51
votes
Troubleshooting why my hammock fell
That eye screw is adequate (barely), but only if it's piloted properly, and only until movement wiggles the hole big enough for what happened to happen.
Proper piloting into softwood is just slightly ...
- 149k
50
votes
Why are so many radiators installed beneath a window (at least in Germany)?
In addition to the three good reasons from Ratchet Freak and Isherwood, I add that placing the radiator near the window is most efficient.
It heats the coldest air in the room and allows the air ...
- 45.5k
38
votes
Why are so many radiators installed beneath a window (at least in Germany)?
Because other wall space tends to get filled with closets, art and random stuff. Below a window tends to remain free real estate.
Windows tend to stay closed during heating season so a window left isn'...
- 13.6k
28
votes
How do I figure out what size drill bit I need to hang some ceiling hooks?
Here is a DIY method to determine the pre-drill size.
Hold the screw and find a drill bit and hold it over the screw (parallel) that visually covers just the body (the inner part) of the screw.
You ...
- 19.2k
23
votes
Accepted
Installer won't install dishwasher due to "old" stop valve
Capsule summary of the comments:
Your old valve should probably be replaced with a new quarter turn ball valve version. Those old valves wear out and break your heart when it really matters.
Report ...
19
votes
Why are so many radiators installed beneath a window (at least in Germany)?
In addition to what's been said, in extreme climates like Germany* and Minnesota, the window would completely frost over in January. Even modern low-e windows can't overcome -40°F, especially when ...
- 149k
17
votes
Accepted
Is there a reason not to nail up drywall?
Nobody uses a pneumatic nailer for drywall. And in a world where shortcuts are revered, that has to tell you something.
You know this already, but screws are the gold standard. They stay put and they ...
- 23.4k
16
votes
Why are so many radiators installed beneath a window (at least in Germany)?
Windows are almost always going to be less efficient than wall assemblies (even triple pane windows will be less efficient than wall assemblies built with energy efficiency in mind — triple glazed has ...
- 5,347
14
votes
can a dishwasher be installed 17 feet from sink?
You can put the dishwasher wherever you want.
You will have to provide it with water and a drain that meets code - and it's not at all likely that you can run 17 feet to join the sink drain while ...
- 226k
13
votes
Why are so many radiators installed beneath a window (at least in Germany)?
There are a couple of (german-language) websites easily found that explain why this is the best and most efficient place to put your radiator, e.g.
https://heizoel.totalenergies.de/rund-um-heizoel/...
- 426
11
votes
Accepted
Can I mount 3 blades on a 5 blade ceiling fan?
No, it will not be OK.
A fan blade system is meant to be balanced. Even when all of the original equipment blades are in place, minor imbalances can occur and need to be corrected with weights from a ...
- 33.9k
11
votes
How would you fix this cabinet not opening all the way?
You can change it so it opens the opposite direction.
I.E. Flip the door over and attach the hinges to the left side of the cabinet.
You can remove door by removing the screw on each hinge that holds ...
- 13.7k
10
votes
Accepted
Is cutting a DIY spline channel around the openings of our wood screen porch a good plan?
This is a good idea, except 1/8" x 1/8" is kinda small. 5/32" would let you use common .160 spline. Check spline availability in your area prior to choosing groove size.
Yes, "trying to use the circ ...
- 36.7k
10
votes
Installer won't install dishwasher due to "old" stop valve
You should update this valve now that you are in there installing a new dishwasher.
The dishwasher purchase, "with installation" correctly does not include updating your plumbing.
It is ...
- 45.5k
10
votes
Accepted
How to install a curtain rod with a perpendicular wall on one side
I'd use a standard rod bracket on the right and a cup on the left. If you are mounting to concrete, simple plastic plug anchors should work very well.
source
source
- 149k
9
votes
How to tell if light switch box is grounded
You have metal conduit connecting metal junction boxes.
All of it is ground. The conduit, the boxes, all of it. This is the ideal system.
Switches ground through the yokes and mounting screws. ...
9
votes
Accepted
What are some methods to align switches in a multi-gang box?
Vertical alignment is rarely an issue if you've installed your box level. There's not much play in the mounting holes of the devices. You can usually work a row of switches into a plate without a ...
- 149k
9
votes
Why are so many radiators installed beneath a window (at least in Germany)?
This pattern is decades (or maybe a honest century) old and not limited to Germany.
When the central heating started to emerge, energy prices were much, much less of a concern and the modern energy-...
- 3,474
8
votes
New Drywall poorly installed
Hopefully we can get you back on track
he put the drywall flush to the floor. I know it needs to be off the ground 3/8 inch or so
I tend to hang drywall from the top down for this reason. It ...
- 26.3k
8
votes
Accepted
What is the equivalent degrees of one "turn"
A turn is 360 degrees.
You are expected to put a mark on the thing you are turning, so you can observe its rotation.
They have no way of knowing which kind of wrench you are using, what your ...
8
votes
Hanging Chandelier by Threaded Rod
I suspect the point here is to have a redundancy.
If for whatever reason the jb were to rip out of the ceiling there would be a secondary mechanism that prevents your 75# light from falling and ...
- 14.4k
7
votes
Accepted
Where to install a carbon monoxide detector when the boiler is in a closet?
I'll start by saying that I'm a big fan of following instructions. However, there are exceptions to rules sometimes.
Let's assume for the sake of argument that you don't spend an inordinate amount of ...
- 23.4k
7
votes
Can I install cellulose insulation without a blower machine?
A large plastic trash can, an electric drill, and a paddle wheel paint stirrer sized for 5-gallon paint buckets works wonderfully and is actually quite fast. If you fill the trash can 1/3 full with ...
- 71
7
votes
Distributed expansion gaps in solid hardwood flooring
Do NOT install expansion spaces between each board. You want a very tight fit between each board and then leave an expansion space around the perimeter of each room.
First you’ll need to acclimate ...
- 23.5k
7
votes
Hanging Chandelier by Threaded Rod
The only time I would chance using an existing box would be if it is a fan rated box.
75 lbs is a lot of weight and many boxes are only “tagged” in with 16 penny nails I use the term tagged as they ...
- 103k
7
votes
Electrical Code Compliance Question
There are two definite issues, some possible additional issues:
Grounding
The only place ungrounded receptacles are allowed is if they are original equipment installed when a building was built (or ...
6
votes
Accepted
Why is my ceramic tile popping out of the floor?
This is a really really poor installation. Everything will have to be pulled up. Tiles will need to be cleaned or thrown away and reinstall.
Issues:
The mortar/cement isn't even covering under the ...
- 50.4k
6
votes
Is it safe to cut the plug off a power strip (then reattach it) in order to run it through a wall?
This is a little unclear from the description and picture. What I think you are asking is:
Can I take a power-strip that has a bunch of receptacles on one end and a 3-prong plug on the other end, ...
6
votes
How to secure outlet boxes to studs when running surface mount EMT
Don't look at device boxes, which are one gang, two gang, etc. Handy boxes are OK for a switch or etc. but not what I'd use here. I wouldn't want plastic faceplates for shop use, even though the ...
- 25.3k
6
votes
What are some methods to align switches in a multi-gang box?
There is an inexpensive little template made for just this purpose
It's also possible to sacrifice a wall plate to use as a template, cut out a slot so you can get to the device mounting screws with ...
- 25.3k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible