1
vote
1answer
83 views
Why does a wall in my finished basement only have a steel plate and no studs?
I am trying to mount a TV that's about 20lbs into some studs in the wall. I used a stud finder and drilled some holes where the studs should be but never hit any wood, instead I hit a metal plate ...
4
votes
0answers
41 views
Is it safe to use bleach around the yard? [migrated]
I would like to prepare an old deck for staining. Scrubbing with a bleach solution seems a popular technique. Will the bleach solution harm nearby plants? What about if I use soap instead?
1
vote
2answers
68 views
Is it OK to install a TV mount when it can't be attached to a stud at all mount points?
I have a TV wall panel that can only reach two studs. I was wondering if it's fine to screw the left side and the center on studs, and have the right side anchored in the drywall.
My TV is 30lbs with ...
3
votes
1answer
50 views
Can I use epoxy putty to patch metal?
The outer "frame" of my fireplace is comprised of a thin, sheet-metal-like material that is separating at the seams in some places. Ants are finding their way up from beneath the fireplace and making ...
0
votes
0answers
17 views
Am I allowed to ask interior decorating questions on this site? [migrated]
Am I allowed to ask interior decorating questions on this site? Or is there a sub site that deals only with decorating?
-1
votes
0answers
40 views
I need a lightweight, strong & not fully opaque material to put around a lamp [closed]
I have a very unusual project. I will make a lamp, but it must be VERY VERY lightweight.
The project has a LEDs core that I must cover and protect. Until now nothing difficult.
I'm thinking of thin ...
2
votes
2answers
76 views
Can I run a single 12 guage wire outside of 12-2 to provide power to a fan?
I have regular 12-2 wire going to a bathroom fan. Tell me about code issues with just running an extra 12 gauge shielded wire up to the fan so I can do the fan and light separate. Any restrictions, ...
0
votes
1answer
46 views
How do you wire a light fixture with only black and white wires?
How do you wire a light fixture if from a light fixture that was already there and I have a white wire with smaller wires inside to use to install. The 2 wires are black, and one white wire. Why isn't ...
0
votes
0answers
35 views
What are the essential yardworker's tools? [closed]
We already have this list: What are the tools that every Do-it-Yourselfer must own?, which is great list of tools you will need at some point in and around your home, but it seems light on some of the ...
2
votes
1answer
55 views
How do we replace an old 3-wire thermostat with a 4-wire one?
How do we replace an old 3 wire thermostat with a 4 wire one? We have an AC/heating unit, but the wiring for the thermostat does not have a yellow wire.
What can we do?
3
votes
2answers
94 views
Can I apply caulk over caulk?
I just had my shower re-tiled and the contractor used a cream colored sanded caulk instead of standard white silicone (without asking me).
I want it to be white but he refuses to come back. Can I ...
1
vote
3answers
72 views
Is it possible to install a 1/2" collet on my palm router?
I initially bought a router (this router) for some door hinge mortising. Now I need to route a few 1"x1" channels in some MDF. The 1" x 1 1/4" bit I need has a 1/2" shaft, but the collet on my ...
2
votes
1answer
24 views
Will closing the ventilation windows in my garage cause problems for my water heater?
I have a room directly above my garage and it's usually 10+ degrees difference in temperature compared to the rest of the house. I'm planning on insulating the door and the garage ceiling with rigid ...
1
vote
1answer
41 views
Can I draw power from nearby recessed lighting for pendant lights?
I want to add two pendant lights above my island where I have a bunch of recessed lighting. Can I draw power from them in order to power the chandeliers?
I'm considering an Insteon solution in order ...
1
vote
1answer
68 views
What size gas line do I need to run to my garage
I am looking to run about 50 feet of black steel gas line through a basement room, underground and out to my garage for a radiant heater. I'd like to put an underground junction in it so that I can ...
-1
votes
1answer
66 views
How are electricity cables taken up on the roofs of tho high apartment buildings? [closed]
Not sure this is the site to ask this question, but here it goes anyway:
The other day I saw an electricity cable hanging in an unusually wide curve. That got my attention and I looked out of the ...
0
votes
1answer
44 views
Why won't my ice maker shut off?
My ice maker won't shut off and leaks all over the freezer. This is seriously maddening since I then have to unplug my refrigerator every week for a 24 hour period to defrost the ice on the bottom of ...
1
vote
2answers
65 views
Can I accelerate caulk drying by using a fan or heater on it?
From what I've found online, caulking takes 24-48 hours to dry. For my purposes, I need to apply caulking to my kitchen sink.
However, I am in a time crunch, so I would like to know how caulking ...
4
votes
2answers
50 views
Is a sealant needed in addition to caulking?
I've read on some forums (not here) that on top of the caulking areas exposed to water (in this case, my kitchen sink), a sealant should be applied.
Is this standard procedure? If so, are there ...
5
votes
2answers
95 views
What is the appropriate type of caulking around a kitchen sink?
The caulking around my sink has worn/rotted away and I've removed it properly, but I've been looking into what I kind of caulking to use, and there seem to be many different types, so I'm a bit unsure ...
3
votes
2answers
66 views
What tool should I use for carving deep shapes in a desk top?
I am starting a DIY project to create a standing desk. Part of this project involves installing some electronics in the wooden desktop itself. I need to make the following cuts / carvings and am ...
2
votes
1answer
80 views
How can I calculate the yield strength of steel tube?
There's a lot of information -- and even some debates -- on which has a stronger yield strength between square and round steel tube. The majority points to square when the dimensions are equal at the ...
0
votes
1answer
40 views
Why do the rotating brushes on my Hoover vacuum only work when it's in the upright position?
I have the blue Hoover pet cyclonic vacuum. It worked fine for a few months, but now when I push the foot lever to lower the handle when I vacuum, the brushes stop spinning on any carpet level ...
0
votes
1answer
47 views
Why does my ceiling fan pop and sizzle at one speed setting but works fine at another?
My ceiling fan that has been installed for 11 years will pop 1 time when I turn it on. Yesterday it popped when I turned it on then a few minutes later it started to make a sizzling noise followed by ...
3
votes
1answer
73 views
Can I control a bathroom extractor fan independently from the light?
My bathroom extractor timer fan works fine except that I have to have the lights on when it is in use. I have 2 windows in the bathroom and feel it is a waste of energy to have the lights on in order ...
5
votes
3answers
125 views
How can I brace a bathtub faucet without tearing out the tile wall?
I pulled the trim off of my bathtub faucet to grease a sticky cartridge and I saw that the plastic brackets that were used to secure the pipes to the studs were broken. My shower is tile, so I don't ...
2
votes
1answer
59 views
What size gravel works best for a driveway?
What is the best type of gravel for a driveway. Is it the larger sized so it does not get stuck in tires, if so what is that called.
5
votes
1answer
215 views
How do I determine if a wall is load bearing?
I'm considering removing a wall in my master bathroom but I can't tell if it is a load bearing wall or not. I've done a fair amount of research. I don't have the house blueprints, and it's difficult ...
3
votes
3answers
153 views
How do I fill a recurring sinkhole in the rainforest of Hawai'i?
Aloha!
My 12x20' outdoor bedroom has a sinkhole below it. The land is lava rock and here, the lava rock was bulldozed, so it was all broken up and indeed, there are lava tubes around these parts. The ...
0
votes
0answers
13 views
What type of lawn damage is this, and what to I do about it? [migrated]
I would like to give my front lawn a little TLC this year.
I don’t really know a lot about lawn care, (other than mowing it) so I am looking for some general advice. Does this look like a seeding ...
0
votes
1answer
52 views
How effective is a heat pump for AC and a heat pump/furnace for heating in New England?
We currently have a central AC unit and oil furnace. The AC is broken and the furnace is old, so we are thinking of replacing both sometime in the next year.
We are considering replacing the AC with ...
0
votes
0answers
30 views
What type of pool cleaner should be used for a concrete pool?
What is the difference/advantages/disadvantage of pressure side vs. suction side pool cleaners, and which one to get for a concrete pool?
2
votes
1answer
72 views
Should I add landscape rock before or after installing a fence around a dog pen?
I am making a 20'x15' dog pen area. The L-shaped fence will be against the house on each end. This is new construction, so I'm waiting on final grade.
Should I install the fence, leaving a 5" gap ...
3
votes
3answers
127 views
How can I repair these rusty electrical connections?
When I turn on my air conditioner at the thermostat the vents kick on but nothing outside. Also the last time that it worked it took a few minutes to get going and was pretty loud. I checked the ...
3
votes
2answers
58 views
Can I add an occupancy sensor to a 3-way circuit?
If I replace one switch in a 3-way circuit with an occupancy switch, would this cause the occupancy switch to work in reverse (or not at all) if the regular switch was toggled?
If so, would the best ...
0
votes
1answer
61 views
How do I get the glass cover off of a shower light?
I have a recessed shower light in my shower with a burned out light bulb that needs to be changed. The glass cover screws into the metal flashing and is sealed with a cork gasket.
However, I ...
1
vote
1answer
49 views
How to know what color of paint was used on the walls?
We've recently moved into our new house and we don't know which color the previous owner used to paint the interior walls. We've been trying to get hold of the previous owner but since he was only the ...
4
votes
1answer
61 views
How would I ground an internal ethernet surge protector?
I have a Cat-6 cable running to an external PoE security camera that I'd like to have surge protected, but I'm unsure how to ground the protector. It has a prong coming off that I assume is the ground ...
2
votes
1answer
46 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 ...
3
votes
0answers
43 views
Why won't the fan run independently of the air conditioner?
I have central air and heat, with a Nest thermostat. My system has Y, G, R, C and W wires coming out of it:
which are wired into my Nest like so:
In between, there is a splice where the C wire is ...
-1
votes
0answers
16 views
Looking to purchase a motion sensor Model HD-9260 where do I find it I'm in Orlando, FL [closed]
Looking to purchase a motion sensor Model HD-9260 where do i find it, I'm in Orlando, FL
2
votes
3answers
91 views
Shall I undercut the drywall to let the baseboard cover the hardwood floor expansion gap?
I am going to replace my carpet with Engineered hardwood floor(the choice would be Kahrs floating installed floor). The problem I am facing is my baseboard is thin. It's not able to cover the ...
3
votes
1answer
65 views
Will spilling a little liquid (beer, say) on untreated plywood for very little time damage or warp it?
Okay, this one's a tad silly, but I really need to know:
If plywood sheets are being used as a temporary surface, and have roughly 20 ounces of a liquid spilled on them, can you assume that no damage ...
5
votes
3answers
97 views
What type of primer should be used on moisture resistant drywall?
What type of primer should I use my basement bathroom walls? New moisture resistant drywall has been installed, taped and sanded, and is now ready to be primed.
3
votes
2answers
61 views
Should I add a vapor barrier when re-siding?
I am removing the siding on my house in Montana, which was built in 1964. From inside out I have sheetrock, 4" studs with R-11 paper backed fiberglass insulation and gypsum board sheathing. I want ...
0
votes
1answer
86 views
How can I add a programmable timer to a circuit breaker so that I can force specific circuits on/off at specific times?
My father-in-law suffers from dementia. His doctor wants him to go to bed at 11 PM, but he often refuses and stays up way later than he should watching TV. We have him set up with a separate suite ...
4
votes
2answers
100 views
What is the maintenance schedule for a concrete driveway?
I have a concrete driveway that I'd like to keep looking good, and in good working order. What needs to be done to maintain the driveway, and how often should it be done?
-3
votes
1answer
115 views
What options are available for controlling electrical devices over WiFi? [closed]
I've been looking on how to control power outlets through wifi and I've only found Belkin's WeMo. Are there any alternatives?
-6
votes
1answer
41 views
What is difference between Home Appliance , Personal Appliance and White goods? [closed]
please provide the difference between Home Appliance , Personal Appliance and White goods ? there are other confusion with consumer electronics and electronics...please define!
1
vote
1answer
82 views
What kinds of wood are suitable for laser cutting?
I want to know what kind of wood material should be used for a 60W laser cutter?
I would want to cut and engrave woods for my project. Looking for effects like these
