All Questions
81,841
questions
222
votes
2
answers
64k
views
What is the purpose of these holes on my wire stripper?
I have been using this wire stripper for a while, but I have always wondered what was the purpose of those holes in the center and above LOOP, and those teeth on the handles.
- 3,146
139
votes
11
answers
113k
views
How to prevent heavy rainwater from jumping the gutter?
During heavy rain, the water collects from my second floor roof and runs onto the first floor roof as it should. The problem is that since all this water is now concentrated from the second floor ...
- 1,373
130
votes
21
answers
79k
views
Is there an easy way to measure the height of a tree?
I'm looking to get an antenna installed for Internet service that will need to clear some trees on my neighbor's property because it requires a clear line of sight to work.
I really don't trust my ...
- 4,632
115
votes
17
answers
137k
views
When should I not use WD-40?
Looks like WD-40 can be used for lubricating just about any metal parts.
Are there non-obvious cases where using WD-40 will be harmful to the stuff lubricated?
- 9,527
112
votes
7
answers
668k
views
How can I add a "C" wire to my thermostat?
So, the spiffy new wi-fi thermostats want power on the C wire from thermostat, but the old thermostat doesn't have a C wire at it. What's the easiest way to add the C wire/24 volt to the thermostat ...
- 6,391
97
votes
3
answers
35k
views
Why does my freezer get a little warmer every 14 hours?
I equipped my fridge-freezer (Bosch KGN 33X48/13, bought around 2013) with a self-made temperature monitoring system to warn me whenever the internal temperature of the freezer rises above a certain ...
- 863
93
votes
8
answers
632k
views
Should a washer go on nut side, or the bolt side?
Often I take something apart and when I go to reassemble it, I don't remember which side the washer was on. When there's only one washer, does it generally go on the nut side (pressed up against the ...
- 1,165
92
votes
18
answers
84k
views
How do I make a height adjustable desk?
Has anyone made their own height adjustable desk? I'm interested in making a computer desk that can easily be adjusted for either standing or sitting.
The lift mechanism could be electric or ...
- 1,019
85
votes
13
answers
95k
views
How to remove screws with stripped heads?
I have wood screws whose heads are stripped from trying to remove them with a drill. The drill (or screwdrivers) can't grip the heads anymore. What can i use to remove these screws easily?
- 1,005
85
votes
2
answers
41k
views
Why did my electrician put metal plates wherever the stud is drilled through?
My electrician put the metal plates pictured below wherever he drilled through a stud. My guess is that this strengthens the stud, because it was weakened by the holes he drilled.
Studs with metal ...
- 4,912
84
votes
15
answers
11k
views
Are solar panels cost-effective?
Environmental issues aside, I'd like to know whether solar panels are worth it from a monetary standpoint?
How long before payoff occurs?
Pros & Cons?
Is technology moving too fast, e.g. should I ...
- 951
81
votes
12
answers
68k
views
Is there a case where nails are better than screws, from an engineering/structural standpoint?
Is there a case where nails are better than screws, from a structural standpoint?
For instance: Say you used screws instead of nails on a backyard deck, when the design specifically called for nails. ...
- 1,475
75
votes
7
answers
516k
views
Understanding US Screw Sizes
I'm going to be building a workbench, so I've been 'screw shopping.' I need some explanation on the sizing of screws when they are advertised as (example) 6 x 3/4". I know that 3/4" is the length of ...
- 1,069
71
votes
10
answers
114k
views
How can I improve the water pressure in my shower?
I recently purchased my first home. It has two bathrooms and the water pressure in both is less than ideal. What are some steps I can take to increase the pressure?
- 1,135
70
votes
14
answers
39k
views
What should I consider regarding LAN wiring before building a house?
I am planning a small house (4 rooms, 2 floors, no basement, no attic, 120 sq.meters) and I want to run a lot of LAN cables throughout because of poor WiFi experiences in my apartment.
Because the ...
- 1,337
65
votes
11
answers
181k
views
If metal expands when heated, how does heating a bolt loosen it?
If you're having trouble removing a stuck bolt, common advice is to heat the bolt up. But if metal expands when heated, wouldn't heating up the bolt just make it harder to remove? How does heating ...
- 131k
63
votes
14
answers
568k
views
Should I set fence posts in dirt, gravel, crushed rock, or concrete?
I have received conflicting advice about how to set wooden fence posts.
Many web sites suggest setting them in a concrete cylinder.
Someone at the local hardware store had seen posts set in concrete ...
- 9,575
62
votes
7
answers
478k
views
Can Romex (NM-B) cable be run through conduit?
A few days ago I asked an electrician if I could run cable through conduit - he gave me a funny look and said "No, Romex is not allowed in conduit."
When I searched online, there seems to be ...
61
votes
11
answers
39k
views
Is there a trick to applying caulk using a caulk-gun?
Perhaps it is just me, but no matter how careful I try to be, any attempt to apply caulk or cement or anything with a caulking gun into a crack results in total mess.
The main problems that seem to ...
- 4,632
60
votes
11
answers
90k
views
When I turn down the dimmer switch on my lights, do I actually use less electricity?
My wife and I have several lights on dimmer switches throughout our home. We generally prefer the ambient lighting provided by dimmed lights. I am curious, though, if we are saving any electricity by ...
- 937
58
votes
14
answers
42k
views
How to avoid stripping screw heads?
In at least two different contexts now (installing shower handrails, installing gate on fence) I've found myself stripping the head of the screw beyond all use. I must be doing something wrong, so ...
- 1,207
55
votes
77
answers
48k
views
What are the tools that every Do-it-Yourselfer must own?
What are the tools that every DIY'er should have? This is a community wiki as there is no one right answer.
Instructions:
One item per answer (so they can be voted on - answers with multiple items ...
54
votes
1
answer
15k
views
Half my power out, but firing up an appliance turns it back on
Hoping for some much needed help.
The other day my lights flickered and half the power and outlets went out in my home. They have gone and off periodically since then, spontaneously shutting off at ...
- 549
54
votes
2
answers
59k
views
What is the purpose of this Y shaped bit?
I have bought a bits set and there is this bit:
It is a Y shaped bit, and there is a groove on the inside of the branches. The angle is approximatively 90˚ (a little more).
- 3,146
53
votes
5
answers
216k
views
How can I fix electrical outlets that don't "hold" plugs that are plugged in to them?
In short, most of the outlets in my house have one working receptacle and one that any cord plugged in will immediately slip out of. Some of my outlets don't have any working receptacles (I hope I'm ...
- 919
52
votes
5
answers
395k
views
When pre-drilling for screws, how do you determine the correct bit diameter?
Suppose I want to pre-drill for, say, a 5/16 screw. How do I determine the correct drill bit diameter?
- 623
52
votes
8
answers
179k
views
When would one use an impact driver versus a regular drill?
Or vice-versa. As best as I can tell, the impact driver is very good for most any type of screw going through wood. When would you use a drill (with screw bit) instead?
- 737
51
votes
10
answers
33k
views
Which way is up? (electric outlet)
My house has electric outlets in both orientations. Which one is correct? Should the ground hole be at the bottom or the top?
OR
- 1,322
50
votes
12
answers
25k
views
What are insulated screwdrivers for if you’re not supposed to work on a live circuit?
It’s not just that I’ve been told by some people to never work on a live circuit as an amateur (I know that electricians often do work on live circuits)... but the package itself containing the ...
- 711
49
votes
12
answers
10k
views
How can I remove a lemon from a toilet drain?
My little boy flushed a whole lemon down the toilet. It is stuck. What can I use to remove the lemon?
- 401
48
votes
10
answers
70k
views
Should old knob and tube wiring be replaced?
I have been doing some electrical work in my house and I noticed it has old knob and tube wiring that is still hot, should this be replaced as found or is it fine to just leave it? It seems really ...
- 131k
48
votes
10
answers
251k
views
Doors are sticky and noisy when opened?
For some reason, the doors in our house make a very loud "unsticking" sound when you open them.
It's almost as if the paint isn't cured, since the sound seems to come from the contact area around the ...
- 603
47
votes
9
answers
163k
views
When drywalling a room, should I do the ceiling before the walls?
Is there any value in installing drywall (plasterboard) on the ceiling before the walls or does it not matter?
- 916
46
votes
4
answers
45k
views
Are there ways to determine if a wall is load bearing?
Other than looking up blue prints, which many homeowners may not have, are there ways to determine if a wall is load bearing?
Methods I can think of might include:
Going up in the attic to check if ...
- 15.6k
46
votes
8
answers
143k
views
Should I use a subfloor for a finished basement's floor?
We are refinishing our basement and have not yet decided what to do for the floors. Part of the basement will be tile, and we are all set. However, the rec room side is going to be carpet. The ...
- 6,241
45
votes
7
answers
24k
views
How can I speed up my slow hot water?
Our water heater (gas) is located in the garage. It is 25 to 30 feet away from the closest faucet, which I'm guessing is the main reason it takes so long -- a minute or longer -- to get hot water ...
- 551
45
votes
7
answers
47k
views
Why are there so many different types of screws (phillps/flat/hex/star/etc)?
Newbie question.
Why is it that there's a bazillion different types of screws? Why can't we just always use one standard screw type? Are there advantages/disadvantages to the different types? Are ...
- 1,377
45
votes
8
answers
129k
views
How do I run wires for a wall-mount flatscreen TV?
Like a lot of you, we have several wall-mounted LCD HDTVs in the house. The TVs have two wires -- power and HDMI -- running down the wall to the power outlet and cable box.
I've historically been too ...
- 1,079
45
votes
10
answers
660k
views
How long should I wait before plugging in a new refrigerator?
Today I received my new refrigerator, and I've been told not to plug it in until a couple of hours have gone by. Some people told me a couple of hours was enough, but others have told me up to 12 ...
- 637
44
votes
7
answers
275k
views
Why does this receptacle have the ground tied to the neutral?
I was replacing some outlets in my house with tamper-resistant ones, and came across one where the white and ground were wired together, as seen in this picture. Why? Is that okay or appropriate ...
- 852
43
votes
8
answers
76k
views
How can I pull a wire through a pipe that has too many turns for fish tape?
I need to replace a sump pump, but have run into a problem. The route for the cord goes through a 2" pipe with two 90 degree bends, and fish tape is ineffective. The pipe appears poorly jointed as ...
- 10.7k
43
votes
7
answers
26k
views
How to reinforce a joist with plumbing running through it?
After removing the sub floor in my bathroom in order to extend the sewer pipe for the toilet (it's too close to the tank-side wall), I found that the floor joists have extremely large holes cut in ...
- 625
43
votes
8
answers
516k
views
Why Do 240V Circuits Not Require Neutral?
Someone told me that a 240V circuit does not require a neutral wire in the cable. Can anyone explain this phenomenon from the electricity perspective and generally explain why circuits do and do not ...
- 7,347
43
votes
3
answers
178k
views
What does "1 Gang", "2 Gang", and so forth mean when talking about electrical boxes?
What does a "1 Gang" mean when talking about electrical boxes?
Example: CARLON 1-Gang Metal Adjustable Electrical Box (Lowes.com)
- 737
43
votes
12
answers
306k
views
Is using 15 amp components on a 20 amp breaker against code?
I have noticed in a few different houses in Oklahoma that 20 amp breakers are used, but all of the outlets and switches only seem to be rated for 15 amps. This goes against everything I know to be ...
- 2,040
42
votes
10
answers
24k
views
Are gaps above and below framing members a concern?
I recently hired a framing crew to frame a new house. After it was done, I commissioned an independent review. The reviewer described some of the work as "shoddy," and pointed out a lot of gaps, ...
- 571
42
votes
12
answers
8k
views
Can I heat one room and cool another with an in-wall AC?
I work in a bakery. It gets warm in the summer, but not warm enough for bread to rise without extra heat. We have a 'proofer room' where the bread sits while the dough rises. The room is heated by two ...
42
votes
9
answers
670k
views
How can I paint over mold to prevent it from coming back again?
The source of the leak has been fixed, however the old mold keeps showing though the new paint.
- 6,189
42
votes
1
answer
203k
views
What are the guidelines for holes in joists?
I've been unable to find a good reference for the size/amount/location of holes I can drill through joists. This is mostly in order to pass cabling or pipes through the joist crosswise. Also, what ...
- 6,391
41
votes
11
answers
20k
views
Is there a way to unscrew a light bulb that has broken?
The recessed light in my bathroom broke while trying to unscrew it, and only the metal collar remains. What is the best way to get that remaining part out?
- 413