For questions generally relating to the proper insertion of a particular device or feature into a home, building or other structure. As this topic is very broad in general, when using this tag please include additional tags to narrow the scope of the discussion to a particular room, subsystem ...
0
votes
1answer
20 views
How do I wrap the pre-filter around the HEPA filter in this air purifier?
I bought this air purifier and was installing the pre-filter that came with it. The instructions go "Carefully wrap the pre-filter around the HEPA filter so that the ends meet. Fasten the ends ...
3
votes
2answers
120 views
Is installing blinds a DIY Project?
My wife and I have been in our home for a little less than a year, and the paper blinds are starting to get tired to look at. The prices on blinds.com look appealing, but I'm hoping there are no ...
3
votes
2answers
48 views
What are the optimal conditions to install a hardwood floor?
I'm going to be installing a Red Oak tongue-and-groove hardwood floor to save some money, but I've heard mixed advice on what time of the year a floor should be installed. I live in the northeast of ...
3
votes
2answers
115 views
How do I install kitchen cabinets?
I am thinking of replacing all the cabinets in our kitchen.
What is the process for installing kitchen cabinets? (Ie. best to start in corner, and work out? Top cabinets first?)
Edit:
We have two ...
1
vote
1answer
55 views
How can I fix this broken connector piece on my Symmons shower Knob?
I was trying to get the knob off so I could potentially increase the amount of hot water getting mixed and it seemed to be coming off nicely but then snapped. By nicely, I mean it was a steady ...
3
votes
1answer
60 views
What is the correct way to secure a gas standalone range?
Can somebody tell me the best way to secure a gas standalone range. If there is an earthquake, I would prefer that the range not slide around. It's on engineered flooring over 1-1/8" plywood.
1
vote
1answer
91 views
Which wall should I install a replacement thermostat on?
I'm replacing an old thermostat that is behind a door to our dining room, that is usually kept open, hiding the thermostat.
Given that the wires come from above and I have some flexibility as to ...
1
vote
1answer
81 views
Why am I getting condensation on vapour barrier?
I installed some vapour barriers on the windows recently due to it getting a bit cold, but have been noticing that I've been getting a fair bit of condensation on the inside facing part of the ...
0
votes
3answers
548 views
How do I cut a brick fireplace hearth to allow for a laminate flooring expansion gap?
I am attempting to cut a small piece out of the brick fireplace (already in place) to allow for the expansion of the floating laminate flooring that I am installing. I don’t want to just leave the ...
4
votes
1answer
814 views
How can double swinging closet doors be installed?
I have a coat closet that long ago had double sliding doors and now has no doors at all. I would like it to have double swinging doors, like french doors but without glass. I found a couple of ...
0
votes
2answers
180 views
Should I have cavity wall insulation installed?
I have the option to get cavity wall insulation done for free in my home, but i'm not sure if its a good idea or not. I've heard people say it can cause issues with damp, its hard to get out if ...
2
votes
1answer
80 views
Is flashing required to attach a landing to the exterior of a house
I will have a landing running from the back door, then four or five steps to ground. Do I need to place metal flashing where the landing attaches to the house, or some other means of protecting the ...
-2
votes
2answers
269 views
Should I have a break between rooms when installing laminate flooring?
I'm going to be putting in laminate flooring in my basement on top of a concrete slab. The basement consists of two rooms, the boards will be running perpendicular to the wall with the door between ...
4
votes
1answer
209 views
Is it frequent to use two Ethernet cables for one phone line?
I'm experiencing some noise on my phone when it is connected in the wall. There's no noise when connected right in the modem. So I decided to check things out and I noticed something that seems odd ...
1
vote
1answer
473 views
How do I wire a new ceiling light with power to the ceiling and 3-way switches?
I'm trying to install a new light fixture in the front hall. Currently, the light is activated by 2 switches (on each end of hall). The NEW fixture has 1 black wire and 1 white wire. The ceiling wires ...
0
votes
1answer
329 views
How can I install a nest thermostat with no wires?
I have zoned heating/AC/heat pump. My original thermostat on the wall is NOT connected to any wires, in other words it is wireless. I thought it had wires so bought the new Nest thermostat. ...
3
votes
2answers
201 views
Should a ceiling fan on a long rod move when using the pull chain?
I installed a 52" ceiling fan in our family room on a 2 foot long downrod. It has a very slight wobble, but nothing of concern since I assumed there would be some wobble due to the length of the rod. ...
5
votes
1answer
285 views
Should a curtain drain be covered/back filled?
I do some light maintenance and yard work in exchange for rent.
The building had some problems with flooding. We have an extensive drain system, but it was a bit clogged. Even after the plumbers ...
2
votes
2answers
367 views
How do I hang a prehung door?
I want to put up a door in a spare room that is already 82" in height. If I want to put the door to one side of the wall are studs necessary on that side of the wall or can I nail the prehung door ...
2
votes
1answer
76 views
How should I caulk clapboard?
I have been installing new clapboard siding on my house. It is primed finger jointed cedar. The one time I had a friend help me he questioned my method of caulking. What I have been doing is ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
Can I install cellulose insulation without a blower machine?
I've purchased a few bags of loose fill cellulose insulation from the local hardware store (GreenFiber brand). How will the insulation work if I don't put it through the machine to fluff it and force ...
0
votes
2answers
205 views
Will piece of Acrylic sag?
I am in the planning stage of a table project and have a question about a piece of acrylic. I intend to use a 3' x 3' square piece of acrylic that is 0.236" thick as the center. Would a 1" lip on all ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
How much weight can an old work box hold?
I will be installing new light fixtures in two bathrooms that look like this:
Each fixture will be replacing a light box. Meaning it is a simple chrome plated box about 30" wide with a plastic ...
3
votes
2answers
84 views
Where should a TV aerial be positioned?
I was thinking that if we do need a better aerial for receiving Freeview TV broadcasts, is there an ideal position where we can put it? I was thinking of putting it at the rear of the property like in ...
1
vote
2answers
150 views
Is it possible to use this reclaimed hardwood flooring?
I am planning on reusing some old hard wood flooring reclaimed from another parts of the house. I should note I have an old house that the original portion was built in 1760 with an add on done ...
2
votes
2answers
384 views
How can I build an insert on a desk that adjusts the height of a sewing machine?
I'd like to take my executive desk ( now sewing table) and cut out a piece of it to use as a support for my sewing machine. I want the sewing machine support able to lower the machine to table height, ...
3
votes
2answers
249 views
What is the most efficient way to dig a hole in a slope?
I need to dig a rectangular box hole for a rainwater cistern. The dimensions are 4m x 3m x 2m (13ft x 10ft x 6ft). There is a slope of about 10 degrees, and the dirt will be used at a point of lower ...
1
vote
3answers
763 views
How do I finish a ridge cap?
I've installed the ridge cap, using modified 3 tab shingles.
I've installed the ridge cap all the way to the other end of the ridge, but I'm not quite sure what to do now.
The next shingle will ...
8
votes
4answers
631 views
How can I install a recessed light container in an abnormally thick ceiling?
We are in the middle of our home remodeling and we have just noticed that our ceiling seems to be a bit thicker than what the maximum our recessed lights allow for.
As shown within the picture link ...
2
votes
2answers
290 views
Should I secure a free-standing vanity sink to prevent drain pipe damage?
I recently installed a free-standing vanity sink in my laundry room, similar to the one pictured below.
Due to the configuration of the drain and supply pipes in the room, the sink could not be ...
4
votes
4answers
2k views
How do I install this wall mount bathroom sink?
I'm replacing a sink that was on a vanity cabinet and hoping to do as little busting through the perfectly good tile as possible. I heard a rumor that I need to make very sure that the sink is ...
3
votes
4answers
662 views
How do I widen a hole in wood for flex tube?
I bought some 1" smurf tube so that I could run coax, ethernet, and speaker cable to various low voltage outlets in my house. I used a 1-1/4" speedbor bit to make a hole in the floor from my crawl ...
2
votes
1answer
232 views
What can I use to tunnel under a walkway or driveway?
I have seen Walkway Tunnel Kits being sold in the US, unfortunately I can't find a similar product in the UK. Are there alternative products or methods, that can be used when a product like this is ...
4
votes
1answer
470 views
How can I add 100 amp electrical service to a shop?
I am going to wire my shop and want ot run #2 copper to a 100amp breaker panel. I really do not have the space in the 200 amp panel in the house, my question - is there a way to pull this wire off the ...
1
vote
1answer
4k views
How can I install a window air conditioner in a metal window frame?
I'm trying to install a window unit air conditioner, but most of the installation instructions don't seem to work with this window configuration.
A little bit about the setup: The apartment is the ...
8
votes
3answers
2k views
Did the plumber hook up my water heater backwards?
I just had a plumber install a new 50 gallon water heater, but the cold water pipe is installed to the hot side (the left pipe when facing the front of the heater) and the hot water pipe is installed ...
1
vote
1answer
169 views
What should the water main connect to first: carbon filter or water softener?
I have an Amazon Gold carbon filter and water softener. It's not clear to me if the water main should go to the carbon filter first then to the water softener or vice versa. So, which goes first?
7
votes
5answers
2k views
Which way should a door between the garage and basement swing?
Looked everywhere for proper answer. We have a 2 car garage attached to the basement. This house is old, built in 1968, we purchased this 2 years ago and were renovating here/there. We just ...
5
votes
2answers
286 views
How do I secure a vinyl window to the wall?
When installing my vinyl windows should I put a nail into every little hole around the window? It has a flange that has many little holes around it. Also what size nails would you recommend? Finally ...
2
votes
4answers
2k views
How high I should install a 52 inch TV on the wall?
I'm going to hang my TV to the wall and I want to know how much from ground is standard for 52 inch TV?
4
votes
2answers
180 views
How far to put a prehung door in a rough opening?
I've put in a prehung door before but the last one had a brick-mold on the exterior part of the frame and I just pushed it in until it was against the house. The prehung door I have to install now ...
8
votes
1answer
232 views
Is it ok for my doors rough opening to not be square if I'm installing a prehung door?
I have a door rough opening and it isn't square but the sides are level and the top is almost level. I am installing a prehung door and it fits inside the rough opening but it doesn't have an even gap ...
2
votes
0answers
159 views
should labor charge include waste percentage? [closed]
The carpet company is charging so much per yard for the carpet, and labor included. A 10% waste factor is added on. That means I'm paying 10% more for the labor, right? Is that normal? I'm told by ...
3
votes
1answer
242 views
How to add a drain pipe to a concrete block wall covered in insulation?
I want to run a 1.5" drain pipe along the wall about 2 feet from the floor to a microbrewery setup in the corner of my basement. I have sheets of fiberglass insulation against the walls though, and I ...
6
votes
2answers
453 views
What should go between a wood plank sub floor and a hardwood strip floor
I am about to install a hardwood floor into a room in my 1905 farmhouse. The subfloor is 8-12" wide 1" thick planks. The floor I am installing is 2-1/4" prefinished solid hickory tongue and groove.
...
6
votes
1answer
434 views
Is it OK to mount a smoke detector vertically?
In my basement I have several lolly columns attached to wooden beams that are supporting the floor joists. On one of these wooden beams I have attached a smoke detector vertically on the side of the ...
18
votes
2answers
1k views
How much gap to leave between basement concrete floor and bottom of drywall board?
We have a dry basement with a concrete floor. When putting on the wall boards, how much (if any) gap should there be between the concrete floor and the bottom of the board? The boards are 3/8 inch, ...
1
vote
1answer
63 views
Buy Fluorescent Bulb With Warranty Or Without In This Case?
I need a new E-14 fluorescent bulb of 9W for my aquarium since previous was 15W and got burned. People recommended to drill holes in aquarium's lid to allow convection but since former bulb was 15W, ...
3
votes
2answers
76 views
What's the best way to attach a hook to the back of my metal gutters?
What's the best way to attach a hook to the back of my metal gutters? The hooks will be holding some Christmas lights.
2
votes
1answer
2k views
Potterton EP3000 -> Horstmann C27 boiler programmer wiring
I'm in the UK, using an ancient tempermental Potterton EP3000 boiler programmer, but I have a brand new Horstmann C27 which I'd like to replace it with.
Apart from the mains supply, there are three ...
