6
votes
1answer
81 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
69 views
Should I replace an existing gas fireplace with electric?
Does it make sense to replace my existing gas fireplace with a newer electrical one? Would the new electrical one require less maintenance? Would it run more efficiently and in doing so cost less to ...
5
votes
2answers
64 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
54 views
Is it possible to vent two exhaust fans through a single wall penetration?
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
2answers
38 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 ...
4
votes
3answers
761 views
What tool should I use to cut metal roofing?
I'm getting ready to install metal roofing on my building project. Wee! But I'm not sure how I should cut it.
The roof is a simple gable, 20ft long, with 8ft rafters. The roofing I'm using is 3ft ...
1
vote
1answer
50 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 ...
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
46 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
73 views
Should I drywall and/or insulate my garage wall?
I'm in the process of a few projects in the garage, including raising the ceiling and insulating with spray foam. This has left me with a fair amount of leftover fiberglass batts.
There is a room ...
2
votes
3answers
88 views
How can I fix a small slightly damp area in my basement wall?
I am in the process of converting a bedroom in our walkout basement, into an office. Back in 1999, the previous owner had finished the basement. The basement foundation walls are hollow cinder ...
0
votes
3answers
102 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.
2
votes
1answer
47 views
How do I remove an unknown stain from my carpet?
I just moved into a place and underneath my bed there's a weird spill. I'm Not sure what it is: it's dark red and thick and dry. Is there any way to clean it or if not cover it up so it doesn't spread ...
5
votes
3answers
931 views
How can I prepare uneven concrete basement floor for vinyl planks?
I have roughly 600 sq ft of basement that needs new flooring after some unfortunate flooding this past summer. We had carpet over concrete and are now looking to lay vinyl planks down. There is about ...
3
votes
1answer
186 views
Would adding new basement windows jeopardize the integrity of the foundation?
We are finishing our basement and would like to install 4 new hopper windows onto the front side of the house. My question is what is the largest reasonably sized window that can be cut from the ...
12
votes
5answers
2k views
Why does the shower get cold when I flush, and how can I prevent it?
When the shower is running and someone flushes a toilet, why does the shower get cold (or sometimes hot) in some houses, but not others?
More importantly, would fixing that require replacing the ...
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
1answer
55 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?
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. ...
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 ...
0
votes
1answer
67 views
How can I find a replacement external tub drain if the original has no identifiable markings?
We are rebuilding a bathroom in a house in Long Island, New York. We would like to replace this external tub drain with the same. It has no identifiable markings. We need the make or model, or even ...
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
125 views
How can you tell when a vacuum breaker needs to be replaced?
The one in the master bath just started "leaking" recently and now my daughter reports the same problem in her bath. Is this just a part of their normal function or do they need to be replaced or ...
3
votes
3answers
122 views
What advantages does bending copper pipes have over joining many parts without brazing?
These questions are in context of a DIY solar water heater I am planning (another separate question). The copper pipes in question, are supposed to carry around hot water using thermo-siphon ...
1
vote
2answers
129 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.
9
votes
4answers
949 views
How can I prevent spillage from my bathtub?
Let's set the scene:
The horizontal surfaces of the bathtub in my apartment are flat. We have a double shower curtain (with the waterproof bit that hangs on the inside of the tub and the fabric bit ...
0
votes
1answer
39 views
What lamps available in the UK are compatible with BS 546 plugs?
We have lots of spare BS546 plug sockets in our rented house (we are located it London, UK). In the bedroom, these are linked to the lighting circuit but we only have one lamp so the room is very ...
6
votes
7answers
2k views
What tool should I use to cut memory foam?
I need to cut 2x2 ft square pieces from a sheet of memory foam. Not sure what tool is best for this. Any ideas? In the future I'd like to cut circles and eventually sculpt irregular shapes, I don't ...
17
votes
3answers
28k views
Options for adding “C” wire to thermostat
So, the spiffy new wi-fi thermostats want power on the C wire from thermostat, but the old thermostat doesn't have a C wire at it. What's the easiest way to add the C wire/24 volt to the thermostat ...
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 ...
1
vote
2answers
69 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?
3
votes
2answers
2k views
How can I identify the manufacturer of my windows?
So, the seals on one of the double pane windows in my parent's home have failed (moisture and mold between panes). I want to contact the manufacturer to see if there is a possibility of warranty ...
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 ...
4
votes
2answers
96 views
Are there any advantages to using higher priced sealers?
I want to use a water based sealer on my pavers to bring out the color and also for some resistance against dirt and fading. I went to the store and saw sealers varying in price from about $11 per ...
2
votes
3answers
785 views
How do I determine which wax ring to use under my toilet?
Other questions almost answer this question.
What is the purpose of the flange on the wax ring? I can purchase a ring with or without the flange.
How do I know whether to get the standard ring or ...
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 ...
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 ...
7
votes
1answer
435 views
My radon manometer has a red reading, what should I do?
We purchased a home a few years ago and it has a radon mitigation system. I just happened to go downstairs and look at it and noticed this reading. What should I check? Should I be alarmed?
EDIT
...
7
votes
2answers
230 views
Do I need junction boxes where conduit containing data cables terminates?
I'm going to be running 1" blue PVC conduit from all my low voltage boxes to a structured wiring panel. My wiring panel will chase to the attic where necessary and I was wondering what the best ...
4
votes
1answer
54 views
What is the proper personal protective equipment and procedures for removing mouse nesting that may contain Hantavirus?
Me and my uncle are working on cleaning stuff (various auto parts and tools built up over the last 60 or so years) out a garage on my parents' property prior to demolishing it.
There are multiple ...
3
votes
2answers
39 views
How can I clean silicone mastic stains from a bath-tub and tiles?
I was redoing the silicone dilation around the bath-tub, using the silicone mastic from a tube. Unfortunately, I stained the tub and a tile with silicone. You cannot see it really, but they got quite ...
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 ...
1
vote
1answer
64 views
Is a single ductless HVAC system more efficient than two smaller ductless systems?
I have an 809 sq ft stand-alone room with concrete slab and block walls that needs to have AC and heat. We have windows on all sides, 8' ceilings, and live in Florida. The room will be used as a dog ...
7
votes
1answer
2k views
What should I do with an old, unused septic tank in my yard?
I have a septic tank in my yard that is no longer used. Can I leave it there? Should I remove it? Fill it with something? I'm not entirely sure of the building material used to construct it; I ...
3
votes
1answer
928 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 ...
-2
votes
0answers
69 views
What is the best way to get an elliptic transparent plastic surface? [closed]
I want to develop some weird augmented reality glasses, with a projector illuminating the glasses inner side, and the light reflecting straight to my eye. The point is to keep the glasses transparent ...
0
votes
3answers
104 views
Why is my Central Heating taking so long to heat up?
I'm in the UK with a small modern, well insulated, double glazed home heated by a traditional gas boiler.
My heating had been achieving room stat temperature within 30 minutes but is now taking at ...
3
votes
1answer
107 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
52 views
Is there a way to make my own chalkboard paint without using unsanded grout?
I'm trying to create my own chalkboard paint (where I'm from, we don't seem to have any stores that sell chalkboard paint, nor unsanded grout in the entire city) and I see all the DIY posts out there ...
