All Questions
10,371
questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
10
votes
1
answer
477
views
Can I use a *ground wire only* conduit for copper data cables?
Hypothetical question. I won't self-answer. The purpose is to inform potential answers on another person's question.
Suppose I have a shed with a 200A subpanel, with 3-wire feed that was installed ...
5
votes
2
answers
365
views
What should I do about these broken beams and broken floor joists?
My house was built in 65 and we bought it a few years ago. I've been slowly fixing things as I can, like the giant rats nest of electrical wiring strewn about the attic :). Now I want to get to these ...
4
votes
0
answers
140
views
What do we call this simple ragged-end cylindrical tool for making round holes in walls? It's a hand tool, to be hit by hammer
I came across the Russian word шлямбур (shlyambur), describing this kind of tool for making holes in brick/concrete walls, but I can't seem to find the correct English term. The entries in the ...
- 145
4
votes
1
answer
136
views
how to repair a concrete patio slab with crumbling edges
A brick-on-sand patio was added to the house back in the 1970s atop a poured concrete foundation that goes down 36", below frost-depth, per local code. A brick-veneer was adhered with mortar to ...
- 876
4
votes
1
answer
238
views
How to connect pvc to cast iron pipe that broke off right beneath concrete slab?
I was planning on adding a donut to the cast iron hub, but when I was removing the lead seal, the hub broke off entirely. Now I have a broken off 2 inch cast iron pipe right beneath the slab. How do I ...
- 41
4
votes
0
answers
64
views
blum 170 degree face frame hinge
My parents have some cabinets in their kitchen and the door suddenly stopped closing. It seems the bottom hinge is the issue. I tried adjusting it followingthis PDF but it still just won’t close. I’ve ...
- 141
4
votes
0
answers
152
views
How could my Schlage SecureKey lock reprogram itself?
I have an old Schlage SecureKey installation. (Yes, I know about Schlage having lost the lawsuit almost a decade ago.) I haven't had any problems with the lock.
Recently, a weird thing happened. ...
- 810
4
votes
0
answers
604
views
Is it possible to replace Mortise Door Lock With Sash Lock with a thumbturn deadbolt?
As a novice, I was wondering how I should find the correct replacement for a mortise lock. I wish to change it to one with a thumbturn deadbolt. This is what it currently looks like and measures:
...
- 143
4
votes
1
answer
614
views
How do I add a socket to a fused alarm spur?
I am in the UK.
I wish to install a socket (possibly a double) in the under stair area of my house. The main consumer unit is based here and also the alarm box. One option would be to get an ...
4
votes
1
answer
281
views
Is this basement footer going to cause issues?
I'm having an addition put on my house with a full basement. The contractor poured the footer and is getting ready to do the foundation walls. He marked the lines for the walls, and I couldn't help ...
- 171
3
votes
0
answers
25
views
Skirting boards over vinyl - seal with silicone?
Thinking of sealing under the skirting boards, as the flooring is waterproof.
I have laid 22 square metres of vinyl planks in an apartment; the sort that lock together as in the photo. Now I am ready ...
- 1,328
3
votes
0
answers
60
views
Plumbing Piece(?) Identification From Stop Valve Removal
Posted a question here to help me debug low water pressure to my kitchen faucet. Link to post here:
kitchen-faucet-low-water-pressure-cold-only
Basically, there was low water pressure only on the ...
- 41
3
votes
1
answer
61
views
Help deciphering rafter span table from International Residential Code
I'm wanting to have a better understanding of how to read the IRC rafter span table - Here's an article which shows a couple of tables which I am including here.
Now let's say I have a 12:12 roof - ...
- 131
3
votes
1
answer
49
views
How to prepare fresh new plaster on old walls for painting?
What is the best way of fixing minor blemishes in new plaster before painting interior walls? In particular, should I sort them before or after mist coating?
Background:
I bought a 1930s house in the ...
- 133
3
votes
0
answers
175
views
What kind of wiring is this?
Single conductor in a very rigid rubbery or tar like jacket. Almost like a knob and tube with an outer jacket that is like a continuous tube. This stuff is long-ago decommissioned but I'm just ...
- 19.1k
3
votes
1
answer
76
views
Shower drain leaking from the ground
So my grandpa ran into a plumbing issue today and I'm suspicious it's pretty bad. He's the kind of guy that just want to ghetto rig everything.
I'm a plumbers apprentice so I said all this crap isn't ...
- 39
3
votes
2
answers
138
views
Do I need to add Mapei Mapelastic AquaDefence over the plywood or over the hardiebacker?
Do I need to add Mapei Mapelastic AquaDefence over the plywood or over the hardiebacker or none?
I’m installing the flooring tiles in the laundry room. I am going to have hardiebacker screwed to ...
- 31
3
votes
0
answers
79
views
Can I use a recessed subpanel in the wall between house and attached garage?
I am planning to install a subpanel in my attached garage, with most likely a 70A feed from the main panel. Can the subpanel be the recessed type that fits in the wall cavity between 2 studs, in the ...
- 31
3
votes
0
answers
297
views
Two by fours embedded in basement concrete slab used for framing... including a load bearing wall. Should I be concerned?
So there's some long ass backstory - sorry for the wall of text! I figured better too much detail than too little tho.
We recently bought a house in Vancouver, WA (climate zone 8b), a custom job ...
- 131
3
votes
0
answers
106
views
What should I know before upgrading this electrical switchboard?
I have this very old switchboard, I want to upgrade it to prepare for the following changes:
Install of a home battery system
Ensure that I can install an induction cooktop in the kitchen
As you ...
- 227
3
votes
0
answers
168
views
Drilling holes in crawl space block foundation
I did a crawl space encapsulation myself. I used foundation pins to secure the vapor barrier to the walls every 16". Unfortunately, my walls were so wet I couldn't use a butyl tape like the ...
- 233
3
votes
0
answers
94
views
Gas pipe behind gutter, causing water damage on facia
During a room addition long ago, gas line was rerouted to travel through addition, then along facia toward furnace. Because it travels behind gutter, water rides behind the gutter in some spots along ...
- 175
3
votes
0
answers
163
views
Replacing my Honeywell thermostat with a Nest heatlink in the UK
Can someone help with this.
Trying to pick the C wire and the NO wire from here.
Please note I am in the UK
- 31
3
votes
0
answers
133
views
How to fix a French drain
We have an interior French drain around the complete perimeter of our basement and has been working fine for 18 years until December 2020. I should note the company that put it in is no longer in ...
- 31
3
votes
0
answers
71
views
Why does the funnel on my boiler clog and leak?
I apologize if I don't use the right terminology, please correct me.
I have this boiler system called Grohe Red. Here is the manual.
The problem I have is that every now and then the "funnel"...
- 131
3
votes
1
answer
626
views
How to add a washing machine drain to an existing cleanout in basement
I have the current setup in the basement, as shown in the photos below. I would like to see if any wisdom can be shared here to add a proper drain for the washer, i.e., a 18" standpipe with a p-...
- 31
3
votes
0
answers
83
views
Identifying Vent in Unfinished Basement & General Bathroom Layout
I am looking to finish my basement and wanted to get validation on my vent tie-in locations.
I believe I have correctly identified it in the photo (top right of photo).
I believe the builders have it ...
- 71
3
votes
2
answers
885
views
Water damage or bad patch job on the ceiling directly under the shower stall of master bath?
We moved in 2 years ago into a new build. Just today I’ve noticed this discoloration on the ceiling. Directly above it is the master bath shower stall.
My husband thinks this is a bad patch work. I’m ...
- 39
3
votes
1
answer
358
views
Does my new bathroom plumbing need a cleanout?
I am working on new plumbing for an addition we just built. Does anyone see any issues? Do I need a clean-out at the end of the run?
I plan on using a 3" elbow in lieu of a combo to keep ...
- 31
3
votes
0
answers
83
views
Generator Connection
I picked up a used 10kva (45a) Generac unit and want to get it connected thru the transfer switch. Just looking for some feedback on how to get it connected. I was going to use 1" schedule 40 ...
- 201
3
votes
0
answers
384
views
Basement bathtub drain is roughed in close to the wall
I am the second owner of my home. The original owner had the contractors rough in a bathroom (no copper or anything) in the basement but it was never completed. I am in the process of finishing the ...
- 151
3
votes
0
answers
433
views
How is an air handler's fan controlled if its control board doesn't have a G terminal?
Background
I have a 2-stage cooling heat pump unit from Bryant, installed ~2006 (central Florida):
Condenser model 698BNX048-B
Handler model FE4ANB006
Shortly after moving in ~5 years ago, our evap ...
- 31
3
votes
0
answers
93
views
3 Wire SE Feeder 4 Wire Appliance
I have a 50 amp circuit wired with 6 Gauge AA-8000 Aluminum SE wire from the panel that goes to my oven/microwave combo, and then continues on to my cooktop. Both the oven/microwave combo as well as ...
- 31
3
votes
0
answers
461
views
USA: What is a code compliant method of running 12/2 through wood ledger board and into outside junction box?
I need to run one circuit of 12/2 from the basement (ranch house) up to the attic and then outside via the ledger board of the roof over my deck. Should I screw a short nipple into the back of the ...
- 482
3
votes
0
answers
60
views
Order of operations for getting electrical service turned on in Philadelphia
Let me start by saying I appreciate any information. Hopefully, Philly is not all that different from anywhere else, but Ideally Philadelphia specific info would be preferred.
I'm remodeling a ...
- 1,164
3
votes
0
answers
254
views
Replace dated light fixture mounted to metal stem in ceiling medallion
I recently took down an old chandelier that I found was screwed into the metal stem. Stem is hanging about 2.5" below the hole of the medallion, and the threaded nipple at the end of it is 0.5&...
- 31
3
votes
0
answers
324
views
Can someone assess my original thermostat's wiring setup?
This is a new world for me, I haven't messed with circuits since physics 101. When I watched a quick youtube tutorial on setting up my Nest E, I thought it'd be a simple "move wire in old C, to new C ...
- 31
3
votes
0
answers
82
views
How to make switched outlet always hot but keep ceiling lights switched?
I have a switched outlet in new home right behind the only logical loca for my tv/ entertainment center. It’s connected to a single light switch by front door that controls the living room recessed ...
- 31
3
votes
0
answers
747
views
Bending radius for NM cable through stud
From what I understand from the NEC, bending radius for an NM cable must be at least 5x the diameter of the cable bundle (“romex”).
But how do you calculate this in a real life scenario. Is the ...
- 399
3
votes
0
answers
821
views
Switch-controlled outlet is always hot
I did NOT change any outlets, just the single pole switch that controlled the top plug of the outlets, and a 3 way switch in the same box that had no control over the outlets.
I have a single pole ...
- 31
3
votes
0
answers
176
views
How do I manage grounding when installing a metal extension on a plastic box?
I've been repairing an outlet that's not supposed to be recessed, but is, so I purchased a box extension from the local hardware store. When I tried to put it in, I realized it interferes with the ...
- 151
3
votes
0
answers
90
views
Need help on error code for a solar power inverter
I have a solar array with 2 Sunpower/Sunnyboy inverters model SPR-6000m. One of the inverters has an error that from the manual (see pic) is "Inverter Interference". The indicator lights that blink ...
- 15.7k
3
votes
0
answers
147
views
How to remove a mid-run outdoor outlet
I had a fountain in the middle of my yard. The fountain is now gone but my GFCI Outdoor box is still there and is in a mid-run, as I have another outlet against my far fence. The electrical is buried ...
- 31
3
votes
0
answers
146
views
What is this noise from next door?
There’s a strange mechanical whirr coming from the building next door. It buzzes every four minutes.
Listen here: https://clyp.it/3qwn1qhc
We keep the windows open in our bedroom during the winter ...
- 31
3
votes
0
answers
280
views
Low Voltage wiring and Rough-In Inspection
Does anyone have experience, guidance, tips on what is required for LV wiring at rough-in inspection?
I have run a number of speaker wires, coax, ethernet (CL2/CL3) but they do not all terminate in a ...
- 49
3
votes
0
answers
648
views
Fried switches, light fixtures, or wire?
In an attempt to fix a wiring problem from five years ago, I made a huge error. Here's the scenario:
Box 1: Has switch #1 in a four-way set up (it's a 3-way switch) and is where the power comes in. ...
3
votes
0
answers
282
views
Changing bulb in bathroom light fitting
I've tried looking for guides, but I haven't seen any other lights like mine
It seems like there is a cover over the bulb but I haven't been able to remove it and even if I could I don't think the ...
- 33
3
votes
0
answers
2k
views
Water Heater not getting 240v?
My water heater stopped working a few days ago and I've been trouble shooting it ever since.
I found water in the connection receptacle. the leak from the the Air Conditioning unit above it has been ...
- 41
3
votes
0
answers
84
views
Breaker trips when both switches on circuit are on
I've got a ceiling fan/light wired to a double switch (like this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-15-Amp-Combination-Double-Switch-White-R62-05224-2WS/202027008)
The source is at the switch and ...
- 131
3
votes
0
answers
901
views
Was my home's dormer flashing installed incorrectly?
I've lived in this home for two years now. Roof is probably at least 10-15 years old, perhaps 20 years.
We started noticing some water stains on the ceiling soon after moving in. On a closer look, it ...
- 133