Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

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1500 questions
22
votes
8 answers

Is switching the neutral OK?

What’s the worst that can happen if I put a switch in the neutral instead of the phase? I just found out that 3 light bulbs sockets in my home are connected this way. It came to my mind to fix it, but then I recalled the flow of current from…
GoatZero
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7 answers

How do I safely replace a worn out electrical outlet?

I have a number of outlets that are old and worn out (plugs fall out of them mainly.) Obviously I need to turn off the breaker to replace them safely. Any guidance on how to rewire them, how to properly ground the new one, and how to safely test…
JoshReedSchramm
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3 answers

How do I refill a fire extinguisher or should I just buy a new one?

My fire extinguisher is out of charge and I want to either refill it or buy a new one. Is it better/cheaper to refill it or just buy a new one? (Can I even refill this fire extinguisher?) EDIT:
Jeff Widmer
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4 answers

Should the backer board be in front of or behind the tub flange?

I'm installing a new bath tub and shower. I've removed the old tile down to the studs. Should the backer board be in front of or behind the tub flange? I put it on the rear tub wall from floor to ceiling at first, but I can easily remove it if it…
SAM MCKNIGHT
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1 answer

Are cracks in a newly poured concrete basement floor a problem?

I'm having a new home built and found a large crack in the newly poured concrete basement floor and wanted to see if it's something I should be concerned about. The floor was poured sometime in the past two weeks; I need to check with the builder…
viatheether
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22
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3 answers

Why are all the neutral wires in a sub panel burnt or melted?

My barn had a small (6-space) main lug sub panel with four 20A 120V breakers and one 20A 240V breaker. The panel itself was protected by a 50A 240V breaker in the main service panel. It was wired up presumably before 2001 since all of the NM wire…
Kurt Granroth
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22
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4 answers

What is the use for this different threading near the head of a large screw?

I'm inquiring about the strange threading at the base of this screw: These were used in somewhat heavy-duty outdoor construction. What is the purpose of that corkscrew, and is it safe to replace it with a similarly sized regular woodscrew? I…
DarkLightA
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2 answers

Is there any way for a consumer to confirm that a device is actually UL listed?

In the current day and age it's possible to buy any number of interesting and hard to find electrical devices on Amazon and Alibaba from resellers of unknown reputation. Anyone can stamp a UL label on their device, and the consumer is none the…
ipetrik
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22
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2 answers

Is my fast-draining, gurgling sink the cause of sewer smells?

My laundry has a washing machine, a large sink, a toilet and a small hand basin. The washing machine drains into the large sink. We sometimes notice a sewer-like smell in the laundry. I'm trying to figure out what might be causing it. I read this…
OutstandingBill
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22
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4 answers

Do PC boards in AC units wear out?

I live in an area whose local climate encourages corrosion. It is warm, humid, and near the ocean, though not near enough to get any salt-water spray. Five years after building the house, the AC units are starting to quit, one by one. The outdoor…
bubba
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22
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8 answers

Are standard light bulb bases being phased out?

Recently we've been shopping for light fixtures, and have noticed a dramatic increase in non-standard bulbs. CFLs in particular seem to be drifting away from the common threaded base, in favor of 2-post snap in bulbs. I know there are efforts…
Scivitri
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22
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4 answers

Rafters separating from ceiling

I recently bought a house and discovered that the rafters in the attic are separating from the ceiling. The roof does not seem to be sagging, and only the rafters on one side of the attic are separating. The rafters on the other side are fine. Does…
Ace Ender
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22
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5 answers

What is this sharpened steel rod with rubber coating?

Got this at a yard sale in a bin with mostly random fasteners. Its about 3" long. It is very similar to a standard framing nail in diameter, if not slightly less. It has a tip like a nail but a dipped-looking rubberized coating. Any ideas what this…
StayOnTarget
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22
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5 answers

Are there LED lamps available for ovens?

The only place I now use an incandescent bulb is in my oven. It went out the other day and I was looking for a replacement. I am using LED all over these days but realized it may not be possible to use LEDs in a heated environment like an oven. Is…
Christian
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22
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8 answers

What is the proper procedure to apply multiple coats of Polyurethane?

Polyurethane is confusing me. ;) I'm finishing a table top with polyurethane. I've sanded down the original finish to bare wood down to 220 grit paper. I vacuumed and wiped it all down, then did a final wipe with a rag and some mineral spirits.…
DA01
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