For questions generally relating to preventing or avoiding injury in the home or on the job site.
16
votes
2answers
1k views
What types of home radon mitigation systems have you used, and how well do they work?
What types of home radon mitigation systems have you used, and how well do they work? Do recommended types of mitigation systems vary significantly with varying levels of excess radon? Does climate ...
8
votes
3answers
16k views
How do you know when and where it is safe to drill into a wall?
Lots of home projects involve cutting or drilling through walls (everything from nails, screws, or hooks to mount things to cutting through drywall and drilling through studs to run wire).
In ...
13
votes
8answers
3k views
Would bullet proof glass help deter burglars? How does it compare to normal glass?
We consider buying an apartment, which has previously been used as a shop. Our only concern is that it has large windows (2,5 meters x 2,5 meters), which would function like an invitation to burglars. ...
15
votes
2answers
485 views
What is the safe/correct way to work on gutters? From a ladder or from the roof?
I am very comfortable working on the gutters (usually just cleaning them) from one story up by just sitting on the roof. I do this on my own home over the garage and at my parents one-story home.
I ...
7
votes
2answers
628 views
Are there any “easy” ways to trace a home electrical system?
We bought a home a few months ago, and the electrical panel (and subpanel) are completely unlabelled. We have no way, short of flipping breakers, to know what breaker powers which fixtures. Is there a ...
10
votes
4answers
4k views
Extension cord and power strip safety
I've heard that there are some safety and building code issues involved with using extension cords or power strips (surge protectors) for anything other than temporary use. What are the issues, and ...
5
votes
4answers
393 views
Can re-closing a circuit-breaker be dangerous?
I have a circuit breaker that keeps tripping. When i try to reset (close) it, it immediately jumps back to the open position with a noise that sounds a little scary.
I have now stopped trying to do ...
5
votes
2answers
4k views
Must I remove asbestos from my heating vents?
I've got an old house with some asbestos tape on the heating vents, and some old floor tiles which are asbestos suspects as well; duct cleaning firms won't do cleaning on the vents with the tape ...
4
votes
3answers
383 views
Risk from installing a “Nest” thermometer without shutting off home power?
I'm trying to install a new Nest-brand thermometer in my parents' house (unscrewing a thermometer from the wall and screwing on the new one.
The first instruction in the manual is to shut off power ...
1
vote
4answers
2k views
How do I take a live wire off of a two way switch?
if I know how to take the live wire off then my job is easier.
