Fixing something after it gets damaged or broken.
0
votes
1answer
34 views
Should I use thinset or silicone to reattach shower tiles? [duplicate]
My tiled shower needs to be repaired only where the walls meet the floor. While preparing for this by taking out the old grout, two small pieces of floor tile came out. Each piece that came loose is a ...
1
vote
0answers
44 views
How can I repair my Bosch dishwasher that won't drain?
My Bosch dishwasher stopped draining. At the end of the cycle, it gets stuck at 1 minute remaining. When I open the door, there's water that hasn't drained.
Here's what I've tried:
Following the ...
2
votes
1answer
50 views
How to reattach front door rain deflector?
The rain deflector from the bottom of our front door recently fell off when I trod on it by mistake. The door and deflector are both wooden. The deflector was stuck on, not screwed. I'm not quite ...
2
votes
1answer
31 views
Should I repair or replace a dryer heating element and housing connector?
I have a Samsung dryer that has a burnt out heating element. I purchased a new one and removed the old one from the dryer. I have no problem with any of this.
My problem is that the element ...
2
votes
1answer
79 views
How do I remove black rings on a wood kitchen top formed by a tin can?
At our house we have a wood kitchen-top. We had placed on it a tin can (a typical cookies can), and probably because of some water sitting there, a black ring has been formed where the tin touched the ...
3
votes
1answer
925 views
Why won't my ice maker eject ice?
I have a component-style ice maker, by which I mean it's not one of the modular kinds with holes for probe tests. It's similar to that style in that the water fills the mold, then the thermostat ...
3
votes
1answer
105 views
How should I repair drywall seams that have developed cracks?
The second floor of the house was built 17 years ago. Every seam has fiber tape, and every seam on the ceiling and wall cracked. It's only the second floor that's cracking.
Can I just Spackle the ...
3
votes
2answers
96 views
What do you call the clips for attaching a dado rail?
The dado rail in our living room is attached with plastic clips that have kind of grove on them. Researching online, it seems that most people have stuck these rails on with glue.
Some of these are ...
2
votes
1answer
397 views
How can I repair water-damaged hardwood countertops?
Me and my housemate are complete novices when it comes to home improvement/DIY/etc. so when we moved into a recently renovated house with solid wood worktops, we were oblivious to what care they might ...
6
votes
1answer
2k views
How to stop outside rainwater from coming in under the wall and through the concrete floor of my garage conversion?
I have got a problem with an attached garage converted den in a 1978 built brick home.
The heavy spring rains are redirected to the two year old perforated drain system on the side of the house ...
0
votes
1answer
47 views
How can I tell if something is ruptured inside my lawnmower?
My lawnmower got thrown into a rolloff container by mistake. When I went to dig it out, it was upside down and when I tipped it right-side up, all sorts of black liquid (I assume oil?) came spilling ...
2
votes
1answer
97 views
How do I prepare a ceiling for restomping?
I had to cut access panels in the ceiling of a 7' x 11' room to make several plumbing repairs. The ceiling has the slapbrush/stomp texture:
I have patched the drywall and I plan on restomping the ...
3
votes
1answer
67 views
How do I keep water from getting in and out of a dishwasher drain air gap?
I have no idea what this is called, so I apologize for the vague title. If someone knows what it is, feel free to edit it.
When I turned on my dishwasher (just moved in), water started spewing from ...
5
votes
2answers
95 views
What is the appropriate type of caulking around a kitchen sink?
The caulking around my sink has worn/rotted away and I've removed it properly, but I've been looking into what I kind of caulking to use, and there seem to be many different types, so I'm a bit unsure ...
1
vote
2answers
65 views
Can I accelerate caulk drying by using a fan or heater on it?
From what I've found online, caulking takes 24-48 hours to dry. For my purposes, I need to apply caulking to my kitchen sink.
However, I am in a time crunch, so I would like to know how caulking ...
4
votes
2answers
50 views
Is a sealant needed in addition to caulking?
I've read on some forums (not here) that on top of the caulking areas exposed to water (in this case, my kitchen sink), a sealant should be applied.
Is this standard procedure? If so, are there ...
0
votes
1answer
44 views
Why won't my ice maker shut off?
My ice maker won't shut off and leaks all over the freezer. This is seriously maddening since I then have to unplug my refrigerator every week for a 24 hour period to defrost the ice on the bottom of ...
0
votes
1answer
40 views
Why do the rotating brushes on my Hoover vacuum only work when it's in the upright position?
I have the blue Hoover pet cyclonic vacuum. It worked fine for a few months, but now when I push the foot lever to lower the handle when I vacuum, the brushes stop spinning on any carpet level ...
3
votes
3answers
130 views
How can I repair these rusty electrical connections?
When I turn on my air conditioner at the thermostat the vents kick on but nothing outside. Also the last time that it worked it took a few minutes to get going and was pretty loud. I checked the ...
-6
votes
1answer
41 views
What is difference between Home Appliance , Personal Appliance and White goods? [closed]
please provide the difference between Home Appliance , Personal Appliance and White goods ? there are other confusion with consumer electronics and electronics...please define!
2
votes
2answers
110 views
Are flexible PVC couplings rated for direct burial?
I need to repair a severed 1 1/2" PVC drain line.
I have a Fernco flexible PVC coupling laying around, and I figured it will be much easier to use the flexible coupling instead of a rigid ...
-1
votes
0answers
40 views
Is modelling clay of any use in repairs?
I recently found so-called modelling clay at a local shop - stuff originally intended for sculpturing models and dolls and other small figures of various shapes.
It comes in a wide range of colors. ...
3
votes
2answers
190 views
Is my kitchen cabinet door beyond repair?
My cabinet door became damaged as my sister put all her weight on it to pull herself up :-)
Repairing the door is very tricky as these cabinet doors are on the kitchen island and the particle board ...
0
votes
2answers
232 views
What could be wrong with my A/C unit?
I just installed a new compressor fan on my outdoor A/C unit. Before the fan went bad, it was working fine and had just had its annual service check (the service guy said the freon was fine, ...
16
votes
11answers
2k views
What should we look for when buying a fixer-upper house?
My fiance and I are considering buying a fixer-upper house rather than an apartment when we get married.
Obviously things like location, neighbors etc. are important, but; what should we be looking ...
0
votes
0answers
27 views
What would cause weak to no spark from a spark plug? [migrated]
I got a free string trimmer from a buddy who couldn't get it to start. I did a compression check by pulling the pull starter and the compression seemed good. Next I pulled the spark plug, put it back ...
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 ...
5
votes
1answer
68 views
How can I repair rust damage on a steel shed?
I have a shed in my backyard that came with the house. It's made out of what I presume is steel sheet metal. Overall it's in good shape, but there is some rust damage on one side that is getting ...
4
votes
1answer
71 views
How do I repair a concrete driveway that has been damaged by salt?
When we moved into our house the driveway was pitted due to salt use. We would like to repair this, but we are looking to know what the best method would be. Can a new layer of concrete be added over ...
4
votes
1answer
93 views
How do I repair water-damaged hardwood floors?
We moved a pot plant that was sitting on top of the wood floor. We discovered there's a wet spot about 2 inches wide where a couple of seams meet.
The wet spot has probably been there for months.
...
3
votes
2answers
73 views
What is the best method of filling the gaps in wooden floors?
Two years ago we had wooden flooring installed. We had the wood sit out for 4 weeks to acclimatize as much as possible before we installed. About 6 months later (fall) we started to notice gaps ...
1
vote
0answers
55 views
Can brick patio and walk edging be removed without damaging the edging?
The original installed patio and walk plastic edging around my brick pavers has become dislodged and is above the lawn line in some places. Can those places or all of the edging be removed and will ...
1
vote
1answer
115 views
Why won't my washer spin even though it still agitates?
I have a Kenmore 80 series washer and it recently stopped spinning and agitating and I found out it was the coupler. So I changed that and it start to work again, normally. After a week or two it ...
1
vote
1answer
106 views
What is involved in fixing a break in a frost-free faucet?
I have an exterior frost-free faucet that has sprung a leak. You can see the hole on the bottom side of the copper pipe in the image below.
I am trying to determine if this is a job I want to take on ...
0
votes
0answers
53 views
How can I repair a gash in a downpipe?
I have noticed a 3 inch gash in an otherwise serviceable downpipe which takes water from the roof of our house. Other than taping it, is there a more professional solution?
1
vote
0answers
132 views
What dangers are associated with changing the pilot light assembly on a gas water heater?
My A O Smith ProMax gas water heater started going out at various intervals. I would re-light it and it might stay lit for a few minutes, few hours, or even a day or so. I figured it was the ...
3
votes
1answer
426 views
How can I fix a broken face on a kitchen drawer?
I have a silverware drawer that the face broke off when it was slammed shut. I'm trying to figure out the best way to re-attach it. I've tried using gorilla glue but that didn't work to well because ...
0
votes
0answers
111 views
How can I patch a large hole in a metal bathtub?
My tub is rotting from the top and I'm not yet ready to replace it. Water collects along one of the short sides of the tub (not the end with the faucet, the opposite end) and that is rotting and now ...
3
votes
3answers
294 views
How do I fix drywall around wall box so switch plate covers damage?
In my house, there are maybe three or four outlet boxes and switch boxes where there was damage done to the drywall surrounding the box at some point. There are no structural or electrical issues ...
1
vote
0answers
46 views
Why am I not getting hot water from my tankless hot water heater?
I just bought my house last year. The previous owner had just replaced the boiler before I closed. I had oil delivered the day that I moved in. I had problems with the hot water right away as it ...
3
votes
3answers
155 views
How do I reverse erosion which is lowering earth around fence posts?
Erosion has exposed several fence posts behind the back yard.
I've considered building a retaining wall, buying dirt and filling the area in then growing some ground cover, or eventually rebuilding ...
1
vote
2answers
2k views
How much should replacing septic tank lids cost, and what is involved?
My wife and I may be possibly buying a house with a septic tank. We had it inspected and the report showed that the tank was in good condition however the "tank lids" would need to be replaced.
I'm ...
0
votes
0answers
163 views
Why isn't my mini fridge staying cold?
My mini fridge has full power, but I come home after a couple of days to find that the compressor has shut off and everything has defrosted and the fridge isn't cold anymore. I can turn the knob and ...
1
vote
1answer
64 views
How can I repair a hole in the underside of a granite counter?
My granite counter problems started a few short years after installation. A crack appeared at each end of the sink where the pieces were joined. The cracks have since multiplied and now the underside ...
5
votes
5answers
4k views
My dryer heating element broke in two: Can I just wrap the ends together?
I have a Whirlpool Estate dryer that recently quit drying. I narrowed the problem down to the heating element, then removed the element assembly and found a clean break in the coil at one end. A ...
4
votes
4answers
6k views
What is the best quick repair for a drain pipe?
In particular, a cast iron drain pipe. It doesn't have to be pretty, but needs to be effective and should last until it can be fixed properly.
4
votes
3answers
1k views
How can I repair screws in furniture with stripped holes?
I'm trying to repair a piece of furniture from which several screws have pulled out, stripping the wood. It's a lift top coffee table, such as this. (This is NOT the model in question, this just ...
2
votes
2answers
144 views
How can I prevent the hose in the toilet tank from popping out of the tubing?
Unfortunately, I do not know the appropriate terminology but, there is a small hose that fits into a tube within a cylindrical container in the toilet tank. When this occurs, I can see initially hear ...
15
votes
2answers
4k views
How do I rehang a wooden door with worn screw holes?
I have a wood door in one of my rooms where the top screws no longer hold the hinge to the wall because the screw holes have worn loose. I have tried slightly larger screws and filling with wood ...
1
vote
0answers
49 views
Why don't the locks on the bottom of my uPVC windows lock into place?
I have a problem with the window handles on two of my uPVC windows: the handles turn up and down but the little locks at the bottom of the windows do not move or click into place properly, therefore ...
