All Questions
81,871
questions
0
votes
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answers
7
views
How should I connect my ceiling fan/light in this box?
There was a ceiling fan which I removed. I usually would take a picture of the wiring before removal but the design of the fan made that difficult and only after I got the fan down did I see this mess....
0
votes
0
answers
7
views
Motion lights dim
I have had my motion lights for 3 years. They were working just fine. But recently they are very dim, you almost can’t even tell they are on. Do I need to replace the bulbs? If so, how?
- 1
0
votes
2
answers
34
views
Will folded drywall sheets create bubbles?
I am doing my first drywall project in my basement and the information I have received here has been very helpful. I had to fold my drywall into 6' lengths to carry them from my garage down my stairs.
...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
23
views
Gfci in aluminum sunroom keeps tripping
I recently installed a Gfci outlet in an aluminum sunroom in the interior wall of the sunroom. It worked fine in the summer but now in the winter months when it gets real cold at night the Gfci trips.
...
- 245
0
votes
1
answer
37
views
Spacing underneath induction cooktop
I want to install an induction cooktop (GE model PHP9036DTBB) into my granite countertop, but looking through the installation manual, I have a few questions.
In picture 1 below, why does the ...
- 124
0
votes
1
answer
36
views
What is this material on my countertops, and how can I remove it?
I just purchased a fixer-upper that needs a lot of work. While it's not the peak of my list of current concerns, I'm worried about this material on the countertop. It seems to be some sort of very ...
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
32
views
I must keep turning hot water valve hotter to get the same temperature hot water that I used to get!
My hot water valve in my shower used to need to be open half way to get hot enough showers. It has gradually needed to be opened to nearly 100% to get hot enough showers. I don't seem to have any ...
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votes
0
answers
20
views
Should I replace the whole thing? PVC under sink
looking to replace my p trap system under the kitchen sink. It’s old . The actual pipe that suppose to curve up to the sink drain is rotted under so I need to unscrew the nut and replace it .
I prefer ...
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
37
views
How can I insulate the exposed interior portion of a garage foundation wall?
This is a follow-up question to an earlier post. I am trying to figure out the best route for a garage renovation. The current exposed bottom plate and walls sit on a foundation wall. There is a 3&...
- 11
0
votes
0
answers
48
views
Utility meter is on but no power to main breaker on panel
So…
The utility meter is showing that’s it’s on but there’s no power on the line side of the main breaker which is the load side on meter socket. The whole house went dark but nothing was tripped I ...
1
vote
0
answers
29
views
How can I flush a new refrigerator water filter without a water dispenser?
My refrigerator has an ice maker only. I have no water dispenser and therefore can not flush 2-3 gallons of water through a new filter. Waiting and discarding dirty ice for a day or two until the ...
1
vote
1
answer
32
views
Will this thermostat work for my wiring?
Here is the wiring from the existing thermostat:
The new thermostat is a Wyze.
Will this Wyze work with the existing wires? Any help here on how?
If this unit won't work for me, what keywords can I ...
- 239
0
votes
0
answers
37
views
Trying to figure out what kind of radiator I have [closed]
Please help me figure out what type of radiator I have and why they don't work
- 1
-2
votes
0
answers
21
views
Why does my new furnace keep going out? [closed]
I recently had a new gas furnace installed. It ran for twelve hours then the pilot went out. We lit the pilot and it ran for a day and half. This cycle has been happening for two weeks now.
I had ...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
39
views
Possible water damage behind shower tile wall?
I was working on removing and redoing old grout/caulk in the guest bathroom for a house we moved into recently (built in 88, unsure if shower has been re-tiles since then). About 24 hours after I ...
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
82
views
How does arcing in an electrical panel cause fires?
I had a sub-panel with a loose neutral wire that caused substantial arcing between the wire and bus bar. Arcing generates a staggering amount of heat (thousands of degrees in either F or C) and in ...
- 850
0
votes
1
answer
40
views
What can I do about the one room in my home with much higher temperature swings than the rest?
I have a room that I use a a guest bedroom in our home. As we don't have guests all the time, we keep the door closed. This room has three exterior walls, and one wall is probably about 70% windows.
...
- 145
4
votes
1
answer
482
views
Can I wire my infrared heating panels to my existing circuits?
I am getting two Wexstar 550W infrared heating panels that I will install both on the ceiling. They can just be plugged into a regular outlet. However, per FAQ they can also be hardwired and this is ...
- 676
0
votes
0
answers
29
views
Is it ok to use great stuff to fill a 2-3” gap in a subfloor due to a miscut?
My contractor is replacing a few plywood subfloor panels in my living room. He cut one panel short by about 2-3”, but instead of recutting, He filled the gap with great stuff. I’m not sure if this is ...
0
votes
1
answer
67
views
asbestos in the garden? [closed]
I was out in the garden today and came across quite a few bits of material resembling the attached image.
It's a bluey/grey color and has these thick white strands coming out of it.
It doesn't look ...
2
votes
1
answer
454
views
Is it dangerous to install a covered exterior outlet without a junction box?
I installed a GFCI outlet in an outdoor stucco wall without a box. The outlet is protected by a weather box
- 21
0
votes
2
answers
51
views
Connecting a smart switch ground wire to a metal junction box
I try to connect a smart switch with an integral ground wire.
There is no ground wire connected to my old switch.
Can I connect the integral ground wire to the small hole circled in red in my photo. ...
- 7
0
votes
1
answer
26
views
How might I clear out my pool’s filter system pump of debris?
I found the pool's filter cup dislodged and floating around the inlet tube, letting debris run straight into the pump system. Since then the outflow rate has been reduced severely. How may I be able ...
- 1
0
votes
4
answers
75
views
How can I add a pilot light to the current light switch?
This DIY project requires closet lights off when not in use.
How can I add a small LED indicator to show light are on or off?
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
32
views
Condensation/mold on ceiling in bedroom + high humidity
I am having a strange issue wherein along the exterior/west-facing wall of my bedroom (~110sqft/750sqft house) at the junction with the ceiling there appears to be mold growing and some pretty faint ...
0
votes
0
answers
36
views
BRAND NEW high eff furnace condensate pump is leaking water. I cannot figure out why [closed]
I just got a new high eff installed. Water is dripping off the bottom of the condensate pump daily.
I know this sounds crazy, but I cannot recreate the leak. When I observe it, I cannot find the ...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
43
views
Self-leveling concrete basement floor for tile installation
I’m renovating my basement and I’m stuck with a floor-leveling dilemma. The area in question is a half bath, which is about 6’ x 6’. The bathroom is in a corner of the basement.
Right now the bathroom ...
- 3
0
votes
1
answer
58
views
Wiring color / gauge for pigtails at the junction box
Hi I need to bundle my neutral wires as well as ground wires with the addition of short pigtail/jumper wires
The 4-gang all run on the same circuit A17B as shown in my photo.
Questions for the short ...
- 7
0
votes
0
answers
57
views
How to encapsulate mastic adhesive and seal concrete garage floor
Part of my garage floor has what I believe to be asbestos vinyl tiles. My plan is to take appropriate precautions and get the tiles up. Then leave the mastic adhesive underneath, since it also ...
1
vote
1
answer
63
views
Decision on cutting the trees? [closed]
I have two big trees in my front yard. Their roots are visible all over the surface in the grounds. I am more concerned about the utility damage (water and sewer) they are eventually going to cause. ...
- 295
2
votes
2
answers
781
views
What is the best way to add a vent over this door?
I would like to add a vent above the door to my laundry room because it gets fairly warm in there when the door is left closed for any significant amount of time. All that's there is a single layer of ...
- 309
3
votes
1
answer
620
views
How can I move an outlet from the back of an enclosed space to the front wall?
I have a built-in cabinet that has an outlet at the back to power a TV. I am looking at framing over that built-in opening to create a flat wall to mount a larger flat panel TV. I want to move the ...
- 31
0
votes
0
answers
26
views
Repairing concrete feet under old deck
I want to repair/replace an old deck with a new deck.
Currently, it is on concrete feet. These are cylinders about a foot in diameter, no idea how deep, with a square hole in the middle. 4x4 wooden ...
- 103
0
votes
1
answer
72
views
Running exposed wiring from outdoor light fixture to other lights/camera? Exposed nuts? safe/code?
After a neighborhood break in, a neighbor had someone come and do wiring so they could have camera, etc. I thought it was odd and might be unsafe, as well as non-code to have wires coming out of a ...
- 479
0
votes
0
answers
36
views
New Construction Basement Subfloor/Finishing System
Moved into a new construction home at the end of 2022 with an unfinished basement in Iowa. Starting to research DIY options and am starting with the subfloor and cant come to a conclusion on "...
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
38
views
Breaker trips only after daylight sensor turns OFF driveway lights [closed]
My driveway lights have worked flawlessly for years with the outdoor dawn to dusk sensor. Recently, they’ve been coming on at night with no issues BUT upon shutting off at daylight it trips the ...
- 9
0
votes
1
answer
41
views
Is it better for the health of the tree to install a tree attachment bolt for a treehouse during winter or spring? [closed]
I am planning to build a treehouse using tree attachment bolts like seen in the picture. Because the bolt will go quite far into the tree, I am wondering if it's better to do this right now when it's ...
- 309
1
vote
1
answer
64
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
50
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
30
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
43
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
59
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
3
votes
1
answer
251
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
247
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
74
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
33
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
171
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
44
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