source stringlengths 620 29.3k | target stringlengths 12 1.24k |
|---|---|
What are the downsides of a pressurized room? The door to a bedroom is closed 24/7. Someone told me, "Be careful. It sounds like you are pressurizing the room." The room is fairly pressurized, I suppose; I can feel air rushing out from underneath the bottom of the door if I stand outside the room and in front of the c... | If there is insufficient space under the door the room may become pressurized and if there is a bathroom off the bedroom you may lose conditioned air through the exhaust vent in the bathroom. There's no significant pressure buildup in any room regardless of door position. and I erred on the side of leaving the doors to... |
How do I use threaded inserts? I got these fasteners with table legs that I bought for a formica table top. I get that I need to embed the outer part with the big thread into the table, and then use an Allen key to fasten the bolts into that. But how do I get the outer part into the wood? Do I drill a little hole and ... | You'll need to drill holes for the sleeves the same size as the shaft, then thread them in using an Allen wrench that fits the larger sleeve socket.
|
Can I install two independent gfci outlets in one double-gang box? Cam I have two GFCIs connected to one double gang box in my laundry room and if so can I do a single line connection so that they both can work independently? I have a 12/2 going from the panel through conduit (copper wire) to the double gang box. I wa... | If both GFCI's are fed from the same circuit and no or 1 cable feeding additional devices you should be fine. Typically GCI's have only one screw or one backstab, and you can't use both at once. When the first outlet is done, then you attach the remaining tail to the second outlet in the normal fashion. Test, button ev... |
220 outlet burnt caused other outlets to go out breaker didn't trip A outlet in LR was plugged in but not in use burnt up as seen in pictures. Many other outlets and porch light went out also. The breaker didn't trip. By the looks of it I think it is copper. I cleaned out and wrapped the two corroded non black but burn... | The wiring needs to be checked properly and any damaged sections replaced. It is possible for this to happen without tripping the breaker.
|
How to check if my house is properly grounded? I live in an very very old house, recently I purchase a surge protector (APC P5B-GR) and it came with "grounded" light indicator, when I plug the surge protector into my house wall outlet, the grounded light indicator does not turn on. Does that mean my house is not pro... | Some advanced socket testers are able to perform an earth loop impedance test which provides more information about the state of the ground (earth) wiring. Your service may be grounded but the outlet you are connected to may not be and that could be why the light is not lit.
|
Screw stuck in wood I can't get these two screws out and I've tried using a drill and a screw driver. Any tips? <Q> It's readily apparent that you tried to use a drill. <S> The drill went "ratta-ratta-ratta-ratta" with lots of shaking. <S> Maybe you even think that's how drill-drivers normally work. <S> Or maybe th... | Use a manual screwdriver, and press hard down the handle while you turn, and don't let it cam out.
|
3-prong grounded female plug for 12-gauge wire with an 18-gauge ground wire I am trying to find a 125V female plug receptacle with ground for a 12-gauge wire run in the 1960s, the ground wire of which is a much narrower gauge than the white and black conductors. The Levitons and the P&S's at the big box stores assume t... | This will fill up the slot enough so that the screw meets the wires and can clamp them together firmly. Although codes generally require that all newly installed wiring have a grounding conductor the same gauge as would be required for hot and neutral, they generally allow the use of GFCI protection a substitute for a ... |
Managing water entry at garage door during high winds on rainy days I have a garage floor that's level, and the driveway slopes very slightly away from the garage door. On rainy days, I don't have any issues with water entry, but on high-wind days, the rain hits the garage door, then runs down and pools at the corners... | Locally modern installations of garage doors close into a reveal which is a depression under the door only, with a level about 10-25mm below that of the garage floor. It sounds like you could simply cut/have cut drainage channels from the problem areas to the front of the slab, or do that and also have a trough drain i... |
What is this metal rail in the basement ceiling What is this metal rail in my basement and can I hang my 80 lbs punching bag on it? Thank you. <Q> This beam is holding up your house, so as long as it's well secured, you should be able to add an extra 80 lbs to it. <S> They make mounting brackets specifically for hangin... | : it looks like they used metal sheeting to make an air duct out of your joists. Or maybe someone installed something very heavy on the floor upstairs and this was implemented to prevent the floor from buckling - which would work only short-term, as the posts would sink, eventually, because the floor isn't very strong ... |
How to repair broken bed One side of the bed has totally come off. See pictures for the broken side plus the screws that are attached to it . My question is that is there any scope of repairing this bed so that in the future it can still be dismantled and reassembled. I can send more pictures if needed. The screw nu... | The metal bolt and nut you have are typical of flat-pack furniture. I would consider doing the following: Replace the damaged rail with a piece of wood of similar species and dimensions. If the existing rail is some sort of composite/laminate/chipboard, it likely may not be feasible to repair in this way.
|
How much indoor condensation is too much? We recently bought a 1939 wooden house in California. I don't know if the windows are original but they sure aren't new. We're in a pretty mild climate, so we might get a morning frost from time to time but that is as cold as it gets. We keep the thermostat around 63° (17°) dur... | If the windows are original to the house and are single pane and not insulated glass units, you are going to have a lot of condensation on the inside on cold days.
|
Why does the breaker trip on my new low-power lighting circuit? I added 10 recessed lights in the kitchen (adding approximately 50 feet of wire), which draw 14 watts each (total 140 watts). A two way switch controls 4 lights, another two way switch controls another 4 lights. The remaining two lights have their own sw... | It could be that the miswiring occured elsewhere (in a junction box, a light fitting, etc) A 15 amp breaker should be good for 1440 watts for continuous use or 1800 watts for non-continuous (up to two hours).
|
Is it safe to have an additional load before a switch first circuit? I have a circuit going to the bathroom that is a switch first. It's only load after the switch is a simple light and bathroom fan. Is it possible and safe to have an additional outlet before the switch that is independent of the light's on/off state?... | Where the 20-ampere circuit supplies a single bathroom, outlets for other equipment within the same bathroom shall be permitted to be supplied in accordance with 210.23(A)(1) and (A)(2).
|
What to use to lower the computer noise in a wooden cabinet? I am looking for a good material for improving the sound-proofing my NAS which has 2x FANs of 120mm and 3-4 hard-drives. Most of the time the hardrives are those that are producing audible sounds, not the coolers. Due to the lack of space I think that I cann... | If most of the noise is coming from the hard drives, rather than the fans, then you need to dampen the vibrations from transferring from the hard drive enclosure to the furniture. Add some velcro to each of the hard drive sleds You'll need to experiment a bit, but any foam or rubber like material should work.
|
Why is a screen used to sand drywall, but paper used to sand wood? A sanding screen is comprised of small holes: A sheet of sandpaper has a flexible paper backing: Despite using different methods of abrasion, the abrasiveness of both products is measured in grit . What are the functional differences between these... | I use screens on wood with some regularity - they work better than normal sandpaper for some things, as far as I can tell - either hold up longer or clog less, or sand a bit faster.
|
How is a a two phase, three wire, grounding plug such as a NEMA 6-20P safe to use? I'm looking to use a piece of commercial equipment in my home, and I've been reading about AC current and circuits. I currently have access to an old style non grounding 10-30 style plug, which I understand is unsafe to adapt this device... | Ground fault : If the current flowing out of the breaker on the live wire does not match the current flowing back in through the neutral, then it must be going somewhere else, like through you. If a neutral is required for the equipment you wish to connect you cannot use the NEMA 6-20 configuration. Without knowing wha... |
Removal Asbestos Siding or Cover Looking at a house that appears to have asbestos cement siding. I'm wondering if this is something I can do myself with care. I've read the following. Disturb as little as possible.Don't Crack tilesWear a suit and respiratorUse a vacuum with HEPA filter when neededWrap the tiles in pla... | In some cases you may work your way around a lot of these restrictions, but you'd better know what those restrictions are beforehand. Make sure that you are wearing a proper mask and cover up. Finally, keep in mind that there are a lot of people working in your refuse chain. HOWEVER- depending on your state and city, t... |
How to unlock a locked interior door? The door to the bathroom in my house was accidentally locked and I can't figure out how to unlock it from the outside. The knob has 3 holes on the outside: The hole in which on a normal doorknob you would insert a key, screwdriver, etc. and turn to unlock. On this particular kno... | Since the lock-set is beyond saving, you can poke at the other holes in an effort to release the knob handle from the shaft, and otherwise destructively disassemble it in any manner that won't harm the door or trim.
|
Any fabrics that block visible light without blocking IR/Bluetooth? I'm wondering what materials would block visible light (emitted from LEDs, for example) but would not impede IR signals or Bluetooth. Context: I'd love to block all the blinky lights on my home theater setup without invalidating any of my remotes and ... | A dark tinted glass or plastic may be your best option.
|
How to sand, stain and seal wood filler in a knothole I have this knot hole in the floor: I want to fill it with wood filler and then sand, stain and seal it. I have a few questions though: How do I find out what sealant was used before? I assume it Polyurethane. But was it oil or water based? And if I use water b... | I would use a lacquer "burn in stick" although it take a bit of expertise, it cleans up with lacquer thinner, which should not remove any finish off the floor when used in moderation. Just to reiterate, seek to repair only the hole , and not the surrounding finished surface. Bring the picture with you to the hardware s... |
Preparing for laying ceramic tile - clean up after removing vinyl tile My bathroom had 12" square vinyl tile squares which I chipped off. There is some residue of adhesive left on the concrete. Do I need to try to remove it? The floor scraper I have is not working. Will a solvent help? I am laying large ceramic ti... | There is an acid etching solution you can spray on and mop off. The concrete was still glazed and the tile installer used some kind of floor grinder to roughen the floor.
|
upgrade circulator pump in closed hot water heating system? boiler is Weil McLain Gold CGa. current circ pump is Taco 007-F5, installed on return side, pumping water down, and into the boiler. I'm pretty sure this pump is under-sized, as the specs list a max head of 10 feet, and this system is used for heating th... | The installed pump should be large enough for your heating system.
|
Should I install wood flooring under the closet door track? I want to install wood vinyl flooring in my bedroom. Do I remove the closet track and run the flooring under the track or stop it at the track. <Q> Really the only concern is clearance for the door. <S> I'd say it's almost always going to be a better result to... | Replace the door with a shorter one or without a track (only makes sense if you were thinking of replacing it anyway) A laminate floor could add up to 3/4 inch height to your floor.
|
removing grout from very narrow gaps between tiles? Wanting to re-grout wall tiles in the bathroom, I realize that the gaps between tiles are very uneven from area to area, and are sometimes too narrow for either the oscillating tool's 1/8 inch blade or manual grout blade which has approximately the same thickness. Eve... | A hand-held hacksaw blade is also bendy enough to remove grout from corners. If the tiles themselves a NON POROUS I applied muriatic acid and let it eat the grout and thereafter flush it out with a pressure sprayer
|
What material is this toilet water supply line? Photos of my toilet water supply line, which is the part below the valve: Without Flash [ With Flash Based on the appearance, it only fits the description of galvanized iron (which is apparently the same as galvanized steel). However, based on numerous sources, galv... | It looks like copper with blue green patina, the result of ordinary oxidation, hiding the characteristic orange color of fresh copper.
|
Can you use a router like a saw to cut wood? Can one use a router to cut wood in a similar way that a jigsaw would cut wood? What are the upsides and downsides of using a router to cut wood? It seems simple enough, but then again, I've never used either machine. I would think that you could just set the router to a de... | It can be done, but to use a router to cut wood is not optimum. It works great but it shreds and is tough going through.
|
How can I attach 1 3/8 pipe to 1 1/2 inch abs? I am trying to install a new vanity and the age of my house is killing me. The pipe coming out of the floor is 1 3/8 inch pipe. I have a new sink drain that is 1 1/4 inch so I have a trap adapter for that. Problem now is that I have to connect it to the other pipe. The onl... | The "trade size" is a weird thing that happens with pipe. So even though the pipe was measured at 1 3/8, the copper adapter fit near perfectly. Check hardware stores for an adapter. You might be able to use a rubber type that you can cinch down via the hose clamps.
|
Is a multi-wire branch circuit with shared neutral acceptable? I have been checking my house circuits and came across a run that is made up of 14/3 on 2 separate fuses, which branch off in the attic to two runs through the house. I don't like the idea of the neutral being shared throughout. I drew a picture of what I f... | If you need GFCI, use a receptacle and put it downstream of the split somewhere. Also, if a homeowner turns off one circuit to do maintenance he won't realize that there are live wires in the junction box All the circuits sharing a neutral have to be on different phases. If an installation is designed so that ALL its c... |
Where to place a radiator under a window seat? I have a bay window in which I want to build a window seat like this: However, a radiator is currently attached to the wall underneath the windows, with a radiator cover (the typical board with holes) covering the front, and a windowsill covering the top. I'm figuring th... | Also the cover would need to have a long register mounted directly above and be the full length of the radiator to allow for the convected air to escape.
|
What could be causing the washing machine waste pipe to overflow? I'm the opposite of knowledgeable when it comes to plumbing however I have done a fair amount of searching through forums to find an answer to my problem and unfortunately still have questions. To make it easier, I have taken a picture of the pipes as w... | So you'll want to make sure the drain is properly vented. Check your local codes for the maximum length, as some say maximum 30", while others allow up to 42" pipes.
|
What kind of IKEA screw is this? This is a screw on the side of an IKEA drawer. On line videos say turn it left or right to level the front of the door. Instructions are to use a Phillips screwdriver. It's not a Phillips head and the local hardware store doesn't recognize it. <Q> Public Domain Image <S> Phillips #2 o... | That's a Pozidriv head that might have been chewed up a little by the inappropriate use of a Phillips screwdriver.
|
Can I use a 3-way switch as a single-pole switch? Can I connect a 3 way switch to be used as a single pole? I accidentally purchased a couple of them and only need to control one light each. <Q> Yes it can work. <S> 3-way switches are spdt (single pole double throw) with 3 screw terminals, and regular switches are s... | If you look at the switch it will identify both of them it will say common and there will be an arrow pointing to them. It will work fine. Simply make sure the screws are different colors; you want the common terminal and one of the messengers; not both messengers.
|
What are my options for tiling over an uneven concrete floor? UPDATE: After doing my research, it seems like I will need to level the floor before tiling. My carpenter doesn't know how to it so I will have to get a contractor to do this job. How much would it roughly cost to level a 550sf floor in Chicago area? I wil... | As was said above, while the floor doesn't have to be level, it does have to be EVEN in order to lay tile. I think you could get a better price for each job as separate.
|
How can I cut off 1/8 inch from ceramic tile? I have a couple of 4"x4" ceramic tiles that are cut just slightly too wide. I need to take off about an eighth of an inch. I expect that's too little for the standard score-and-snap approach. What's the easiest way, given that I don't have any tile cutting tools. <Q> It ... | The best approach is a tile saw that can make small precise cuts along the length of a tile. Again I have one and it wouldn't be too much work to do what you want with that. Do this OUTSIDE with a N95 mask, goggles, gloves and try to control the shards
|
What's the best way to repair this hardwood floor damage? (Part 2) This project is quickly becoming a series on diy.SE. For more background, read the previous question . Strip dimensions: 2.5" wide x 1/8" thick (cross section) Videos I watched: here and here . I'm trying to repair my water damaged hardwood flo... | Honestly, with that thin existing "hardwood" flooring, I'd tear it all out. Tile would be my preferred option if you redo the whole bathroom.
|
How can I prevent moisture from damaging my tools overnight? I just bought a Nissan NV200, which I've had outfitted with a partition and shelves. My tools stay in the vehicle and after a really cold night, I find a fair bit of condensation on them. I've tried running the defrost on high, even the AC to dehumidify, bu... | The only option is to prevent your tools from getting that cold.
|
Wire size for double pole breakers Just had a home inspection completed and one of the things advised to be corrected is the wiring running to an AC unit. In the breaker panel it's hooked up to a 30-amp double pole breaker with #12 wire. Inspector notes that #10 wire should be used for 30-amp circuits so that the wire... | For an air con unit you would typically size the conductors to the minimum circuit ampacity (MCA), and size the breaker to the maximum overcurrent protection (MOP).
|
1/4" metal pin through a 2x4: unthreaded t-nut or metal sleeve to prevent fretting (wear from small movements)? I want to secure fittings to a 2x4. These fittings will have holes that line up with holes in the 2x4. Thick metal pins will hold the fitting in place, but I want to reinforce the 2x4 so the pin will not enla... | You would want the length of the tubing to be slightly smaller than the depth of the hole, and using washers, compress the wood until the bolt will not tighten more.
|
Pros and cons of self stick vs adhesive kitchen vinyl floor tiles I would like a long lasting floor covering with no seams (because seams tend to get dirty). Most of the vinyl tile I see sold by Sears and Home Depot are self-stick. Do self-stick last over the years as well as adhesive? <Q> Tile with adhesive is the w... | I have seen self stick tile not lasting as long as it should.
|
I need a neat solution for lifting a floor boarded trap door I've just had a 'trap door' replaced in a floor boarded floor. The previous trap door just had a couple of finger holes in it to lift it out, however: This was not particularly neat The trap door is a bit too heavy for this to be an easy task. Now I hav... | I would also suggest to recess the upper portion of the hole to enable you to place a binder bolt or similarly-headed bolt in the opening when not in use. A slot-head type is going to provide the best option for later removal. Edit: since you added the part about being in a hallway, I'd now suggest you look into Magswi... |
How can I locate a wall from a crawl space? I am needing to add RG6 cabling to a bedroom that currently does not have an outlet. I have no problem connecting the RG6 to the splitter outside my home, feeding into my crawlspace and running the length of the home. The question I have is, once I reach the room I need... | Drill a tiny hole from the edge of the wall through and poke a wire down through it. , it's pretty easy to do a couple of sample spots/dots and use those and a straight-edge to make lines showing you where your walls are on the floor above, but letting you have a relatively precise diagram of where they are as you look... |
what can be used as a small container for paint? I need to touch up a corner. I'm wondering, what can I use to poor a little latex paint (with primer in it) into to do the touch up? I prefer not to bring in the whole paint canister from the garage but to transfer maybe 100ml into a small container and bring that up to ... | If you used the remaining paint to paint some old cardboard boxes or newspapers, after it dries you can place the result in the normal (non-recyclable) rubbish-bin/trash-can. Latex paint is quite benign, and you can use darn near anything for a paint cup. For urethane, most of those containers will also work for short-... |
How should I deal with sediment in my water lines? Whole-house filter? I've had on-and-off problems with sediment in my water lines due to really old city infrastructure. It has clogged the inner workings of the dishwasher, blocked shower heads and faucets, etc. Although the city periodically flushes the lines (or perh... | Keep changing your filters and if this is truly on city water, you HAVE to start whining loudly!! To me, it sounds like there is an old water line between you and the source of the water that has weathered the infrastructure enough that it's starting to pull the sediments around it down the pipes, and into your home.
|
Is the black wire always hot on a three-way switch? What is the best way to find out which color wire goes to which color screw? Does the white wire go to the silver screw sometimes, and sometimes to black?I have a three way switch which has a green screw and a black screw and three brass I don't know which one is whic... | White wires can, from time to time, be used as ungrounded (hot) wires (though they're supposed to be marked when they are). Colors mean nothing In the United States, land of freedom, there are no strict color codes except green, green-yellow or bare can only be ground . As such, you could choose the preferred color for... |
Unusual wiring in receptacle connected to switch I have a receptacle with a wiring configuration I am not familiar with (see picture). The receptacle is controlled by a single pole switch elsewhere in the room. The two black wires are pig-tailed together in the box. One white wire is connected to a terminal on each sid... | The white and bare wires both attached on the neutral side could mean one of two things. If those two had previously been conncted to the neutral (taller prong) side, with the tab not broken off, that would suggest he was having problems with the neutral wire, so he bootlegged ground. But first you need to understand w... |
Can I plug a fridge freezer into a short extension lead? I've done a lot of research and the general consensus is no, but this is for use cases drastically different to my own. There is a double socket in my garage that has always been used for a fridge freezer and a tumble dryer. Recently I bought some LED christmas ... | It would be best to make sure that there is no way for condensation on the lead to trickle into either end - the plug end will be ok as that hangs down with UK sockets installed the right way up. You can brach off the existing circuit to feed the new receptacle, but you'll have to use proper wiring methods and material... |
How should I cover this drainage garden pit in my front yard? We just bought a newly constructed house. In front of it is a rectangular concrete pit, maybe 2–3 feet deep and roughly 8 feet long by 5 feet wide, with dirt at the bottom and several shrubs planted inside it. I'm not even sure what exactly it is. Our home i... | You could, put a fence around it to stop folks from falling in, but again, that's a bit of an eyesore and the cleaning issue. Perhaps composite decking or some other material, then make a feature out of it with planters. My personal, preferred solution would be to turn the "decking' into a box,
|
Is a yellow toilet seat normal? I moved into an apartment, and found the toilet seat is yellow, which I didn't notice before moving in. The landlord said the toilet seat turned yellow because of the sunshine, and had been cleaned. Is what she said true? What can I do about it? Thanks. <Q> Yep, sunlight will defini... | I replace toilet seats as a move-in practice, and I replace them again as soon as they show any signs of wear or general aging. If you really hate it, you could always try demanding that the landlord replace it, or you can find a replacement pretty cheap, like this one for $14 at Home Depot.
|
Electrical line has no juice after being shortened I have a dedicated 15amp line running to my garbage disposal. The line did not run to an outlet, but was hard-wired straight to the disposal. I was installing an outlet under the sink so that I so I could plug in one of those little hot water tap water heaters. My plan... | Check to make sure your wires aren't fried: Since you know the breaker, cut it off and check the lines in the crawlspace again. You should be able to find the one that is now no longer live. If you are in an older house, circuits can often route through surprisingly circuitous (no pun intended) paths.
|
Will a 1" thick granite countertop span 22 inches? I want a makeup vanity but have only enough space for one 18" base. I have granite and a base of drawers 22" deep by 18" wide. If I affix the granite atop the base and extend it to reach the wall, leaving about 22" empty space for a chair, will it be stable (assuming t... | Install the granite on top of the plywood and you should have no problems.
|
How to clean vinyl floor tile not cleaned in 25 years I have vinyl tiles on my kitchen floor that have not been really cleaned for some 25 years. Scrubbing with regular soap using a hand-held, floor scrub brush has basically no effect. (I tried Simple Green, also vinegar.) After rubbing part of one tile with "Goof-Of... | I have used bleach on many many vinyl tiles without damage though - You are going to need a mop with a scrubbing brush.
|
how do you install laminate flooring with multiple rooms at one time with click flooring (since you can only put it in one way) how do you install click laminate flooring when it can only click in one way?in the picture every room is getting done that doesn't have an x. the red lines are which way the boards are going.... | So, when placing a board on the "wrong" edge of the installation, you simply lay it flat, use the block, and gently tap it until the edges overlap and come together. If you install a single floor throughout all of your rooms, you will have to choose which wall will run perfectly parallel to the boards, and the rest mig... |
Why won't my Kenmore front load washing machine start? I have a Kenmore 796-4116 front load washing machine. It's <2 years old. It powers on and there are no error codes or indicators of trouble on the display. I turn the knob to select a wash cycle and press Start/Pause to begin but it never starts the cycle. The d... | If this works, it's definitely the door switch.
|
Why does one stove top burner spark the other and vise versa? I have a two front stove top burners, burner A and burner B. When I "ignite" A it will spark the spark plug for A & B. When I "ignite" B it will also spark the spark plug for A & B. its a stainless steal simple GE stove top and oven. Not sure what the mode... | You have a single igniter that when triggered sparks every burner.
|
Using a multimeter to check for problems in electric sockets I have a MUT-830 multimeter . I would like to use it to do a basic saftey check of the electric sockets in my home. Specifically, I want to verify that: there is grounding, the resistance is not too high (so that the socket should not get too hot). How... | To check grounding and polarity a simple outlet tester like this would be a better tool for the DIY home owner.
|
How to fix my LED track lighting that is flickering? I replaced all of the bulbs in the track light with LEDs. I also replaced the two switches with LED compatible smart switches (dimmers). The furthest light on the track has been flickering and recently the next one has started to flickers as well. The flickering star... | And lastly, if you have any mixed bulb type/vendors on the circuit, it can also cause flickering/conflicts.
|
How to make an internal hinged door harder to open I have a one and half year old who often opens the internal hinged door which would give him access to the stairs and outside. The door is nonlockable and we wouldn't want to it be lockable. Its second latch (?)- hidden metal thing part of doors mechanism that joins th... | We can take of the loop from either side of the door with some risk of him shutting door on our fingers.
|
Why is my florescent transformer buzzing? Is it due to being the wrong voltage? I am using 230v to 240v fluorescent light transformers for T8 36W 120 cm fluorescent tubes, but I found that the transformers are buzzing. The buzzing should not be happening, even though it is new and very high quality. I searched for the... | However, the reason for excessive buzzing might be that your input power is provided from an inverter that generates pseudo-sinusoidal wave.
|
Framing around depressed area of floor: a good plan? I'm installing a grandfather clock in my house. Problem: my first floor ceiling is 88" high, and the clock is 94" high. I can't modify the clock, so I'll have to modify my house. The solution is fairly simple: lower a small area of the floor by 7". The existing fl... | Avoid the risk by cutting the molding like this: Use small finish nails to tack a straight edge scrap parallel to the desired cut, at the distance required by the dimension of the saw's foot plate. At least, that's what I would do.
|
Replacing light bulb in an external light I recently moved into a new rental house, and we have a porch light by the front door. It hasn't worked since we moved in, so I'd like to replace the light bulb which is completely enclosed by a glass cover, as shown below. I'm assuming that the cover should unscrew, but try ... | Some models do have set screws to prevent the glass from vibrating loose. A strap wrench is the next thing to try.
|
Can I handle-tie two 120V CH breakers for a 240V load? Due to an ordering error a long time ago, I have too many 30A 1-pole "CH" brand breakers. (these are single breakers, not tandem/double-stuff). As you probably realize, there isn't much call for 120V/30A circuits, so these breakers are a dunsel. However I have ... | In grounded systems, individual single-pole circuit breakers rated 120/240 volts ac, with identified handle ties, shall be permitted as the protection for each ungrounded conductor for line-to-line connected loads for single-phase circuits.
|
What type of plywood for shower bench? I'm framing in a 40" x 16" shower bench and I plan on using 3/4" plywood. I plan on using granite to sit on top of the seat. I would like to know what kind of plywood I should use for the seat? Should I use pressure treated? I've heard that pressure treated wood is not recommen... | If you are using Kerdi membrane plywood would be acceptable. PT is perfectly acceptable to use in a home but its purpose is to handle water/moisture that should be common to the situation.
|
What to do with a gap in the countertop next to kitchen sink? I screwed up cutting the hole for the 25" drop in sink on my $160 countertop. It's just a little too wide. What are my options besides buying a larger 33 inch sink and being more careful next time? <Q> You can put a piece of wood on the edge, scoot the sink ... | If, by chance, the countertop overhangs at one end, you could slice the top crosswise somewhere in the sink cutout, remove about 1/2" (or whatever it takes to make the sink cover the hole), and shift the overhanging portion toward the sink.
|
What risks may arise from putting a capacitor on the supply line to the door-bell? The door-bell at the residence is (nominally, was) a simple buzzer between live/neutral that sounded Bzzzzzzzz using a simple electromagnetic hammer powered by the 250VAC. The problem is - some creature went and kept the button pressed t... | Or get a low-voltage "wall-wart" transformer.
|
Garage Conversion and HVAC What is the best way to bring heating and cooling to an attached garage? Our HVAC is being replaced, and our large family needs the garage for living space. Wed be going from 1500 sq feet, to 1900 about... Its HOT here in summer, and COLD in winter. Portable, wall, and window AC and heating u... | There are two common methods: Run HVAC main branch under floor. Consider framing a floating, insulated floor over the slab Depending on the type of system you choose there can be many options.
|
Why does my tester not indicate voltage when a light switch is on? I am not understanding this behavior, and I'm hoping that someone with a lot more experience with wiring than I have will know immediately what's going on. I have two 1940s-era fabric-clad wires attached to a simple two-pole on/off toggle switch in the... | When the switch is on the ON/closed position, your "voltage tester" measures 0V across the switch because that is exactly the case - When the switch is on, it directly connects both sides of the switch to each other. I have the same problem. Therefore the other terminal must also be hot if the switch is on.
|
Is it common to layout sprinkler heads differently between front and back yards? Context: I'm looking into hiring a company to install a sprinkler system. In both the front yard and back yard, we have some shrubs and small plants bordering the edge of the lawn, with sod in the middle. Question: In the front yard, the ... | Most of the homes I have looked at back yards are larger but each yard is laid out based on the type of sprinkler distance and trees, bushes.
|
What to pay attention when putting flooring in the attic I have a cold attic meaning the insulation is on the bottom. I would like to put flooring here so that I can use this area as storage without abusing it. What do I need to pay attention for this job? There is already some kind of (a bit worn out) protection wr... | In US/Canada it's not uncommon to use joists sized and spaced to only support the ceiling drywall below, e.g. they are not sized to support any kind of storage or any other regular activity in the attic. This means you can get some heaver things on the deck than a mere board would support. Easier to cut your boards (or... |
Caulking a baseboard - which bit do you paint? If I am using decorator's caulk to fill the gap at the top of the baseboard, I am left with a bead of caulk. I know I need to paint the caulk, once cured, to stop it attracting dust. So how do I paint the bead - do I paint it with the same paint as the baseboard, or with t... | Personally I prefer to paint it the colour of the baseboard.
|
Does the protected device connect to top, or bottom of the MCB? Just what the title states. The house, located in India, uses old-fangled kitkat fuses . The typical domestic supply here in this part of the world is 250V AC at 50cps. I am in the middle of replacing the fuses with Miniature Circuit Breakers. MCB appea... | The term Miniature Circuit Breaker is normally applied to a din-rail mounted devise used in conjunction with machine wiring or product applications. The installation will require an electrical inspection completed by a certified inspector in your state.
|
Use small UPS to power steam boiler I have a steam boiler (natural gas fired) and I'm wondering if I can safely use a small UPS to backfeed power to the boiler, in case of a power outage. I'm not sure how much total run time I'd get - we're talking a 1500VA UPS with conditioned (sine wave) power output. However, the b... | I think you can 'cord-wire' your boiler replacing existing switch with a fixed outlet and putting a plug on boiler cord.
|
Can I use flux core wire with MIG shield gas (argon/CO2)? I recently purchased a cylinder of MIG shield gas (argon/CO2). Can I use my existing flux core wire and the MIG gas together or do I need to buy solid wire? <Q> Maybe, but best not use the gas. <S> The flux core has deoxidizers in it like aluminum , silicon and ... | Using gas with regular flux core wire offers no benefit.
|
Should I extend a drain vent that terminates in my attic? Recently I removed an old water heater stovepipe coming through my roof, because we moved our water heater. Right next to it was my plumbing vent pipe that I thought was associated with venting for the water heater, so I cut it off below the roof and patched my ... | You could instead cap it with an internal drainage vent (also known as an air admittance valve).
|
Is it necessary to protect a (half full) propane tank from freezing temperatures? The title line says it all. I know um.. empirically that it's ok, but I'd like to hear a confirmation of safety and/or a more extensive empirical experiment. The tank in question is a BBQ tank measuring about 1 ft in diameter and about 1... | There is no risk that a propane tank will have water condensation inside the tank because there is no water vapor in the tank. You need to keep it exposed to weather to keep it warm .
|
How do I easily tell if vent below microwave is vented to the exterior? We had a house built recently and there's a vent on the wall where the microwave is on the exterior of the house, but it doesn't seem like anything is coming out of this vent when we turn it on while cooking food on our stove top (which is directly... | Properly installed range hood vent, including those combined with microwaves, almost always use an external vent hood that has a flap to prevent backdrafts. Now, while your assistant supports the front of the microwave, loosen the second screw. You can then look into the hole to see where (if) it is connected.
|
How can I determine if it's safe to remove this beam in my garage? I want to remove a roughly 18' beam that goes across my garage. Oddly, it's the only one at this level. The ceiling beams are all about 28 inches higher. When I touch this beam it wobbles quite a bit, though it's firmly attached at the ends, leading me ... | It's probably in tension, (I.e.: keeping the roof from pushing the walls apart. From studying your picture it appears to me that the timber is intended to tie one wall to the other. It is for sure not carrying any load across the garage. The explanation I have been given is that they are either to hold garage doors/tra... |
Bracing a metal-tubing clothing rack Edit: See my answer below for the solution I eventually used. I bought a poor-quality clothing rack made out of metal tubing. Due to a design or manufacturing flaw, it sways badly from side to side. I want to fix it by adding a simple diagonal brace between the vertical bars and th... | If a piece of wood alone does not provide the desired strength, you could yet add a set of gussets cut from 1/4" plywood and have a seriously strong brace.
|
Hang item from top chord of 2x6 roof trusses? The roof truss in question is part of a standalone shed structure in the back yard. Each truss is 2x6, and is composed of 3 planks - each side of the triangle, no center braces or anything. The width is about 10-12 feet. Is it possible to hang two large eye bolts from two s... | When we mount roof top equipment or equipment hung in attics, we suspend from rod bolted THROUGH top chord.
|
How often should I wash my hands when cleaning the bathroom? As someone with a little touch of OCD, I find that I feel stressed when cleaning my bathroom because I worry about cross contamination. When I finish cleaning one part of the bathroom floor, and then clean the other part, if I end up needing to touch somethi... | Wash hands with soap and water when visibly dirty, when soiled with blood or other body fluids, or after using the toilet. Gloves are recommended in situations in which contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials is likely.
|
Toxic fumes from spray paint I had a painter round my one bedroom flat where I live with my cat, he say's he will use paint spray as it is quicker, is it safe, the fumes? on google it says not safe to breathe in, but others say its okay? now I am needing some advice as I know nothing about painting, he will be using d... | Once modern paint designed for residential use dries, it gives off little in the way of fumes, although some odors may linger for a few days (or even weeks). You should not be present while the spraying is going on. The problem is atomized resin Resin is the liquid part of the paint which eventually turns solid as it d... |
Attach light fixture with 3.5" bolt holes to ceiling box with 2.75" bolt holes I've removed an old and ugly looking ceiling mounted fan (probably installed 30 years ago) which I'm replacing with a modern light fixture. The round (not octagonal) junction box in the ceiling (behind sheet rock) that the fan was attached ... | The light fixture included two combo truss bolts that were designed to screw into the junction box but this didn't work because of the incompatible sizes(3.5" and 2.75").
|
Do circuits with #12 wire need 20A receptacles? In one of the bedrooms all of the duplex receptacles are 20 amps. Do I need a 20 amp switch? Also, I have a garage which is about 30 feet from the house and the wire that goes underground is either 10 or 12 gauge. Do I need a 20 amp switch for that? I always thought tha... | If you switch a single receptacle, the switch must be rated for the maximum of that receptacle (perhaps 15A). Short answer: It has to be rated to the breaker.
|
i want to install a ceiling fanlight without connecting it to the wall switch i want to install a ceiling fanlight without connecting it to wall switch, but now that it is installed the ceiling fan light come on every time i turn on the light switch and I don't want that,please tell me how to fix this issue <Q> General... | One way this could occur is if in the wall switch box, both the red and the black going to the fan/light unit are both connected to the load side of the same switch.
|
Crusty stuff coming up between basement floor planks My son bought a 8-year old house, last August, that had some new "plastic" flooring put in the basement over concrete in preparation to putting it on the market by the previous owner. I'm guessing that was done within three months of him buying it. Just yesterday, ... | It could be that there was too much adhesive / glue applied under the vinyl flooring, and after applying pressure on the flooring (walking on it, or even settling of the boards), this causes the adhesive / glue that hasn't fully cured to leak, or to shift under the board. Moisture from slab is pushing thru the cork lay... |
What to use to fill holes in floor tile in kitchen We just did a final walkthrough for a house we should close on in a few days. The kitchen has tile flooring. There are some holes in several of the tiles. The holes aren't too deep, maybe 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. Luckily no cracks in the tile from whatever created the... | Indeed, a travertine repair kit is the right choice here. But generally speaking, you can use anything that won't look ridiculous. If you are seeing a caulk that's a decent color match, I'd probably start there.
|
How can I tell if my vinyl floor is inlaid or contains asbestos? I'm removing the flooring sheets from an apartment, and I'd like to figure out whether it's linoleum (as we've been calling it this whole time) or vinyl sheets or what else. Here a picture (more can be found here ): I'm wondering: Would you know whe... | To really know if it contains asbestos or not you'll need to test it. Linoleum™ is a brand name as well as a material, which makes it somewhat ambiguous here. If it has asbestos you will have to follow local codes to dispose of it - in many districts it may not actually be regulated for homeowners and you can dispose o... |
If I buy only one tool between a tile cutter and a wet saw, which one should I buy? If I have to buy only one tool between a manual tile cutter and a wet saw, I wonder which one you would recommend. I have never done tiling before and this is my first DIY tile project for a small bathroom. The floor tiles I bought a... | Manual tile cutters are a lot faster and less messy than wet tile saws.
|
Painting over cracks in ceiling Our kitchen ceiling has several cracks in the plaster. We need to repaint the ceilings and didn't know what our best option was for the cracks. We don't want to do some sort of plaster because we figure we won't be able to get the matching texture of the ceiling and it would be very obvi... | Perhaps if you slapped a lot of thick, gloss on top of them you could "fill" them, but I don't believe standard interior matte paint will reduce visibility of the crack.
|
Should I use a dedicated circuit for a towel warmer? I purchased a 120 volt (70 watt) towel warmer that will be hard wired into our bathroom. I have 12-2 wire on a 20AMP breaker already in there that will be used for outlets and lighting. Should I run a dedicated line for the towel warmer or can I use what's already t... | This is a pretty small load, so it probably won't be an impediment, but you need to follow all the rules for wiring in bathrooms . If the circuit powers hardwired loads only, this with the other loads can't exceed 80% of total capacity. Depending on placement of outlets - try to configure so the load will be balanced.
|
Painting a basement fuel oil tank I have an old 275 gallon fuel oil tank in my basement. It is showing some signs of rust. Am thinking that a new coat of paint would be a protective measure. What kind of paint/primer should I use? I read something about Galvanized Metal etching paint. Is this required? I'm not su... | Despite what certain TV ads say, you can't really paint over rust. The best solution unless you could empty the tank and inspect the inside for corrosion is to replace it!
|
Toilet water tank sometimes takes hours to fill and sometimes it fill up right away As stated above, sometimes the tank takes hours to fill and other it fills up in a minute or less. This has been happening now for weeks and I had no changes made recently, it started all of a sudden. Thanks. <Q> This can cause a small ... | Your problem could be a flapper valve that does not always seat down tight on the flush drain at the bottom of the toilet water tank. Get a replacement kit - they are cheap enough and easy enough to install.
|
Was my exterior door installed backwards We moved into a house recently and have discovered some less than good work that was done on the home. I am assuming this was done incorrectly as well but am not an expert and am looking for some input. The exterior door has no threshold on the outside, it is on the inside of th... | Although the quality of the work may be questionable, it is an out swing door and the threshold is correct for such a door.
|
How to cut thin strips of Hardiebacker I started with Hardiebacker for the first time today for the wall of a shower, and was greatly impressed by the ease of the score-and-snap method for getting the large pieces I need. However, I also require some thin strips of Hardibacker for a few places (e.g., 3.5 inches wide f... | Other answers are also correct -- just to add that an angle grinder with a diamond blade can either cut all the way through or score so heavily that it's easy to snap. You should also use a shop vac to minimize dust. All you need are two 2x8s with a 1/2 inch plywood spacer between them at each end, joined securely with... |
How to fill this gap between window and brick wall? (too deep for backer rod?) I'm renovating the windows of my 1936 house. Doing the first window and I notice there's a big gap between the window frame and the wall and I was wondering the best way to fill it in so I can caulk it. I bought a 1/2 inch backer rod, and t... | However, everything depends on getting the foam at the correct depth: too shallow and the backer rod will still fall back into the void...too much fill and the backer rod AND caulking will not fit. It's not how much caulking you can get in the joint, but rather the proper depth. Buy some really good outdoor (oil based)... |
Is it worth using non-VOC or low-VOC interior paint? I’m remodeling a condo and painting the walls and ceiling. For context, I've heard that Valspar paint has no VOCs and may be preferable to Sherwin-Williams for health reasons. However, my general contractor wants to use Sherwin-Williams paint (with VOCs) because he “... | To make sure the air in your home is VOC-free, use factory tinted no VOC paint, or paints that use a VOC-free colorant
|
How to prevent vermin from entering garage via space under garage door? I found mouse or rat dropping in the garage in our 'new' house. I cleaned it up thinking that maybe it was old. The other day I saw more droppings. The garage door faces the back alley where our trash cans are. There is about an inch or two of ... | If the door rolls up, the weatherstripping can be installed on the very bottom of the door. Weatherstripping comes in various shapes and thicknesses. They'll find their way into anything, even the NORAD command center :-) .
|
Connecting the drain hose of a clothes washing machine to a wider drain pipe I need to install a clothes washing machine in the bathroom and I have a problem to solve. The drain hose of the washing machine is 25 mm in diameter on the exterior, made from a soft rubber material - see image A, while the drain is 32 mm in... | Once that's connected to your drainage, you just stick your machine drain hose into the vertical pipe (using the rigid grey U-shaped bit around the hose, at the top of the pipe; the rigidity stops the hose from coming out of the pipe).
|
What heights can electrical wiring be fished through wall studs? I want to install some closet rod supports for a double rod closet. My studs appear to be spaced every 16". The rod supports need to be drilled into the studs at heights of 42" and 84". The house is a ranch, this is being done on the ground floor. The ot... | You could use a hole saw on a drill and cut larger holes and "temporarily" seal them with larger diameter plugs. Of course, you can purchase a non-contact voltage detector to trace the wiring, but this shouldn't be necessary. Your situation isn't unique, and any wall is likely to have wiring in it at various heights. A... |
Is it standard/acceptable to leave drywall bare behind kitchen cabinetry? We have contractors working on our kitchen and it's been a bit of a mess. Right now, about 3/4s of the room is drywalled/taped/floated/primed/painted (single coat)... and a small section of wall behind some cabinets and where our stove will be is... | You should tell them to complete the job. If there is a good chance of it getting wet or grease splattered, you definitely will want to fill and paint with washable paint as far behind as you can reach with a brush. If you paid them to drywall and mud the room then they should do that.
|
Need 12' ladder on second floor but staircase is too tight I have a fan on a high ceiling (maybe 16 feet high) that I want to replace. I need at least 12 foot type A ladder but it needs to fold because I have to take it up some tight stairs and corners to get it to the master bedroom. I tried rending a fixed step lad... | A rope, a ladder, and an open 2nd floor window (you might have to remove both the window sashes). Lay a throw rug on the window frame to protect it.
|
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.