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 ...
2
votes
2answers
198 views
Using a boulder wall as an 8' retaining wall (Dallas area)
I've got an 8' retaining wall, runs about 120' across the back of my property (faces my house). It's railroad ties and has about run its life.
I'm looking to replace with some kind of stone/block ...
2
votes
2answers
422 views
real dimensions of 2 by 4 in inches/centimeters [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Why are 2“x4”'s really 1.5“x3.5”?
Just by looking at a 2 by 4 plank I can tell that it is neither 2in × 4in or 2cm × 4cm. What are its real ...
1
vote
1answer
345 views
What to do about a gas leak on my air conditioner?
I have an air conditioner that displays an error of gas leakage on the board.
What should I do? Shall I turn it off? It is dangerous?
4
votes
1answer
214 views
Dealing with scratched floor tile
I have a kitchen with a tile floor. In one corner, there's been a pedestal style garbage bin. It seems that stepping on the foot pedal has caused the bin to shift slightly during each use, and over ...
8
votes
3answers
843 views
There's a difference between hot/neutral AC lines in a plug, but does it matter?
Saw the good answer to this question:
Is there a difference between the two conductors in 120VAC wiring?
But I'm wondering as a followup, since the two primary prongs in an AC mains plug are ...
3
votes
1answer
394 views
What do you call a DIY AC plug?
This may the dumbest question ever, but I'm trying to replace the AC plug on a small appliance (it's European but voltage-switchable and I'm using it in the US), and I don't know what to call those ...
3
votes
3answers
128 views
What are my options for framing a thicker than average piece of artwork?
I have a piece of signed TV artwork that is mounted in cardboard frame aprox 1cm deep, that i want to hang on the wall. I've had a look round and most of the frames i've found aren't deep enough to ...
4
votes
1answer
290 views
where can I buy a new trim for my bath plughole?
My bath plughole needs replacing. I don't need the whole unit for the overflow. The problem is that when I fill the bath, half the water has drained away within 15mins. I think the plug doesn't fit ...
4
votes
1answer
699 views
methods of detecting a copper pipe in concrete floor
We believe that our copper water line is embedded in the concrete (and rebar) basement floor. We would like to excavate a hole to install a sump pump. We don't want to hit the copper line which we ...
5
votes
1answer
512 views
How to close a doorway between two apartments?
I own two adjacent condo units and I opened a small doorway (24"x80") on the common wall for convenience.
Now I've sold one of the units and need to close the doorway. I recall the wall was simply ...
5
votes
1answer
366 views
Why is my refrigerator leaking?
The make of the unit is GE and below is a link to a picture of the label on the back. There aren't any other markings anywhere. I'm guessing this is an older model.
Here's a close-up of the ceiling ...
0
votes
2answers
129 views
Safety about windows
The house which I rent and am living
in has a kitchen on the first floor,
where there is a window facing the
yard with its lower half covered by
security bar and screen, like this one .
Is it safe
...
8
votes
2answers
672 views
What should I do about this fixture brace?
I'm preparing to hang a ceiling fan fixture in a bedroom. I need to remove an old ceiling light's electrical box and brace first, however I don't see how I can remove them. The brace has limbs which ...
3
votes
4answers
1k views
hammer drill not making any progress
Aiming to put some bike hooks into a plaster on brick wall - We've acquired a hammer drill and have been practicing on a spare brick and a backyard cement wall but the drill is just barely / not ...
0
votes
2answers
1k views
How do I stick paper on the wall in a stylish manner?
I want to stick some papers on my room wall, some paintings and notes ..
but looking for a way that it looks fashion.
Any ideas about that?
1
vote
2answers
358 views
What's the best/easiest way to install and wire a wall light?
I would like to add a wall light to a wall, but I'm not sure the best way to go about doing this.
I'm thinking it will be easiest to wire it up to a ceiling light (directly above proposed placement ...
3
votes
2answers
442 views
Gusher Guard for Roof?
I do not have gutters but the water does gush off of the roof in front of my front door when it rains. Where can I find something like a gusher guard that I can attach to the roof?
4
votes
1answer
192 views
Charging Irrigation System, Can I Do This Myself?
Every spring some company comes out and "charges" our sprinkler system. Can someone explain what this is and whether or not this is something I can do?
It basically seems like they come out, turn on ...
5
votes
5answers
12k views
What's the best way to hang an unframed poster on a sloping wall without using something that will damage the poster?
What's the best way to hang unframed posters on a sloping wall without using tape or velcro or glue that would damage the poster? Thumb-tacks don't work too well because the poster ends up sagging ...
5
votes
1answer
278 views
Sediment in well water
I live in central Florida (by Orlando) and I have well water. The sediment filter is before the softener and after the pressure tank. I've lived in this house for a year and replaced the filter about ...
6
votes
3answers
650 views
Can I hang a 60 lbs TV on 1 inch drywall?
Can I use drywall screws with plastic contraption 3/8" diameter to put a TV on the drywall?
What is the load limit for 1 inch drywall and how many screws and how close apart they can be put to carry ...
4
votes
3answers
499 views
Door jamb on a 2.5" thick wall
What approach can be used to fabricate and install a door jamb on a 2.5" thick wall? The wall is composed of 2x4 on side (1.5") and two sheets of 1/2" drywall.
Edit:
I have an old 5 panel door that ...
4
votes
1answer
692 views
Attic ventilation - intake:exhaust ratio vs total ventilation area?
I have decided to go ahead and install a ridge vent in my house. The only current attic ventilation is soffit venting on one side of the house.
As part of this project, I am attempting to determine ...
6
votes
3answers
170 views
What's the best way to protect myself from a rental house?
I am in the market to rent a home, and am looking to compile a list of things to check both before and after taking possession. Before to make sure the house is in a condition I am aware of, like ...
3
votes
2answers
215 views
Should I run 2 regular circuits or a subpanel to my septic site?
We're installing a septic system on otherwise undeveloped land. Eventually there will be a house near the septic system, but that could easily be years away. The electric service entrance is on a post ...
5
votes
1answer
73 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 ...
4
votes
1answer
113 views
Is it possible - setting thermostat based on a seperate thermometer
I'm looking into building a solar water heater, but I'm wondering, is it possible (and what products should I be looking for) to turn on a pump when the water in the solar heating device is hotter ...
3
votes
1answer
638 views
How can I remove odor that causes throat irritation and headache?
I had some work done on my house in January. In particular: A painter painted the walls, then another person glazed the window frames and finally another one clean the marble floor ..
Now I ...
6
votes
1answer
2k views
How can I fix the sewer smell in my bathroom?
After several hours and no use, the bathroom accumulates some noticeable "sewer gas" smell, with kind of garlic. It is gone after a few minutes when the ventilating fan is turned on. The bathroom and ...
3
votes
1answer
155 views
Removing paint from wood: lattice
I have this gate wood door that was painted. Apparently, they didn't use primer.
The paint started pealing, so I thought I will strip the paint easily and stain the door (that way I don't need to ...
4
votes
1answer
339 views
How to paint a wood house?
I'm looking for good resources for painting a wood house. I'm looking for the proper tools and techniques.
I don't want to hire somebody to do the job, I would like to do it myself. I just need to ...
5
votes
4answers
117 views
What to do with this exterior insulation?
We have these sheets of pink insulation with a light coat of concrete-paint-like stuff (?) wrapped all the way around the base of the house, and as can be seen, it is degrading in both appearance and ...
11
votes
5answers
3k views
What kind of lubrication should I use for a lock?
I recently made the Yale lock on my front door much easier to open by spraying some WD-40 in there.
However, I just saw this question on WD-40 not being a “true” lubricant, and wondered whether it ...
1
vote
1answer
354 views
Installation of Polystyrene External Wall Insulation - over old render?
I am considering installing a Polystyrene-block based External Wall Insulation system. Currently the house is blockwork with a rough render.
One contractor has told be that the existing render on ...
16
votes
2answers
724 views
Why exactly is WD-40 not a true lubricant?
According to this answer WD-40 is not a true lubricant. I don't get it - even Wikipedia says
The long-term active ingredient is a non-volatile, viscous oil which remains on the surface, providing ...
2
votes
1answer
416 views
How do I test circuit breakers?
Suppose I need new circuit breakers and buy some at a local shop. How do I test them to be sure they haven't been damaged on their way from factory and will do their job when time comes?
5
votes
4answers
621 views
How can I tell if a circuit breaker is worn out?
I was installing a light and tripped the breaker (in retrospect, should have turned the breaker off before starting). When I finished installing it I reset the breaker and tried the light switch. ...
6
votes
1answer
814 views
Insufficient voltage to dryer receptacle; what next?
I just moved into a home and I am hooking up a used dryer (which I'm told works). The dryer spins, but I get no heat.
I bought a multimeter, and it tells me that the receptacle provides insufficient ...
3
votes
3answers
416 views
Crawlspace Drainage
I am beginning the installation of a Crawlspace Perimeter drain. I discovered that the concrete footing extends about 12" into the crawlspace. As I was going to place the NDS EZ drain pipe down ...
5
votes
1answer
327 views
Are ultrasonic ant repellents effective?
I'm considering an ultrasonic ant repellent for the kitchen (where I'd rather not use a chemical pesticide).
Do these things work?
5
votes
1answer
1k views
Can I convert ceiling mounted octagon box to electrical receptacle?
I've installed a number of strip lights in my garage to replace the single incandescent fixture on the ceiling. They all use a 3-prong plug, not hardwired. I want to replace the incandescent fixture ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
Mounting shower curtain rod to tile
In my new place my shower is tile and has a spring loaded shower curtain rod. I have my curved rod from a previous residence and would like to mount it. I can operate a drill, but I have never gone ...
3
votes
2answers
512 views
Remove the smell of cigarette smoke from upholstery
I purchased a upholstered chair from a garage sale for cheap, and cleaned all the dog fur and other debris from it, however there is now a lingering smell of smoke from the chair. It has been ...
5
votes
1answer
449 views
Dishwasher air gap problem
Problem: When dishwasher drains it dumps water to the sink through the air gap. Problem started accuring 6 month after kitchen/sink/dishwasher was installed and used.
What I tried:
Opened the ...
3
votes
3answers
5k views
How do I make a deck glossy?
I went to Home Depot and Sherwin Williams and I was unable to find a deck stain that looked like the shiny blondish color of the following image:
At Sherwin Williams they said that their stains ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
HVAC vents - does wall or ceiling mount matter?
I'm going to add some crown moulding to some bedrooms. I've got HVAC vents mounted near the top of the wall and the moulding will cover part of the vent.
I want to move the vents out of the way. I ...
2
votes
4answers
145 views
Guidance needed for cutting rabbet
As in this question about making box shelves, I am looking at making some shelves and need some help. I've found this site describing how to make the shelves but need some pointers on what tools I ...
16
votes
4answers
12k views
What actually happens if I vary proportions of cement and sand in mortar?
When preparing cement mortar proportions of sand and cement can AFAIK be varied. I've always been using the "default recommended" 1-to-3 (one volume of cement for every three volumes of sand) ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
Why are my downlights constantly blowing?
I have a strip of 3 downlights in my living room, and I am constantly changing globes.
Usually two of the globes blow in the first day or two of use, but the third globe will last much longer (at ...
