Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Most Popular

more tags
1500 questions
23
votes
11 answers

How can I fix a garbage disposal with crushed glass in it?

I have a garbage disposal that had a shot glass fall in. It got ground up. The disposal got jammed; I unjammed it and now it makes a glass grinding noise because of the shards inside. How do I clear the glass? What do I need to do to fix this?
kacalapy
  • 845
  • 5
  • 12
  • 17
23
votes
11 answers

What is the proper way to install/paint baseboard?

I've installed some new baseboards, though I'm not really sure I have the right method down. Here's what I do: Paint baseboard Paint walls Cut and install baseboard (using brad nailer and/or liquid nails) Sand outside corners so they're not as…
gregmac
  • 29,050
  • 16
  • 86
  • 160
23
votes
2 answers

Lutron LED/CFL Dimmer switch turns lights off the wrong way, up is down and down is up. What's the problem?

I bought the $20 Lutron Dimmer Switch (TGCL-153PH-WH) from my local big box hardware store. It dims the Cree LED bulbs great. There is just one problem... no matter how I install the wires the switch always tuns off in wrong position. The dimmer is…
John
  • 351
  • 1
  • 3
  • 8
23
votes
4 answers

What are the different types of drywall anchors, and what are the advantages of each?

I recently put up wire shelving in my pantry, and spent forever figuring out what type of drywall anchor I should use. I even found several types that I didn't even know existed. It might be good to have a reference page for drywall anchors. So,…
Doresoom
  • 15,713
  • 31
  • 80
  • 118
23
votes
6 answers

Should a gas water heater be shut down if the water main has to be turned off?

I have a brand new AO Smith 50gal gas water heater. Today there was a burst pipe from the cold spell we're having currently, so I had to turn off the water main to the house until the plumbers get here tomorrow. With that, nobody had used any hot…
Chris W.
  • 626
  • 4
  • 8
  • 18
23
votes
5 answers

What types of electrical outlets are found in a typical home in the USA?

I do not live in the USA. If I were to buy a home in the USA, what are the key facts I should know about USA household electrical supply at outlets in homes? E.g. when buying a clothes dryer or other appliances. I'm asking this question for a couple…
RedGrittyBrick
  • 24,370
  • 12
  • 47
  • 90
23
votes
6 answers

Is it OK that the frame of my house doesn't line up with the slab?

My new house is being framed. I saw that the frame extends 1-2" from the foundation: Click photograph for full size The builder told me it happens often and the city inspector will catch it if this is a problem. Is this OK? Should I ask a 3rd party…
Derek C.
  • 231
  • 1
  • 2
  • 4
23
votes
10 answers

How do you release the wires from a push-in wire connector?

I would like to reposition some pot lights - before drywalling the ceiling. They have been wired using push-in wire connectors. How do you release the wires from a push-in wire connector ??
Jules
  • 231
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
23
votes
5 answers

How can I monitor my roof to detect roof leaks before they cause damage?

A lot of questions have been asked about how to locate a leak in a roof, but you can only locate a leak that you know exists, and the first noticeable sign that there is anything wrong might be drywall damage in your living space. By this point, the…
interfect
  • 333
  • 2
  • 5
23
votes
3 answers

Is white wire with grey stripes positive or negative wire?

I want to re-wire an AC to DC power adapter for an ONT (Optical Network Terminal - AKA Fibre Box mounted on a wall) and replace the adapter with a standard DC plug. This is because I want to connect it to a UPS (uninterrupted Power Supply). How do I…
Romans
  • 341
  • 1
  • 2
  • 6
23
votes
5 answers

Why does the shower get cold when I flush, and how can I prevent it?

When the shower is running and someone flushes a toilet, why does the shower get cold (or sometimes hot) in some houses, but not others? More importantly, would fixing that require replacing the water heater, or re-doing the piping in the entire…
BlueRaja - Danny Pflughoeft
  • 3,506
  • 10
  • 35
  • 57
23
votes
6 answers

Must these old pipes be replaced?

We are currently renovating our bathroom ourselves on the 2nd floor. We were going to redo the tiles only, and we found a newspaper from 1947 around the old pipes which means it was installed a long time ago. We started to wonder if the pipes have…
sol1000
  • 384
  • 4
  • 10
23
votes
4 answers

Where does the lawn string trimmer line go?

I'm learning how to use a string trimmer before buying one. I know that it uses a line to cut the grass. But the line will wear and get shorter. Where does the line go? I guess into the grass and ground. Then it will be plastic waste into the…
Tony B
  • 373
  • 4
  • 9
23
votes
2 answers

Is this correct? Welder suggests 15A outlet on 20A breaker, or 20A outlet on 30A breaker

I just bought a lower-mid priced 120V/20A welder (Forney Easy Weld 140MP), and the manual details that the welder be plugged into a 20A outlet (with a 30A circuit breaker), or you can use a provided adapter to plug into a 15A outlet (with a 20A…
b. insler
  • 333
  • 2
  • 4
23
votes
5 answers

subpanel breaker tripped as well as main breaker - should I be concerned?

All... My garage had only one outlet so I extended it using surface raceways. Like a dummy, I did not turn off the breaker when I started the installation of the raceway. "I know what I'm doing and I wrapped electrical tape around the existing…
Clint
  • 361
  • 2
  • 6
1 2 3
…
99 100