Questions tagged [garage]

For questions generally relating to the area of the home in which cars and other motor vehicles are kept.

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13 votes
4 answers
179k views

How to properly ground a subpanel in detached building?

I Will be installing a subpanel in a detached garage. The subpanel will be 60 amp. The garage is about 30' from the main-panel in-house, and I will of course get an exact length before selecting the ...
MDMoore313's user avatar
  • 1,074
13 votes
1 answer
191k views

What size wire should I use to feed a subpanel in my garage?

My main panel has been upgraded to 100 amps. I would like to add a subpanel in the garage which would supply: 20 amp Mig welder running on 120 volts, but later upgrade to a larger Mig welder as i ...
Peter's user avatar
  • 131
2 votes
4 answers
48k views

How do I determine the fill rating of a conduit?

I Will be installing a subpanel in a detached garage. The subpanel will be 60 amp. The garage is about 30' from the main-panel in-house, and I will of course get an exact length before selecting the ...
MDMoore313's user avatar
  • 1,074
27 votes
8 answers
164k views

How do I compensate for the sun confusing my garage door opener's sensors?

Only during summer and only when the sun is close to the horizon the light from the sun confuses my garage door opener and in order to close the door I have to hold down the wired button which is a ...
tooshel's user avatar
  • 1,488
6 votes
3 answers
131k views

How do I open my garage door without a remote from outside?

1993 Craftsman garage door opener; my wife must have put something up against the garage door keypad and inadvertently triggered the vacation mode button - now we're locked out. The remote control is ...
lsiunsuex's user avatar
  • 2,833
6 votes
2 answers
3k views

What is the best plastic to make a see through 'whiteboard' with?

Over the past few months I've slowly been converting my garage into a DIY/project/man zone by adding lighting, work benches, storage and tools. Next I'd like to mount a piece of transparent plastic ...
Peter Bridger's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
1k views

Shop Electrical - MWBC Serving 240V and 120V Outlets

I've seen this setup in use in other shops and am interested in using the technique myself. However, the mere mention of it seems to incite rabid pandemonium rather than civil discourse. I'd very ...
Paul Fitzgerald's user avatar
5 votes
5 answers
20k views

What are the proper materials and method to hang heavy-duty shelves in a garage for storage?

I am hoping this isn't too wide of a topic since garage storage can vary greatly from person to person depending on what's being stored. In my case, I will be storing power tools like my circular saw,...
oscilatingcretin's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
432 views

Can I use a ground rod as an equipment ground for a detached garage?

I'm in a bit of a dilemma. The house we bought has a detached garage supplied by 12/3 UF with ground. The previous owner/handyman set this up as a multiwire branch circuit (MWBC) with a twist: one ...
benjamin's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
2k views

100a Subpanel - Detached Garage Plan Review with Schematic

Previous Conversation below. Here is the revised plan - which now includes #6 Bare Copper wire throughout the run from main panel to new sub panel. Is this plan good to go at this point? Would you ...
YellowBear's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
2k views

I have two remotes, one stopped working

I have an Allister Access 200 garage door opener with two Allstar 318 remotes. One remote works just fine. The second one stopped working all together I replaced the batteries in the one that stopped ...
user117446's user avatar
2 votes
7 answers
22k views

Craftsman garage door opener works intermittently

It's been acting up lately, sometimes it works fine and other times it doesn't work at all. Sometimes it opens and closes only partially? Now it only works when I unplug it and plug it back in, but ...
Gary Bergeron's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
787 views

Wiring for switched NEMA 6-20R and 5-20R in same box in garage

My goal is to have 20A receptacles in a particular spot in my garage dedicated to power tools (such as saws) whose motors can be configured for either 240V or 120V, with a switch as a handy second ...
Matt Thomas's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
11k views

How to determine what type and gauge of wire should used for underground wiring to a detached subpanel?

I Will be installing a subpanel in a detached garage. The subpanel will be 60 amp. The garage is about 30' from the main-panel in-house, and I will of course get an exact length before selecting the ...
MDMoore313's user avatar
  • 1,074
0 votes
3 answers
3k views

Repair garage door chain

My Genie garage door chain is broken. (There is a related issue at issue). See the images. Also What I want is to connect two sections together via a rivet. But I don't know if the theory right?
Love's user avatar
  • 281
0 votes
2 answers
244 views

Wayne Dalton Garage

So I recent had a Garage door "professional" come out to my house and look at my garage. I originally thought I was having a motor problem because it would only lift door sporadically. After ...
J. Monte's user avatar
11 votes
3 answers
75k views

What's the best way to keep my garage from freezing?

I live in Colorado. My 1950s house has a one-car attached garage that was built in the 2000s. The walls that are not shared with the house are not insulated: the studs and sheathing are visible from ...
ArgentoSapiens's user avatar
10 votes
8 answers
107k views

What are the consequences of allowing paint to freeze?

Insulating and heating my garage sounds like a pain. What are the consequences of simply allowing water-based latex paint to freeze in the winter? Is it ruined forever or does it just need tons of ...
ArgentoSapiens's user avatar
10 votes
4 answers
5k views

How to make garage door easy to manually lift for 5 year old

During a remodel project, our city has determined that our garage is "occupiable space". Disregarding the fact that its where we park our car and have two gas appliances. Because of this ...
dabi's user avatar
  • 951
8 votes
2 answers
37k views

How to properly insulate a garage?

I'm considering insulating (and drywalling) my garage, which already has insulated garage doors. My main goal is to keep it from getting much below freezing during the winter. This garage is located ...
user2446's user avatar
  • 501
8 votes
1 answer
4k views

What wire and conduit is required for an attached-garage subpanel?

To make my garage more usable as a workshop, I'm planning to add a subpanel which can feed a number of additional outlets. 60 amps would be plenty for my current needs, but I'd like to go with 100 so ...
Brad Mace's user avatar
  • 2,495
8 votes
3 answers
7k views

How to repair garage interior back wall damage hit lightly by my car

I accidentally ran my car into the interior back wall of my garage three years ago. Now that we are moving out, we would like to get it fixed. Please see the damage area attached. I am not even sure ...
John Jiang's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
3k views

How to best support garage storage suspended from slanted ceiling?

Fairly new to handyman work here so I'd love to have some of your expert help! I've looked all around for ways to suspend garage storage from a ceiling but none of them are dealing with a slanted area ...
The Viking's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
7k views

How should I attach the cable of a cable-supported shelf?

I'm planning to build a shelf in the garage, 22" deep and about 16' long. The back edge and one side will be supported by wall cleats, with 2x3s under the other edges. I'd like to support the front ...
Brad Mace's user avatar
  • 2,495
7 votes
1 answer
10k views

Can I convert ceiling mounted octagon box to electrical receptacle?

I've installed a number of strip lights in my garage to replace the single incandescent fixture on the ceiling. They all use a 3-prong plug, not hardwired. I want to replace the incandescent fixture ...
spoulson's user avatar
  • 865
5 votes
1 answer
2k views

Can fiber-optic data cable be run overhead to a garage?

I want to run internet from my main house to garage located few meters away. I plan to use fiber instead of cat5 to avoid reported problems of blowing out network switches. I could have made a trench ...
22332112's user avatar
  • 153
5 votes
5 answers
9k views

Clean and lubricate garage door rails

I have a garage door with a rubber belt drive. I would like to know the correct way to clean and lubricate the rails as it is screeching a bit when opening and closing. Can I wash out the rails with ...
Rick's user avatar
  • 879
5 votes
1 answer
2k views

What is the best way to light a Lexan (Polycarbonate) sheet?

I've recently installed a Lexan 'whiteboard' in my garage which works as well as I'd hoped. I now want to use some type of lighting to light up the board in a useful/visual appealing way. Shown ...
Peter Bridger's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
3k views

Garage door won't close

My garage door has randomly decided to not close. The door will close a few inches to a few feet before reversing. It may take 2 attempts of 10 until it will fully close. I have checked: Sensors are ...
junta's user avatar
  • 1,055
4 votes
1 answer
17k views

Can I connect 12 AWG wire to 10 AWG in a junction box?

This may sound like a dumb question, but I'm adding some electrical outlets to my garage using 10 AWG wiring in conjunction with 30 amp circuits. I am running 10 AWG THHN through conduit to multiple ...
broxhouse's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
3k views

What should I do with the white wire when wiring a 240 volt garage heater?

I was given a 240 volt garage heater from a friend. When I built my garage I had the electrician run a wire so I could put a heater in down the road. He ran a orange wire with 4 wires in it black red ...
Dave's user avatar
  • 41
4 votes
2 answers
3k views

What are some inexpensive options for replacing a single-stall garage door?

The house we recently purchased has a detached 3 1/2 car garage that has seen better days. The entrances to the garage door consist of a 2-stall garage door, and a 1-stall garage door. Luckily, the 2-...
MarkD's user avatar
  • 5,115
3 votes
4 answers
3k views

What are Automatic Garage Door Options for a Garage with a Low Ceiling Clearance?

I have a tuck under single car garage in my bungalow that currently has carriage doors that have seen better days. I would like to replace the carriage doors with an automatic (and insulated) door, ...
Aaron's user avatar
  • 113
3 votes
1 answer
520 views

Can a slab under load be concrete jacked or otherwise supported without taking down the wall?

I have an issue with soil erosion below the front corner of my garage floor which has caused a crack to form and a piece of the slab (~4sq.ft) to sink. This in turn is affecting the portion of the ...
nageeb's user avatar
  • 133
3 votes
1 answer
1k views

Can I upgrade my garage to 20amp service without a headache?

I have an unfinished garage which I am looking to upgrade the service to. Currently it is 15amps running through some difficult to access sub-ground conduit, but if I run the band saw plus the ...
Ray's user avatar
  • 352
3 votes
1 answer
3k views

What is involved in enlarging a concrete garage door opening?

I have a concrete garage with an opening measuring 99" wide by 85" high. There is 10" of concrete from the door opening to the left and right walls and about 1' above. All walls are 8" thick and ...
Uncle Meat's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
3k views

Is a vapor barrier necessary beneath blown in cellulose insulation in a garage ceiling in a cold climate?

Is it necessary to put any kind of vapor barrier beneath blown in cellulose insulation in an attached garage? The ceiling is sheetrocked, but that's it. It's a cold, dry climate (north half of ...
stack's user avatar
  • 352
2 votes
1 answer
723 views

Craftsman 3/4 hp garage door won’t go down.

I have a craftsman 3/4 hp garage door that will not go down, sometimes it goes down about 2 inches then back up and flashes 10 times. It will go all the way down if I hold the wall button until it ...
Cody Norman's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
161 views

How to handle air condenser with garage addition

I'm planning a garage addition onto my house and want to know what the best way to handle existing A/C condenser units that are there is. The current setup is as follows (with the C's being the ...
Kenny Loveall's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
155 views

Bringing Garage Wiring Up to Code in NY

I am currently looking for advice or recommendations on how to bring the electrical wiring in my garage up to code. I reside in New York State, and I am specifically concerned about several wires that ...
Matt K's user avatar
  • 77
2 votes
2 answers
1k views

Danny Lipford Workbench Questions

How to Build a Built-in Garage Workbench By: Danny Lipford on Today's Homeowner I would like to build a built-in workbench in the garage, attached to the beans of the structure. This is the only ...
P.S.'s user avatar
  • 225
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Is floor paint on concrete purely aesthetic or actually functional?

I have a large thatched barn recently (6 months) laid with a concrete floor to replace the original mud floor. The concrete was dusting badly, especially near where a table tennis table sits, so I ...
James Pratt's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
840 views

Add storage to hidden attic space above garage?

I recently discovered that I have an unfinished attic in a guest bedroom on the second floor of my house, above the garage. The overall area is behind the closet in the bedroom and is approximately ...
ab217's user avatar
  • 141
1 vote
1 answer
138 views

Garage belly board needs fixing

My garage was built quite a while ago, and the belly boards need some fixing. They are either seeping moisture into the garage or leaking from cracks. I'm wondering if people think I should replace ...
klayman's user avatar
  • 383
1 vote
2 answers
360 views

How should you insulate an exposed-stud garage built with 2x4 walls in Zone 4?

We would like to insulate and drywall the garage walls to work on projects in the cold winter and hot summer. (We'll probably install a mini-split or something similar, too.) This question is ...
KJ7LNW's user avatar
  • 1,073
1 vote
2 answers
1k views

Is it possible to replace just the garage door opener console?

My old house has a garage door system that must have been 20 years old. It has been working fine for many years. But recently my car got broken into and the remote is stolen. I have no way to re-...
HP.'s user avatar
  • 1,862
1 vote
2 answers
1k views

More than one circuit in a fluorescent fixture, OK?

I'm adding some more circuits to a finished garage. Most of the wiring is going in the joist cavities (or in EMT otherwise). Perpendicular to the joists, in the middle of the garage, is a steel I-beam....
watkipet's user avatar
  • 289
1 vote
1 answer
8k views

Help: Wiring 220V in garage to NEMA 10-30r because MIG welder and air compressor have 10-30p

I've reviewed many articles on this website as they've been referred by my Google searches. But most have been about dryers. I have an older air compressor (240V, 60Hz, 15A, 5hp) and a MIG welder (...
DrMuffn's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
2 answers
3k views

How does a garage door wall button differentiate between a door open button, and a light button?

How does the wall button know, if there’s only two wires (+ and -), what’s a door open button press, and a light on press? Is it a voltage transmission difference?
Bill's user avatar
  • 11
0 votes
1 answer
144 views

Power to garage

New to the site and I appreciate everyone’s feedback in advance🙏. My idea is using a 6/3 romex from the main breaker box in the basement to a junction box, spliced it and connect it to 4/6awg copper ...
Manny's user avatar
  • 1