All Questions
81,796
questions
24
votes
2
answers
6k
views
How can I get rid of ants in an environmently friendly way?
Is it enough to pour boiling water in their mount?
- 918
6
votes
5
answers
401
views
Good low cost tools for woodwork
I'm starting to get into some woodwork for building a desk for my home and I need to purchase some tools, but I'm not really sure of what to look for to determine if a tool is of good quality.
I don'...
- 163
17
votes
5
answers
1k
views
How can I have a pond but prevent mosquitos from nesting there?
I would like to have a small waterfall leading into a small pond in my garden. Due to the West Nile virus, it is essential here to prevent mosquitoes from nesting.
What can I do to prevent mosquitoes ...
- 918
1
vote
1
answer
512
views
Using a charcoal BBQ, how far should I be away from the house?
Are there any guidelines or rules anywhere?
- 918
7
votes
6
answers
15k
views
How often should the air filter in the furnace be changed?
Does the period of change of this air filter have an affect on the longevity of the heating and a/c system? What is a good rule of thumb to require replacement?
- 918
5
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Is there a cheap way to test for mold spores?
We had toxic mold during the wintertime, which has been removed, by replacing the affected Sheetrock. However, my wife has often still the same symptoms she had at the time. Getting a contractor with ...
- 918
6
votes
3
answers
35k
views
Is a gas water heater safe in a bedroom?
My existing water heater is electric and is likely to need replacing soon. The heater is in a converted garage that I use as a guest room.
As the house is piped for gas, I'm considering the purchase ...
- 163
6
votes
3
answers
5k
views
How wide should I make my game-room if I want to fit a "full-size" pool table in it?
I'm starting to look at finishing my basement, and am playing with a couple different layouts. I definitely want to put a pool table down there - and later sell the house with this being one of the ...
- 314
6
votes
4
answers
9k
views
Will running a dehumidifier near new concrete cause it to cure poorly?
I have a new house with high humidity in the basement. Will running a dehumidifier constantly cause the new concrete to cure poorly?
- 425
19
votes
8
answers
152k
views
What are the black spots on my bathroom ceiling? Are they mold?
My bathroom above my tub is getting some black spots on it that seems to be growing. I assume it's mold. I am wondering how should I deal with this? What should I expect it to cost?
- 303
1
vote
5
answers
3k
views
Electric Fireplace worth it [closed]
The wife is bent on getting an Electric heater for the living room. We opted not to purchase the gas fireplace when we built our home (through Ryan). She claims these things can cost up to $1000.
...
- 111
5
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Does a software-controlled central heating programmer and thermostat exist?
I have a central heating programmer in the airing cupboard (where the hot water tank is). It allows a couple of separate schedules for water and heating separately, and also for manual override when ...
- 315
6
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What should I keep in mind when altering the drainage around my basement?
My back yard has some wet spots near the corner of my house. Because of property lines, fences, and window wells for my basement, it's hard to dramatically change the surface drainage of the area. I'm ...
- 995
8
votes
6
answers
31k
views
How do I hang shelves on poor quality brick/concrete walls?
I'm trying to install some shelves in my apartment (brick/concrete) but when I drill holes the walls almost seem like they're made of sand. I'm not able to securely fix the screws (I'm using wall ...
- 297
7
votes
7
answers
6k
views
Should I apply car wax to the outside of my air conditioning unit?
Through different conversations with family members and friends, I have been told that it is good to apply a coat of car wax to the outside of the air conditioning unit frame. I assume that this is to ...
- 3,275
25
votes
1
answer
35k
views
Humidity Levels
What is a healthy and safe humidity level that I should try to keep my house at?
- 425
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
8
votes
1
answer
392
views
Are there wood sealers that are safe for fresh or saltwater marine use?
I have a wood dock over a lake. It is time to clean and seal the dock. I am planning on pressure washing the dock first, then I am planning to have a clear seal. Looking at products in Lowe's and ...
- 265
4
votes
2
answers
28k
views
What could cause a ground/soil smell on the first floor?
My house is on a slab (no basement, no crawl space) and every summer when it gets hot and humid i am getting a ground/soil smell in our living room. First i was blaming it on the absence of the ...
- 667
4
votes
7
answers
16k
views
Can a bathroom vanity be installed higher than 30 inches?
"Standard" bathroom vanities are 30", where as kitchen counter tops are typically 36".
For me (6' tall), the 30" vanity is rather low. Is there any reason to leave vanities that height, or can they ...
- 28.9k
22
votes
11
answers
112k
views
What is the proper way to install/paint baseboard?
I've installed some new baseboards, though I'm not really sure I have the right method down. Here's what I do:
Paint baseboard
Paint walls
Cut and install baseboard (using brad nailer and/or liquid ...
- 28.9k
12
votes
3
answers
147k
views
What can I use to hang a frameless mirror?
I'm looking to hang a mirror on the wall on my bathroom. It weighs about 20 or so lbs. There are no built in hooks on the back of the mirror? What should I use to hang this thing?
- 1,479
2
votes
2
answers
589
views
How to replace a bath tub
Our 30-year-old home as a 30-year-old yellow cast-iron tub that's gross.
What's the best way to go about swapping it out for a modern plastic or acryllic one? It's currently set into the wall by ...
- 774
3
votes
2
answers
799
views
Where can I find central heating system with radiators?
Coming from Europe, I am used to radiator heating systems and thinking about putting one into a fixer-upper house I intend to buy. Where can I find such a system in the North-American market?
- 918
5
votes
3
answers
351
views
New Concrete Patio Options
We would like to put in a new concrete patio. We are looking at a stamped concrete patio for durability and visual appeal. What other options are there? What are the pros and cons of the different ...
4
votes
1
answer
585
views
Crack spanning several tiles
I've got several tiles in my dining room that have a diagonal crack running across them. Since it's a pretty straight line across several tiles, I'm guessing it's a foundation issue. The room is at ...
- 15.6k
10
votes
4
answers
19k
views
Does decking board orientation really matter?
I've been told that decking boards should always be installed "bark side up" so that the boards crown (and shed water) as they age rather than cup (and collect water). But then I've also heard that ...
- 9,661
4
votes
5
answers
6k
views
How do I sand stamps off of lumber?
I just finished building a deck. The boards have stamps 1–2 ft from each end, and I could not bring my self to be as wasteful as to always cut them off. I tried to place the boards with the stamp ...
- 9,575
5
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Why are my deck boards of uneven width?
I bought 12-foot-long 5/4 x 6 in pressure-treated pine deck board from Home Depot. Not until I laid them down did I notice that the boards' width tapers significantly toward the ends of each board. ...
- 9,575
15
votes
4
answers
2k
views
What are the pros and cons of different types of windows?
I live in the North Eastern corner of US, and my house has 50 year old single-pane wooden windows. They held up not too bad, considering, but now I want to replace them all. Things that are important ...
- 361
6
votes
3
answers
12k
views
Wood for boarding a loft?
I want to board out my loft - just for easy storage of things like tools, boxes, old clothes, suitcases, small unused furtniture etc (i.e. nothing too heavy). I am wondering what kind of boards to buy ...
- 363
5
votes
1
answer
11k
views
two condensate drains?
we just had a new AC system installed in my florida house. the unit is in the garage, and the air handler is vertical with the evaporator on top.
the unit he removed had 2 condensate lines: one that ...
- 21.1k
10
votes
2
answers
9k
views
What is the practical difference between cement board and greenboard?
When installing tubs I've mostly used cementboard. I find it a bear to work with though.
A guy I know uses the water resistant greenboard; he claims that for home applications it is entirely ...
- 2,652
22
votes
4
answers
27k
views
What are the different types of drywall anchors, and what are the advantages of each?
I recently put up wire shelving in my pantry, and spent forever figuring out what type of drywall anchor I should use. I even found several types that I didn't even know existed. It might be good to ...
2
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Is basement smell caused by oil boiler?
Although dry and not moldy, my 130-year-old basement has a distinct basement smell that bothers my wife. I am trying to determine its source. We have steam heat. In the summer, the boiler is only ...
- 9,575
5
votes
5
answers
32k
views
Can I have multiple heating zones with a combination boiler?
I bought my first house in December and one thing I've noticed over the winter is higher than expected gas usage which I'd like to try and get down if at all possible. The house is a three bedroom (...
- 315
8
votes
7
answers
71k
views
What should I use for a sandbox bottom?
I'm building a sandbox for my three-year old. It will probably sit on the deck, so it needs some kind of bottom. Ideally, we should be able to move the sandbox around the deck. Is it necessary for ...
- 9,575
9
votes
3
answers
15k
views
Why does my toilet intermittently run continually?
I've pretty much fixed up my bathroom since moving in. The last bit of annoyance now is this:
Not every time, but every 10 or so flushes, my toilet will run continually. It'll sound like it's water ...
- 1,479
14
votes
6
answers
2k
views
How to keep home automation complexity under control?
If you installed some form of home automation (lighting control for example), how did you keep the complexity manageable for your family members?
In many cases where friends have installed some form ...
3
votes
1
answer
4k
views
How to fix a leaking faucet aerator
I removed the aerator on my kitchen faucet and attached a hose for a time and cleaned the aerator. Now I cannot get the original one to screw back into the place without it leaking (well spraying ...
- 1,619
3
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Can I lay pavers over a concrete patio?
I have a concrete patio in my backyard that's in pretty good condition. We don't like how it looks, so we'd like to cover it up with brick or pavers. Looking online, it appears that most people ...
- 133
2
votes
3
answers
5k
views
What technique should I use to remove rubble from earth, using a small excavator?
I've a patch of earth - mostly fairly sticky Gloucestershire clay - which our previous builder has left mixed up with bricks, larger lumps of concrete and who knows what else. I want to level this ...
- 1,869
8
votes
2
answers
31k
views
How do I make our toilet flush less vigorously?
Our toilet flushes so vigorously that water splashes out of the top of it. Is there a way I can "tune" the flush so that it doesn't flush so hard?
- 363
5
votes
3
answers
39k
views
How do I fix laminate flooring that's begun to rise in the middle?
We have laminate flooring in our kitchen/lounge and over the winter (which are cold and damp here in New Zealand) the flooring has begun to rise up in a couple of places. It was fitted by the previous ...
- 363
12
votes
2
answers
33k
views
How do I do a minor grout repair properly?
I've got grout between some floor tiles that is cracking and coming out in small chips, over time. The tiles and remaining grout are otherwise in great shape. I suspect this is just a problem high-...
- 1,475
4
votes
1
answer
14k
views
Is a 2x4 strong enough to hold up a porch swing?
I'm hanging a porch swing, but the beams run the wrong direction for the support hooks. I've looked up in the attic, and there's a 2x4, lying flat, that runs the correct direction. Will that be ...
- 503
3
votes
3
answers
125
views
Timber Veneer Flooring?
We have existing polished timber floors, it is patchy (different parts of the house are floored with different kinds of timber) it also has a few gaps and holes. We are thinking of laying down some ...
- 225
9
votes
4
answers
5k
views
How can I paint over a glossy surface that might contain lead paint?
I am repainting a bathroom that includes trim with a high gloss. The house is old (1924) and the existing paint may have lead in it. There was a remodel in the '80s, but I can't guarantee the ...
- 191
5
votes
3
answers
178k
views
What is the best way to repair a cracked bathtub?
Close examination of the floor of my bathtub has revealed a long, thin crack in the bathtub itself. The bathtub is one of the common plastic-feeling variety (though I am not sure if it is actually a ...
- 173
6
votes
1
answer
739
views
Sealing a cork tile floor?
I just finished installing a cork tile floor (US Floors brand). If I do say so myself, it looks gorgeous! Cork is not generally recommended for a bathroom, but we felt that a half-bath should be a ...
- 1,928