3
votes
2answers
428 views
Why won't the bulbs light up brightly in my European chandelier?
I bought a European chandelier not knowing there were light bulb size differences. I ordered 12 European to Candelabra Reducers (E14 to E12). I was so happy when I received them, and couldn't wait to ...
2
votes
1answer
43 views
Does outside air conditioning compressor fan run all the time?
Had some electrical issues with an air conditioner and after I rewired it, I noticed that the fan was stopping every 30 seconds or so. Is this fan supposed to shut off when unit is running?
0
votes
1answer
288 views
How to install 230V Light with Light-activated-resistor?
I am trying to set up light-activated-resistors that activate a light during dark hours. I have bought a ready Chinese thing that apparently contain a driver to change from AC to proper DC output for ...
0
votes
1answer
195 views
How can I wire multiple recessed lights and multiple dimmers?
How do I wire recessed Zinc Alloy ceiling lights. There are eight lights and eight dimmers.
Can I run all wires and the feed into a junction box?
2
votes
1answer
94 views
Why is my electric water heater making an intermittent groaning noise?
My 8 year old electric water heater started to make a strange rattling noise a couple of weeks ago. The noise happens at random and lasts for only a few minutes. Short bursts of noise about a minute ...
0
votes
0answers
11 views
How to replace my gas hedge trimmer rope starter [migrated]
The rope starter for my Craftsman Gas Hedge Trimmer disconnected from the engine while pulling to start.
Please explain how to reattach this rope starter. I am a DIY individual.
Thanks for your help.
...
0
votes
1answer
84 views
Why do the lights on my newly installed ceiling fan flick on and then off immediately?
We just installed our new ceiling fan with lights. The fan works fine but the light will flick on and then off again immediately. We took it back down and reinstalled it, ensuring that all wires were ...
5
votes
1answer
611 views
What do I level a 2" slope in my concrete basement floor?
I want to finish a 12'x36' part of my basement. The trouble I am having is that it is sloped to a floor drain. I was told that DRIcore and shims would work but the drain is a 2" slope down from the ...
2
votes
1answer
55 views
What are my options for installing a water softener on the opposite side of the house from the main water supply?
Background Info
My main water supply on my home is located on the east wall of the home, whereas my garage is located on the west side of the home. There is no water softener loop in the home, and in ...
4
votes
1answer
53 views
Is it OK to vent a first floor bathroom with a fan and a duct running through the basement?
I have a bathroom on the first floor of a two-floor house where the popcorn ceiling has dilated and cracked open twice within a year, and some mold is always coming back next to the ceiling, so I need ...
5
votes
1answer
341 views
Why does a single radiator need regular bleeding?
Almost all of the radiators (forced water) in my house heat up fine. However, a single radiator needs regular bleeding (~1/day) in order to heat. Note, this radiator is not at the highest point in the ...
22
votes
12answers
4k views
Is there a technique to make a shower mirror fog-free?
We want to install a permanent mirror in a new shower, but hope to find a permanent way to prevent it from fogging up.
I have seen gooseneck mirrors that hook up to the showerhead itself so as to run ...
-1
votes
2answers
54 views
Where can I buy high transmission light diffuser [closed]
I keep hearing about these great high transmission light diffuser that came out to improve led lighting. For instance the Makrolon materials (Makrolon LED2643) or FusionOptix diffusers. But where can ...
1
vote
4answers
64 views
How do I clear a drain pipe clogged with dried soap?
I think we have a clog of dried soap in our pipes, past the U-bend and down the pipes from upstairs to the drain at ground level.
How do I clear them?
8
votes
4answers
5k views
Do I have to remove the old thinset before installing new tile?
I will be installing some new 12x12 tiles in two bathrooms approx 25 sq/ft each. When I pulled up the old tiles, there was no thin set that had made contact with them so the removal was very easy. ...
3
votes
1answer
805 views
Why does the pilot light keep going out on my natural gas boiler?
The boiler lit and ran the other day, but now the pilot light was out. I could hear a hum at the control. I lit the pilot light, but when I no longer pressed on the valve, the pilot light went out ...
0
votes
1answer
51 views
What type of plastic is best for outdoor usage?
What type of plastic is best for outdoor usage? Like resistant to constant sunlight and water exposure and strong enough. It will be used to encolse part of (small size bird) aviary. Also please ...
0
votes
1answer
26 views
Can I use a T5 HO lamp in a non-HO luminaire?
Does anyone know what would happen?
Does the ballast limit the power?
If the T5 HO lamps were less expensive than T5 non-HO lamps, would it be ok to just use them in a non-HO luminaire?
4
votes
2answers
85 views
How should I connect these two yellow wires?
I don't know what this cap is... is it ok to cut it off and splice the two yellow wires together as I have been with the previous splices.
15
votes
5answers
3k views
How do I finish off a silicone sealant like a professional?
I have patch a couple of places at the base of my shower with silicone rubber sealant using a caulking gun and it's worked well and water no longer escapes from the shower. However, where I have done ...
7
votes
5answers
2k views
How do I remove moss from an outdoor brick walkway?
I've got a brick walkway that has parts that are in shade most of the day. Our winters are wet and cloudy and during these times it's not uncommon for the shady parts of the walkway to grow a fair ...
2
votes
2answers
2k views
How to remove moss from my roof?
My roof seems to be growing moss and I'd like to remove it. I did some research and it looks like the solution is to mix water and bleach, spray the mix on the moss and then scrub the moss off about ...
1
vote
1answer
127 views
How to open ceiling light cover to replace bulb
I don't understand how to open it so that bulb can be replaced. It has no screws. Tried to move white dome anti-clockwise but does move at all.
3
votes
3answers
231 views
Are there websites to manage home improvement projects?
Are there any websites where you can create an account to manage your home with things such as:
Layout or floor planning
Budgets, project logging
Wiring plans
I'm aware of FloorPlanner.com and ...
3
votes
1answer
221 views
How can I insulate kitchen vent to prevent cold air blowing through all the time?
Building code requires my kitchen to have a 15cmx15cm vent (besides the kitchen cook-top vent). This vent is basically a hole in the wall that reaches to the outside. The vent has grating on both ...
1
vote
2answers
53 views
What is causing toilet supply water leaks above the coupling nut?
In my toilet, when the shut off water valve is open:
Water leaks above the coupling nut:
If I close the supply water valve and the tank is full, there is no leakage. What could be causing the ...
3
votes
1answer
55 views
What is the best way to build a box to elevate my bathroom fan above joists?
I want to create a register/ return air type box about 4" high so my bathroom fan's exhaust will be above the joists so that the duct can have the shortest and most direct run to a gable vent. Is ...
2
votes
1answer
87 views
Can a lack of oxygen cause septic tank deterioration?
After 2 years I had my 8 year old septic tank pumped out for the second time. When we looked inside we found that the area above the outlet had concrete deterioration. Whatever happened ate through ...
5
votes
1answer
122 views
Does XPS+OSB subfloor need to be anchored?
Mike Holmes is a big fan of OSB/plywood over 1" XPS for basement floors, though his book leaves something to be desired in terms of details. His book says:
...on top of the foam, you want to have ...
5
votes
2answers
236 views
What do I need to do to prepare this trunk for painting?
I've got this trunk. My eventual goal is to paint it red and use it as a combination storage space and coffee table in my (tiny Manhattan) apartment.
It's about fifteen years old. It's covered in a ...
3
votes
1answer
296 views
Can you ID this shower system/panel product?
We bought a new house that we're slowly learning was the victim of a rather cheap remodeling job. So, I'm slowly patching thing up.
One task is our shower enclosure. It's made up of some sort of ...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
What are some permanent shower shelf options?
I have found shower caddies and suction cup add-ons, but I want to add shelves to my shower surround that are permanent. I haven't had much lucking finding anything. What are my options, and where ...
3
votes
2answers
3k views
Should I use a float “piggy-back” sump pump switch?
I have a Zoeller M-53 sump pump and I'm considering using a float switch to stop the pump from cycling too frequently. Here's the situation...
The water level is pretty high where I live. The sump ...
1
vote
3answers
63 views
What is involved in ripping out carpets and put in fake wood floors for an apartment floor overhaul?
I'm caught between living very frugally and hating cheapo, dirty carpets that spread wall-to-wall in every apartment I've ever leased. I'm probably handy enough to put in vinyl flooring myself, but ...
4
votes
1answer
170 views
Is there any NEC code requirement for how far off the floor Category 5 wiring must be run?
I am currently running conduit for Cat5e cable in the home office I am finishing off. Are there any rules in the code for how far off the floor Category 5 wires in conduit must be run?
3
votes
3answers
3k views
What is an alternative to a vacuum cleaner for cleaning carpets?
There are reasons we are not interested in a vacuum cleaner at the moment. I'm sure the same applies for other people. Is there an alternative that can get rid of dirt as well as pick up bigger ...
2
votes
1answer
50 views
Is it safe to mount a medium-sized air compressor to the floor to stop or limit vibrations?
I have a 220v 6hp 33gal oil-less horizontal air compressor that aside from being noisy rattles all over the floor.
Stock Image:
I would like to either mount it to the floor or build a small ...
0
votes
1answer
97 views
How can I get my thermostat C wire connected? [duplicate]
I have an older furnace, on the switch block I have Y,C.W,R and an unlabeled screw that connects to the shut off it looks like. I need to hook up a thermostat that needs the C wire. I have a spare ...
0
votes
1answer
47 views
How can I tell if something is ruptured inside my lawnmower?
My lawnmower got thrown into a rolloff container by mistake. When I went to dig it out, it was upside down and when I tipped it right-side up, all sorts of black liquid (I assume oil?) came spilling ...
0
votes
0answers
76 views
How can I get rid of frogs that have settled in an unused swimming pool?
We have an inground swimming pool that we haven't used in a few years (it's just too expensive for us to maintain at the present time).
Well it's almost June and the frogs are a' plenty. Our pool ...
5
votes
1answer
60 views
What wire and conduit is required for an attached-garage subpanel?
To make my garage more usable as a workshop, I'm planning to add a subpanel which can feed a number of additional outlets. 60 amps would be plenty for my current needs, but I'd like to go with 100 so ...
3
votes
2answers
74 views
Can I screw a ceiling fan electrical box directly to the joist?
I am putting in a ceiling fan in a bedroom. It is a smaller one approx. 18 lbs.
The remodeling-type expander brace failed, so can I just screw one side of the box to the joist? (I cannot access the ...
1
vote
1answer
55 views
What are my options for running feeder cable into an exterior main panel?
I'm trying to connect a 4/3 nm feeder cable into to my exterior mounted service entry / main panel.
There is already what looks like a 1 1/2" rigid conduit from the crawlspace through the rim joist ...
4
votes
2answers
114 views
How should I build the concrete footings for my deck?
I plan on making a small deck and I live in Howard County Maryland. The deck code here says that the concrete footing must be 30 in below ground level and have a thickness of at least 8 inches (i.e. ...
4
votes
4answers
222 views
How do I deal with a joist in the way of where I need to run a pipe?
I'm in the process of installing central vac lines (2" OD) in a finished house, and I am trying to run a line into the upstairs hallway. I have removed drywall in the garage below and drilled a hole ...
6
votes
1answer
78 views
How do I retrofit a junction box in an insulated wall?
Typical cold climate construction: Drywall, 6mil vapour barrier, fiberglass batt insulation. How do I retrofit a junction box and maintain the vapour seal? To be clear, by 'retrofit', I mean the ...
1
vote
1answer
24 views
thermostat c wire question [duplicate]
I am looking to install a new thermostat that will require a C wire. I have a single stage A/C unit and my current thermostat has Rc, G, and Y wires. There is also an unused blue wire which I traced ...
0
votes
1answer
94 views
How much does weight affect a house?
I just demo'ed a bathroom. At 50 trashbags at 50 pounds a piece I am guesstimating that I took out 2500 pounds. The materials I am using to replace everything in the bathroom are about 800 pounds ...
1
vote
2answers
132 views
How can one properly and tidily install this hardware for internet access?
This picture shows what my new home has for the wiring necessary for internet access. Some of the wiring here isn't necessary---in fact, most of it isn't, just the telephone wiring.
With an idea of ...
0
votes
3answers
658 views
Could a power outlet be ruining hair straighteners?
I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this. We've gone through 3 hair straighteners in the past 2 months. 3 different models, 2 different brands.
The outlet is a normal outlet (No GFI) and ...
