All Questions
13,098
questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
1
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answers
888
views
Working Load of 4x6 Pressure Treated
Adding a shed roof to my building that will have rafters 16" on center.
How can I find the working load of a 4x6 pressure treated beam that is supported by 4x4 posts 10' on center? I will also ...
- 11
1
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0
answers
60
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If I plug the ground with neutral on top of the power switch,
If I plug the ground with neutral on top of the power switch, it will affect output when I plug this into the pump hole, where the local loop is "zeroed." The Earth is taken through the coil ...
1
vote
0
answers
46
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Range Hood and or Fan extractor?
I have an old kitchen with an extractor fan on the wall near my electric stove and an old range hood on top of the stove. I am planning on putting a tile backsplash behind the stove and removing (...
- 11
1
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0
answers
270
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Can I mix different branded pex pipe with different branded pex fittings?
I recently paid a plumber to redo my house in pex & he ended up doing the lot in sharkbite pipe & their push to connect fittings.
I’ve read too many stories of leaks in various blogs that I ...
- 11
1
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0
answers
93
views
Wiring a new bathroom fan
I'm installing a new ventilation fan in the bathroom but the existing electrical is coming out of metal conduit in the wrong location. The old fan had the ground wire cut so I'm assuming it's using ...
- 11
1
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0
answers
159
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IKEA smastad cupboard pulls out at the bottom!
Ive attached a smastad cupboard to the wall using one of rails IKEA provide.
Inspite of all the screws being as tight as possible, I can slightly pull out the cupboard away from the wall (about 2cm) ...
1
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0
answers
65
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Why plaster in one corner under ground level wet?
One corner of my house plaster wall is starting, this Winter, to show condensations. As you see in the first picture below it's like drops of water starting to form. This is the stair area going to ...
- 111
1
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answers
103
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Is additional venting needed for my basement bathroom finish?
My house was built in 2015 and was pre plumbed for a basement bathroom. I called the city and all they can tell me is that a pre pour plumbing inspection was completed. There is the shower, toilet and ...
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answers
254
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Can I connect my dryer to the wall duct without a connector?
Is it possible to attach my dryer's exhaust port directly to the vent duct without a connector? Obviously I'll need to secure the 2 together, but I'm trying to have my dryer as tight as possible to ...
- 49
1
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answers
135
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Gray marks on an acrylic tub
We recently had a new acrylic tub installed and the contractor put a few dings in it. In his attempt to fix it, he was able to almost remove the scratches, but we are left with gray smudges in two ...
- 11
1
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answers
31
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Connecting two residential units grounds via metallic electrical box and armored cabling
A circuit from Unit A and a circuit from Unit B converge in a metallic box. The wiring is old armored cable containing two conductors. There is no dedicated ground conductor. Each unit has its own ...
- 257
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0
answers
135
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Do I need to worry about a leaning, 60 year old retaining wall?
I have a 5 foot high retaining wall, made with CMU blocks, built in 1962. I don't have much information about (e.g. the shape of the footing, depth, etc) other than that it seems to be just a gravity ...
- 51
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answers
194
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Why is there sand on top of my plaster ceiling?
While taking out some plaster on metal lathe ceiling in my basement, I am finding a loose layer of sand sitting on top in places. Why is it there and how did it get there? The room above is the ...
- 1,808
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answers
197
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fixing and combining drains in duplex
I recently bought a home in need of repair. It's a 2 unit property.
The kitchens were both draining into a broken tee that was causing some water damage. It is currently a mess of poorly glued PVC + ...
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1
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331
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Asbestos question - Old plywood on top of 1963 linoleum - Remove or attempt to prep for tile?
I'm replacing my vinyl flooring with tile, and when I removed it, I found that the previous owner had installed plywood over the original linoleum flooring. At first I was planning on just cleaning up ...
- 11
1
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0
answers
25
views
Using MIP fitting on toilet supply pipe
I am needing to replace an angle stop for a residential toilet, an older-style multi-turn that won't shut the supply off anymore. I was thinking of replacing it with a quarter-turn valve, either ...
- 11
1
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0
answers
64
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Load bearing wall removal
Looking to remove a portion of the wall the leads into our garage to extend our dining area.
The wall sits ontop of the block foundation but parallel to the roof joists on a hip roof
enter image ...
1
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0
answers
46
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Pressure well tank and pressure switch installed
I just installed a new 32 gal well pressure tank as well as a new pressure switch regulator psi 40/60. I set pressure switch at 37. When I turn on the breakers to well pump, water and the pressure ...
1
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0
answers
561
views
How to build a raised paver patio against the house
We recently put in a retaining wall and raised paver patio/walk around one side of the house, wrapping to the back. I'd like to have a higher level patio so that you can walk (or push a wheelchair, ...
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1
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0
answers
405
views
How to stop plastic panels below windows making popping noises as they warm up
We have plastic panels below our bedroom windows like in the photo. In the summer when the sun rises they make loud popping and cracking noises as they warm up. What can we do to stop or reduce the ...
- 145
1
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0
answers
57
views
Stone foundation gap
Is it normal for a house to not sit flush on a stone foundation? Every other part of the house seems to align with the stones. No massive interior cracks to indicate foundation damage though.
- 11
1
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0
answers
82
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Remesh for post base concrete that will have lateral forces
Would using rolled up remesh be suitable for reinforcing the concrete in the below scenario?
I'm planning to install some post bases in some concrete which will serve as the bottom of a 16-ft long, 3-...
- 750
1
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0
answers
38
views
Reduced ducted air flow with heat pump
This post is part of the research I did before installing a heat pump recently, which may help add context: Gas furnace switch to heat pump installation?
The heat pump I got installed is ...
- 511
1
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answers
221
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Drainage rock/backfill for retaining wall
I'm building a retaining wall and when I told them to deliver 3/4" gravel, I forgot to tell them crushed gravel. So now I have 13 yards of gravel, which is kind of rounded for the backfill, will ...
- 31
1
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0
answers
74
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Toilet drains to empty
We have an old bathroom (circa 70s we think) which has a toilet that is draining slowly to empty. The internet is not being fantastically helpful here as googling for a "slowly draining toilet&...
- 111
1
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answers
512
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Need help wiring Alexa smart thermostat
I have an 2002 unit Condo. I have installed Alexa smart thermostat. I replicated the exact wiring but thermostat only blowing hot air even when it says cooling is running.
Orange wire went to 'W' and ...
- 11
1
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0
answers
65
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Can 23/32 advancetech subflooring be installed over 3/4 wood plank subfloor?
We are working on laying vinyl plank flooring. After getting the carpet up, we found that the subfloor was particle board with glue stuck all over it, so we decided to rip it up and go with 23/32 ...
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1
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answers
156
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Fan motor capacitor replacement
Could I get some help replacing this blown (and very smelly) capacitor from an air conditioner? It's for the fan motor.
The part is available here https://rmscomponents.com.au/shop/appliance-spare-...
- 249
1
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0
answers
113
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How can I install a smart switch that needs a neutral wire?
I have already replaced some existing dumb switches with smart ones
However, I am having trouble understanding the connection in the switch box that controls a light fixture on my wall in the ...
- 11
1
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0
answers
107
views
How do I go about wiring 3 Nests to a boiler with no C wire
I’ve seen a version of this question in a few places but nothing really fits.
I have a boiler and hot water baseboards. It’s a three zone system and I installed 3 Nests but there is not C wire and no ...
- 11
1
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0
answers
59
views
Dimmer will only work with one specific LED--what might be going on?
I have a dimmable, single-bulb, lamp from Crate & Barrel. The socket says it can take bulbs up to 150w. It came with a dimmable 1w LED bulb which works fine, but is not very bright. I have tried ...
- 111
1
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answers
243
views
Can I use a fan speed controller to control a vent fan that uses PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) for speed control?
I'm creating a vent system in my workshop, using 4" pipes and I need to put an inline fan in the system and I want to be able to control the speed remotely. While I'm linking to specific products ...
- 528
1
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0
answers
144
views
Identifying neutral for new switch with night light
I am trying to replace a single pole switch with one that has a built in night light. The new switch requires a neutral for the night light to function.
Based on the previous wiring, it seems pretty ...
- 73
1
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0
answers
80
views
Securing old armored cable with fraying conductor insulation
I am trying to replace my overhead porch light and found two runs of MC 2-wire (no ground), one per unit, going to one bulb respectively. This worked fine and I was able to find a replacement light ...
- 257
1
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0
answers
70
views
Epoxy paint or primer/sealer?
I have a coarse and porous concrete rooftop, and on Friday I went to a top roof-sealing company to buy primer to cover the roof.
While talking to the salesman, he mentions that the best thing for my ...
- 2,063
1
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answers
103
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Confused about a post not actually supported by anything in attic. hip valley roof
I was cleaning in my attic, and air sealing some electrical boxes, when I noticed something that looks like a supporting post that was nailed to the thin tongue and grove floor. It's in a hip and ...
- 513
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answers
659
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Kohler Shower Handle/Knob Removal (with no set screw)
I'm having a very difficult time getting this shower/tub handle removed to change out the face plate and can't seem to find much information on it. It's a Kohler brand, and I have an image attached ...
- 111
1
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0
answers
57
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Shower Drain Pipe Outer Ring
Updated photo to show make and model - I'm no plumbing expert but it appears that this black raised/bubbled ring around the shower drain pipe needs attention. It's gotten worse over time. Shower drain ...
- 171
1
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0
answers
76
views
How do I connect a C wire or C adapter to an older Lennox furnace with no terminal strip?
I have an older Lennox Conservator 3 G16 with no terminal strip. How do I connect a C wire or C adapter? From what I have seen online nothing matches my furnace.
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answers
28
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Can the exhaust of a range hood be insulated between the 6in duct and the chimney casing?
I am installing a range hood and I would like to reduce suction and vibration noise as much as possible.
Is it possible to insulate the empty compartment between the 6in exhaust duct pipe and the ...
- 641
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0
answers
144
views
Adding an interior wall to make additional bedroom
I’m wanting to add an interior (non load bearing) wall to close off an open space in my house. I would also be adding a door, and a closet and door on the other side. This is a second floor area and ...
1
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0
answers
269
views
Is this black stuff behind our medicine cabinet mold?
We removed our medicine cabinet in our bathroom in preparation for painting and discovered this water stain accompanied by some black specks. The water stain strongly suggests that this might be mold ...
- 181
1
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0
answers
99
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Should I insulate the basement ceiling in a multi family dwelling?
I have a three-unit apartment building in Illinois. It has one upstairs apartment and two downstairs apartments. They're all heated with baseboard heating.
The two downstairs tenants are complaining ...
- 457
1
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0
answers
57
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Can you wet shim above a tub?
Is it possible to wet shim around a newly installed tub to bring all the walls plum and flat before tiling? Using a foam waterproof backer board and want to make sure that I’m laying tile the correct ...
- 11
1
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0
answers
91
views
When is it OK to use "304.6.2 One-permanent-opening method" for combustion air supply?
My basement utility closet currently uses the "Two-permanent-openings method" with one 5" duct from the attic terminating 12" from the floor and another 6" duct terminating ...
- 96
1
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1
answer
104
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Just moved in and want to hook up Nest/Google thermostats but need C wire
I’m trying to figure out which wire(s) are my Common so that I can set up my Google thermostats. I don’t have one used right now, just 2 wires for my four thermostats. I need to connect the 2wire to ...
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0
answers
39
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Error code PU5H on my older GE Adora Range
Model Number JBP730LASS
Brand GE
Age More than 10 years
I have an older GE Adora series range. The broiler element went out and I ordered a new genuine GE element, and installed it. When I turned ...
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0
answers
197
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No gap in plywood sheathing
Shortly after a new roof was installed in my home, following wet weather, I noticed two bulges in my new roof. I called the roofer and he promptly came out and fixed it by taking out the shingles ...
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1
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answers
49
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Mezzanine Floor
I want to install a mezzanine floor that will only be used as a play area for children. The span is 8.7 feet by 9.4 feet.
My plan is to fix 8" x 2" beam to 3 walls and then run 6" x 1.5&...
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1
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0
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249
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What is this wall covering in our 1908 USA house?
We are working on a house built in 1908 in the USA and have found what a local old-timer called “deadening felt” attached to the walls and ceilings, which are shiplap. The internet returns no images ...
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