Split (1)

train · 95.7k rows

source stringlengths 620 29.3k	target stringlengths 12 1.24k
Accessory for connecting a manual scissor jack to a drill to lift it faster I have a scissor jack and I was wondering if rather spinning it manually, if it is possible engaging it to my drill. I'm pretty sure that there is an accessory like a hook for drills, or something similar, however I'm struggling to find it. ...	If you have access to a angle grinder or other way to cut a bolt, I suggest using a heavy duty eye bolt and cutting out a part of the loop to make a slot just big enough to fit your jacks eye hole into.
Water pressure from slope causing crack and lean in foundation. Is a French drain the answer? We have a concrete basement foundation. It's the type with a retaining wall that can only be seen from inside the basement and a second outer wall on top of which the structure is built. The retaining wall has a crack and is...	To keep the subsurface water from putting pressure on the wall and from seeping through the wall, I recommend installing a moisture barrier on the exterior side of the foundation wall and install a 2” thick plastic mesh on the wall to allow water to flow down to the perf pipe.
How can I raise the output temperature of my air conditioner for better comfort? I think they put too much refrigerant because it's too cold at night; it is not comfortable. It's freezing cold even at 75 degrees. What can I do? This is a newly installed ac and furnace. <Q> There isn't too much refrigerant in the unit...	Change the temperature to something more comfortable. Finally, look into deflectors for the vents.
Why do I measure voltage on a breaker that's off? My breaker #1 (115VAC) is connected to my dishwasher. My breaker #2 (115VAC) is connected to my garbage disposal. Why do I get 38.5VAC on the dishwasher line, even when breaker #1 is off? When breaker #2 (Garbage Disposal) is also off, I get 0 VAC on dishwasher. Why...	You have a multi-wire branch circuit feeding these two appliances. That is precisely to protect you from getting nailed like you almost did.
Why do unfinished basements need GFCI outlets? I was replacing outlets in the basement and noticed that unfinished basements require them to be GFCI protected. While I did do this, I can't help but wonder: WHY?? I searched for the NEC definition of "unfinished basement" and I just don't see why the fact it's not "h...	It's not just the access to moisture-containing concrete and brick; it's also that the devices used in basements tend to be more risky equipment.
Ceiling light not working In my living room there are two light switches, the cables of both come out of the same hole in the ceiling. I would like to use both switches, one for dim, ambient lighting, the other for game nights etc. Hence I installed an additional lamp. Sadly the second lamp doesn't turn on. While my m...	It could be that there could be a disconnected wire, or something could be miswired.
How can I grind a portion of the threads off a hex bolt? I need to grind down the threads on a 4" hex head bolt while preserving 1 inch of threads closest to the head. I need to do 5 bolts this way. I'm thinking bolt in vise and then using a belt sander. Have any other suggestions? I am using the modified bolts to c...	Assuming that your bolt is fairly small in diameter it might be slightly easier if you can fix the sander in place and manipulate the bolt instead.
Hot water last long time everywhere but in my shower? Hot water last long time everywhere but in my shower? Hot water only lasts about 10 minutes in shower but lasts forever in kitchen and bathroom sinks! How can I fix this? <Q> Unless something is badly broken in your setup, the most effective fixes are (1) install...	You have a high-flow shower head, which is basically dumping your entire hot water tank in minutes, wasting your limited time of water.
What is the minimum height to a crawl space, and where did you get that information? I am working with a customer and it was a great question. I was trying to find the exact answer. <Q> The Code requires a minimum of 18” clear from the bottom of wood floor framing to the ground. <S> (See ICC Figure 403.1 (3).) <S> I ...	Btw, don’t forget you need an 18”x24” crawl space access if you go through the floor and 16” x24” access if you go through the perimeter wall. There is no direct answer as far as building codes are concerned. If you are going to raise the house you might as well be able to make electrical and other changes easier and t...
Which terminal to use on my multimeter I have read the manual for my new multimeter but unsure which (red) terminal to use for what. The meter has one VΩmA fused 500 mA max terminal and one Unfused 10A Max terminal. I just want to measure the voltage of a wall outlet. Which terminal do I use? It would be great with som...	Because you want to measure voltage (V), use the VΩmA terminal.
How far out of square is too far? What is a good margin of error on the diagonals for a 5x10 foot, square wood foundation? I have about 1/2" discrepancy on the diagonals.(for a shed). <Q> It's going to make for gaps in the corners <S> , trim might not fit quite right, stuff like that, but probably not an issue for a ho...	I would say it's a little more than what's normally considered OK, but it isn't going to make the shed collapse or anything like that. Getting the foundation plates square (or rectangular as the case may be) is essential to getting a building to assemble correctly from start to finish.
GFCI's on BLACK/RED dual 15-amp circuits I am in the process of updating the wiring for my dock. It was originally wired with a single 15-amp GFCI outlet into which the two motors for the boat lift were plugged into. The problem I’ve had is that I can only operate one motor at a time. If I try to run both motors at ...	"Simple" solution would be to use a two-pole GFCI breaker.
How to fix a slightly raised stair nosing board (See photo below). I have hardwood flooring that goes into stairs. The horizontal wooden slat right before the stairs is very slightly raised, by maybe an 1/8 of an inch, maybe even 1/16th. It's not a major problem, but I'm worried it's a tripping hazard which could en...	If the top step is slightly higher than the hardwood flooring it shouldn't be much of a problem to pull it up and plane down the underside to the thickness you're seeking.
Using drywall screws for electrical boxes? I am installing the following items: and I am using regular 1 1/4" drywall screws to secure them. Is there any concern in regards to shear strength or rot that would make me regret using drywall screws? I am fully aware of the adage "Drywall screws are for drywall; it's i...	I use drywall screws all the time & have never been called on it during an inspection (would not use them for a ceiling fan box ). They can also snap if there is any reason that the electrical box can flex.
Can I hook up two baseboard heaters on a 30 amp double pole breaker with #12 wire? I want to run 2 baseboard heaters on a double pole 30 amp breaker with 12/2 wire. Is that ok? <Q> No! <S> While there are other considerations, you will need to use a MINIMUM of 10 AWG Cu wire for a 30A circuit. <S> Beyond that, whet...	If you're dealing with an obscure panel like Pushmatic where 20A breakers are not ten bucks, then stay with 30A but run 10 AWG wire. 12/2 wire is NOT suitable for a 30 A circuit.
Making sure only one of electric shower or instantaneous hot water heater can operate at once I'm completing the renovation of an annex. The annex shares the mains supply with the main house which has a single phase connection rated as max 90A. I'd like to fit an electric shower (9.8kW) and an instantaneous electric wa...	An automated solution could be built around relays with the addition of some control circuit. A dedicated shower heater (tankless or with tank) can be combined with a counterflow heat exchanger. Another aspect is saving money and energy:
How can I repair damaged door casing? We recently adopted a pup and are still getting to understand his separation anxiety triggers. Recently, he gouged the door frame pretty severely. I am hoping I can fix this myself, since this is a rental. Does this look like something that can be repaired by woodfiller/epoxy/bon...	You can either get new trim, or if you're feeling adventurous, pick up some wood filler and use it to try to level it out.
How can I set these nails flush in my beadboard paneling? The person who installed beadboard around our kitchen island didn’t countersink the nails. I bought a nail set from Home Depot and have been trying for the past hour to get the nail at least flush with the beadboard. It doesn’t seem to be budging. I quickly ...	You can still countersink these, but not with the nail punch you have, which is designed to completely cover the nail head so it won't slip off.
Connecting a hose to a 3/8 compression fitting I have a dog waterer that has a female garden hose connection. I would like to take a tee off my 3/8 compression fitting above my cut off valve under the sink to connect to this. Any suggestions on the best route to go? I would prefer to stick with a short braided hose lik...	I would want an independent shut off incase of problems, my plumbing speciality store could set up all the parts needed and suggest things like an extra valve just in case by using a photo of your existing under sink set up.
Replacing light bulbs with receptacles in garage I'm trying to improve the lighting in my garage. Currently it has several simple bare-bulb lampholders, and I am installing larger hanging LED fixtures that have a cord with a plug. Initially, I tried using an adapter that screws into the light socket. Unfortunately, th...	To mount the 5258-SS into the shown cover plate you would need to drill your own holes. You can install one of these light sockets.
How do you comply with NEC receptacle requirements in row homes with brick walls? I'm rewiring a Philadelphia row home, which like many others, has brick and cinder block for the side walls. There is no framing, just lath and plaster. I know some flippers will put in 2x3 studs to make things easier, but I'd prefer to...	Receptacles would then be mounted in steel boxes on the wall surface as well. What is typical in Germany, where most walls are block and plaster, is that grooves are cut into the plaster, conduit laid into the grooves, and then the whole thing gets covered with plaster again. The shallowest box I can remember using rec...
How would you protect a plywood container from moisture and abrasion? We have a pitching mound that sees basement and outdoor use. We try to keep it out of the rain but it does sit on wet ground sometimes. It is made of plywood and has a number of hinges/brackets as it folds in three. What I am mainly concerned ...	If you want the plywood to have a color, simply stain or paint it first. I'd sand it a bit to clean it up and give it a coat on all exposed surfaces.
Is it okay to put rigid sheet foam insulation directly over studs before installing sheetrock (fiberglass insulation would be in the walls)? We want to improve the insulation in a bedroom. Will it cause a problem (condensation, etc) if we put rigid sheet foam insulation that completely covers all the studs before inst...	If you want to air seal the room please get a dehumidifier. The dry-wall installers were specialists that only installed dry-wall.
Dual GFCI/AFCI breaker to support regular TRR USB outlets on kitchen counter: to code? I would like to replace some outlets that run along my kitchen countertop because the TRR plugs are hard to plug in, and I would like to put ones that have USB jacks. I know that GFCIs are required in this area, but if I install dua...	Code does NOT state that an AFCI is required for the countertops, so using a dual GFCI/AFCI is just as acceptable as a regular GFCI breaker. As far as NEC code, you're compliant.
Making an extension cord I went into home depot to get an extension cord that was 5 foot 14 gauge. I couldn't find anything that small in that gauge and I asked the employee for his recommendation. He told me to just make my own and he proceeded to cut me 5 feet of 12 gauge wire and hands me a female and Male plug. I...	Yes, building your own cords is fine, as long as you use UL-listed plugs and sockets, and use them correctly according to instructions and labeling, e.g. with right size cable and using the strain reliefs. Make sure they gave you well-fitting ones. And you need to use correct cordage , one of several types including SJ...
Tile on OSB substrate in bedroom A lot of information online about laying tile is specific for bathrooms (that need waterproofing), but in this case I want to remove carpet from a bedroom that is used as office space. This carpet is not only old but also quite thick and is extremely annoying to use with office chairs. ...	You want to put some thinset on the underside to prevent flexing and cracking instead of screwing it in "dry", but it'll still be easier to remove than a typical thick mortar bed for floor tile directly on a membrane or plywood. Put plywood in the hole and use a few deck screws to hold the plywood in place.
Stopping air leaks in attic I am attempting to take care of air leaks in the attic before new insulation is put in and I have a few questions. Along areas of the roof line there is light that comes through. I don't have soffit vents. I assume I should seal these? What is the best method? I have two ceiling fans that...	Personally, that's what I'd do -- get ventilated soffits, make sure there are no other openings into the attic, then put in soffit baffles before insulating the floor of the attic -- the baffles would just have to run higher than the insulation.
What lubricant, if any, should be used for clothes dryer rollers? It seems I may have used the wrong lubricant for my LG clothes dryer rollers because the rollers kept seizing up. Since these rollers are simple and there are no bearings I did not put much thought into what lubricant to use: While I am not 100% sure I...	Adding any sort of lubricant is a “magnet” for the lint to stick to and eventually gum it up.
So is it better to go from a smaller pipe to a bigger pipe? OK I know it sounds confusing so here I go. Doing some work on the washer supply lines. Well they are copper right now 1/2". Issue is there is leaking around the shutoff valves and such (old fixtures). So the question is it OK to go from 1/2 to 3/4 in pip...	A larger diameter pipe is stronger , but a properly anchored valve will be fine in any size.
Will fiberglass insulation grow mold? (Florida) Followup to this question one of the comments says that fiberglass can trap moisture and lead to mold/mildew. I did some research myself and found other sources saying the same. This worries me -- since I live in Florida (very humid all year round) so should I avoid...	fiberglass insulation has been proven to be an excellent insulator.
EMI / RFI filters for reducing dimmer-switch noise (what is available, where to install) I don't have many light-dimmers in my house right now, but I'm doing some renovation, adding recessed lights in some areas that I have temporary open access to the floor joist areas and circuit runs, and I'm noticing some radio-unf...	First off, upgrading to better quality, specification grade dimmer switches (such as the better stuff Lutron, Leviton, Eaton/Cooper/Arrow-Hart, or Legrand/Pass & Seymour make) will often get you dimmers that go the extra mile on built-in RFI/EMI filtering.
Re-key or just replace deadbolts? Our house has Schlage "bright brass" deadbolts on the front and back doors, which use different keys. Our separate garage had a no-name unit. We never had keys for the rear door or garage. I just replaced the garage deadbolt so I would have keys. It only took a few minutes, and that go...	Go find the kind of locksmith who has a bricks-and-mortar presence with a showroom (and isn't all outbound). I buy Home Depot cheapies, and I just replace locksets using the package codes on the lock-sets to get multiples of the same key.
What kind of bolt is this? (securing the garage door opener rail to the wall face) It was used to secure the wall mounting bracket of the garage door opener's tee rail to the concrete wall of the house above the center of the garage door opening. The bolt was inside an expanding sleeve. The tapered head was inside the ...	I can't comment on what the bolt is for or if you need to replace it. It is a concrete sleeve anchor , many brands with similar names.
Plumber unable to replace Moen shower cartridge A plumber I hired to replace the cartridge in a dripping Moen shower faucet at home said that he couldn't pull the cartridge out and so will need to replace the entire valve. The leaking faucet is in a tiled stand up shower, so he will need to access the valve from the o...	The plumber may have not had the cartridge handle turned to the on position.
How to cut into plastic to remove a metal slug that had been press-fit to be flush with the surface? What tool would be appropriate to cut a gap around a metal slug that is holding this plastic join together? It has been press-fit to be flush with the surface. There is no access on the opposite side for pushing it out....	If you cut away enough plastic to grip the metal, you may weaken the joint. Once the hole is drilled, set the exposed pin over a hole it can drop into that is sturdy, like a drilled hole in a block of wood and drive the square pin out with the drift through the drilled hole. If you can cut it with an xacto you can cut ...
Does water pressure drop when opening a faucet? Wondering if anyone can explain how a PRV (pressure reducing valve) works? I have a water pressure gauge connected to my hose bib right after the PRV. It measures 75psi. When I open a faucet inside my house, the pressure is dropping to 60psi. Is this normal, or not? Is t...	So yes, it is normal for pressure to drop as the rate of water use increases.
What to cover underside of shed subfloor I'm building a garden office (shed) and will build a floor similar to that shown below (minus the flat beams between the joists and the concrete supports). I will insulate the floor using PIR (e.g. celotex or kingspan). On the top will be two layers of plywood and above that ins...	Unless you put some lath around the structure as skirting, i would bury the bottom of it in a trench several inches deep to keep critters from burrowing under it.
How to tell if light switch box is grounded I'm attempting to install a smart light switch in an existing light switch box. There's isn't a ground wire I can see, nor does my voltage detector light up when I touch one end to hot and the other to the box. My outlets are all grounded, so could it be that my light switch ...	The conduit, the boxes, all of it. If so, it's a ground wire. Then you can just run a recep ground to the green screw. Make sure you're going from box to always hot and not switched hot when testing for ground.
Join wooden poles end to end I need some 16ft (5 meter) long 3 inch diameter ash poles that will be used for re-enactment pike shafts. They will eventually be tapered to 1.5 inches at one end. For practical purposes however - mainly storage, transportation, cost and availability, a better option would be poles of half...	Iron pipe would be strong but harder to work.
How important is Tyvek/house wrap for a house with metal siding? I'm building a tiny house and it will have metal siding. My dad has worked a lot of construction and says he's never installed a house wrap for a metal building in his life. Most info I can find online says if it's climate controlled it needs wrapped. Jus...	If you use insulation under the metal as used in many roofs you probably would not need a wrap but it would still be a good idea.
Cutting insulation of speaker wire without damaging inner wires I bought some speaker wire and an adjustable auto-stripper. I don't remember the gauge of the wire, but I wanna say it's 16ga. It's got a pretty sturdy plastic outer insulation and the speaker wires are twisted inside. The outer wire is too thick for my a...	With experience, you can just cut the outer insulation (trick being, not all the way though - you make a weak spot/stress concentration by grooving it, and then pull off the waste, and it breaks where it's been grooved.)
How to install tile over area with no drywall Plumbers made a mistake by placing a mixer vertically when it was supposed to be horizontal. I had to remove 3 tiles and some cement board in order to the mixer. Now what everything has been positioned properly, there is no base to install the tile onto. What can I use to c...	Patch the hole with cement board. The time spent flopping those tiles back on is saved by not having to jigsaw-puzzle your way back to a good base. This will help stabilize the edges.
Solar water heater vs Heat pump for heating water? I'm debating between installing a solar water heater vs. a heat pump for supplying hot water to my house. The house is in Bangalore, India - we have about 300 days of sunshine in a year. My estimate is that we'll need about 150litres of hot water a day, mostly between ...	Maintenance costs should be much less compared to solar heaters and heat pump.
Tool/key for removing switch plate I’m trying to remove light switch plate below but it seems to be securely attached around the pole switches. There are 2 dots on each of the rings around the pole switch, leading me to think they might be acting as screws. Anyone seen one like this before? And would you know what tool...	I also have a small pair of bent nose pliers similar to the ones pictured here that have on occasion been used to remove small spanner type nuts on switches. The back side of the panel may have some type of spring clips that slide into a box or clip to the sides of the opening in the adjacent surface.
Heat dissipating materials for a wall that gets very hot? The exterior wall adjoining one of our rooms gets a lot of sunlight in summer, and I suspect heats up the room a lot, as the exterior wall continues to radiate heat well after sunset during peak sunlight hours. What kinds of materials could be used as a claddin...	Since it's a "Heat in summer" problem, a traditional decorative and edible approach would be to train/trellis a plant or plants in front of the wall - grapes, vining tomatoes, espaliered fruit trees, perhaps even a fig depending on your climate - or purely decorative things like climbing roses, wisteria, or ivy - but i...
Should I use an orbital sander or a belt sander for sanding a section of varnished floor? I need to sand down a small section of our floor and thought I'd buy a small sander instead of renting one for the day. I've been looking at orbital and belt sanders. In particular the two models I was looking at are as follows:...	An orbital sander will glide over the surface easier and has less risk of leaving grooves particularly if you're not used to doing this type of repair. Obviously, you want to use as fine a grit as possible - especially on the finish.
How do I correctly join this sink fitting to the wall pipe? I was unclogging a blocked drain and putting everything back together and I'm unsure how this piece is supposed to work Here it is just loosely resting where it came from. It seemed to be held onto the pipe by some cohesive force before (though now I'm doub...	While you are at it consider removing and inspecting the ring seal in the nut that faces the wall. If the plumbing is old it can be a good idea to purchase replacement rings like that blue plastic piece.
Toilet won’t flush and found this floating in the cistern Toilet won’t flush when using the handle. It’s like there is air in the mechanism which doesn’t allow it to fill. Found this floating in the cistern. The whole cistern fills up fully but when you pull the handle it feels like there is air in the reservoir and ...	If it flushes normally the solution is in restoring the lever to flap connection. From the picture it appears that the connecting chain may be loose or disconnecred.
Hang indoor swing chair BETWEEN two ceiling joists I purchased one of those indoor hanging swing chairs for kids, specifically this one , which is meant to be mounted in the ceiling with a single eye bolt. I want to hang this in a 38" space, between wall and bookshelf. This is pretty tight, so I need to mount pretty m...	Use a 2x4 oriented vertically (like the ceiling joists) between the trusses Anchor with substantial lag screws and also consider laying another board across the top of everything, connecting that with lags or 3" construction screws Locate the eye bolt carefully
Wiring of simple wall switch One of our wall switches was acting a bit flaky so I replaced it but I was surprised by how the old switch was wired. I was expecting to see a continuous white wire going through the box and two black wires connected to the switch. What I saw was a black and white wire connected to the swit...	If always-hot is in the cable, then the white wire must be used for always-hot. (Switch loops are no longer wired like this, as the widespread use of smart switches has changed the standard so that a neutral connection is now required in every switch box.)
Do solid core doors reduce sound more than hollow-core doors? I need to replace a bedroom door. I would like to find the option that is best at dampening noise. I'm trying to decide between an MDF door like Jeld-Wen Molded Composite MDF Interior Door Slab or a solid core door like Masonite solid core door . Being...	Solid core is also a heavier door which can be a plus although sometimes makes it a little more difficult to install.
Can I glue the float back onto linkage to my toilet fill valve? The part (circled in red) has snapped off - I think it belongs to the entry fill valve. I have placed the knife in there to stop the cistern from filling and overflowing. Should I try and super glue the black bit attached to the metal connector (at the b...	The problem with gluing plastic is that there are so much variations in the plastics and glues may or may not be compatible. Replace the whole toilet fill valve.
How do I replace a non-removable hose connection vacuum breaker? Need advice on how to replace a Watts Series 8 Model 8A non-removable vacuum breaker. <Q> You do know the meaning of non-removable, right? <S> That being said, you'll need to replace the spigot. <S> Those fittings have a brake-away threading system that a...	If you need to remove it the only way I see to do it is to completely drill out the set screw with a metal drill bit. Since it is designed to be non- removable, I would assume you can repair it in place.
Is it safe to flush newspaper down the toilet? Recently an Australian newspaper printed several blank pages to help readers who may have run out of toilet paper. Would it be safe to flush pieces of newspaper down the toilet? <Q> No, that would not be safe. <S> If you want to use something other than regular tissue...	Toilet paper is made to fall apart quickly when it gets wet and doesn't contain any chemicals that would harm a septic system or a city's sewer treatment.
How to check how much water my dishwasher is using? My landlord is getting $700 water bills per month and nobody knows why. About 4 people use this water and it is about 55 thousand gallons per month. I'd like to check how much water the dishwasher is using. It sometimes sounds like a waterfall inside of it. I'm not ...	Now, if you really want to know how much water something is using, you can get a water hose water meter that will give you gallon-accurate water usage. To me it sounds like a leak.
How can I fill and flatten unneeded hinge mortices for painting? I have removed a bathroom door and installed a sliding barn door on the other side of the wall. The door frame in the bathroom now has the open sores of where the three hinges came off. The house was built in 2004 and all the door frames are mdf/cardboa...	If you really want the "best" way, it's going to be to remove the existing door casing and replace it with a smooth 1-by board.
Does the Baco Code require double 5/8 on the ceiling in a garage when there is living space above? Does the Baco code require double 5/8" 0n the garage ceiling when there is a living space above ? <Q> When you have 3 units or more, then you MAY need 2 layers, depending on the size of the complex and type of constructio...	In residential construction up through duplexes, 1-hour Fire rating (1 layer) is required on the garage side of the ceiling and walls when there is a living space on the other side. To second this due to the weight of the 5/8" drywall there would be some innate issues installing it over the top of another 5/8" sheet. B...
My circular old work electrical box is too small for the light fixture mounting bracket I purchased some flush mount light fixtures to install in each of the bedrooms in my house. Originally I picked up some circular 4" old work electrical boxes (the ones with the "flags") but discovered that those are not mean to bear...	The older, now largely obsolete 3-1/2" trade size (3-1/2" across corners, 3" across flats) had 2-3/4" screw spacing. The outer (farther) set of holes sit pretty much on the rim of the box. The reason for the two spacings is the two sizes of steel octagon box (pictured).
How to fix this storm door hinge? The jamb bracket was always loose, so I had to keep using longer and longer screws to make it stronger. Over time the wood completely got eroded, left with a gaping hole and no place to insert a screw. How do fix this? I have a young handyman who is painting my house and I was going to...	Get a wood filler (which consists of sawdust in a binder) and fill the gap flush.
What should I do about the floor for a outside metal shed / ventilation I put together one of those 1 million fastener sheds from lowes. I didn't do a lot of ground prep but tried to make it as flat as possible. There were initially some areas under the perimeter wall that were too low so I added dirt under those sec...	Depending on your situation you might also want to improvise vents for air circulation between the shed base and the pavers - on the floor perimeter. I would suggest making a cut in the lower areas so that the standing water will drain away.
My Acacia dining table starting to show some huge splits or cracks We got this Acacia dining table from costco and noticed after a year or so it started to crack on one end.Initially the crack was pretty tiny and now it's very noticable.I was wondering what are the ways I can fix this? <Q> There's generally greater suc...	I have found oiling the wood can help usually
What options do I have to rotate a horizontal 2-gang switch box? I'm working on replacing the light switches in my house, but I've got one box that I'm not sure what to do with. It's a two gang box with double switches in each slot (4 switches total). It looks like the box was installed horizontally instead of vertical...	They even have a few triple switches in Decora , in case you want to just have switches 1-2-3 in the first rank, and nothing in the second. I would verify the wiring prior to knocking the old box out and installing a new old work box. Since you won't turn the box, you are married to this sideways arrangement. You don't...
Possible explanations for a hissing toilet Mansfield 1.6 Toilet. Relatively recent (<3 years old) Korky fill. Hissing noises. Water level stable. So, I replaced the drain stack with a new one, new gasket, bolts, etc). Put it all back together, and I'm right back where I started. If I'm hearing watery noises from the K...	If the water is overtopping the overflow valve, the leak is in the refill valve .
Doorbell transformer is this it? I am going nuts trying to find my doorbell transformer. Someone suggested it may be this. But doesn't look like one to me. Is it? If not any suggestions where it may be? <Q> When you go looking around for your doorbell transformer it may look like one of these: <S> Mounted on cover...	And finally it is possible that you may find a plug-in style door bell transformer that is secured to some electrical receptacle someplace. As indicated by Ecnerwal the picture you show is an old style telephone line hookup.
Can I safely plug a two prong plug into an extension cord with a ground socket? I have a plug for a wireless router that ends in two prongs (no ground). Is it safe for me to plug this into an extension cord that has the ground prong, which would be left empty? I believe it is but want to double check. <Q> Yes you can s...	Where you need to be careful is that your extension cord is rated for the power that your device is going to draw, but this has nothing to do with two-prong vs. three-prong plugs.
How to repair a slow leak in sink food disposal, at discharge It is a slow leak, perhaps less than a cup a day, so I have time to plan. That is good, because plumbing is not really my thing. I would like to repair rather than replace, to save money. Should I try to tighten down on the bolt that I see at the site of t...	In my experience, when the corrosion is that bad, replacing the disposal is your best bet.
How can I add support for my floor inside a rigid metal return vent? I bought an old house with tongue-and-groove flooring and no subfloor. It looks like it was retrofit with a modern HVAC system and floor vents some time in 2008. Whoever installed the return vent made some questionable decisions - they used the space...	A plank with holes would be more restrictive, but having more than one option isn't a bad idea. A final piece flange parallel with bottom surface of floor boards. One option to consider would be a set of pillars under each individual floor board, wedged or glued firmly in place, perhaps only secured on the bottom to al...
Drain trap is too low for new vanity My wall drain pipe clears the vanity, but there is not enough depth for trap. That's why I am thinking running a 90 degree bend out of the wall upward. My concern is losing the trap seal. Since wall drain pipe clears the vanity, I am thinking running 90 degree going up and then at...	No need for that, there tail pipe extensions that add length to get to a lower P trap like you have. This fixture cannot be further than 7ft from its vent.
Is water vapour on light switch a fire hazard? If I spray a 70% alcohol mist onto a regular household light switch, is that a fire hazard?I assume not since the red and black wires would both need to be exposed and close together... But assuming there was a short circuit, would the alcohol/water just heat up and ev...	I believe what you are asking is if you mist the outside of the switch while doing regular cleaning, will this cause an electrical issue. Water/ alcohol would be more of an electrocution or shock issue than a fire issue. The alcohol, penetrating the switch mechanism, would become a current path potentially between you ...
Can I partially suspend an angled climbing wall from my garage trusses? I'm planning on building a home climbing wall in my garage. I'm wondering about the structural integrity of attaching it to the trusses. They are 2x4s, 24" apart, and span about 30 feet. This image shows basically how I would build the wall (the ...	You need to define the type of garage ceiling you're looking to use.
Why WasteKing disposal throws water up? My old Waste King Special Edition 3/4 HP had this problem: when activated it started turning so rapidly that all water and filth accumulated in it gets thrown up into the air (splash guard did not help). It only happens in the first moment after activation - after that it worked ...	It appears that my problem is caused by incorrect plumbing, similar to Help with Garbage Disposal install and high drain pipe
How do I get rid of toilet stains? So my friend said I could rent out his place for free if I can get it clean and the person was here last didn't take very good care of it. The toilet looks like it hasn't been cleaned in ages and there are stains. Any idea what the best way to remove them is? I've scrubbed at it for l...	Muriatic acid is the best cleaner for toilets in this state period.
How can I prevent my lawnmower from spreading red thatch? My lawn last year allegedly suffered from red thatch. I’ve since moved but want to know if my lawn mower could carry red thatch to my new lawn and, if so, how I can clean it properly to prevent spreading it? <Q> 1 cup (5% laundry) bleach to 1 gallon water is usu...	With a lawnmower, getting the blade and underside clean enough to paint (remove all grass clippings - and hey, if you've gone that far, why not paint it!) will help immensely in not having residual clumps of stuff that might not have gotten bleached all the way through. Power wash it using an appropriate cleaner / disi...
Is there a problem with panel I have three legs entering with no neutral, from fuses. The voltages on the legs read 120, 208, and 118.When I put a light on the first breaker it will go out within a minute. No matter where I try to hook it up except the high leg the voltage either goes down or up. Is this panel bad or a...	The neutral is only supposed to ensure neutral reference for voltage. If you clarify how you connected your bulb - which wires to which phase - we may be able to help further. You have wild-leg delta.
How to post mount flood light security lights I am trying to add some light for security and visibility in our backyard that serves as a parking lot. The area where I'd like to install a light fixture is in the back corner of our yard opposite of our home. This means I'll need a post of some kind to attach it to. From ...	Just about anything you do will look like an eyesore unless you're willing to spend 300 to 400 bucks on a 12 foot light pole and bury it 4'.
No Electricity To One Room One room of my home has no electricity. There are no GFCI outlets in the "chain" of things, and the breaker for this room is not flipped. I have tried to flip the breaker, then turn it back on and nothing. What other things would I need to check to determine why there is no power in this r...	There are multiple places left where failures may be present: 1) Check that the wires for the circuit are firmly connected to the output of the circuit breaker and that the breaker is properly inserted into the panel. +98% of the time , broken wires from nails are rare but possible or a loose pigtail in those locations...
Door jamb wider than framed entry I'm trying to figure out the best approach for this issue I ran into. So I have a door jamb that sits at 79.5" wide and the actual frame is at 79.25" wide. I have 3 options: trim either the hinge or doorknob side down. Cons: Weakens either the hinge frame side or the passage latch ...	Best bet is to trim the door on the hinge side.
Can I use blocking between floor joists to support off-center jack studs in a load-bearing wall? I have a load-bearing wall running down the center of my house, perpendicular to the floor joists. As this house is from the 1920's, there is no subfloor - the bottom plates of the walls sit directly on the joists. The stud...	To solve this issue, everything got jacked back up to level, and solid blocking was installed under posts to support beam directly underneath. Consider using joist hangers or lag screws. The headers in my house were true, single 2x6 pine. That should be just fine.
Can I plug a powerline adapter into a grounded-in-wall adapter? I have one outlet right next to my router and need it for a bunch of other electronics. I currently have a grounded 6 outlet in-wall adapter plugged in. It is not a surge protector, just an outlet. Will a powerline adapter work through this or does it need...	The adapter doesn't much care what metal parts are between it and your service panel--even the outlets have internal contacts and screw connections.
Is it normal to see moisture inside my solar panels? They are installed about 10 inches above my sheet metal roof. The solar panels are Monocrystallin. <Q> It isn't normal in the sense that it's normal operating procedure. <S> That is the answer to your specific question <S> and I wonder if you more want to know if you...	No, not normal at all It can be normal in the sense that it does happen as it is hard to keep moisture out over the long term.
What are the pros and cons on installing a typical garage floodlight kit, inside your garage? I have a few extra kits and a dark garage... and I am like why not inside? This thing would take 20 minutes to install and would pump out 225W. Some other things that have come to mind. Is there a way I could electrically u...	If you have several, why not fit one which comes on with sensing motion, lit for as long as you want, and a couple of others on a switch, which you then won't have to find in the dark. The downside to non LED lights will be the heat.
Old house. Front porch light wiring is piped so need to know how to install an outlet box. Pic attached I removed the old front porch light and found that the old wiring is being run through a pipe that sticks out about 1/2”. I can’t install the new light because it needs to flush to an outlet box. Ideas? <Q> The pict...	Use a shallow electrical box so the cut into the brick is minimized. You could mount a box by removing the nut and mounting a box through a knockout at the back of the box, replacing the nut on the inside.
Idea to seal (prevent water) in the gap between marble floor and fixed shower glass panel I have a marble piece, and on top of that I have a sliding glass door (one sliding and one fixed).The issue is that between the floor (marble) and the fixed glass panel there is a gap of 1/4 inch where water is escaping to the oth...	Duct tape is available in many colors and even patterns. Based on @Ack's recommendation, I found a silicone tape which I think has best the both words: protection of silicone but easier to remove/replace when necessary. If you want to get fancy you could caulk it in place, but then you would have to buy caulk.
Conduit size for UF cable I need some advice that I'm having problems finding any conclusive answers for. We are moving an electric water heater that is on a 20amp circuit outdoors (we live in South Florida) I plan on running 10/2 UF cable from the box, under the house about 30ft in a dry crawl space. Then exit and ...	A multiconductor cable, optical fiber cable, or flexible cord of two or more conductors shall be treated as a single conductor for calculating percentage conduit or tubing fill area. A water heater only needs 3 wire normally: 240v and ground with no neutral. For your short section this would be normal. It simply will n...
Do I need a nailing edge around the perimeter of my room for my new AdvanTech subfloor? I have torn out the original flooring from by 1910 Victorian so that I can level the joists and install new sound subfloor. I'm using 3/4" AdvanTech T&G subfloor, glued and screwed to the new sisters. What I'd like to know is if I...	3/4" ply is very stiff (and rated for 24" oc) and as I noted, no one can stand close the wall anyway. Along another wall, I didn't, in part because the sole plate for the wall had to be down before the subfloor, in order to run the plumbing. In any case, the inspector was satisfied. If it were to be a tile floor, I mig...
Help changing direct hard-wire to outlet for new dishwasher I am swapping out an old dishwasher that was hard-wired to a new dishwasher that requires an outlet. As you can see in the picture, the original unit was connected to a cable that goes into the wall. I was thinking of converting the cable to an outlet by... ...	Take out the appropriate knockout and using the connector to secure the cable run the cable and wires into the box. You pretty much "got it right". You want to make sure the plug and outlet is accessible so putting it under the sink is the way to go. To check if you can do this, tip the new one to the side and trace ho...
How can I remove the coating from black iron pipe? I'm building a couple industrial style tables, using black pipe from Home Depot for the legs. The fittings and smaller nipples are all a faded gray color that perfectly complements the black cherry stain I used on the wood. But the longer segments of pipe come in a bla...	caustic soda solution will remove it too. It is "mill varnish" , nothing to do with mill scale. Very likely it is a varnish ; A resin plus a solvent/vehicle.
Dual Purpose breaker (Eaton type BR Combination AFCI/GFCI) trips when starting blender or vacuum My brand new home has all available outlets protected by dual purpose circuit breakers EXCEPT for my bathrooms which are protected only by Eaton 15 amp Type BR Combination AFCI breakers. My blender and vacuum (both are pre...	A "Combination Breaker" is one that provides series and parallel arc fault protection and not GFCI protection. Given that these are the main high-draw appliances you use, it's also possible this is an AFCI trip due to a wiring problem in the walls. One of the reasons I do not like arc fault breakers is they have proble...
How do I change a bulb from my recessed lighting fixture? A light bulb went out in my storage room and to my surprise its socket and peripheral looks quite complex and all bolted into one piece, meaning I couldn't find screws which I can loose to open it. Anyway it looks like the pictures below. Can anyone tell me ho...	On many types of fixtures... You just unscrew the bulb!
How to combine flat and split lock washers on a bolt So I'm assembling a pull up bar and its assmebly instructions look like this In the parts list it mentions only one type of spring washer (quantity 4). But it actually came with two types of washers (quantity 4 each ), type1 and type2 . Am I supposed to use ...	The advice from the German military shock testing establishment is to NEVER use any washer except a flat one.
How can I repair a circular drywall patch seam? I hope someone would be kind enough to help me. We recently had a bathroom cabinet fitted. As it required wiring to the light switch an electrician used a tool to cut holes into the wall so he could feed the cable through and connect it. He then replaced the holes someh...	When I poke pull holes I do similar, 200 grit paper will knock the ridges or a sanding sponge, once the ridges are down skim coat or the paper will probably show, a wide taping knife and some pre mixed mud skimmed on will work let dry and sand then get a can of spray texture and try to match , do not use tape to block ...
How do I fix broken screw flange in shower drain? On my shower drain, I have a broken screw flange, so only one of the screws is holding the drain cover in place. This causes the drain cover to slide around easily when your foot hits it during a shower. The other screw got lost a while back due to this issue. Is the...	Take some of the JB Weld or epoxy and glue the parts back together, bracing or clamping the broken part.
Leveling options for an uneven concrete floor in basement? I live in an old house (somewhere between 1870 and 1920) with a retrofit basement. I also have a high water table, so during the spring rains, we get a trickle of water in the basement ( we've come to accept it as part of the personality of the house and jus...	even an 1/8" wide cut made with a dry diamond blade will move water through a high spot (I've done that) to a sump/drain, and greatly reduce ponding/puddling in the basement.
Locating burst point in copper pipe There's a leak, most likely a freeze burst, in a vertical section of 1/2" copper pipe that runs behind some drywall. In order to minimize the amount of drywall that I have to tear out, I'd like to locate the burst before hacking up the wall. Is there a way to do this? <Q> Sure, jus...	Of course, that won't actually minimize the drywall repair work. Lower it slowly until you see where the drip is occurring.
Connecting a Makita jigsaw (4351) to dry vacuum cleaner (Dyson) Could someone share their experiences with connecting a Makita jigsaw (22mm vacuum piece) to a regular vacuum cleaner (Dyson)? It appears that some people say it's just really impractical to connect a jigsaw to a vacuum? I suspect it might be a good idea t...	Some shop vacs will also accept bags for certain very fine dust that would quickly clog a pleated filter.
Rewiring Outdoor Light to Switched Outlet (half hot, half not) I have an outdoor light that's currently controlled via a light switch inside the house, that I would like to convert into a switched outlet (half hot, half controlled via the existing light switch). However, I'm not sure if it's even possible... I opened ...	This day and age, you could use a regular outlet and then plug in an outdoor wifi switch to it and use that to switch something while the other receptacle always has power.
Fridge turns on when banging it My Kenmore full fridge intermittently turns off, and the only way to turn it back on is to bang it on its side. When it is off, unplugging it and plugging it back in doesn't help, neither does turning the thermostat help. Also, when in it's "off state" the fridge light still goes on. ...	It could be a door switch but also could be the contactor or relay that runs the compressor has bad contacts.
What is the maximum number of branches on one circuit? Just curious. Is there a maximum number of junction boxes (and then branches coming off of those junction boxes) that one circuit is allowed by code to have? Could you theoretically just continue to add junction boxes to one main line of power and split that power...	There are no limits on the number of junction boxes (without devices) in any particular circuit.
Can any damage be caused to a door and/or its hinges if pushed open with force? In the majority of houses that I've visited, I've noticed that most walls in the property have door stoppers behind them to prevent damage to the wall from a door hitting hard into it. For doors that are situated in an area of a house that ...	A unusually installed door might hit the trim before fully opening and being stopped by a wall and that will pry on the hinge and damage it.
Changing loft bed's beam to diagonal braces? We have an IKEA loft bed for our 12 yr old. One of the beams that prevent legs going apart, is messing up with access to his chest of drawers. I want to change that beam to diagonal braces like these: What would be a good way to attach them to the bed frame to ensure leg...	If you can move the removed beam right down to the floor to tie the posts together, that might help. I'm really concerned about the stability/safety of what you're proposing. The braces are located in the middle for reasons such as aesthetics, to prevent toe stubbing (if the middle piece was not there then people would...

Subsets and Splits

No community queries yet

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