door like a conventional screen door but which has windows in areas where the water strikes.
Is there a significant risk of CO2 buildup with a ductless heat pump A/C? It just occurred to me that if I install a ductless heat pump to cool the air in my house's bedrooms in the summer, the unit will be cooling and dehumidifying the air - but not introducing any new oxygen. The window will also be closed. If I sp...	However, a house on Earth is generally not sealed to an extent that normal usage, without additional CO2 from fuel combustion (furnace, gas cooking appliances, fireplaces, etc.), will not usually be a problem. Our CO2 level of 1600 ppm is not dangerous, but it’s high enough to be detrimental to mental acuity and possib...
Blue LED always on with led light strip The blue leds on my led light strip started acting weird just recently. For some reason, the blue leds are always on. When changing colors, the blue led is on, when powering off the strip with the remote, the blue leds stay on. There's no way to turn them off. Here's how it's...	If you find that they all respond to commands from the remote... except for the port for the blue wire (which controls the blue light), then the problem might be with the remote or the receiver.
Causes of Corroded or Burned Wires Beginning Disclaimer - I am not a Serious DIYer. (I'm more of a Seriously Try to Avoid Paying Someone Else to Do Iter). So anyways, I've been having trouble with lights flickering or not working in a room. I checked the voltage, and found that 3 out of the 4 outlets had quite low v...	It is also possible that an older, cheaply designed socket simply doesn't clamp in the wires as well as modern ones.
How do I get a lawnmower in and out of an old barn? I have a barn/large coup built in the 1890s in my back yard. It's foundation is just a 3 foot deep concrete pour around the perimeter. Later they filled half of it with concrete on half the floor. The problem I am having is that poured floor is about 10-12 inches b...	One thing to consider is the possibility to construct an apron ramp outside the structure and cut through the top part of the existing foundation wall to have the external ramp meet at the internal floor level.
Vapors from washing machine stinking the garage and kitchen This shows that there is a trap in the washing machine drain How do I hook up a washing machine drain line to this box? . How do I clean this? Other traps under sinks have threaded connectors so I can extricate crap. And somehow my drain hose is stuck in the ...	If it isn't spraying water, it doesn't need a clean-out. Use joules on the pipe wrench and the nut loosens without busting any stucco.
Is it OK to have an air conditioning vent above a kitchen cabinet? We're getting proposals to add central air conditioning to our house. We currently have no ductwork so adding ducts and vents is part of the project. One possible duct location is on the ceiling over these kitchen cabinets, roughly where the star is: ...	If you're still worried, add louvers and point the exhaust away from the cabinets, but I wouldn't give it a second thought.
What could one spray inside solid core door to protect wood and create a tunnel? What could one spray inside solid core door to protect wood and create a tunnel?Bought a pet door for a solid core door. Installed it, looks great, ezcept turns out the company doesn't make a tunnel for the door. Is there any thing or com...	There are pet flaps that come made for thicker doors that have an adjustment range that covers the thickness of door that you have. I think if you use a couple coats of good primer and a finish coat of enamel paint, you should be fine.
Why is my bath exhaust fan noisy only when installed in the ceiling box? The house and fan are 45 years old. The fan in the guest bathroom sounded like a jet plane since we bought the house, but we finally decided enough was enough after some house guests complained. (Note: We really like these people. If you get unwel...	Searched around for some answers, and noticed some advice about the exhaust duct being too small. Or, maybe it came off of some sort of fitting.
Will I damage a cordless drill/screwdriver if I "over-torque" it? I own a Bosch GSR cordless screwdriver/drill. This drill automatically locks the spindle so that it can be used as a passive screwdriver, e.g. if the battery is empty (that's what the manual says). Sometimes I use it to screw climbing holds to a climbi...	The spindle lock is going to be able to cope with more torque than you can manually apply.
Turn one light bulb ON and another OFF at the same time with one switch I am trying to operate two AC current light bulbs with one switch so that while the switch is in the OFF position, bulb B1 is OFF and bulb B2 is ON, and while the switch is in the ON position, bulb B1 is ON and bulb B2 is OFF. Only one bulb needs t...	Use a single pole double throw switch, called three-way in the U.S. (as isherwood suggests).
Protecting child from wall heater I moved into an apartment that has a wall-mounted heater that gets rather hot when turned on (see below). I have an inquisitive 1-year-old who already likes to climb up on the unit (luckily not while it's been on). I am wary about putting something directly surrounding the unit, both...	You could surround it with a fence barrier that you attach to the wall, you can split it open and attach it to the walls on either side of the heater to provide a protective space (being sure to keep adequate clearance from the heater to the fence - one heater manufacturer recommends 3 feet in front and 12 inches to th...
Is 1/2" plywood standard and appropriate for a roof replacement? A local roofer submitted a proposal to me for a roof placement that included replacing rotten plywood with 1/2" CDX. The existing plywood on my roof is only 3/8". I thought perhaps he made a mistake, but no, this is what he is proposing. He said it's ...	Due to market pressures the 1/2" may actually cost less than the 3/8" and will be stronger. If you absolutely must use different thickness sheathing, replace all of the plywood above the one that needs to be replaced (to the ridge of the roof).
Does this wiring meet the NEC standards? An inspector took the following photograph of a residential home’s circuit breaker panel. White wires are connected to the neutral bar. Black wires are connected to the circuit breakers in the picture, but there’s one white wire among them. Why would it be wired in such a way...	When using this type of cable for 240 volt circuits, the white wire can be used as a hot conductor. The rules require this be "marked" with colored tape or paint.
How can I help pantry cabinets stay cool? My pantry doesn't have air conditioning, and recently I noticed (using a cheap wall-mounted liquid thermometer) that the pantry itself got up to 85°f degrees (it was >100°f outdoors). I don't know what temperature it got within the cabinets, but it got high enough to melt some...	You could arrange some sort of drip or pump to keep those moist, and a fan to improve the evaporation and heat removal...
Is replacing a natural gas cap with a quick-connect valve a task exclusively for a professional? Is there a specialized wrench that I should use on this cap to the natural gas line? I'd like to install a quick connect valve for a barbecue hose More importantly, at the local big box store, the attendant (even though se...	While the risks related to a leak are relatively low for someone properly trained , the fact that you might get your gas shut off by the town if the fittings havent' been tested and approved by their inspector means it's not worth that risk.
What is this copper-looking wire on my light fixture? I had an electrician install two hanging pendants over a kitchen island. The install went well and the pendants work fine. However, after the install I've had an opportunity to look at the fixtures up close, I can't understand what this wire is. The light fixture h...	Yes it is a ground wire. It's bonded to the metal of the fixture so that if a bare live wire touches the metal it trips the breaker.
What to do about noisy drain? I live in 7 store city building in Prague. Last night I couldn't sleep not only because of the hot weather, but also thanks to drain which just wouldn't shut up. It makes gurgly noises every now and then. I never noticed it during the day, but then during the day I'm at work. I assume th...	You need to get a drain plug that will give you a watertight seal.
Can you vent a portable AC's exhaust through the chimney? The place I live doesn't have sliding windows so I thought maybe I could vent the hot air from the portable AC through the chimney? The chimney belongs to the fireplace that I don't use. (I've not bought the AC yet.) <Q> Yes, it works, I've done it. <S> Openi...	It's much more efficient and effective to vent the hot air out a chimney - this is what the chimney was designed for - than to open a window for the outlet.
A light fixture with 2 white, 2 black wires, 1 copper. How do I connect this light fixture to a ceiling junction box? (See drawn diagram) I have a problem with this configuration and can't figure it out on my own. Configurations I've tried: 1: Bulb1 and Bulb2 white and black wires connected to light switch black and ...	To make it work again, connect both of the lamp white wires to the white wire coming from the circuit breaker panel. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong.
Best way to replace caster wheels I have a nice oak desk chair that's on caster wheels. The plastic wheel inserts used by the manufacturer broke up and crumbled, of course, because that's what plastic does when used in high-stress applications it shouldn't be used in. I bought some replacement wheels with metal insert...	Best option - drill hole out to 3/4", cover a 3/4" wooden dowel with wood glue, stuff it in the hole, wait for glue to dry, cut it off flush, drill new hole.
How to fix deck board at edge not lined up with beam? My near-ground level deck is quite large (20x16) at one side and its end is a one-step stair. But at the edge, one end is flush with the last deck board (Trex 5.5") but the other end is like 1" short, showing the below beam. Flush side: Short side: This happens...	My first choice would be to see if you can get a wider deck board (~7.25") and then rip that to the appropriate width.
Are window air conditioner support brackets designed to support a window air conditioner by itself? I have this air conditioner that is designed to be used with vertical sliding windows. The problem is that I have a horizontal sliding window. I understand that the air conditioner I have is designed to be held in plac...	Otherwise a small screw or nail to prevent the sash from moving will do the trick.
Pulley setup to raise a laundry drying bar levelly I bought a bike hoist which I modified to use to raise and lower a bar that acts as a drying rack for damp clothes in my laundry room. I now have the following setup: The problem is that when I pull on the rope attached to the wall, the right side of the bar goes up...	The simplest way to ensure a level rise is to use two separate ropes, tied together on the pulling end, similar to the mechanism for venetian blinds.
Dishwasher Drain Pump: How to Test? my dishwasher isn't draining. I checked the drain hose and it's clear enough that I could blow air through it. I removed the drain pump, model #W10158351B I measured the resistancebetween the two connector pins: ~24ohms. I connected the two leads toa 120VAC supply. The impeller w...	It can be the water inlet sensor or the water inlet pressure that is fouling up. If it doesnt spin it is bad.
How can I remove very old wallpaper? I've got wallpaper that was put up in the 70s. Trying to get it off the wall is proving impossible. Have used all the home remedies and removers you can get st the store to no avail. May try the steamer, but doubt it will get this stuff off Any suggestions? <Q> This seems like a ...	It is often faster and cheaper (particularly if you are paying for labor, so faster is cheaper, but merely saving your own time is good, too) to either cover the wallpapered wall with thin sheetrock, or bash out the wallpapered wall, do anything a sensible person would do with the wall open, and place new sheetrock.
Best way to mount a wooden tabletop to a flat surface I am in the process of building a new desk for myself. I have already built two drawers that will function as the legs of the desk, and I have the tabletop itself. Now, what would be the best way to attatch the flat tabletop to the flat top of the two drawers,withou...	You could also attach a cleat to the sides of the drawer assembly, driving screws into the drawer assembly horizontally and into the desktop vertically.
Suggestions for securing the garage I need to upgrade my garage, because there's been a break in and there sure as duck be another one soon (typo intended, no profanities here, even though I'm entitled to it as a victim of my bike being stolen twice this summer). So, I'm thinking like this. The thieves will break ...	Securing the content inside the garage with wall-mounted locks and/or brackets/loops will make it harder, still, for the thief to remove the item if they get past the door. I would consider fitting an alarm.

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