All Questions
85,013
questions
1
vote
1
answer
854
views
How can I wire an Insteon switch in this situation?
I've been installing Insteon switches around the house, and I've run into a bit of an issue. In our bedroom, we have a switch that controls the fan lights and recessed lights as well as single ...
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
3k
views
I'd like to raise the ceiling height on my second floor but the roof is flat. How do I do this?
I have 7ft ceilings in one room on my second floor. The room was an addition and the previous owners decided to make the original stone porch below into a family room. In this room, they kept the ...
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
3k
views
Why doesn't my Touch N Go garage door opener lift the door?
I have a Touch N Go model 100 garage door opener, with a remote and a push-button on the wall. When I press the opener or the wall button, I hear a click (I'm assuming this is a relay) and then there ...
- 211
1
vote
2
answers
97
views
Can I cut tile to follow the profile of a closet flange?
If I mount the closet flange to the substrate, can I cut the tile to match the radius of the ring with a small gap between the tile and ring I.E 1/8"
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
8k
views
Why would turning off a ceiling fan via a wall switch causes 3 seconds of TV signal loss?
Wall "A" has a switch that controls the light on the ceiling fan.
Wall "B" has an outlet used by TV and cable box.
Wall "C" has a switch that controls the light on the ceiling fan - alongside a switch ...
- 11
1
vote
3
answers
13k
views
Minimum number of recessed lights for 29x13 room
I know the "standard rules" say one light every 4 to 6 feet... But what would be the minimum I can get away with using canned lights for a room that is about 29x13. I previously went my way with ...
- 289
1
vote
1
answer
765
views
Identify/troubleshoot this millivolt furnace valve
I have an old millivolt gas furnace that's stopped working. The pilot stays lit fine and the thermopile generates about 360 millivolts, and there's no problem at the thermostat (checked voltage and ...
1
vote
1
answer
5k
views
Is an air pressure switch required for a whole house humidifier?
I've installed a Honeywell whole house humidifier. For the time being, I've left off the air pressure switch that goes between the humidistat and the humidifier. It appears to be working fine without ...
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
1k
views
Fridge keeps turning off and only back in when I flip the circuit breaker off and back on?
just wondering if anyone has any ideas, we got home and opened the fridge and the light was off and the fridge was off completely, my husband went downstairs to look at the breaker box and the ...
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
420
views
Why would only 1/3 of my registers be blowing warm air?
I have a Coleman gas furnace in a wall space in my house which somehow shares the blower on my a/c unit on the roof because it turns on when furnace is called to start, though it does bump up after a ...
1
vote
1
answer
5k
views
When installing a garbage disposal what kind of PVC pipe connects directly to the disposal?
The PVC pipe connection from the garbage disposal is leaking. I have hand tightened the washer on the PVC and then did a 1/4 turn wrench tighten. Still leaking. It looks like the PVC has a little lip ...
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
623
views
Are there any special considerations for installing laminate on a 2nd floor?
I have installed a lot of laminate in 1st floor rooms, with concrete subfloors. No issues there. Now I'm installing in a second floor bedroom in a townhouse. Before I rip up carpet Im checking to see ...
- 231
1
vote
3
answers
33k
views
Trouble finding studs in garage
I have a new house, and the garage shares a wall with an interior wall... trying to hang a pull up bar on it, so I need to find the studs. I took pictures of the house as it was being built, but all ...
- 185
1
vote
1
answer
45
views
When insulating a new house does the poly have to be caulked and taped at the top?
How far down from the top of the wall does the poly covering the insulation have to be and does it have to be caulked at the top and bottom and taped?
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
5k
views
How can I replace a 3 wire thermostat with a 4 wire on baseboard electric heater?
The old thermostat had a black, red, and white wire. Black went to black, red to red and white to white in wall. New thermostat has 2 blacks and 2 reds. What to I connect the new wires to?
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
6k
views
Why is hot water coming out of the faucet but the shower is ice cold? (Diverter not on spout)
My shower has 3 knobs & the spout. The diverter (that turns from spout to shower) is in center of shower wall between hot & cold knobs. I've checked to ensure the diverter knob is fully turned ...
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
4k
views
How to remove glass doorknob
I need to paint my doors, and wanted to clean up by hardware. I can't figure out how to remove the old glass door knobs. I've removed every screw (including the set screws on both sides). I've tried ...
- 123
1
vote
3
answers
5k
views
What could be causing condensation on attic pipes?
My son just bought a new house in Calvary, Alberta. The last few nights have been approximately -30 °C (-22 °F).
When he was cleaning his second floor guest bathroom, he noticed a stain on ...
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
3k
views
What size wire to use from house to wood shop?
What type/size of wire should I use for running power from the 200Amp service panel at my house to a subpanel at my wood shop? The length of the run is 300 feet. I need 220V service at the shop and ...
- 13
1
vote
3
answers
8k
views
How to fix a tap where the handle has fallen off
I have the following tap / faucet:
As you can see, it's seen better days. The handle of it was composed of four plastic interlocking pieces which have, piece by piece, broken off.
We're due to get ...
- 615
1
vote
4
answers
24k
views
Should I replace my main water valve with a SharkBite shut off valve?
Currently my main water shut off valve is soldered using a 3/4 globe valve. However the stem is leaky and I am thinking of replacing it.
Is it a good idea to cut it out and replace it using a ...
- 141
1
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1
answer
213
views
How can I wire a recessed light from an existing remote controlled fan?
I have a remote controlled fan/light and I am trying to fish the red (hot) unused wire that became redundant with the remote to wire a neighboring can light- my questions are?
Can that unused wire be ...
- 11
1
vote
3
answers
3k
views
How should I finish a basement with a pitched floor?
I am building a room in the basement where the slab has a pitch. I have already installed had a foam and magnesium board subfloor and my intention is to have a carpet installed on top of that. The ...
- 289
1
vote
1
answer
5k
views
Why won't my outdoor motion detector shut off?
I have had 2 outdoor motion detectors on each side of the front door for approximately 5 years. They worked fine. Suddenly one of them refuses to go off. The other one continues to work fine. I tried ...
- 11
1
vote
2
answers
784
views
How do I calculate how long a furnace has to work to compensate a given temp drop?
I am trying to understand the dynamics of heating a home after the furnace size was calculated.
Say you have a 60000BTU furnace to heat a 2000 sqft home.
At the beginning of the heating season you ...
- 3,402
1
vote
2
answers
4k
views
How do I calculate CFM for a structure?
This is for calculating the CFM (cubic feet per minute) of air that the blower needs to move in order to compensate the total heat loss (ventilation,infiltration,heat loss through walls, windows, etc)...
- 3,402
1
vote
1
answer
71
views
Are large radiators supposed to be colder?
I have a radiator in my room which is downstairs. It is a large radiators, almost 2 meters across.
It is 10 degrees colder than the other radiators in the house (mine is 37 others are 47, tested with ...
- 111
1
vote
1
answer
456
views
Which wires do I connect to my new ceiling fan?
I looked all over the internet and my outlet box seems to have unorthodox wiring/ colors.
On the ceiling outlet box I have 3 thick wires, red, white and green, and a fourth single little wire that ...
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
437
views
What is this cylinder looking thing in the drain line?
The house is 1950. There is a round cylinder in the drain line with a cap. under the floor is where it is located. What is this called and can I get it out of the drain system?
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1
vote
1
answer
148
views
How should I wire an exterior light where there's a load bearing post in the way?
I'd like to put an exterior light fixture between my two garage doors. The spot where it "belongs" has a post made of six (!) sistered 2x4s in the wall (presumably supporting the headers for the ...
- 3,938
1
vote
1
answer
910
views
Can I add another cable to this 3-gang electrical box?
I have a 3-gang metal (ca. 1980, three boxes with removable sides) electrical box that currently has 4 NM cables entering it; at least 3 of them are 12/3, the 4th is either 12/3 or 14/3. All four ...
- 3,938
1
vote
1
answer
771
views
How to get rid of mold on drywall
This bedroom was converted from a garage attached to the house. There's some black mold where the bed used to be. What's the best way to get rid of it?
- 439
1
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3
answers
12k
views
How can I disconnect my water line from the toilet?
I'm trying to replace the bits inside my toilet. The water supply line is stuck where it goes into the toilet, The plastic connector seems "glued" to the fill valve assembly.
How can I get it off?
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1
vote
2
answers
541
views
Can I salvage this broken toilet flange that's embedded in concrete?
The flange is about 7" OD. As you can see both slots where the closet bolts would go are broken. Can I salvage this flange somehow, instead of having to rip it out of the concrete and installing a new ...
- 253
1
vote
1
answer
5k
views
Should I use a screw or anchor bolt to hold a metal box to the wall?
Which type of bolt is best for securing a metal box to a wall to prevent it being pulled away: Screw Bolt or Anchor Bolt?
And by Screw Bolt I mean this:
And by Anchor Bolt I mean this:
(source: ...
- 111
1
vote
2
answers
2k
views
Removing old linoleum and replacing with tiles
When replacing linoleum and you pull up the old flooring some of the wood will come up. Do you replace the wood that has come up with sheet wood or wood filler then lay the tile down or should you ...
1
vote
2
answers
86
views
I am wondering can I add a new electrical connection for a gas range to this line? [duplicate]
I found the electrical line with only with one receptacle for a garbage disposal. I am wondering can I add a new electrical connection for a gas range to this line?
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1
vote
1
answer
2k
views
No water pressure after new installation
We installed a new kitchen faucet and a new shower head and have no water pressure in either.
All the plumbing in the house has been recently installed. We checked all the supply lines and ...
- 11
1
vote
2
answers
102
views
In England: ground or air based heat pump?
Weather is not too extreme in southern England, will not need a/c. Want to install central heating for the first time in an old Victorian house. There are no radiators, no base board units, no under-...
- 39
1
vote
2
answers
363
views
How do I determine the capacity of my generator when it has a separate starting watts capacity?
I have a Briggs & Stratton Storm Responder generator that is rated at 5500 watts with a 8250 startup watts capacity. The user manual is a little confusing: it seems to state that I have to take ...
- 229
1
vote
1
answer
3k
views
How can I keep my neighbors water from leaking through a wall?
tldr: How can I, (temporarily and quickly), keep at least some amount of leaking water dammed and away from a wall?
I live in a three unit condo. In the basement, there is a cheaply constructed wall ...
- 273
1
vote
1
answer
431
views
How do you troubleshoot a baseboard heater that is not heating up?
I have baseboard heat and we are not getting heat on one room. Can't bleed air from the baseboard itself. How do I troubleshoot the issue?
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1
vote
3
answers
3k
views
Should I add wood sheathing to a metal roof car port?
I'm making a carport that is about 10 feet wide with 2x6's for the "roof frame" and 4x6 posts. I was going to use a medal roof using tin I think. Do I first need to put down wood sheathing? Or can I ...
- 1,488
1
vote
2
answers
3k
views
LED Light Strips on bunk beds
We are moving house next Friday and our 2 boys are moving from a room each in to sharing. To give them as much space as possible we're going to attempt to modify 2 Ikea Kura beds that we've purchased ...
- 111
1
vote
1
answer
674
views
Electric water boiler .. how is the system supposed to work? (UK)
I'm not from the UK and am used to water being heated on-demand by a gas heater.
Having recently moved to London, the flat has electrical heating and I cannot figure out how I'm supposed to set this ...
- 159
1
vote
1
answer
643
views
water running but wont run hot through the kitchen only
we have hot water in all other parts of the house, but not in the kitchen? the water will come through cold and not become hot. If we turn the laundry hot water on, it will turn the kitchen hot water ...
1
vote
2
answers
334
views
dimmensions of a decora insert
I am designing a temp sensor that I want to insert in a decora panel.
I have googled this and cannot find anything from leviton and cannot tell if the size measurements on blank inserts include the ...
- 129
1
vote
2
answers
949
views
Better to have single butt joint or 2 tapered joints when hanging drywall?
I am in the process of hanging drywall for my basement.
Due to the length of the walls there are a couple situations where I could either hang the sheets to have a single butt joint.. or to have 2 ...
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
663
views
IC housing and non-IC trim compatibility
I have installed two IC-rated, airtight housings in a soffit in my basement. There is no insulation in this space, I just chose the IC-rated housings because they were available at the time.
I will ...
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
178
views
Plumbing connections for basement bathroom
My house is a bit of a strange design. Although the living room appears to be an addition to the home, it was actually built at the same time as the rest of the house. Looking at the front of the ...
- 185