Home Improvement Stack Exchange
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1500 questions
21
votes
2 answers

Where do measurements start on a ruler/tape measure

I feel really dumb asking this question, but I need help reading the lines on my tape measure. I need to make precise measurements, but given the thickness of the inch lines, I'm not sure how. I've added lines in the following picture. I assume 1…
Ben A.
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21
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7 answers

How can I remove a dead animal stuck inside an underground stormwater drain pipe?

An animal, probably a fat rat, has got stuck in an underground 100mm (4 inch) stormwater drain pipe and blocked it somewhere in our front yard, possibly under the driveway. The drain has started to stink and rainwater to pool in the backyard. The…
Reza
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21
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7 answers

What can I do to keep my shed (or house) free of spiders?

I've got an old shed at the end of my garden, this summer I gave it a complete cleanout, but within a few weeks it was back to its cobweb infested state. Being quite an arachnaphobe, it makes getting stuff in/out quite an uncomfortable…
user155695
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21
votes
4 answers

Is this stair rise to code?

Edited: I added a photo of the whole stairs, to see if it looks like it can be fixed or if you all think he needs to start over. We are currently having our front porch steps and railing rebuilt. The top step rests right under the porch, resulting…
Catport
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21
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9 answers

What is the reason for electric heaters saying to never use an extension cord?

Virtually all electric heaters that I've seen say to never use them with an extension cord and this advice seems to be echoed by fire safety organizations and such. However, I'm curious about exactly what the danger is. I'm aware of why you…
reirab
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21
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6 answers

What is the best order for interior painting (walls, trim, windows, etc.)?

I'm repainting a room. I'm removing wallpaper from the walls, and stripping paint from trim around doors, windows and baseboards. There's no crown moulding. I might repaint the ceiling, not sure yet. What is a good order for stripping and repainting…
Reed Hedges
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21
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3 answers

Recommend attachment for a drill/driver for drywall screws

I know there exist special 'screw guns' which are used to install drywall sheets and ensure that the sheets won't be crushed when driving screws. Do there exist special attachments which are installed in drill/drivers that basically guarantee that…
Mark
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21
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7 answers

How to unscrew screws that are barely accessible?

I need to remove the face of a fake drawer that is screwed from behind. Unfortunately, a kitchen sink is preventing me from using a screwdriver. There is approximatively 4cm of space. The screw head is a PZ2. Is there a tool can could help me remove…
alecail
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21
votes
4 answers

What is this tool called and what is it used for?

Can anyone tell me what these are used for? I have a full set that was handed down. There is NO edge on these at all for cutting and they are too light of a gauge to be snips.
Mark
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21
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4 answers

How should I deal with a cable found underground on my property?

I was digging in my garden and I found a wire coming through my garden underground. It looks old and dead, and I would like to take it off the ground, but the problem is that both ends lead somewhere outside my garden, so I don't really know where…
ivanko
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21
votes
4 answers

Setting cut depth on a circular saw

When using a circular saw to cut through panels or dimensional lumber or whatever, the DIY folk on YouTube always set the cut depth to “a hair beyond what you’re cutting”. I’ve been blindly doing the same, but realized the other day I have no idea…
Rob de Jonge
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21
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1 answer

What's the difference between "Framing Lumber" and "Framing Studs"?

The Home Depot website has these two as categories under Dimensional Lumber. Why would one want to exclude items from one category during a search for wood to use in a project? What is the difference?
brentonstrine
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21
votes
9 answers

What is this pipe coming out of the basement floor?

I’m finishing an old (1930) empty basement and have a random pipe coming out of the floor. ⁠I have no clue what it is or what it went to as it sits alone in the space. ⁠It is metallic (tested with a magnet). ⁠It’s currently capped off and did have…
Aaron
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21
votes
7 answers

How to disconnect air conditioner lines from outdoor unit?

I need to temporarily move the outdoor unit to one side to access the wall behind it. Is it possible to do this with basic tools? I just need to disconnect the copper pipes as there's enough slack in the power supply so I can keep the wires…
user82609
21
votes
11 answers

My room lights' brightness pulses when I turn on my toaster oven

I have a house with old 2-prong wiring in most of my bedrooms. My toaster oven is plugged in on the kitchen countertop. Whenever I turn it on, the brightness of the lights in 3 (out of 4) of my bedrooms starts pulsing. I measured the voltage from…
breezymri
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