Questions tagged [kitchens]
Questions related to the construction, modification, maintenance, repair of the many functional systems included in a kitchen. Systems include: plumbing, electrical,lighting, major appliances, surfaces (wall, floor).
1,422
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Microwave door interlock switch keeps failing
I have a 1000W GE "over the range" microwave (model JVM3160RF) that is now about 3 years old. Earlier this year, one of the interlock micro-switches failed (would not depress) which caused the ...
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How much ventilation space does a refrigerator need?
The person who built our refrigerator cabinet box only left 1" for ventilation at the top of the refrigerator. Is this enough space for proper ventilation? There is a 1" gap on either side, and a 4" ...
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What is the minimum distance wiring must be behind a tile backsplash?
I have a log home and would like to correct the kitchen counter-top receptacles. I have discovered the following problems that necessitate rewiring the entire kitchen (new cabinets/countertops were ...
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How can I refresh the finish on my kitchen cabinets?
I am getting ready to put my house on the market and I would like to clean \ "restore" my kitchen cabinets. They are an oak cabinet that aren't painted, they are stained. I don't know exactly what ...
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How to stop fridge water line without stopping everything else?
So. My old fridge finally went and I will be getting a new one delivered. The company that I am buying the new fridge from is going to haul away my old one. I noticed that I don't have any type of "...
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How to run under-cabinet lights cables (18AWG) in walls so that the junction box is neither apparent under the cabinets, nor in the cabinets?
Context: I am remodeling my kitchen and currently working on wiring under-cabinet lights. In my research, I find that I need:
a power source, which can on one of the 2 counter receptacles circuits
a ...
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How are electrical circuits routed in a kitchen island or peninsula without a knee wall?
I am trying to refine and finalize the cabinet layout for my kitchen remodel project. One new run of cabinets will form an L-shaped peninsula, as shown here:
In similar layouts I've seen a knee wall ...
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What to do with a gap in the countertop next to kitchen sink?
I screwed up cutting the hole for the 25" drop in sink on my $160 countertop. It's just a little too wide. What are my options besides buying a larger 33 inch sink and being more careful next time?
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How can I convert my under cabinet lighting from halogen to LED?
Our kitchen has under-cabinet lighting that uses halogen 20 watt G8 socket bulbs. With 15 bulbs in the kitchen that is 300 watts. I'd prefer to replace them with 3 watt LED bulbs.
I've been ...
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What information do I need to give a general contractor to get a good quote?
I'm looking to do some major renovations:
removing an interior wall
removing popcorn ceilings
new kitchen (layout, appliances, counters, cabinets, etc)
new master bath
new flooring throughout
new ...
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How can I paint kitchen cabinet hinges?
We have old, ugly kitchen cabinet hinges. I've read conflicting opinions online as to whether spray painting them is a good idea. How would you do it if you were going to go for it?
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What to fill the cut in quartz counter top with?
My wife an I had a new quartz counter top installed in July. In autumn the seam between two pieces expanded and if there was a sealant between the two pieces to also separated. With further weather ...
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What do I need to connect a refrigerator water line?
I currently have a water valve behind my refrigerator, but it's not hooked up to our current refrigerator. I have no tubing coming out of the valve. We purchased a new refrigerator and want to hook ...
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Refastening a cabinet door
A cabinet door in my kitchen detached from the cabinet- the screws are about 1/2" long and weren't enough to hold the door in place. The screws are short to keep them from poking out the back side of ...
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Suggestions for a kitchen layout for my house? [closed]
We have just started to renovate our newly bought apartment. It is part of a very nice old building located in the center of Granada Spain.
The apartment is approx 120m2 and we are in the process of ...
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What is the best way to join toe kick boards?
We got out cabinets installed and the only thing missing are the toe kicks.
Sounds like something “simple” however, both of our runs are longer then a single toe kick board.
The board they provided is ...
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Washer and dryer in a recessed nook - how do I support a countertop above?
So I have a recessed nook about 64" wide and 30" deep (it fits my washer and dryer side by side, plus a 6" narrow cabinet pull-out). I'm planning to have a (probably quartz) countertop installed.
I ...
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Are butcher-block countertops appropriate for a very hot and humid climate?
I am thinking of ideas for furnishing a kitchen - my first home - and I am thinking of using a butcher-block top for my counter.
I have a few questions:
I live in Singapore where it is very hot and ...
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How can I conceal an over-the-range microwave?
We are in the process of remodelling our kitchen, and are going from an electric to gas stove. Because of this, we are going to need a vented range hood.
One thing that we are certain about is that ...
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Is there software or a web site that lets me upload a photo and visualize changes to a room?
I'm thinking of changing my kitchen and bath floor, countertops and backsplash. I don't have all day to create a 3-D model from scratch. Can I start with a photo and visualize changes?
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Can an outlet for a dishwasher be located below the floor?
I am not a handy person, so I had family members install a new dishwasher. When they finished, I noticed that this was how the electrical was installed. The dishwasher was plugged into a new outlet ...
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How to repair (or hide) chipped kitchen cabinets
Our tired old kitchen is getting a make-over!
Is there a method to repair damaged laminate-chipboard cabinet doors? As you can see in the photo the base has chipped away and it is very flaky.
I'm ...
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How can I build pull-down shelving for kitchen appliances? [closed]
We have a relatively small kitchen and having appliances like the microwave on the benchtop takes up space all the time when they're not being used. What I'd like to do is build some pull-down shelves ...
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Why is water only coming through the handheld hose?
I have a hose at my kitchen sink, installed alongside the cold water faucet. Every once in awhile when I press the hose trigger, it becomes stuck and will not return to the off position automatically,...
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How can I remove faux brick from a kitchen wall?
My kitchen has these fake bricks placed over the drywall on the walls around the cabinets.
My question is, is there a way to remove just the bricks without completely tearing down the cabinets and ...
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Why does my kitchen faucet suddenly have too much water pressure?
I have a single lever Kohler kitchen faucet. The water comes out with so much pressure that if I am trying to rinse anything it makes water spray everywhere. The faucet has not always done this. Is ...
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KItchen backsplash tile cut too short and grout line too thick
I just had my back splash installed in my kitchen and the tiler cut one section a bit too short. The grout went up today and the area is thicker then any other areas and very noticeable especially ...
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Wiring requirement for small kitchen
I am in the process of renovating an older home where I require just two or three counter top receptacles. I discovered in the NEC that:
The countertop receptacle outlets in kitchens must be ...
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How to deal with a dishwasher height issue without tearing out cabinetry when installing flooring?
The house I purchased has nice new cabinetry and counter tops but cheap flooring. We plan to install 3/4" wood flooring (already purchased) but learned that installing the flooring would make it so ...
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Microbubbles on kitchen cabinet doors using HVLP sprayer, how to fix the issue?
We're trying to paint our kitchen cabinet doors white but keep getting a ton of microbubbles in the process.
We have primed the doors twice using B-I-N Shellac-Based White Interior Primer and Sealer ...
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Why does my kitchen sink not drain properly after I don't use it for a while?
I can't figure out why my kitchen sink drain keeps clogging. I've bought several bottles of Draino type stuff and they work for a day or two. But if I don't use my sink much in 2 or 3 days and then ...
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What tube should I use for a kitchen rail?
I am building a kitchen rail for hanging utensils and frypans along the wall and need some help choosing the right tube size for the job.
Because I'm renting the place I don't want to drill any holes,...
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What type of island hood do I need?
I have a 30 inch induction cooktop and a 15*20 inch electric grill on a peninsula. The peninsula separates the kitchen from the family room - no wall on that side.
We use the grill a lot for chicken, ...
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Need to push fridge back but don't want to squish water line
So I bought a new fridge that happens to be a little deeper than counter depth. After getting the fridge to our house, we realized that our cabinetry is designed for counter depth. We actually like ...
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How can I protect a wall from flames of a gas hob?
The flames of our gas hob scorches the wall behind it and the chipboard panel next to it. Is there any material I can affix to those sides to stop this potential fire hazard from happening?
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What material should be used behind a sink and range in the kitchen?
I am getting ready to demo my kitchen to the studs in a couple weeks.
I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for alternate materials to use other than "green" board (moisture resistant drywall) ...
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Does the conduit for a wall oven need to be pulled inside the cabinet?
I just had the convection motor replaced on my double electric oven. I had our handyman, a very good one, do the job. In order to do so, he had to pull the oven out of the cabinet. No problem there. ...
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What are ways to clean glass top ranges undergoing heavy use?
We are avid cooks and our cooktop witnesses almost daily use.
To that effect, does this picture of suggest permanent wear, or can it be cleaned? Either case, any way of cleaning or mitigating the ...
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What should I check for before turning on an OLD dish washer for the first time?
We recently purchased a house with a REALLY old dishwasher. The inspection report says that it "appears to be in working condition" but I'm paranoid of having a plumbing mess if we start using it. ...
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How can I remove the stopper from my sink?
As you can see in the picture, in my infinite wisdom, I managed to block the kitchen sink with the stopper by placing it upside down in the sink, now I can't take the stopper out... Oops. Any ...
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What is this mysterious odor from the kitchen sink and how do I fix it?
The kitchen sink in our home has recently been producing an odd aroma - depending on the day, it's a mix of boiled eggs, sulphur, brackish water, or old food.
What we have tried
garbage disposal ...
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Conduit in kitchens, pro's and cons
This question may sound dumb to those that live in an area requiring residential conduit, but I live in philly, where everybody tries to do as much as they can with NM-B. After wiring my second ...
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Is my p-trap too low?
We recently installed a new sink and because the drain is in a different spot decided to replace the plumbing. This is the preliminary set up. My question; is the distance from the bottom of my p-trap ...
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How do I fix a warped kitchen cabinet?
The side wall of the cabinet is slightly warped after I used the high temperature self-clean feature on the oven. This cabinet has three large drawers in it and now they won't close. The wall of the ...
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I am replacing my countertop and sink. How do I choose a new sink that fits my existing plumbing?
I am going to replace my countertop and sink, but the installer wants me to buy the sink first and then he will make the appropriate cut outs for it. Then I will need a plumber to install it.
How do ...
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New Kitchen extractor fan stopped working
Brand new kitchen extractor hood fitted last week. The lights still work, but the fan won’t turn on, so I assume not a fuse problem.
The extractor duct was about 5mm too large to fit in the top of the ...
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Why does it seem all new faucets are using braided hose instead of stainless steel?
I have been looking for a new kitchen faucet recently at all the box stores, and noticed that pretty much all pull-out/pull-down faucets are now using a black braided hose instead of a more rigid ...
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Who to call to fix electric oven?
My electric oven stopped heating. The range works fine. The digital controls work fine. The oven light works fine. But neither the element at the bottom of the oven nor the one at the top heat up at ...
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Why does my sink supply shutoff valve spray water when I close it?
I am trying to shutoff the hot and cold water to the sink to replace the faucet. But the moment I slightly turn the valve to close, the water sprays all around the valve. When I open it, the splash of ...
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Is it normal for the hood range blower to trap grease?
In the past 18 months, I've completely disassembled and degreased the range blower, which includes the motor itself. But after a few months of normal usage (it's just a home kitchen after all), grease ...
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