All Questions
79,983
questions
0
votes
4
answers
85
views
Latex paint rolling - how to keep a "wet edge" and avoid streaks, smudges, laps?
I'm painting two rooms with a latex paint, over previous paint. First time painter, but lots of DIY experience. For the life of me, I can't possibly keep a "wet edge" as all tutorials ...
- 13.3k
0
votes
1
answer
73
views
Why are house frames sheathed on the exterior side? [closed]
When houses are constructed of a lightweight frame involving plywood or OSB sheathing, why are these sheets always attached on the outer side (instead of the inner side) of the exterior wall studs?
...
- 101
0
votes
0
answers
3
views
Adding laminate to concrete slab, am I planning this right?
Looking to put in Laminate flooring and seeing if my plan is ok or if it needs some correction.
Background
This is a half basement on grade, with about 4 feet underground on one side and walk out ...
- 101
2
votes
4
answers
8k
views
How to hang a mosquito net from a ceiling without causing damage?
We have one of those hoop-style mosquito net that hangs off a single hook. When we first put it up, we hung the net with a small brass hook--the kind that you just screw into the ceiling with no wall ...
- 80.8k
2
votes
2
answers
226
views
How can I unclog a sink when the drain cannot be removed?
The issue with my sink is that the drain cannot be removed, so I'm not sure how I can insert the drain snake to unclog it.
I've included a picture of the drain.
How can I unclog this sink when the ...
- 319
0
votes
0
answers
10
views
Installing front Door
I’m in Cleveland and are renovating 100 year old building. It has a retail shop on the street level and apartment above with commercial kitchen in the back of the building.
I’m replacing the front ...
1
vote
1
answer
36
views
Need help adding a new switch to 3 way switch
I would like to add a single pole switch to a separate light fixture. I want to add the new switch to what would be the first switch in the picture I attached. This switch has the power source coming ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
2
answers
45
views
Clear tile adhesive for shower? Alternative for thinset?
I'm building a custom shower wall and want to put LED lights behind some of the clear/glass tiles but obviously thinset isn't clear so it'll cover the light or at a minimum part of it. Only like 1/...
- 448
1
vote
0
answers
54
views
What is this blue tape or something that came out of the Faucet? [closed]
I was getting water coming from shower & faucet so I removed bath faucet(its the common type with the pull up diverter) to see if a cleaning would do the trick or if it needed replacement.
I found ...
- 13.3k
0
votes
0
answers
22
views
What Kind of Ant is this?
Trying to identify what kind of ants we have in our home in Quebec Canada. Help! I think they may be carpenter ants?
Photos: https://imgur.com/a/mX8BvWI
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
15
views
How to make a concealed outward opening door with moving side panels?
I need advice regarding the mechanical possibilities on how to make a concealed door.
I would like to make an outward opening door in a wall, the wall is 44 cm thick, the doorway is 175 x 73.5 ( no ...
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
71
views
Concerns with new deck structure
We had a new deck built by contractors, and have a few concerns on what I might need to fix, or have them come back to repair:
Looks like a mistake/mismeasurement here, but is it alright to lean a ...
- 448
0
votes
1
answer
27
views
I want to open up my kitchen by taking down a load bearing brick wall
The clear span would be 22ft plus what would have to sit on posts. I want a steel beem preferably because it would be exposed under the trusses. My question is what type I would need and what load ...
- 1,450
1
vote
1
answer
26
views
What is the purpose of this indoor crawlspace grate/vent?
This crawlspace floor grate/vent is located in the furnace/water heater closet of my rambler house outside of Seattle, WA, built ~1959. The closet is covered by two bifold doors, so not airtight, ...
- 5,225
7
votes
5
answers
1k
views
What is the point of this double-ended spanner?
QUESTION: Just, why ?
I was exploring a local swap meet and found this. For the life of me I cannot figure out why one would need an adjustable spanner at each end.
I mean it's ADJUSTABLE and having ...
- 144
0
votes
2
answers
103
views
New Kitchen: Best Backer for Backsplash?
I’m building a kitchen addition. The wall with the stove (not the sink) will have a big tile backsplash (8" porcelain hex), extending up the wall. I've installed a backsplash before, but it was ...
- 1
0
votes
2
answers
56
views
How can I reduce noise through bedroom walls?
Moved into a just remodeled house. Our daughter's bedroom hears all the noise from upstairs and adjoining walls including stairs to our room.
After looking at options including spray-foam insulation, ...
- 9,739
0
votes
1
answer
41
views
Upright freezer sliding on tiled floor
My upright freezer has 2 rollers/wheels at the back and 2 plastic screw legs at the front. I have a tiled floor and the suction of the door is too strong, the whole thing just slides forward when I ...
CommunityBot
- 1
1
vote
4
answers
87
views
What's the name of this tube insert for mounting tubes perpendicularly to a surface with hidden bolts? [closed]
I want to build a couple of cat scratch posts that can be mounted perpendicularly to a wall and used by cats as steps. I was thinking about using PVC or thick cardboard pipes/tubes, and how I could ...
- 18.4k
1
vote
2
answers
69
views
Using 15 amp smart switch requiring 14awg wires for lighting/fans on 20 amp circuit
I am hoping to install zooz smart switches, however the instructions state "14AWG wires only!", but I have a 20amp circuit which uses 12awg wire. Looking at the code regarding smart switches:...
- 3,653
0
votes
1
answer
21
views
Dimmable light forgets it's settings when turned off
I've bough these lamps: lamp 1, lamp 2
After turning the light off with the switch, not the remote control, my lamp forgets it's color, brightness settings. Plus it turns on with a random ...
- 25.6k
1
vote
0
answers
27
views
1
vote
1
answer
25
views
Replacing copper water line to refrigerator water/ice
The water line comes through the cabinet behind the refrigerator. It immediately has a connection to copper tubing. The copper tubing is excessive and is wound around in no certain way and ends up ...
- 34.4k
0
votes
1
answer
72
views
Ceiling fan wiring
I replaced a ceiling fan. The light and fan are controlled by a switch on the wall. I'm having difficulties connecting the wires coming from the switch to the wires in the ceiling fan and the main ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
23
views
How to drain sump pump discharge line?
My house has a sump pump, with a PVC discharge pipe shallow-buried for a long distance outside. Inside the basement near the sump pump, there is a 1-way valve, which keeps the discharge pipe full of ...
- 101
0
votes
0
answers
42
views
What could cause this noise coming from attic/walls?
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ZxwNdBOEiDA
Anybody ever had this problem before? Rhythmic tapping somewhere in the walls above the main bedroom.
Semi-detached house built this year I have extractor ...
- 40.6k
-1
votes
1
answer
31
views
Unsure of what siding to choose. Looking for advice [closed]
We are making our first big home improvement investment due to significant siding rot and I’m really struggling with which route to go. Information about bids:
Company 1: Alside Ascend siding. Rip and ...
- 2,897
0
votes
1
answer
62
views
90amps from main to subpanel - PVC Conduit through stud to main panel
Looking to confirm that I can run my 2-2-2-4 aluminum feeder cable (good for 90amps) from outside via LB elbow into the location shown below, and into more PVC conduit through the studs, and into the ...
- 448
0
votes
1
answer
43
views
Smell coming from the bottom of the wall
We just bought a house and they renovated some of it and installed laminate flooring.
I noticed a bad smell coming from a bottom corner of a room.
It is pretty hard to describe, I would say its mold ...
- 76.9k
2
votes
4
answers
727
views
How can circuits be prioritized depending on real time demand?
I have a 125a service that’s part of a multifamily setup. I have been told by a licensed electrician contractor that upgrading my service to 200a would likely require $10k+ due to also needing to ...
0
votes
2
answers
273
views
Drywall thin crack above door repair
I want to repair this thin line crack above my "laundry closet" door. I was just going to mix some mud, but I wasn't sure if I need to break this line in, use tape, etc. I've only ever tried ...
CommunityBot
- 1
5
votes
0
answers
99
views
What’s this hole near my foundation and can I fill it in?
Recently uncovered this large (~1x1x12 foot) hole next to the foundation of my 1960s house in Minnesota. There’s framing that goes all the way down but nothing else seems to be in there. What is this?...
2
votes
3
answers
701
views
Can I connect 14/2 gauge wire to 12 gauge wire in this case?
I have 12 gauge wires on a 20 amp breaker, and there are 3 power outlets in this circuit.
Can I create an extended outlet (just for a WIFI router about 50w) using 14/2 gauge wire on that 12 gauge ...
- 16.1k
0
votes
1
answer
60
views
How do I properly connect 2 200amp breaker panels to a 320amp meter base?
I am replacing all of the electrical in my house and am upgrading from a 200amp service to a 320amp service. We are in an unicorporated area of the county so there will not be an inspection but I ...
0
votes
0
answers
24
views
How to fix the bubbling and discoloration here on cement walls?
we have some paint on cement blocks in the basement, with some staining and a little bubbling in some areas. The black stains I can just paint and it will look better I’m sure but what about the areas ...
0
votes
1
answer
48
views
Should I select a drawer slide slightly shorter or slightly longer than the drawer?
If my drawer is 17.25" inches deep, but the space is 18" deep, would I be better using an 18" or 16" bottom mount soft closing slide? The reason the drawer is 17.25" is ...
- 126k
0
votes
0
answers
19
views
Hunter fan/light remote in parallel with wall switch
I have a Hunter Dempsey fan/light with remote controller connected to a wall switch via 3-wire cable (black, white, and bare copper). I assume that installing it the way manual tells me to ((ceiling) ...
3
votes
2
answers
204
views
How to remove one piece of a pelmet
I need to remove the side portion of a pelmet above a kitchen cupboard.
The problem is that I cannot find how it is secured. It is fixed solidly, I cannot move it with moderate hand pressure.
The ...
- 126k
6
votes
4
answers
3k
views
How can I open these "holes" on the bottom/side of an outdoor GFCI enclosure?
I would like to plug in my outside nest camera to the outside GFCI circuit.
It is a weatherproof outlet but I can't get the flaps/holes on the bottom or side to open.
How to do that?
Here is a picture:...
- 173
0
votes
0
answers
40
views
Air conditioner outside unit / condenser does not come on when thermostat calls intermittently / usually works after switching break/pulling fuse
A few times over the past two weeks, my central AC unit would stop producing cool air. The inside fan (furnace blower?) would be working, but since the fan on the outside condenser was not running it ...
1
vote
2
answers
109
views
Protecting against trapped water between guardrail post and surrounding wood
I have attached deck guardrail posts in a way shown on page 3 of Simpson Strong Tie's T-C-GRDRLPST22 bulletin.
There are couple of places where water could be trapped:
Between double blocking or ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
55
views
How do I remove this wall mount faucet nut?
I have no problems pulling the single handle two-hole Moen wall mount faucet out, but this part is left behind. I can not for the life of me figure out how to remove it. It spins freely in both ...
- 40.6k
1
vote
3
answers
89
views
How am I meant to split the hot water tap so it can be used in two appliances?
I want to run a dishwasher and washing machine off of this hot water tap. However, the only valves I can find are Garden Hose Thread, not NPT, which would imply it wouldn't be compatitable.
https://...
- 31.9k
-1
votes
3
answers
117
views
General Purpose Smart Lock -- how to approach the need to turn this deadbolt?
I can't take apart this door or handle or lock mechanism. (I rent this apartment long term.)
How do I approach adding a smart lock to a door handle like this? The need is to go over this deadbolt knob ...
- 25.6k
1
vote
2
answers
36
views
How do I vapor seal around a fireplace exhaust?
I have a fireplace exhaust going through an exterior wall. It is a double-wall one for a freestanding propane fireplace, with the supply air coming in the outer chamber. The wall has rockwool ...
- 25.6k
5
votes
2
answers
3k
views
How can a "class 320" service legaly/safely supply two 200 amp panels?
I have a "class 320" service with a single 320A meter that feeds two 200A main panels in parallel.
USA, Evergy (formerly KCPL), Built 2014
How can a 320A service safely supply 400A of downstream ...
- 191k
0
votes
2
answers
63
views
How to make a bathroom mirror antifog
I have a bathroom wall mounted mirror ( approx 20 inch x 15 inch) I use for shaving that tends to fog up completely after I shower due to the steam.
Do all mirrors fog up? Are there solutions to this ...
- 1,475
0
votes
0
answers
35
views
Ceiling Fan Light dim when off
I did see this question asked but the answer did not pertain to me.
0
I have a ceiling fan with a light. I have a switch for the fan and a separate switch for the light. When I have the fan on and the ...
- 1
1
vote
3
answers
369
views
How can I loosen a faucet cartridge nut with shallow flats?
My faucet nut has very little edge to work with. Please help (see picture for clarification). The nut size is slightly smaller than 1 inch. My 1 inch socket couldn't loosen it.
- 40.6k
0
votes
1
answer
61
views
How would you install a DIY kick plate for this dishwasher gap?
Just had this dishwasher installed recently, and need to figure out what to do with the gap below it. Is it as simple as laying down two white pieces of wood (one longer one across and a tiny piece on ...
- 2,242