All Questions
81,965
questions
1
vote
1
answer
69
views
Is there a maximum number of elbows allowed in a natural gas run?
I know that in a forced air system, there is a maximum of four 90s that can be installed due to pressure loss. Does this also apply to a natural gas run?
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
56
views
How do I clean and lubricate the mortise lock on my front door
The latch bolt in the mortise lock on my front door hangs, presumably because of built up grime. At any rate it gets stuck before exiting the faceplate fully (see picture below), resulting in it not ...
- 281
1
vote
0
answers
33
views
Furnace 3amp fuse blows when smart thermostat placed in base plate
I am trying to switch from a Honeywell thermostat to a Ecobee smart thermostat.
I have a high efficiency York furnace only system. No A/C or humidifier. System is less than 10 years old and functions ...
-1
votes
1
answer
46
views
Why is one of my range's ovens cooking unevenly? [closed]
I have a Whirlpool double electric oven. My bottom oven is overcooking food on the bottom and the food is undercooked on the top. Top oven is fine. It is a Whirlpool gold series electric double oven. ...
- 1
1
vote
3
answers
61
views
What type of coating is on my basement slab? [closed]
1984 construction has a basement that was intended as semi finished but prior owner took no care of it. What is this flooring? My first thought is just concrete with epoxy that’s well worn. But the ...
- 55
2
votes
1
answer
40
views
How should I connect my new smart switch to three cables?
I have a smart light switch with a connecting wire for ground, neutral, light and switch (a green, white, and 2 black wires). It was previously connected to a smart switch and I'm just changing to a ...
- 21
4
votes
1
answer
260
views
Garage door motor has become hypersensitive to downforce setting
Chamberlain Liftmaster Professional Formula 1 motor, probably about 20 years old. The door operates smoothly and easily by hand without the motor. Both springs replaced about 2 years ago.
In the ...
- 34.3k
-1
votes
1
answer
46
views
Why does the RTA Base Cabinet with Trash Can Pullout cost $669, while the identical Base Cabinet is priced at $261? [closed]
Brilliant White Shaker 15" Base Cabinet with Single Trashcan Pullout -- $669
https://www.thertastore.com/brilliant-white-shaker-15-base-cabinet-with-single-trashcan-pullout-102399.html
Brilliant ...
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
256
views
How do I fix a new unfinished hollow interior door that got wet and has buckling? [closed]
I bought a new door and on the way home it started pouring rain. One corner of my door got wet and there are bubbles/buckling in one corner.
Do I get the door damp and cut slits in the center of ...
- 39
0
votes
2
answers
78
views
How do we deal with wire burning smell [closed]
While I watch TV in my living room , I do get some kind of wire burning smell , then it suddenly stops.
Initially I thought the smell is coming from Electrical Meter and fuse in Main distribution ...
- 103
0
votes
0
answers
34
views
Why won't my furnace pilot light say lit? [closed]
My old Gaffers & Salters furnace pilot won’t stay lit after releasing the knob. I’ve replaced thermal coupling.im thinking of replacing the gas valve with a universal gas valve but my furnace has ...
- 9
3
votes
1
answer
180
views
Are exposed cables along the ceiling in a finished garage code-compliant?
Bought a house a year ago, previous owner had an electrician re-wire a lot of the house when they did a bunch of remodeling about 4 years ago. They ran all the cables on the wood center beam in the ...
- 33
0
votes
1
answer
53
views
Why don't my low-voltage LED lights work without an incandescent? [duplicate]
I have three T3 puck lights on each side of my kitchen under my cabinets. The 3 for each side are powered by a 12V supply (2 supplies) from the basement and each individually have a low voltage wire ...
- 21
0
votes
0
answers
9
views
Looking for furnace element model _# B20-03-15C00001T volts 240 [closed]
Can this furnace element model # B20-03-15C00001T be replaced with a different element *v208:240
1
vote
1
answer
50
views
Need to fix drywall - ceiling speaker mounts not flush
New construction home, builder allowed me to install ceiling speaker mounts prior to drywalling. I returned after drywall was installed, and because the mounts didn’t allow the drywall to sit flush, ...
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
24
views
Do I need to remove my shower to patch the subfloor?
The flooring near the corner of my shower was soft and rotted out. I thought I could just cut it out and replace that section of subfloor but after pulling some out, it appears the subfloor runs 3 ...
- 11
0
votes
0
answers
63
views
What style of home and type of construction is my home built in 1900 in Georgia, USA?
Just purchased this home this year, it was built in 1900 and is Northwest of Atlanta, GA. The real estate and hazard insurance companies considered it a "wood frame," but upon trying to ...
- 1
1
vote
2
answers
51
views
Trying to insulate a radiator steam pipe exposed in my bedroom
Have an exposed radiator pipe in my bedroom, which clearly supplies steam to other units in the building, so its always "on", regardless of whether my radiator is on or not. This makes the ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
59
views
How can I eliminate mold in my water softener? [closed]
First time home buyer. We moved in about a year ago. When we first bought the house I looked inside the tank and didn't see any salt so I thought it wasn't being used. A few days ago I looked inside ...
- 11
0
votes
0
answers
14
views
Honeywell HE280A compatibility [closed]
I am replacing A Honeywell HE260A with a Honeywell HE280A. Can I reuse the existing transformer?
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
41
views
Adding second story living space in an existing truss attic [duplicate]
We have a ranch home with a bonus attic room upstairs with trusses on either side of the space. How possible is it to expand out on the truss area adding additional living space? Looking to ...
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
33
views
High Silica content in well water is etching glass shower doors - Help!
We have two showers with the frameless glass shower doors that look horrible from the buildup, and these doors were "treated" when we bought them so we wouldn't have to worry about buildup. ...
27
votes
7
answers
7k
views
How to separate superglued fingers
I glued 2 of my fingers together with Rapid Fuse superglue.
I have tried rubbing alcohol, butter, and warm soapy water.
- 1,198
1
vote
1
answer
55
views
Best way to hang 6 foot drywall sheets
I am developing my basement into a rec room and I had to cut my drywall into 6' sheets to get them down my staircase. It is unfortunately what it is and I have to make the best of it. I already got my ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
73
views
Pocket hole disaster! What am I doing wrong?
I have two pieces of maple veneer plywood (3/4" thick) that I want to put together with pocket holes (controversial, I know, just hear me out). I have a Mullark pocket hole jig that I am clamping ...
0
votes
1
answer
66
views
House shakes subtly every so often [closed]
my house shakes subtly every so often, and it doesnt seem like there is any rhyme or reason to it. We dont live close to public transportation, theres never an earthquake reported in the area, and as ...
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
25
views
Large gap between fascia and roof deck / drip edge
After re-securing and re-sloping a gutter (because I noticed the dormer roof is not actually level and the side opposite the downspout is lower), I noticed a considerable gap above the gutter and ...
0
votes
0
answers
61
views
Should I fur out or sister studs to add insulation? [closed]
I'm in the planning stages of a detached garage renovation. I have tons of questions about many parts of the project, but want to start with wall framing.
The garage was built in the 1930's or 40's. ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
63
views
How do I connect to a 3-wire 1949 interior phone line?
I’m trying to connect a modern 4-wire telephone surface-mount jack to what appears to be an original 1949 3-wire telephone line: only red, green and yellow wires. I’m replacing the original four-post ...
0
votes
1
answer
27
views
What should I use to fill former drainage channels in my basement slab?
A while back I had my basement waterproofed on the outside of the house; since then the old interior waterproofing system that some previous owner installed have not been in use (sump pump been ...
- 11
2
votes
2
answers
74
views
Can porcelain tile be used in place of fireplace door glass? [closed]
I've broken the ceramic glass on my wood stove, and replacements are expensive and have long lead times. I'd rather not rely on my backup furnace for the majority of the winter.
I have a pile of ...
- 327
0
votes
1
answer
58
views
My subfloor has been built with untreated 1x2s and plywood. Am I in trouble? [closed]
Last year a contractor installed about 800 square feet of sub flooring to even out the very uneven concrete floor. At the time I didn’t think of it, but the fellow used standard 1x2s and plywood. I’m ...
- 43
0
votes
0
answers
22
views
What can you do about a dry water stain on a bast carpet? [closed]
We accidentally spilt a lot of water on a bast pond! We then put it on the radiator (it's winter here) and let it dry. Now it looks like this...
What can we do to get rid of the stain?
- 101
1
vote
1
answer
40
views
Should a particulate filter be installed on the supply or return vent?
I live in mid Florida in a 1250 sq ft house that has one handler and one return vent. If I filter both vents it freezes up. So only one vent can be filtered at a time.
There is an air filter ...
- 11
0
votes
0
answers
73
views
What is causing a loud knocking sound in my home? [closed]
I recently bought a home and am in the process of moving in. A camera caught this loud bang/knock noise while we were out. Yesterday the temp dropped a little, but the last time it happened ...
0
votes
0
answers
23
views
I have a water cooled ice machine
The ice machine I purchase at a auction is water cooled. Can I separate the cooling water for the compressor and recirculate it through a tank of water so not wasting the compressor cooling water
- 1
0
votes
2
answers
42
views
Small touch up jobs - big paint cans
I have been doing little DIY projects inside my house and as a result I have lots of little paint jobs to do - all drywall so far. I have the original paints.
Do I need to mix/stir the paint before ...
- 155
0
votes
1
answer
22
views
Looking to match caulk color in kitchen area [closed]
My kitchen sink needs to be re-caulked. The other areas in the house have a "milky white" caulk bead that I'd like to match. I ended up using clear silicone but don't like the look. At ...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
49
views
What happens if I bundle all 4 travelers from an old 4-way switch?
I have 3 switches that power a light. The smart switch manufacturer I use everywhere else in my home (Kasa) does not make a 4-way switch kit.
What I've done for now is to remove the 4-way switch and ...
- 3
0
votes
2
answers
87
views
Is it safe to only splice the hot wires to new switches?
I have an old house and in my basement I have a 4 gang switch box for some ceiling lights. I want to move 2 of those switches to another wall (technically to another room, as I have built a wall ...
- 143
0
votes
2
answers
93
views
Can I use a tankless and tanked hot water heater at the same time this way?
I am designing a house for myself and want to use a tankless hot water heater. The issue is I am going to be on LP gas and I want to have a recirculating loop. Id rather not consistently use gas to ...
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
30
views
Boiler heating system loud noises
Very loud noise coming from baseboard radiator. Just moved into this house and we’re getting one spot in the basement where a huge noise goes off (“bang” “bang”). Then it stops. This could happen up ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
20
views
Water overflow control system
I want to connect simple floating overflow control switch with a heavy duty relay duty to heavy motor, direct simple footing burn out on heavy load, with type of relay will be suitable?
4
votes
4
answers
967
views
Will lowering the central heating water temperature reduce cost when using district heating?
We live in a fairly well-insulated house which uses district heating for the central heating. The individual radiators are controlled by a smart thermostat system. The hot water in the radiators comes ...
- 686
0
votes
0
answers
61
views
Anyone know what this metal lath looking thing is?
Demoing a wall and discovered this behind the plaster walls. Looks like it was used instead of wood lath to hold the plaster. Behind it is ductwork for a vent upstairs. Anyone know what this is?
https:...
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
69
views
Closing a gap in a thick wall with drywall
I'm trying to close a gap in the wall with drywall.
Since the wall is so thick (25cm) it's too expensive to fill it all up with insulation.
In addition, there are no 25cm metal studs I can easily buy....
0
votes
0
answers
24
views
We used to have great water pressure everywhere, that 1 day it all came to an end. I replaced the bladder tank ,the t-pipe & everything that goes on
I replaced everything that I was told should be replaced after 20 years of great water pressure. After replacing the bladder tank & accessories,i adjusted the pressure to 38, my relay is a 40/60, ...
0
votes
0
answers
25
views
Window gap, filler piece or not?
I recently installed new windows in my basement (concrete walls). After checking for level and plumb, I’m left with a 3/4“ gap under the new window (exterior side). The window mounts flush with the ...
- 43
0
votes
1
answer
83
views
Two 20amp breakers tied together
I have two 20 amp breakers tied together. One is on the dedicated refrigerator plug the other is for a dedicated GFI circuit. Why? can I remove the tie? I have installed a transfer switch and I don't ...
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
47
views
Low voltage at receptical!
I have only 1 receptacle being designated to 1 individual breaker, so when I shut the main breaker off I only lose power in that one receptacle in the entire house.
When the main breaker is turned ...
- 1