0
votes
0answers
6 views
How to solve the problem of sticky Danish oil?
So I ignore the warnings about not getting spray disinfectant on our oak kitchen surface which is finished with Danish oil, and now the surface has become really sticky, attracting dust and crumbs and ...
0
votes
0answers
16 views
Lawnmower cord won't pull [migrated]
I just tried starting my lawnmower (Lawnboy EasyMulch) after it had been sitting in my garage all winter. I pulled it out, cleaned it off (a lot of oil had spilled out), and gave it a basic ...
1
vote
2answers
32 views
How do I wire up a saeco magic deluxe coffee grinder to be a standalone coffee grinder?
I would like to make a standalone coffee grinder by reusing the grinder in an old broken down Magic Deluxe Espresso machine. My electrical skills are pretty limited but I thought I'd find an ...
0
votes
1answer
48 views
Why is my Australian light fixture wired this way?
I just want to replace it with a new light fitting philips tcg701 but there's way too many wires and I don't know why it was done this way.
4
votes
1answer
30 views
What should I check when troubleshooting a doorbell?
Our doorbell stopped working a while ago and my wife finally bugged me enough to fix it.
First, I found a diagram on another site when I googled this. It is wired like the right box:
I started by ...
1
vote
2answers
30 views
What is involved in replacing leaking iron drain pipes in a house with a concrete foundation?
I noticed cracks in the walls getting larger and called someone to check on the foundation. The foundation is fine (it's previously been repaired) but the center of the house is sinking. I plugged the ...
1
vote
3answers
59 views
Why would my TV image turn black when electrical appliances turn on?
I have my computer connected to my TV via HDMI. Every time something electrical happens (fridge turns on, stove sparks, etc), the image on the TV goes black for a second and then comes back on. And ...
0
votes
0answers
48 views
Is this white powdery substance on a wood shelf caused by flying termites?
There were probably about 100 or 200 so flying termites inside the house two days ago. They were all flying to the ceiling lights, and I placed buckets of water below it and many got in. I also ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
How can I hang my cupboard on a stud wall?
I have a storage cupboard in which I'd like to put some shelves. No problem with brick walls as normally I'd just have wooden battens on 3 sides, srewed directly into the wall with rawlplugs, then ...
0
votes
1answer
23 views
How do I repair broken bathtub faucet handles?
How can I repair the faucet handles on my bathtub? It snapped off then when I was trying to use it; it shot off the wall and water constantly pours out where the handles go.
1
vote
1answer
33 views
Why doesn't the flange fit on a new bathroom faucet?
I purchased a Kohler Mistos today for the bathroom sink. I took out the old faucet, struggled with the old drain assembly, but got that off with no damage to the sink. I attempted to put in the new ...
0
votes
0answers
39 views
How can I block off my stairs while I repair the walls?
I have an epileptic son that I have to keep off of our stairs. We have some great childproof stair gates installed currently. I have redone all of the drywall in the house except the stairwell ...
0
votes
0answers
25 views
How do I wire a bathroom exhaust fan/light to two switches?
I could use a diagram to wire the following: a bathroom exhaust fan with light on two separate switches. I also need a 3rd switch for a vanity light and a GFCI. My power comes from the attic (12/2 ...
1
vote
1answer
13 views
Can we install an aeration unit in an older septic system?
Our home was built in 1957. We have had problems for years with having a wet drain field and keep having our septic pumped. Today (of course my husband is away), I have done a couple of loads of ...
1
vote
1answer
31 views
How should I connect conduit in the wall to conduit on the ceiling?
In running conduit for a subpanel, I'm not sure how to make the transition from conduit running vertically in the wall cavity to running out from the wall along the ceiling. I could notch the top ...
3
votes
2answers
59 views
What is this old 1/16" thick floor-covering, and how do I remove it?
We recently pulled up the carpet in our bedroom, and found this gray covering over the wood subfloor, which seems to be adhered to the wood with a black adhesive (some previous owner scraped away ...
2
votes
2answers
29 views
How to find areas where heat/coolness are lost?
I live in a 2-story rental townhome (basically an apartment with 2 stories). Our central air/heat system isn't really the best at keeping the upstairs and downstairs the same temperature whether in ...
2
votes
1answer
23 views
Is my well pump serviceable after overheating and starting to leak?
A 'handy man' did work on my plumbing and shut off the main water to the house. He did not unplug the well pump, and it got really hot to the touch. When we hooked everything back up again, the pump ...
1
vote
1answer
24 views
What techniques are used to change the color of a particle board's veneer & edge banding?
I found a piece of particle board that seems to be strong enough to hold an Apple 17 inch monitor, since it has the size and thickness requirements.
I'm toying with the idea of changing the color of ...
-3
votes
0answers
26 views
How do I wire two switches to a fan light fixture [closed]
How do I wire a bathroom vent light fixture with two switches
1
vote
2answers
46 views
Why does wand shower head drain at unusual times?
We recently moved from using a stationary shower head to a new version that has a wand. While I love the new one we have noticed that the wand shower head will release water at random times.
For ...
1
vote
1answer
26 views
How do I stop the rubber sweep on my front door from squeaking as it moves against the floor?
The main door into my house has rubber at the base of it and it has started to squeak against the wooden floor when opened. How do I fix this problem?
-1
votes
0answers
30 views
Where to get oversized Trip Lever assembly? [closed]
Example
I need a 3.5 inch trip lever to replace old one. I have looked at local big boxes and online and they are all around 3 inches. I even ordered one on amazon and it said it was 3.5 but was ...
0
votes
0answers
43 views
Fix a bad dry wall patch [duplicate]
I patched a hole in my dry wall by putting a metal plate on it and pasting some spackling on it. As you can imagine, the wall is not flat enough to fool my landlord. How can I fix that? The hole is ...
3
votes
2answers
54 views
Should anchors be used with screws going into framing?
I have just installed a bathroom vanity that came with screws and anchors. However, I just screwed the screws directly into the drywall, which has 2x4 framing positioned exactly where the screws go. ...
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 ...
3
votes
1answer
35 views
How can I insulate a stud bay containing a subpanel?
I'm putting a subpanel in the outside wall of my attached garage, which I'm also insulating so I can work out there in the winter. I'm wondering what steps are worthwhile to air seal and insulate ...
1
vote
2answers
57 views
Is it possible to vent two exhaust fans through a single wall penetration? [closed]
I have two bathroom exhaust fans that need to be vented out of the house, but I'd like to do it using a single wall penetration. Is there a code compliant, safe way to do this?
Both bathrooms are ...
1
vote
1answer
33 views
How to install vinyl tubing for bathroom vent?
I need to replace the vinyl tubing that goes from my bathroom ceiling to the side of the house.
It had a rip in it and I was successful in pulling it out. I went into the attic crawl space and ...
2
votes
3answers
56 views
How can I remove tile grout from floorboards?
We've removed old ceramic tiles that cover a tongue and groove bathroom floor. What is a good way to remove the hard tile grout that now covers the floor?
EDIT: updated title as we've found Rimu is ...
1
vote
1answer
51 views
Am I required to replace a non code compliant balustrade?
I am purchasing a flat in Brisbane, Queensland Australia. Prior to purchase, I had the building inspected and they've noted that the balcony balustrade doesn't meet height requirements for my ...
6
votes
1answer
82 views
What type of clothing is required when working around asbestos?
I find myself exploring environments rich in Asbestos, the specific type of asbestos appears to be both pipes and potentially the cladding around them (steam pipes etc), occasionally broken sheets as ...
3
votes
2answers
93 views
How can I make a sturdy frame out of square, steel tubing?
I am drying to make a rectangle frame out of this 1" 14-gage steel tubing. I am sorry to spam SE with more of my soundproof door questions, but, if you must know, that's what this is for.
...
5
votes
2answers
65 views
Do exterior duplex electrical receptacles have to be on multiwire branch circuits?
I have an exterior receptacle on my house, and it is currently taking up 2 circuits (similar to kitchen counter plugs). Is there any code/regulation that indicates exterior receptacles must be on ...
0
votes
1answer
55 views
What type of equipment do I need to complete this audio setup?
I am trying to figure out how to setup audio and TV in a new home. I've got my TV in the family room. I want to buy a surround sound system for that room. I'm guessing i need 5.1 channel speakers for ...
1
vote
0answers
50 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 ...
7
votes
2answers
99 views
Can I remove a wall stud to install a pet door?
We only have one option for a wall that the pet door would go in. After measuring we found that the door would have to go right in the middle of a stud. Is it safe to cut through the stud?
1
vote
1answer
56 views
Is it normal for water to drip from a shower head for a bit after a shower?
Water drips from new large shower head for a while after shutoff. Is that normal?
0
votes
0answers
52 views
How do I maximize the value of my home for an upcoming appraisal? [closed]
Our home is a 1972 modular that was in terrible shape when we purchased it. I have put quite a bit of blood, sweat, and tears into fixing the place up. For the most part, the main level feels like a ...
1
vote
1answer
47 views
What should I do about streaks in my finish?
I just stripped, sanded, stained & then applied fast-drying oil-based polyurethane to my hardwood table. All went well until I sanded the second coat of polyurethane with 220 grit sandpaper. The ...
1
vote
2answers
40 views
What is the best choice for patching and leveling concrete before tile install?
We have a small area of concrete foundation that we need to patch and level prior to ceramic tile installation (12×12 tiles). It is concrete that we chipped the old tile mortar off of, so there are ...
2
votes
2answers
39 views
How can I replace a single bulb light with a fluorescent fixture?
I would like to replace a single light bulb light in the closet with a fluorescent fixture. The bulb is wired with two black hots to the light bulb fixture and the white neutrals are wired together. ...
1
vote
2answers
130 views
Is it possible to have a room protected from outside GSM microwave radiation?
How can I reduce the GSM signal coming from outside into my bedroom, knowing that it's impossible to create a perfect Faraday cage because of the windows & door.
2
votes
1answer
51 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 ...
0
votes
3answers
105 views
How can I open a desk drawer that is jammed closed by the stuff inside?
I have a desk drawer that I need to get into but it only opens and inch. I had a lot of stuff packed inside, I'm not sure if something is jammed.
1
vote
0answers
25 views
Can poly plastic water storage tank be used to store hot water?
Another set of questions in context of my home-brew solar water heater:
Can poly-plastic water storage tanks, be used to store hot water (140deg F / 60deg C) ?
How can I thermally insulate a 50 ...
2
votes
2answers
47 views
What sound frequencies does a circular saw emit?
I'm trying to find the best way to sound proof my garage so that using a circular saw would go un-noticed by the neighbors. ( Our strata have rules for noise regulation )
But before ordering ...
1
vote
2answers
70 views
Should we use A\C in the unused second story of our home?
We don't use the second story of our home. Is it better to shut off the air conditioning completely upstairs to save money, or keep it set but at a higher temperature, such as 78-80 °F?
1
vote
1answer
53 views
Can you identify the brand of this window?
Six months ago I moved to this house built in 2007 and now I notice some issues with a window. I suspect the window is still under warranty but I don't have the name of the manufacturer. The ...
3
votes
0answers
49 views
What should I do about a horizontal crack around my porch slab?
This crack runs all the way around my porch slab but doesn't go into the foundation where the basement starts. The ranch house was built in 1956. The porch was framed in and our office is in there ...
