Questions relating to moving from one home to another. The destination does not have to be NEW, just new TO YOU.
2
votes
1answer
50 views
What are these nail strips above and below windows?
There’s a new condo being built in a nearby northern Californian city and I noticed sets of nail strips above and below each window opening, over the plywood but under the vapor wrap.
What is the ...
-1
votes
1answer
50 views
What kind of wire can you use in your home? [closed]
Can you use MC cable in a house?
I am wiring can lights. Also how many lines can go to a junction box?
I have a 125A box, what kind of wire would I need to run?
1
vote
1answer
70 views
In what order should I perform these renovation tasks?
I've just bought a new house and I want to do a couple of improvements, I'm just not sure in what order should they be done. I'm kind of new to this stuff.
What I plan to do:
Painting the walls only ...
0
votes
1answer
145 views
New house concrete slab foundation cracks
I am building a new house in North Texas, it has been 17 days since the foundation was poured, I live close to the construction site, so I've been going 2-4 times a week. Today I finally was able to ...
1
vote
1answer
66 views
Design up (2 story) or out
I am not a builder. I am looking at properties with garage/shop + apartment.
The two designs pictured are equivalent. From what I have seen most properties take the build out (left) approach.
To ...
2
votes
0answers
67 views
Water has been turned off for over a year [closed]
I'm looking at a house today that has had the water shut off for 2 years. Should I be concerned about this? What kind of damages could it have caused overtime, if any?
Thank you!
4
votes
2answers
129 views
What to be done about cut I-joists? Cut is in lower flange above load bearing point
I am a first time homebuyer in the due diligence phase with this house. We identified in the crawlspace that a few of the I-joists had been cut, looks like with a reciprocating saw, for unknown ...
0
votes
0answers
57 views
When can we put furniture in a new build house? [duplicate]
After the heat goes on, when can we put kitchen and furniture in.
We've been told so many different timeframes and it's hard to find any info via a Google search.
Our kitchen guy said heat needs to ...
1
vote
0answers
32 views
Kitchen Installation new build: How long after heat goes on?
In Short
Our kitchen suppliers have told us that the kitchen should only go in 6-8 weeks after the heat has been turned on in our new build. Their concern is how dry the house is, I assume the issue ...
0
votes
1answer
92 views
Is there a maximum allowed time for a house to be built?
I bought a house built in 2015, but after pulling the permits I find out it was started in 2008. There were stop work orders and failed virtually every inspection. It just scraped by in 2012 for ...
0
votes
1answer
59 views
New construction home, loose foundation anchor nuts
I am going around caulking behind the insulation due to drafts. Part of basement sits above ground, as house is built on slope. Many of the nuts on these foundation anchors are loose. I have been ...
0
votes
0answers
21 views
What considerations need to be taken when building a lakefront property?
I'm in the process of evaluating a lake-front lot in my city in hopes of building my next home there. The lot is on a small peninsula as seen on google maps here.
I briefly talked to a friend of mine ...
1
vote
1answer
293 views
How to set up home network w/ fiber from street & unterminated Cat5e in garage
I'm having gigabit Sonic Fiber installed soon in a newly purchased, remodeled house, and I need to figure out how best to configure my networking setup to distribute a wired (& wireless) ...
4
votes
3answers
141 views
How much wooded land should be cleared around a new home site?
I'm planning to build in a wooded lot, and want to leave as much woods as possible. What is the minimum buffer that is required or recommended to allow around the home's footprint, taking into account ...
0
votes
2answers
72 views
What the best way to do site planning on a large wooded lot?
I'm trying to layout the desired locations of buildings and fences on a new rural lot that's about 15 acres and heavily wooded. The plan is to have a section of woods cleared for the build sites (two ...
0
votes
2answers
106 views
How do mouse traps DETER mice?
My roommate is convinced that getting rid of crumbs on the counter will make the mice go away, and they won't be a problem anymore.
We did a thorough cleaning of the house and make sure every time ...
2
votes
4answers
116 views
Who is the right type of person to create construction drawings for a home I've already designed?
As the ultimate DIY project, I want to owner-build a home. I've already "designed" the house, meaning I have a 1/2" scale floor plan, roofing ridge line, and elevations for all interior and exterior ...
1
vote
0answers
95 views
How can I make the best tent house for my family? [closed]
I have edited my question as to not be too broad. Please reopen.
I want to build a house, but not just any house. A tent house.
The idea is that multiple (12+) large tents would come together ...
0
votes
2answers
144 views
Latch bolt not aligned on double doors
We bought our house new and since the house has settled a bit, the doors to our bathroom have become misaligned. Unfortunately, we're beyond our builder walk throughs so we need to fix it ourselves
...
1
vote
1answer
53 views
How to find what code is in my area for insulation in an unfinished basement?
I just purchased a house that was built and finished this year.
My house is backed up to a hill, and the foundation walls get shorter from the front of house (8 feet) to the back (a little over 2.5 ...
2
votes
1answer
162 views
Mystery constant, fast, and barely audible vibration in private home
I recently moved to the top floor of a three story home that is near an infrequently used express track (primarily on weekends during construction on the local line/once or so an hour). A train ...
0
votes
1answer
156 views
How do I wire my new dryer cord? [duplicate]
I have recently moved into a new home and discovered that my dryer plug does not fit into the outlet. I have a three pronged plug and need a four prong plug. how do i wire the new cord into my dryer?
2
votes
2answers
764 views
Is it within code to leave unused romex wire within a stud cavity for future use?
I'm installing pendant lights, instead of wall sconces, for a bathroom vanity in a new construction home. However, I'd like to be able to have the option of adding the wall sconces and remove the ...
0
votes
3answers
1k views
Which tools to use for changing locks?
I am new Home owner. I want to change locks and do it myself. I have never used a screwdriver set before and do not own one.
If anyone can recommend what tools I will need to change the locks.
...
1
vote
3answers
1k views
New floor up to new cabinets already installed or under? New construction home
I purchased a new construction home through a commercial builder. I will be closing on the house in a few weeks and opted to do the hardwood floor myself to save some money.
I did upgrade the ...
2
votes
1answer
155 views
what size ground wire should i buy?
I am trying to connect my house to the current meter pole that is 300 feet away I am going to buy 250kcmil for the load conductors. I know that I can save some money by buying a smaller size ground ...
0
votes
4answers
5k views
rotten egg smell in cold water only bathroom sink of new home
I live in a brand new home. Since we moved in (Nov 2015) there is a rotten egg smell in just one of the bathroom sinks and just from the cold water. It used to be now and then. Now it is 90% of the ...
2
votes
2answers
152 views
What can be used to prevent my windows from sliding down?
I have wooden windows in my home, they came with a pulley mechanism to hold them up once they are opened. However, some of the pulley's cord popped, so now when I lift the lower window open and let go ...
3
votes
7answers
7k views
Are patch panels essential to a home network closet?
I am completing my home remodel and have decided to wire CAT6 cables throughout the house with at least 2 sockets for the wall jacks in each room.
My subcontractor has already wired all of the rooms ...
0
votes
1answer
896 views
What are the best option to Rekey My New House?
I'm closing on my first house on Tuesday and I'm interested in seeing if rekeying my locks is worth the effort. I think my options are: new locks, rekey it myself, and get a locksmith to rekey it. Any ...
11
votes
2answers
3k views
Do ceiling joists need to rest on cross beams?
I am having a new home built by a national builder. They are framing now I see that ceiling joists in one area are not resting on a beam that divides two open rooms.
See the photo. The beam that runs ...
2
votes
1answer
99 views
Insulating the wall
I want to start building my house and wanted to ask for tips on how to do the insulation on the walls. I heard from people how they are doing and here is how it looks from above:
My questions are:
...
1
vote
3answers
2k views
What are these blue and yellow cables coming out of my house for?
I recently purchased a house built in 2007. All houses in the area have those cables on the side of the house. The white cable on the picture is for cable/tv. But what about the blue/yellow cables? ...
1
vote
2answers
1k views
Bathroom above the Garage
Is it advisable to build a bathroom above the garage? What kind of obstacles might we face if there is a bathroom above the garage in terms of piping, insulation, etc.?
1
vote
2answers
168 views
Prefab houses seem to cost more than you would suspect [closed]
I was reading the catalog of Blu Homes, a prefab housing company. They advertise their prices as being "20% lower" than comparable custom house prices. Their homes typically are abound $275 per square ...
2
votes
2answers
3k views
New Samsung Washer Smells
I am concerned because our new Samsung washing machine (front loading, stackable, stacked on the bottom) absolutely REEKS of chemicals; the closest I can think of is paint thinner. I expected a "new ...
2
votes
1answer
53 views
How can I determine the style, design, and manufacturer of this tile?
We are extending our kitchen and need to match the backsplash tiles that the previous owner put in. Can someone please give me some information about these tiles? Style/Design/Manufacturer?
1
vote
3answers
20k views
Electric panel distance from windows and/or gas service entry
I can't find anything specific anywhere else, but what is the minimum distance a main electrical panel can be from a window when the panel is mounted on the outside of the house?
Additionally, is ...
0
votes
1answer
821 views
Wall Mounting a tv, how much can my wall take?
I am looking to mount a 20lbs tv on my wall in a new condo. I am under the impression that the wall has been framed with 2x3 studs. I am unclear as to how much this could support. However, in an ...
0
votes
1answer
113 views
Termite leaving sand on wall
We have termites problem in our house. And its getting worse day by day. We keep cleaning the wall everyday but still the problem of this sand termite exist. Please if anyone know how to keep them ...
5
votes
3answers
12k views
Possible to refinish hardwood floor without messing with quarter-round baseboard?
I am evaluating a quote to refinish my hardwood floors and stairs.
The contractor mentioned that they would not be removing the quarter-round below the base board and it would require touch up after ...
2
votes
3answers
1k views
How to buy a land and build a cottage in the United States?
I plan to buy a small residential land (<1 acre) to build a vacation cottage there. Since I want to explore possibilities across different states, I am searching for possible options over the ...
1
vote
2answers
4k views
Risks of buying vacant lot for new home construction with existing but unused septic system?
My wife and I are considering purchasing a vacant lot for a new home construction. One of the main advertised selling points of the lot is that it has an unused septic system (tank, distribution box, ...
2
votes
1answer
2k views
Need help wiring switches with several wires
Background: This started out as a simple addition of a recessed light in a hallway. The beginning issue was that the wire to power it was live all the time. So I took apart the switches in "Box 1" ...
1
vote
2answers
16k views
Light fixture buzzing sound
Today I replaced our dining room's old 70s chandelier. When I opened it up I noticed pretty quick the rubber shielding on the lamps cords had been melting a bit towards the tips as it got all over my ...
0
votes
0answers
20 views
How to learn home improvement for young adults? [duplicate]
I am 22, living with my parents. I plan to buy a house in the next 4 or 5 years. I want to learn more about home improvement so I can renovate my future house easily. My dad does renovations, but I ...
20
votes
1answer
27k views
Are cracks in a newly poured concrete basement floor a problem?
I'm having a new home built and found a large crack in the newly poured concrete basement floor and wanted to see if it's something I should be concerned about. The floor was poured sometime in the ...
1
vote
2answers
139 views
Should I have any readily apparent concerns about the foundation and framing of this new build?
Should I have any readily apparent concerns about the foundation and framing of this new build in the Seattle, WA area? Is there any reason to get an inspection prior to building completion? I don't ...
1
vote
1answer
86 views
How can I find out if I can add a bedroom to my home without violating any rules/ordinances?
I think I heard somewhere when I bought my home that we weren't allowed to add any permanent (concrete foundation) fixtures on my property, such as a shed on a concrete foundation. Well, adding a ...
1
vote
1answer
609 views
What is the difference between a conservatory and an orangery?
I will shortly move into a new home in Abergavenny in Wales, which I have already asked my wife about extending. I am more curious at the moment, but the plan is to build the extension in the next ...
