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 ...
5
votes
3answers
3k views
What consistency should drywall mud be?
I've been reviewing various drywall videos and documentation but I haven't found clear details on what kind of thickness the joint compound should be. Is there a definitive answer for this? Or does ...
0
votes
2answers
178 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
117 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
47 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 ...
4
votes
1answer
800 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 ...
8
votes
4answers
625 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
247 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 ...
4
votes
1answer
467 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 ...
11
votes
9answers
22k views
When installing hardwood floors, should I use rosin paper, roofing felt, or nothing underneath? Why?
I've installed hardwood floors, over top of OSB subfloor with a layer of roofing felt in between. I copied this from the hardwood floor contractor who did a kitchen in my home once. He'd been in ...
2
votes
1answer
76 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 ...
5
votes
2answers
283 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 ...
5
votes
6answers
6k views
What material should I use for a custom, do-it-yourself desk for my home office?
I am currently remodeling my office, a converted formal dining room, and I am stuck on what material to use for the desktop.
Currently I have a 1" thick Cherry Veneer particle board that is 6' wide x ...
3
votes
2answers
114 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
54 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 ...
-2
votes
2answers
264 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 ...
0
votes
3answers
537 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 ...
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.
3
votes
2answers
7k views
How do I install laminate counter tops? What are some tips/tricks to it?
I'm preparing to install a new laminate counter top in my kitchen; as this is the first I have installed by myself, I would like to know if there are any tip/tricks or things to look out for while ...
1
vote
1answer
3k 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
89 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
80 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 ...
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 ...
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?
11
votes
8answers
35k views
What direction should laminate flooring be placed in?
I'm thinking of installing laminate flooring and have a question: If I'm installing laminate throughout the house, should ALL of it be going in the same direction?
Say for example, let's say I have ...
4
votes
1answer
208 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
464 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 ...
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 ...
0
votes
1answer
326 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
197 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. ...
6
votes
2answers
451 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.
...
7
votes
7answers
8k views
How do I uninstall a receptacle when the wires are stuck?
I just installed a receptacle in my basement and I realized I need to reinstall it someplace else. The leads are inserted into the holes behind the receptacle and I can't get them out!
The ...
5
votes
1answer
279 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
364 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
74 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 ...
0
votes
2answers
203 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 ...
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 ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
When bolting down a porcelain toilet, how tight is “too tight”?
Tightening bolts on the base of a toilet is the one thing about toilet installation that has me the most nervous. They say not to over-tighten, but how tight is too tight before the porcelain is ...
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
148 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
382 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, ...
1
vote
3answers
704 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 ...
3
votes
4answers
652 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 ...
4
votes
4answers
1k 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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
1
vote
2answers
194 views
What is the order of installation for a stair railing?
I am rebuilding a set of steps, and have decided that I need to replace the handrail at the base of the steps. This is one of the exposed handrails, with ballisters and a newel at the end. This is a ...
7
votes
3answers
803 views
Are new “low noise” whole house fans actually quieter?
I've dealt with a number of older whole house fans (10 years and older) and the one thing they all had in common was a ton of noise.
Are the new "low noise" fans actually that much quieter than the ...
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?
