8
votes
5answers
2k views
What is the best way to secure a set of folding attic stairs?
My company is opening a new office in an existing office building. While inspecting the office prior to move-in, I noticed that the attics between all suites in the building are open to each other. ...
3
votes
4answers
2k views
Can I connect an outdoor wood stove to my current HVAC system?
How to install a wood stove as an auxiliary heat source? (Main is electric furnace with forced air)
I've read this question, it doesn't really answer what I need to know. What I would like to do is ...
2
votes
2answers
649 views
How do I remove water marks / stains from a marble countertop?
Our marble bathroom countertop has a few problem areas - most are water stains, but a few are marks on the surface, and it's hard to determine the source.
Looking for best tips/tricks to treat & ...
6
votes
2answers
736 views
Is there a safe way to de-ice an unsealed driveway?
My girlfriend had a new driveway put in this fall, but the weather turned bad before she could get it sealed. I guess now it's too late...
The driveway is incredibly slippery and has lots of ice at ...
2
votes
1answer
796 views
What are some options for a small electric water flow control valve?
I'm looking for an electric water valve for a DIY project. I need to be able to close it partially so as to control the water flow rate. The exact details of how to control it are not important; I'm ...
2
votes
2answers
261 views
painting glass exterior door grilles?
I have some exterior doors with glass that his held in place by a sandwich of plastic(?) grilles. The grilles have turned yellow and look bad. What would be the best way to paint these to look and ...
2
votes
4answers
7k views
How do I cover large gaps in drywall?
We've just completed our first drywall project and the outcome wasn't so great in places. There are a couple spots in particular that have 1/2-1/4" gaps.
I was wondering, is there a nifty way to ...
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 ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
How do I install a wood stove as an auxiliary heat source?
I have a house with a forced air electric furnace.
We've also got a wood-burning stove adjacent to the furnace. I didn't have it installed, and I want to understand if it's been done properly, and ...
3
votes
2answers
4k views
How do I treat / maintain IKEA Platta wood patio tiles?
Over a year ago we put a good sized set of IKEA Platta deck tiles on our patio. After exposure to the elements, they are now dis-coloring and becoming a bit 'rough'.
What exactly do I need to do to ...
3
votes
1answer
3k views
How should I wire this White-Rodgers fan and limit control? What about the thermostat?
I have a wood-burning stove, that is used as an auxiliary heat source in the house. There's a regular electric furnace, and adjacent to it is the stove. The warm air duct (out) from the stove ...
0
votes
1answer
158 views
Can someone explain this interface of frigidaire front load washing machine?
Can someone please explain this interface (the buttons, what do they do?) of front load washing machine from frigidaire?
3
votes
1answer
222 views
Extra insulation for panes of aging windows
The original windows on my 30-year-old house are insulated pretty well around the frames, but the panes themselves transmit a lot of cold air, especially when things drop down into the single digits, ...
5
votes
3answers
2k views
Why does my toilet keeps blocking and then spill out of the drain outside?
Recently out toilet has started to repeatedly block. First thing we tried was the warm water method, which worked at first.
When that stopped working, and problem came back, we used caustic soda. ...
5
votes
3answers
839 views
How do I troubleshoot a water-heater?
Lately our hot water has been running out very quickly, a lot quicker than it used to. I have an Whirlpool electric water heater with 2 elements with the top element has a reset switch.
I followed ...
3
votes
1answer
375 views
Is this insulation supposed to be there?
I was adding some insulation foam into our fireplace as a way of stopping drafts from the chimney. It's obvious that it's installed so we won't ever have it there when a fire is lit (we have not yet ...
10
votes
3answers
4k views
How do I regrade the ground around my house?
When we purchased our house, the inspector recommended that we regrade all the ground that meets the house to ensure water is draining away properly.
What do I need in order to do this (am I insane ...
4
votes
1answer
139 views
What steps should I take when cabling a drain?
We have a drain that backs up when a few gallons of water are put down it over time. The back pressure forces the water out through the toilet drain seal, leaving the water pouring into our basement. ...
8
votes
8answers
12k views
How big a hole in drywall can be fixed by spackle alone?
How big a hole in drywall can be fixed by spackle alone? The previous owners left numerous holes in drywall the diameter of a coax cable which I want to patch up. Can I just use spackle to bridge the ...
3
votes
2answers
272 views
Is there a way to prevent sliding window from freezing?
I have a window that slides to the side, and each time temperature outside drops below 0*C it freezes and there is no way to open it (not that there is ice all over it, just moisture from the room ...
3
votes
1answer
690 views
Where can I find a cheap diamond stone-cutting blade for my Dremel Multi-Max?
I'm getting ready to place laminate flooring in a room with a brick fireplace. As per Mike's recommendation here, I'd like to use my Dremel Multi-Max tool to cut a space in the base of our brick ...
13
votes
6answers
2k views
What is the right way to strip power wires?
I've been working with electrical circuits as a DIYer for years, including electronics and powerline work. But one thing I always feel like I do a terrible job at is stripping wires: both the outside ...
1
vote
2answers
189 views
Shutoff in shower very tight all of the sudden
I have a Symmons hot/cold shutoff in my shower. Normally, when I shut it off it goes a little beyond "12 o'clock" (more like 12:30/1:00). Anyways, I've noticed lately that it stops at exactly "12 ...
1
vote
1answer
152 views
Would this solution work with my dehumidifier?
I have a shed built with concrete blocks and a metal roof, terrible condensation in it and every time I go in, I see water on the walls and floor as well as drips on the metal roof. The shed is not ...
4
votes
2answers
916 views
Ceramic glass cooktop testing?
I'm in a new house, and the cook is getting frustrated with our new cooktop. Water takes a long time to boil and when it finally does, there is no way to simmer as it is now too hot. Is this normal ...
2
votes
1answer
536 views
Low temperature construction adhesive?
My laziness has come home to roost.
I did some work over the summer that required me to rip out some old beadboard planking, which unfortunately destroyed most of the beadboard. After looking at the ...
9
votes
7answers
4k views
Can a locksmith open a deadbolt lock?
I wonder how secure my deadbolt lock is.
How difficult is it for a professional to open such a lock?
5
votes
4answers
915 views
Should I put weather stripping on my unsealed windows and doors?
I currently live in a rented apartment and the windows in my shower are not sealed, so it gets pretty cold there. The front door of the house also has a sealing problem.
The thing is, I'm not going ...
3
votes
1answer
158 views
Where can I find resources on Gas Furnace manufacturers
We are going to replace a 30 year old residential gas furnace. We have estimates for furnaces from Rheem, Trane and Bryant. This is a rental, so we aren't going for the 95% with tax rebate but ...
4
votes
3answers
885 views
Why do my kitchen cabinets' magnetic door catches keep breaking?
As per the title, my kitchen cabinets use those little magnetic door catch devices.
Where there is a small plate on the door, and a housed magnet mounted to the frame of the cabinet to hold the door ...
1
vote
2answers
1k views
How do I install hanging cabinets with a flimsy backing?
I went and watched this 1 min video clip about hanging cabinets:
http://www.easy2diy.com/cm/easy/diy_ht_3d_index.asp?page_id=35750421
It seems to say to just screw my cabinets into the wall (where ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
What are the pros and cons of LED vs CFL vs incandescent bulbs for outdoor lighting?
I'm planning to install some light on my balcony and was just wondering what would be the best choice of lamp.
I live in a relatively cold climate, and the current temperature at night is around ...
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.
1
vote
1answer
64 views
Gledhill 450 Torrent RE
What is the top pipe connected to my Gledhill Torrent 450 RE thermal store?
It comes out of the very top of the tank. Not on the side but right on the top in the centre?
1
vote
1answer
788 views
What precautions should I take installing tile on a backerboard in an area surrounded by cement?
I had to have my old three-handle tub faucet replaced by a plumber, because the valves in the handles were rotted into the handle bodies. When the tile came off, we found that the wall behind the ...
3
votes
4answers
938 views
Is it safe to put a clothes washer outdoors?
I will be short on usable indoor space for a while, but want to be able to wash clothes on site.
Are there any issues with putting a washer (and perhaps, a dryer) outdoors?
Perhaps it needs to be ...
2
votes
3answers
247 views
How do I determine the “hand” of the door?
I apologize in advance if this post is confusing. Let me know if additional clarification is needed. =)
I'm planning to install a new front door and am confused on what the appropriate "hand" ...
5
votes
1answer
727 views
How do I stop a leaking tub faucet?
This tub faucet (that is probably 20+ years old) has a pretty steady drip going and I'm not sure where to start to figuring out how to stop it.
(apologies for the grainy photo...just had my the ...
3
votes
1answer
2k views
How do I repair a garage door with a rusty bottom?
Was looking at my garage door as I pulled into home yesterday and noticed that the bottom panel is starting to rust slightly at the bottom. The rust looks like a small mountain range from one side to ...
15
votes
4answers
2k views
How can I insulate my garage door?
Over the past year I've been converting our integrated garage so that it's a usage space.
I've painted the walls, got lighting, power and water connected (To allow for a washing machine to be ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
How thick should a french cleat be?
I want to use a french cleat to hang some basic open cabinets in my garage. I've seen recommendations anywhere from 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches thick, but nobody seems to be talking about weight.
Is there a ...
3
votes
2answers
3k views
Why does the gas furnace blow cold air at the start of the heating cycle?
What does this problem sound like?
There is a 25 year old gas furnace in the house we rent.
(The guy that owns the place claims there is NO problem at all. He said the igniter is brand new and ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
What material should I use to insulate floor over a bumpout?
My dining room has part of it bumped out about 2 feet overhanging from the foundation. The floor over this overhanging part gets cold in winter and I'm thinking about insulating below it. I've done ...
3
votes
1answer
177 views
How can I stop primer from eating my roller handles?
Whenever I use primer, it seems like I get about one room's worth of coverage before the roller handle seizes up, so that I'm pushing the roller along the wall instead of rolling it. I'm ...
1
vote
2answers
2k views
Why is my radiator not getting hot water or have air in it?
All except one radiator are working fine. The one that stays cold is in the room with the thermostat, so the system keeps running more than it should.
I tried bleeding it and just water came out. I ...
20
votes
10answers
5k views
How do I secure my house against intruders?
What are some suggestions for securing your house from an intruder? Right now we have a GE Simon XT alarm system, but it doesn't cover breaking a window. We put some PVC pipes in the tracks of the ...
3
votes
6answers
957 views
How do I put on siding above a slanted roof?
We're replacing siding on our two-story house currently. We can do most of it okay, but our two-car garage has a slanted roof, which mean you can't just put a ladder up there. We're thinking about ...
13
votes
3answers
829 views
Should I release the pressure out of an air compressor when it is not in use?
Just got a new compressor and I wondering if I should be releasing all of the pressure out of the unit when it is not in use? Or is it better to leave the pressure in so that the unit does not have ...
4
votes
2answers
501 views
How do you break in a new air compressor?
Just got a new craftsman air compressor (33 gal). I have read that it is important to "break in" the unit by running it with the pressurized chamber open (so that there is no load on the motor). How ...
4
votes
3answers
2k views
Why does my ice maker make a knocking sound and not produce ice?
My ice maker is making knocking noises every few hours and rarely produces ice. Every now and then (once a month or so) it actually starts making ice and the noises stop for a day.
It's a GE french ...
