Hot answers tagged

9 votes

How do I fix a new unfinished hollow interior door that got wet and has buckling?

Most hollow doors are made with fiber board and when they get wet, the fiberboard swells and crumbles. I'd take it back to the store and see if they'll replace it. The cost to them isn't worth an ...
JACK's user avatar
  • 78.8k
5 votes

How can I fasten wooden stair treads to porcelain tile on concrete?

IRC R311.7.5.1 specifies that the difference between the largest and smallest riser in a flight of stairs shall be 3/8" (9.5mm) or less. If your applicable code isn't based on that, it still very ...
Ecnerwal's user avatar
  • 201k
4 votes

Can I flip orientation of truss diagonal brace?

Ecernwal's right, but chances are that brace is doing nothing. That sort of thing is often installed during construction to stabilize framing, but once the roof is sheathed there's no way the assembly ...
isherwood's user avatar
  • 129k
4 votes

Can I flip orientation of truss diagonal brace?

If there's only the one, no, it doesn't matter. If (your drawing, being partial, leaves the complete framing picture unclear) there are a pair of them in the structure such that the pair form an X ...
Ecnerwal's user avatar
  • 201k
3 votes

Can I flip orientation of truss diagonal brace?

Leave it alone. According to the SBCA's Guide to Good Practice for Handling and Installing Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, Web [permanent individual truss member restraint] and ...
popham's user avatar
  • 5,144
3 votes

Can I use a gas range on unsealed subflooring?

This is not true. "No modern kitchen range is going to have material requirements for the floor." Absolutely read your manual. For example my 2023 LG states flooring should be able to resist ...
John's user avatar
  • 31
2 votes

How can I fasten wooden stair treads to porcelain tile on concrete?

Heavy duty construction adhesive will do the job, assuming that the tile is all well bonded. Use a 3/8" (8mm) bead in a zigzag or grid pattern and hit the perimeter well. I'd be concerned about ...
isherwood's user avatar
  • 129k
2 votes

Help With Decaying Window - How To Fix The Gap

Unless there's some rot in the actual wood that isn't obvious, all you need is window glazing compound. You can choose between latex and oil-based; latex is certainly going to be easier to use and ...
Aloysius Defenestrate's user avatar
2 votes

How to fix misaligned floating desk frame?

You mean that the tips of the framing aren't in a straight line? Attach the first one, and then work your way down the line. Force the misaligned pieces into alignment. It should be pretty easy ...
popham's user avatar
  • 5,144
2 votes

Can a roof be supported with a 2x12 which is cantaleverd 8'?

The International Residential Code (IRC) that governs most residential construction in the US provides for short cantilevers in some situations. 8'-0" cantilevered from a 16'-0" is way out ...
popham's user avatar
  • 5,144
2 votes

ground deck structure

If you're okay with the new elevation, then it's fine. Just be sure that the ends of the 2x6s are blocked to prevent them from tipping over. See IRC R507.6.2. The previous design would have been labor ...
popham's user avatar
  • 5,144
2 votes

Patch wall stud hole to screw in shelf for heavy loads

Most likely reason is you just missed the edge or just caught the edge of the stud. Something most of us have done. A stud is only 1.5 inches wide and if drywall is on it you are screwing blind. ...
crip659's user avatar
  • 22.7k
2 votes

What type of wood is this (pretending to be)?

The grain pattern in your second image makes me think of oak. Here is a photo of a dark stained oak stair tread; the ones in my own home look similar. I think the darker, splotchier areas are meant ...
Sort of Damocles's user avatar
1 vote

Loft Beds w/ Desks - Mattress Support?

Plywood: You want plywood that's sheathing. For 3/4" (or 23/32") it needs a span rating of 48/24. Plywood is what's called "anisotropic," where how you orient it determines its ...
popham's user avatar
  • 5,144
1 vote

How can I safely work in my attic without a floor in place?

My approach with three feet of loose blown-in insulation (which resembles your photos); bring up a piece or two of plywood as a work platform, and a small shovel to move the insulation around. (A ...
keshlam's user avatar
  • 27.5k
1 vote

How to begin repairing this wood corner siding?

Nail or screw it back together where the two boards meet. Splitless siding nails would be ok, but pre-drill for the ones near the ends of the boards. Trim-head screws are also good. Some are self-...
isherwood's user avatar
  • 129k

Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible