All Questions
75,514
questions
0
votes
1
answer
41
views
Can a plumbing vent pipe be ran between roof rafters?
I live in a cape cod style home, which has knee wall attics. Air from these spaces travels from the soffit vents, between the rafters, into the second floor attic space, then out the ridge vent. I ...
- 3,484
3
votes
2
answers
650
views
What's the preferred method for connecting #8 wires in a junction box?
I have several floor joists in my basement that need to be sistered up but unfortunately the 8 gauge wire that powers the AC compressor runs diagonally through all of them. Disconnecting it from the ...
- 141
1
vote
0
answers
43
views
How can I find the appropriate MOEN pull-down faucet hose adapters in order to install a water filter under the sink? [closed]
I'm attempting to install an under-the-sink water filter that uses 3/8" tubing (PEX, possibly?). I was able to use a 3/8" to 1/2" adapter to fit with my old faucet hoses, but my new one ...
- 19
1
vote
1
answer
46
views
How to waterproof a leaky front porch that has a basement room underneath?
Our front porch has interlocking stone on top of the concrete. Underneath that porch is a basement cold room that has water leaking from the ceiling though the porch into that room. We have yet to get ...
- 11
2
votes
1
answer
104
views
Can I split a 400 amp service this way?
I recently purchased the lot next door in Lincoln County, Oregon. I’d like to build a shop now and someday build another house or let one of my kids do it.
Can I have a 4/0 service wire run from the ...
- 21
1
vote
1
answer
64
views
Do I need to worry about water damage along walls?
We had a contractor come over and do some demolition in our bathroom because we're going to convert our tub into a stand-up shower. When using the saw to cut through some material, his apprentice ...
- 476
0
votes
2
answers
53
views
Size of conduit for two 4 gauge THHN and one 10 gauge ground wire
what size of FMC conduit I can use if I have two conductors that are 4 gauge THHN and one 10 gauge wire?
Thanks!
0
votes
2
answers
65
views
Reversed light switch [closed]
Recently had a 48 hour power outage. When the power came back on, two of the light switches that were on when it went off are now reversed. Down is on and up is off. They are both single switches that ...
- 1
4
votes
2
answers
442
views
How do building setbacks work on corners of the section? [closed]
Say that local regulations prohibit building within 10' (3 m) of a side boundary. And say that my side boundary has an internal corner as shown in the attached image. When determining how close I may ...
- 143
0
votes
1
answer
132
views
Need to keep countertop, but fill hole where sink was [closed]
I took out a bathroom sink, but I don't want to replace the counter top. How can I fill the space? It is Corian with a large oval hole.
I planned on securing something from the bottom. Should that be ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
21
views
Replacement cartridge from plumb works
I bought this cartridge from plumb Works that came with the entire brass housing. As you can see the o ring on the back has been lost. I’m unsure if I’m able to buy another ring to go around this? ...
- 349
0
votes
1
answer
46
views
Sprinkler System - All zones on at same time, nothing pops up
Went to turn on my sprinkler system for the second time this year and nothing comes up. Confirmed water is flowing from pump (not sure if rate has changed though). No sprinklers come up, but every ...
- 267
0
votes
1
answer
42
views
50 amp inlet box to transfer switch
I have a Reliance 50amp transfer switch which I am connecting to a 50 amp inlet box. My understanding is that 6 awg copper wire should be run from the inlet box to the transfer switch. The question I ...
- 3
0
votes
1
answer
67
views
Single remote for garage door and gate [closed]
I have a garage door and a gate that both open with two different remotes.
The first one is a SOMMER TX03-868-4 which I understand is a Rolling Code Remote.
The second one is a CAME remote and from ...
- 101
3
votes
1
answer
71
views
How should a 4x3 closet bend be installed in concrete?
Should the top of the 4" inlet be flush with the top of the concrete or should it sit above or below the concrete? Should it be wrapped with a foam sill plate gasket or something similar?
- 2,145
0
votes
1
answer
45
views
Electrical Panel Bus Rating Question for Solar Installation
I am trying to get solar installed, but it is my understanding that if our panel bus rating is 100A or lower, we'll be limited to the size of the system we can have installed. But if it's 125A or ...
- 1
0
votes
2
answers
99
views
My Reciprocating saw locked up and won't unlock what can I do [closed]
How can I unlock my Reciprocating saw it was working and locked up now it won't unlock
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
33
views
Thompsons water seal flaking after 6months?
I bought this stain a year ago and sprayed it onto my deck. I live in Illinois, so the temperature fluctuations are quite extreme. I was hoping that this would last a lot longer than one winter but it ...
- 349
0
votes
2
answers
27
views
Laying flooring over existing ceramic tile with radiant (hydronic) heat?
We have approximately 4k sq. feet of ceramic terracotta-look tile (late 1980s). We've been wanting, now needing, to update the house but this tile has kept us from doing it. We have a large great room,...
- 1
1
vote
2
answers
168
views
What kind of tool has a thin, oddly-shaped blade inserted into a handle?
found it and really don't know where to start looking to identify it. it has no markings on it.
2
votes
1
answer
157
views
Could this glass crack in a window have been caused by a physical impact?
I live in a rented apartment and have noticed a glass crack in a window, so I'm trying to figure out whether I damaged the glass or it somehow got damaged on its own (for example, by thermal stress), ...
- 121
0
votes
2
answers
73
views
Bathroom Fan switch ground vs Neutral
I'm sure this has come up before. I have been reading a lot about improper Neutrals or rather using ground as Neutral.
From what I can tell, the Neutral and Ground touch in the panel. I thought the ...
0
votes
2
answers
62
views
When cold (10C), does turning on my water heater for 20min heat only part of the water heater to 60C or rise the temperature of the whole tank by 5C?
I am wondering what would happen if I turn on my 120l water heater on for only 20min. Would I have 20l heated to 60C and the rest around 10C? or would the water heat pretty much evenly, and, after ...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
56
views
Can mild steel square tubing 33x33mm Square with 2mm walls support a desk-top?
Here is the basic idea: An L-shaped computer desk mounted to the wall with no legs. (Screens will be mounted on the wall.)
This is the Mounting Bracket:
The length of the tube will be 22", ...
1
vote
3
answers
96
views
How can I secure a vent register to drywall on a ceiling?
The vent register on the celling fell. I don't know how to hold it. It seems that it was fastened to the drywall, and the drywall is not hard as wood.
- 261
4
votes
2
answers
373
views
What wire to use for 30Amp Dryer outlet 75 feet from the panel?
I am moving a dryer and need to wire a new 240V outlet. The outlet is 75 feet from the panel. I'm installing a 30 Amp GFCI breaker and converting the 3 wires to 4 wires . I had thought that 10/3 wire ...
- 155
0
votes
1
answer
34
views
How do I disassemble this faucet to replace the o-ring/cartridge?
My kitchen faucet is leaking from below the lever. I guess this is a cartridge/o-ring replacement case.
I removed the Allen screw to take out the lever. And now I am stuck.
I do not know the brand of ...
- 167
2
votes
2
answers
82
views
How can I conceal an electrical box mounted on a wall with an angle passing through it?
Moved into a house with a 2 gang socket mounted on an angled bit of wall. It's a galvanized steel back box with holes for mounting that have been left exposed. This is in my child's room and starting ...
- 21
9
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Does the NEC allow a sub panel to be powered by a generator and an automatic transfer switch?
I plan to install a sub panel next to my main panel. Mainly because as I do electrical upgrades, I'm accumulating more circuit breakers. Since I need one anyway, I'd like to be able to power it with a ...
- 93
3
votes
3
answers
567
views
How can I turn a side by side drop-down 2 bulb light fixture into a single hanging light fixture
I’m trying to renovate my bathroom and would love to increase the lighting in my poorly lit bathroom by changing the light fixture that is outdated. First pic is the fixture I have now second picture ...
- 31
0
votes
2
answers
46
views
Bathroom switch controls both fan and light
I am trying to understand the way my bathroom switch is wired.
I want to wire my light and fan to separate switches. Previously there was a timer switch installed that would turn on both the light and ...
- 101
7
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What is this thin steel wire connected to the ungrounded side of a two-wire cable in my basement ceiling?
I recently purchased a home (built in the 50s, northern USA) and the man who previously lived there definitely did some DIY work around the house. I found a mess of (seemingly disconnected) wiring ...
- 81
0
votes
1
answer
67
views
What can I use as a plywood floor coating in a shed?
I want to find a coating to put on my shed plywood floor to keep water from destroying the wood from rain/snow in winter since it does not seem to dry out on its own. That way I could be wiped/moped ...
- 169
1
vote
1
answer
33
views
2x10 for deck and roof beam span 14’
I am building a 28L x 8D deck with a metal roof off the house. The deck is going to be only 12 inches off the ground. I’m using 2x10-8 pressure treated for floor joists 16 O.C. And Trex.
With my 28’ ...
- 33
0
votes
3
answers
53
views
DIY double-pane window renovation technique? [duplicate]
If a double-pane window suffers from only condensation, can a motivated DIYer separate the panes and spacers, clean them, and reassemble? On a dry day, of course.
- 1
1
vote
0
answers
30
views
How to waterproof walk out basement
My mother's house is built on top of a hill that drops off at the rear. The front half of house is over a tall crawl space, the back half is an 8' high finished walk out basement with drywall and has ...
- 51
1
vote
0
answers
59
views
Why is my shed floor staying damp?
I built a shed last summer at my recreational property. This winter when it was snowing, I was up in shed and the plywood floor got pretty wet. It seems to have never really dried dry out all winter. ...
- 169
3
votes
2
answers
120
views
Can a fuse panel supporting knob-and-tube wiring be replaced without a new feed or updated circuits?
Home built before 1910. It is a 3-story structure with plaster walls and some BX, some cable and a lot of knob and tube. In the hallway on the second floor is a fuse panel for that floor and some of ...
0
votes
1
answer
56
views
Could a GFCI going bad result in loud refrig compressor noise? Refrig later died, I replaced GFCi, now much quieter…but why?
I am doing a remodel on a future home. On the initial walk thru we noticed the loud compressor noise from the frig. 2 months later frig died. Diagnosed by tech as bad GFCI or bad compressor inverter. ...
- 1
0
votes
2
answers
47
views
Leaking Shower Diverter
Recently my wife told me that the shower diverter in the guest bathroom was leaking from the bath spout when the diverter knob was pulled up. I looked at it to determine that it was a Kohler diverter,...
- 356
1
vote
2
answers
61
views
Self drilling dyrwall anchor cannot go all the way into the hole
I bought this self drilling dyrwall anchor https://www.lowes.com/pd/E-Z-Ancor-50-Pack-1-5-8-in-x-1-2-in-Dia-Standard-Drywall-Anchor-Screws-Included/1098803
Our curtain is very long and we wanted to ...
- 13
0
votes
1
answer
59
views
Rewiring a house that has aluminum wiring
My house is at least partially wired with aluminum. I’m trying to replace what I can as I remodel. I can pull copper wire in some areas but can not pull out the aluminum easily as it is stapled down.
...
- 1
0
votes
2
answers
47
views
Process for repairing flaking paint on fascia boards?
The paint on my fascia boards is starting to flake off, especially where different boards meet. I wanted to make sure the process I have in mind looks right:
Sand fascia boards w/ 120 grit
What kind ...
- 289
0
votes
2
answers
85
views
Got a little epoxy down a bathtub drain
I got a little bit of epoxy down my bathtub drain. Will it cause a problem? Hasn’t cured yet. How do I remove it prior to curing?
1
vote
1
answer
95
views
What is this pattern on old wood in my old house?
I live in an old house built in the 1950s. The basement is part unfinished and some of the ceiling boards have this weird black, spiderweb type pattern on it. What is this? Is it mold? If so are there ...
- 121
0
votes
1
answer
13
views
Is alkyd (oil) paint compatible to use over conversion varnish paint?
We purchased pre-made cabinets but wanted them a different color, so we sanded the gloss completely off and painted over with alkyd. After a week in a 70 degree room, and with fans going, the oil is ...
- 1,768
24
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Does this downspout design make sense?
I've recently started smelling a musty smell in my upstairs bedroom. The bedroom closet just happens to be where the downspout from the main roof drains onto the roof for my garage and creates a kind ...
- 243
0
votes
2
answers
29
views
Ceiling drywall water damage repair - bulging seam
We have some minor drywall damage on a ceiling due to a toilet overflow above. This happened years ago and everything should be dry now. At the time I should have dried it out, but did not.
I am ...
- 427
2
votes
2
answers
54
views
Can I add an additional subpanel between my main panel and existing sub panel?
My main panel in on the side of my garage. It currently has 3 breakers:
Main breaker
A/C breaker
Sump pump breaker.
The main panel goes to a subpanel on the back interior wall of the garage which ...
- 183
1
vote
1
answer
26
views
Stud wall in concrete subfloor and joists
What considerations are important to take into account when planning a non-load bearing stud / partition wall that will run in parallel to both ceiling and floor joists?
The stud wall will have a ...
- 111