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 ...
1
vote
1answer
179 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?
5
votes
2answers
2k views
How do I install a portable air conditioning unit in a large sliding window?
I have a large sliding window that is 53 inches top to bottom and I want to install a portable air conditioning unit. The kind that don't sit in the windows but vent to the window. The window ...
4
votes
2answers
183 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
236 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
161 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
251 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
1answer
447 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 ...
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 ...
4
votes
1answer
899 views
How do I anchor an acrylic claw foot tub?
I have been working on remodeling my bathroom. As part of the renovations we have decided to replace our old tub with an acrylic claw foot tub. The tub is extremely light weight. I am assuming that ...
18
votes
2answers
2k 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.
6
votes
1answer
123 views
What do I need to know before selecting and installing a cat/pet door in a door?
We want to (finally) install a pet door for our cat. It will most likely be a model that will install in the laundry room door, the optimal location for it in our house. This brings me to my first ...
8
votes
4answers
309 views
Is air conditioner installation a DIY project?
We got a bargain on a brand new 6.2kw Split System Inverter Air Conditioner.
The quotes we've received for installation are almost as much as the unit cost itself.
Is this something I should be ...
6
votes
4answers
406 views
What's the easiest process for cutting bathroom flooring tiles to fit complex door trim?
I'm going to be laying in some fairly heavy-duty vinyl bathroom flooring tiles (similar to the Armstrong Caliber product, although I'm not sure it's actually that brand). The bathroom has some tough ...
19
votes
3answers
11k views
How do I remove and reinstall baseboards (Skirting Board) without damaging them?
I need to temporarily remove the baseboards in a couple rooms. I am interested in some suggestions for removing the baseboards without damaging them so they can later be reinstalled. Suggestions may ...
7
votes
3answers
4k views
How do I install wood shutters on a brick house?
I've built some Board-N-Batten shutters and am ready to hang them on the house. However, I've never installed shutters before, so I want to be sure I install them properly.
Do I drill pilot holes in ...
6
votes
1answer
108 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 ...
6
votes
1answer
320 views
Our vinyl floor install will need to be redone — will new vinyl need to be used, or can the existing vinyl be reused?
I had a company (whose name will not be mentioned unless they refuse to fix the job) install a new vinyl floor. I'll spare all the ugly details except the one that's relevant to this question which is ...
6
votes
1answer
296 views
Installing new toilet. Does the wax ring have to fit snug around the hole in the underside of the toilet?
I got a new toilet complete with installation kit. The illustrations on the directions appear to say to apply the wax ring around the drain opening beneath the toilet then set the toilet down on the ...
4
votes
4answers
1k views
Do I have to check if my floor is level before installing new linoleum (from a roll, not tiles)?
I just tore up my old linoleum flooring and will be installing new linoleum in the next few days. Some internet research has revealed that I need to make sure the floor is level and, if it is not ...
4
votes
1answer
165 views
Can hurricane shutters be installed horizontally?
Looking at the photos at this site, it appears that they are able to be installed horizontally.
Do you have to use a track or can you drill into the shutters and then Tapcon them to the masonry? I ...
4
votes
3answers
5k views
How do I install a pre-hung door in a rough opening that's too wide?
I'm replacing an interior door -- including the original jamb -- in my house with a new 30" pre-hung door. With the jambs, the new door is 31 3/8" wide. However, the original rough opening is ...
0
votes
1answer
338 views
How do I find someone to install a utility pole?
I am in need of a fairly tall utility wooden pole installed on my property, which I'm sure requires special know how and equipment to do safely. I've been doing a lot of Googling and found a few ...
3
votes
2answers
259 views
How do I install a fire extinguisher on the side of a cabinet?
I want to hang my fire extinguisher on the cabinet next to my sink. Below are pictures of the fire extinguisher bracket and the location where I want to put it. Should I use a bolt with a nut - or ...
4
votes
1answer
176 views
Installing a new exterior door into a taller existing opening
We are remodeling our 1948 home, and the previous owner was quite tall. We are trying to replace our exterior door, and have come across a wonderful deal on a door. Here is the issue: How can I make ...
3
votes
2answers
406 views
Tips and advice for installing a chimney cap?
I have an older wood-burning fireplace that is missing a chimney cap. I'd like to install one prior to rain season here in California but would still like the ability to use the fireplace now and ...
3
votes
1answer
161 views
Tips for measuring a front door opening?
I'm getting ready to replace my front door with a brand new pre-hung door and have some questions regarding collecting measurements.
Where exactly should I measure? I've heard people use the phrase ...
3
votes
3answers
659 views
What are the pros and cons of vinyl gutters?
I need to add some gutters to part of our house and I'm seriously considering vinyl gutters because they seem REALLY easy to setup (with minimal tools required too). That being said, I've heard some ...
7
votes
5answers
1k views
Carpet company wants to charge me for the waste they will have left over. Is this normal?
My floor measures out at 296 sq ft, but the carpet company wants to charge me for 330 sq ft. Their reasoning is that they are not charging me for the actual square feet of total area, but for the ...
0
votes
2answers
218 views
When is the “best” time to get a gunite pool installed?
Is there a time of the year where pool installers are generally "cheaper", due to lack of business?
I've heard that it's best to purchase decks in the fall, since that is the slow season. Just not ...
5
votes
1answer
76 views
Choosing Hurricane Shutters
In Florida, it is now officially hurricane season. I am in the market for aluminum hurricane shutters. However, I do have some questions. Home Depot offers aluminum shutters that are either 48 inches ...
1
vote
1answer
5k views
How to prep existing floor for installation of self-adhesive vinyl flooring?
Some quick background to preempt some discussion about quality, longevity, rental issues, etc.: I'm in a rental that is literally "anything goes". It's a long story, but suffice it to say if it does ...
2
votes
1answer
557 views
Removing knockouts in composite granite sink
The sink has one existing hole, and 3 knockouts which are cut about half way through the material.
What are the best tools, and techniques for removing fixture knockouts on a composite granite ...
5
votes
1answer
117 views
Bought a US appliance and powered directly off Aus mains, is it boned?
Hope this is on topic for this stackexchange.
I recently bought a lamp from the US and had it shipped to Australia. Stupidly I powered it straight off the mains through an adapter. The device is ...
3
votes
1answer
331 views
Kitchen Cabinets And Dry Wall Screws
I've got some kitchen cabinets that were hung using 4", course threaded, dry wall screwed. At every stud there is a screw at the top and bottom of the cabinet. Additionally, each cabinet is joined ...
1
vote
1answer
149 views
Using screws to install a set of french doors?
I am installing a set of french doors. I have installed many doors before, but I was curious as to whether or not anyone has tried using countersunk screws to install the door? If I needed to adjust ...
2
votes
3answers
207 views
What should I look for in a Whole House Fan
I see a lot of variance in the prices of whole house fans in the market, and not a lot of clarity or comparison between vendors and models.
We're looking to buy some to install in our newly purchased ...
2
votes
2answers
330 views
TV antenna moves a bit - problem?
I'm partway through installing my own outdoor TV antenna.
I've gone with a "through the roof and screwed into a beam" method rather than the "sit on top of roof and stabilise using 3-4 wires screwed ...
4
votes
1answer
472 views
How Is “Super Laminate” flooring installed?
I recently learned about AABSO "Super Laminate" flooring (aka Vinyl flooring planks). It seems to have some advantages over standard laminate flooring when it comes to moisture resistance so I'm ...
1
vote
2answers
1k views
How do I install hanging cabinets with a flimsy backing?
I went and watched this 1 min video clip about hanging cabinets:
http://www.easy2diy.com/cm/easy/diy_ht_3d_index.asp?page_id=35750421
It seems to say to just screw my cabinets into the wall (where ...
5
votes
1answer
4k views
Do I need an outlet box to install an outdoor light fixture?
We're getting a sliding door and deck installed this week and the town inspector said I need to have an outside light by the door. I'm ready to tackle this part myself. Most of the howto stuff I ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
Should my toilet flange sit on top of the backer board or the tile of the floor?
The bathroom model saga continues. The old toilet flange was rusting, and the subfloor was rotting, so I pulled up the subfloor around the toilet, and replaced the drain pipe with ABS, and an elbow. ...
4
votes
1answer
1k views
How do I add a quiet blower or fan to a gas fireplace?
I have beautiful fireplace in my family room, although it is gas rather than wood burning, and it vents strait outside. Due to the nature of how it is vented, I don't really get much heat from it, and ...
