For questions generally relating to the outer "skin" of a home or other building, and the materials, features and fixtures generally found and used to construct and maintain it.
19
votes
4answers
2k views
How do I build an ice rink in my backyard?
I'm considering building a small temporary ice skating rink in my backyard. I'm hoping to do this without buying many or any materials, and without causing any devastating damage to my lawn when ...
10
votes
3answers
4k views
How do I regrade the ground around my house?
When we purchased our house, the inspector recommended that we regrade all the ground that meets the house to ensure water is draining away properly.
What do I need in order to do this (am I insane ...
9
votes
1answer
3k views
How can I fix a hairline crack in a thin wood panel of an exterior door?
My 100-year-old house has a wooden front door made of thick wood ribs interspersed with 8 wood panels, each about 10" high, 8" wide, but only 1/8" or 3/16" thick. Perhaps the door originally had ...
9
votes
1answer
296 views
What lubricant should I use for an outside garage door lock?
I recently asked what sort of lubricant I should use on locks.
I was wondering if the advice there (i.e. graphite powder) applied to an outside garage door handle lock?
The lock in question looks ...
8
votes
4answers
24k views
Are cracks on exterior walls serious and can I fix them myself?
I recently noticed some mostly-vertical cracks present on some exterior walls.
In case it is relevant, this is a South Florida home built in the mid 50s. The downstairs walls are CBS (Concrete Block ...
8
votes
3answers
431 views
Trying to identify this box on the outside of my house
This was under a small panel. Don't know what it is, or what it's used for.
7
votes
2answers
924 views
How should I fill a hole in an exterior wall?
I noticed a good sized hole in an exterior wall that allows wires and things to go from my AC unit into my basement.
The problem is that the hole is a good deal larger than it needs to be and there ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
How do I run a wire underground to an outdoor post lamp?
I live in Geauga county Ohio. My question is three part. First what type of wire do I need to run from the house underground to a post lamp 100 feet away? Second,does it need to be in conduit and ...
7
votes
1answer
289 views
Are these brown finger-like things on the outside of my house caused by termites?
Is this ground termite? This is on the outside of a wall in the backyard.
This is the only occurrence of this thing.
Should I be worried? Should I call someone to look at it? OR can I fix this ...
7
votes
3answers
273 views
Options for fixing outside cement staircase?
We have a below-grade basement and a exit door. There are concrete steps to the door, parallel to the house (so on your right is the house) and on the left is a brick wall. The steps appear to have ...
7
votes
1answer
342 views
Can I replace / recreate a tri-fold garage door with three fiberglass flush doors?
My garage has three wooden doors that cover the opening. The middle one's hinges are attached to the right door. The left and the right doors' hinges are attached to the walls. This way you could ...
6
votes
4answers
635 views
What are my gutter guard options?
As I mentioned in a prior post, I'm planning to add some gutters to my house. I see that there's wide variety of gutter guards available and was curious which ones are better?
As far as I can ...
6
votes
3answers
6k views
How do I find where mice are entering my house?
So the house I just finished remodeling, and am now living in, has a small mouse problem. We have caught a couple of mice, and suspect there may be more. Catching the mice does little good, if more ...
6
votes
5answers
10k views
How do I prevent water from collecting against side of house?
Our house has a concrete patio (I'd say about 12' x 10') in the back that is very slightly angled in so that rainfall can cause water to collect where the patio meets the back wall of the house. What ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
How do I install a new exterior GFI outlet?
I have an interior outlet. I would like to place an exterior (GFI) outlet in approximately the same position on the outside wall. How should I do that?
approx. loc. of desired outlet-|
...
6
votes
4answers
744 views
Fixing a large (1/8"-wide) crack in a wood exterior door panel
This is a follow-up to my previous question: How can I fix a hairline crack in a thin wood panel of an exterior door?
While getting ready to apply wood glue (actually a mixture of wood glue and ...
6
votes
2answers
782 views
Do I need exterior grade cables or conduit to run wire in an enclosed soffit?
I'm looking to add some lights on motion detectors (un-switched) and security cameras under the eaves of our house. I know standard romex is often used in attics, but the soffits seem like they might ...
6
votes
1answer
754 views
Which exterior outlet cover is required by NEC?
There are two types of outlet covers used on external outlets. The first type is for damp locations that covers the outlet when it's not in use:
And the second type is for wet locations that allow ...
6
votes
2answers
3k views
How do I properly seal an exterior door?
I've recently discovered that rain is getting in around my exterior (front) door and forming a little pool in the frame under the door. I'm assuming I can fix this by adding a seal around the door ...
6
votes
1answer
106 views
What is the proper and accurate way to measure space for window screens?
One of our metal windows is missing a screen and I'd like to replace it. I don't have other windows of the same size so I can't easily copy the screen dimensions. How should I measure the window ...
5
votes
3answers
312 views
Options for replacing an at-grade hose bibb
The problem
My house is built on a crawlspace and the floor of the house is just a few inches above grade. The hose bibbs come straight out of the crawlspace and are thus very close to the ground. ...
5
votes
2answers
375 views
How do I set up a wiring closet that connects to the exterior of the house?
I'm looking to build a central wiring closet for ethernet, phone, and co-ax. I would like this closet to have a single pipe to the exterior of the house, which service lines can come in through. ...
5
votes
2answers
75 views
Do exterior duplex electrical receptacles have to be on multiwire branch circuits?
I have an exterior receptacle on my house, and it is currently taking up 2 circuits (similar to kitchen counter plugs). Is there any code/regulation that indicates exterior receptacles must be on ...
5
votes
2answers
781 views
Is super insulating exterior walls with rigid foam board insulation possible?
2" rigid foam-board insulation can have an R-value of up t R-10, layering 4 boards would create a R-40 value. However that creates an 8" foam wall above the actual wall. What would be a recommended ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
How can I fit a door in a frame that is too small?
I bought some used French doors to replace a sliding door. The sliding door measured 96" X 60". The French doors measure 96" X 60¼". I made the mistake of not measuring both doors. I just ...
4
votes
2answers
980 views
Can I run a copper pipe for water in an exterior wall without it freezing in the winter?
I would like to install a new hose bib on the exterior wall of my house, to be accessed on the deck. Currently, there is a hose bib on the lower level (underneath the deck) straight down from where I ...
4
votes
1answer
199 views
How should I fill in decorative “gashes” in wood siding?
Our house has old siding with decorative holes:
At first I thought this might be termite damage but a house inspector examined it and confirmed that this is purely decorative style. I'd like to ...
4
votes
1answer
254 views
How can I fix a loose door frame?
Every time I shut my door to go in or out of the house the door frame moves. Also where the door locks it wont completely shut all the way. Which is hard to go out places, without worrying someone ...
4
votes
3answers
310 views
Replace rotting porch treads with trex?
My front porch has some treads and the bottom riser are rotting out.
I'd like to replace the surface with Trex if possible. Is it as simple as removing treads and risers and replacing with Trex ...
4
votes
2answers
103 views
How can I prevent the clanging of my extractor fan vent cover?
I installed this exterior vent for our oven extractor fan
However, the metal plate in the vents keeps swinging open and closed when it gets windy and we can hear it in the house to the point where ...
4
votes
1answer
381 views
How should I build an exterior door landing pad?
I've got a building with several exterior doors (all opening inward). The slab and walk-up is about 18+" from the ground. Code requires that I have a 36"x36" landing pad outside each exterior door. ...
4
votes
1answer
868 views
How should I troubleshoot and unclog an outdoor drain?
Our back concrete patio directs water to a nearby outdoor drain. The drain consists of what seems to be a 5 Inch green PVC pipe with a plastic grate cover that sticks out of the ground a few inches.
...
4
votes
1answer
214 views
Is slate tile suitable for exterior flooring in a colder climate?
My brother-in-law lives in Northern Alberta, Canada, and is thinking about putting slate tiling down on the front deck. However, he's getting conflicting opinions, one place is saying that it will ...
3
votes
3answers
2k views
Can I tap into an exterior light in order to power a security camera?
I have an exterior light (shown below) that I was wondering if I could tap into, in order to power an outdoor IP cam. I understand I would have to pull appart some cables and potentially purchase ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
How can I attach modern fixture to knob & tube wiring?
I have a modern external light fixture that needs to be attached to an existing exterior electrical 'box'. The older parts of the house have knob & tube wiring and there is evidence of gas ...
3
votes
3answers
722 views
What's the correct way to pass wire to exterior electrical box?
I'm doing some remodeling in our basement, and came across the following (see pictures). It looks like the contractor simply wrapped tape around the conduit to secure the box to the wall.
How are ...
3
votes
4answers
2k views
How do I protect a coax cable junction from outside weather?
I'm planning to re-arrange some coax cable lines in my house which will effectively require me to connect them to a 4-way splitter.
The wifey would prefer these connections to take place in a ...
3
votes
1answer
320 views
Can I repair hairline cracks in a solid wood exterior door with clear silicone caulk?
My front doors have several small hairline cracks around the door panels. I would like to seal them. Can I use clear silicone caulking without damage to the stained surface? Do I need to clean or prep ...
3
votes
2answers
252 views
Are storm windows necessary for homes in mild climates?
I feel silly asking this but I'm curious. =) When are storm windows necessary and under what conditions? I live in California (US) and we hardly ever get snow or freezing temperatures where I'm at. In ...
3
votes
2answers
151 views
Easy to spread caulking - window weather proofing
I want to go around the exterior of my windows, etc with some caulking. I have some now that I used in the bathroom but it doesn't spread that easy or lay a decent bead. I know when I was growing up ...
3
votes
1answer
389 views
How cold can it be when painting exterior?
Last fall we rebuilt our front porch steps. Now we are finally getting warmer weather and I want to paint these as soon as I can. The primer I have does not give a minimum temp rating. I figured if ...
3
votes
1answer
348 views
How can I fill old screw holes in wood on the exterior of a house?
The exterior of my house is stucco, but there are some spots that have vertical wood planks. I think this was considered "in style" when my house was built (1950s).
Anyway, over the years previous ...
3
votes
1answer
342 views
Installing railing pickets using dowel pins
I am building porch railing, and I'm considering using dowels to attach the pickets so that no nailing is required.
For 2x2 pickets:
What size dowel stock should I use?
How long should each dowel ...
3
votes
1answer
349 views
How can I build a porch enclosure?
I'm looking to take on this project myself, I want to enclose my porch. It's roughly 2x5 metres, and 8 feet high and is part of a semi detached where the porch continues on the other side to my ...
3
votes
2answers
374 views
My kitchen has no real walls. Is this going to be a problem?
I recently redid my kitchen, which included removing the back splash and putting in new tile, but when I went to remove the old tile, I found that the tile is only attached to drywall. Knowing this ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
Do I need to waterproof the external walls of my house?
I have just completed a renovation of my house. Where possible, I am putting decking around it to keep the brickwork dry and ventilated. One wall, however, will have sand and dirt added to build up ...
3
votes
3answers
143 views
What type of wood for moist exterior location that is also paintable
My rear screened porch has some has 2x2s that hold the screens in place and many of them are rotted from moisture.
It looks like they are plain old 2x4s that were ripped down (though I'm not sure) ...
3
votes
1answer
460 views
How do I secure wooden balusters to an exterior stair railing?
I'm building an exterior railing for my front porch & stairs. I will be using pressure treated lumber. My balusters will be turned like these:
To secure the baluster to the bottom rail I was ...
3
votes
1answer
80 views
What is the sheathing underneath my brick exterior walls?
I am trying to figure out what is inside of my exterior plaster wall that the brick is attached to. The house was built in 1946, has no insulation in the walls, and (oddly enough to me), has drywall ...
3
votes
2answers
237 views
How do I stop water from seeping between my porch roof and house siding?
I have a small roof over my side door on my porch. Whenever it rains or snows, some water always seeps in between the small roof and the vinyl siding. It drips down the siding and makes a puddle on ...
