25
votes
What kind of nut is this
I find using the correct “c” spanner, in fact I would use two together to undo that as it means no hammering to possibly damage bearings etc.
This method of using two nuts is used to set a limit or ...
- 28.1k
16
votes
Accepted
What kind of nut is this
It's a spanner nut.
There's a special wrench to loosen and tighten it but putting a slotted screwdriver in the groove and tapping it with a hammer usually works.
it's a double nut so loosen one ...
- 83.8k
14
votes
Accepted
How can I stop a toilet seat from rapidly loosening?
Nylon is self-lubricating. Even when tight it's very slippery against itself. You'll need to increase friction.
It may seem counter-intuitive, but you could apply some PTFE (Teflon) plumbing tape to ...
- 144k
11
votes
How do I fix this countertop with a permanent solution?
The problem is that whoever installed this didn't screw that side of the supports into the studs or the screws were too short to go into the studs.. Over time, that support worked loose and dropped ...
- 83.8k
10
votes
Accepted
Diagnosing food particles in dishwasher spray arm
Does the dishwasher rinse the dishes with post-filter grey water?
Yes. The dishwasher fills the bottom basin with water (and heats the water to a good bacteria-killing temperature) then pumps the ...
- 8,981
8
votes
Accepted
Do I really need to replace the anode rod?
Most water heater tanks are steel with a thin glass lining to protect
the metal from corrosion. Since the lining eventually cracks, tanks
have a second line of defense against rust: a long metal “...
- 144k
8
votes
Accepted
Rust on outdoor ac fan motor? Tech recommends replacement?
GET A NEW AC GUY!!!
Most motors have a external laminated iron core and cast end bells. This metal when outside may rust that is what happens to the iron.
We do paint motors when we rebuild them to ...
- 103k
7
votes
When buying a rental home after many years of our occupancy, is a home inspection still necessary?
Yes, unless you are an inspector yourself. Inspections often catch things owners don't know about. The owner may have maintained it meticulously, but he can only fix the problems he knows about. My ...
- 1,687
7
votes
Accepted
Help me identify: Mold or fungus or Moss?
This is a combination of Moss (the thick rounded lumps) and lichen (the very thin plants) It is no worse for your health than having the same plants growing on your footpath or driveway or rocks.
...
- 11.2k
7
votes
How important is it to completely flush a water heater?
The sediment will be at the bottom. So you will get nearly all the sediment during the first gallon or two while draining. There is generally little to gain by fully draining the tank.
- 23.5k
6
votes
How can I stop a toilet seat from rapidly loosening?
It is likely that the plastic nut (or bolt it screws to) is stripped. It may feel like it is tightening, but works loose because the threads are damaged. You should grab a set of replacement toilet ...
- 36.3k
6
votes
Bandsaw tyre jumps off
Tyre could need replacing if it is worn to the point that it is not maintaining the correct shape on its outside diameter when installed. Ideally the center across its width should present a slightly ...
- 65.7k
6
votes
Accepted
How do I fix a sink that became slow to drain after pouring polyurethane down it?
Start with (no, wait - buying your buddy a large quantity of the GOOD version [in your buddy's opinion] of something they like a lot, then...) removing the trap, assuming the trap is not one that has ...
- 223k
6
votes
Accepted
Do I really need to flush my hot water heater?
All tank water heaters collect stuff in the bottom of the tank. It's may be sand, dirt, small pebbles, mineral deposits, rust, or whatever. But over time you get a layer of it there.
In electric ...
- 23.5k
5
votes
Accepted
Snow blower : 0w30 or 5w30
Most engines have several weights of oil that are allowed, typically with one of them being the recommended weight. In addition, outside temperature affects which oil weights can be used. Most manuals ...
- 1,981
4
votes
Is it a bad idea to use pine for painted exterior siding if prepared properly?
Pine will work fine if prep on the wood is done correctly. Prime all ends, the back, the front and two coats of paint on front and ends. This is usually good for 10 plus years. Pine siding has been ...
- 41
4
votes
Should I run the tap while dumping boiling water?
The drains in our area are ABS, not PVC.
I found this answer on a different website.
Source(s): "The Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) requires that the water temperature not be any hotter than 180 degrees ...
- 41
4
votes
How do you drain a carburetor?
Chain saws have what is called a diaphragm carburetor as opposed to the carburetor with a float. The float bowl in those types hold gas and need to be drained and usually have a drain plug. The carb ...
- 36.4k
4
votes
Do I really need to replace the anode rod?
The purpose of the anode is to corrode first before your tank does. It may be that your water chemistry is such that the anode is only consumed slowly (or absurdly fast-- one of our clients had an ...
- 51
4
votes
Why does an air-conditioner need maintenance and a fridge does not?
A refrigerator is different from a (whole house) A/C in a few ways.
Similar to a window unit A/C it's a "factory built packaged unit" -
it's been assembled and tested under carefully ...
- 223k
4
votes
Filling the gap between deck boards
I'd consider how much rain it gets before thinking of filling the gaps. You could be swapping one problem for another if the deck doesn't slope sufficiently away from the house to properly drain.
My ...
- 11.5k
4
votes
How can I clean my black glass cooktop surface?
Yes they can be a pain to clean. I don't think it matter's that you missed a step in not cleaning it the first time. However to keep it looking good you need to clean it every time if you have spills. ...
- 1,006
3
votes
Accepted
Is this 'Ant Killer' effective to kill carpet moth?
My suggestion is to find a good fogger and fog the van. Sprays and powders typically only work on the ones you can see.
As to the different products, it's important to note that many insect poisons ...
- 25.7k
3
votes
Accepted
What is the most efficient process for replacing water heater T&P relief valve and flushing water heater?
Turn off the water heater at its controls. Close the gas valve to the water heater (WH) or shut off power to it. Open the hot water faucet at the kitchen sink and tub or shower in order to purge all ...
- 13.7k
3
votes
How should I evaluate my central A/C to see if it's working properly?
Delta T after the unit has reached setpoint temperature (if it will) I have always used 20 °F.
Latent heat must be gone and now we are reading sensible heat temperatures. If anyone is going to ...
3
votes
Should I run the tap while dumping boiling water?
I just had to have the PVC pipe under my kitchen sink drain replaced. When the plumber took it out it was deformed. It looked like it had melted and was crooked and thus developed a leak. ...
- 31
3
votes
When do tankless water heaters need to be descaled?
Scale will always occur except in extremely unusual circumstances that only cover 10% of the human population who obtains extremely low-calcium water in extremely wet regions like the Pacific ...
- 161
3
votes
How can I clean these small, enclosed gutters on a mobile home patio?
I have a mobile home with these terrible enclosed gutters. When the leafs and crap are dry, use a leaf blower or a shop vac to clean. I get up on a ladder and loosen stuff in gutter with a screw ...
- 31
3
votes
When buying a rental home after many years of our occupancy, is a home inspection still necessary?
Oh yes, and a title search as part of title insurance is more important still.
The problem with cash sales is it's all too tempting to shortcut the normal formalities (which you do not know what ...
3
votes
Should a chainsaw go dull so quickly?
Yeah, when I first started using chainsaws, I was naïve to the idea of "sharpening a chain". The very fact that you were able to get 9 hours out of it tells me you were like me. My first chain, the ...
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