Home Improvement Stack Exchange
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1500 questions
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votes
3 answers

Is there ever a reason for reversing hot and neutral on a receptacle?

I moved into a new home and several receptacles have the hot and neutral reversed. I confirmed this with a basic receptacle tester. I opened one up and found the white wire on the brass terminal, and the black wire on the silver terminal. Is there…
Jason
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Is it worthwhile to have ductwork cleaned?

Was rearranging some ductwork in my basement, and noticed that the stuff I took down was pretty filthy inside (especially the return air ducts). Is it worthwhile to have ductwork cleaned out? What kind of (if any) efficiency benefits do you get out…
Eric Petroelje
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How do I fix a door frame that my dog chewed?

My dog chewed the bottom part of the doorframe to my bedroom. I live in a rented apartment, so this is not OK. Is there any way to fix it and make it look somewhat presentable (doesn't have to be perfect)? How do I find a matching frame? How do I…
Jeff
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2 answers

How do I fix a leaky toilet that only leaks from underneath?

I am noticing some water spots on my concrete in my (unfinished) basement. When I look up for the cause of the water I can see water dripping around the hole that is used for the sewer pipe for the toilet (upstairs). (Note: there is a lot of duct…
Vaccano
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4 answers

If my wall has metal studs, is it better to anchor heavy objects through just drywall or also through the studs?

I live in an apartment that has that has metal studs. I'm considering hanging various things from the wall, including a coat rack that will span 5 or 6 studs. I've seen advice that says metal studs are useless and crumple like tin foil and instead…
drs
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2 answers

How can I drill to an exact depth with a hand drill?

I'm drilling holes in 4"x4"s in order to put magnets in them. The magnets are 1/8" deep and I'd like to install them to be flush with the surface of the wood. All I have is a Ryobi cordless drill and my bit set. How can I drill only to a certain…
Naftuli Kay
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6 answers

Do I need to sand my entire deck before staining?

I recently cleaned my deck using Behr deck cleaner and want to re-stain it before the winter. Do you recommend sanding the entire deck, or just the affected areas where the stain has come off? I was thinking of renting a belt sander for the day…
OnlyHumain
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3 answers

What would cause air bubbles in the toilet when I'm showering?

My basement bathroom has recently been remodeled, everything was working fine for a few weeks, but now all of a sudden I am hearing bubbles in the toilet when I shower, at which point the shower drain begins to back up. The shower drain runs…
user13773
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1 answer

Is a main beam being held on by an angle iron a safe construction?

Some background: previous owners poured a new foundation and moved the house over to the new basement about 14 year ago. I've been in the house about 8 years and just noticed today while starting to re-do our basement that one of the main beams is…
Christopher C
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2 answers

Can I tell if there a break in building wire?

Recently my radon fan stopped working. I traced the line from my breaker in the basement to the unit. At one point in the basement, my voltage detector shows that the voltage stops/drops in the wire, just before it enters the wall to the outside of…
shackleton
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8 answers

What is the best method of hanging drywall on ceiling?

I am hanging more drywall and will be doing a basement ceiling. I generally start in a corner and work my way out. I use glue on the joists and then drywall screws. Is the glue needed? I learned to use glue on ceiling from an old drywall pro. …
DMoore
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17
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5 answers

is it possible to turn this dumb-waiter into an elevator?

We recently acquired a house that has an elevator-like mechanism. The former owners call the thing a "dumb waiter", suggesting that it's not safe for human use. Although it's roomy enough for a human to stand in, and supposedly has a 300lb…
RustyShackleford
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Is my stainless steel kitchen sink really chemically dangerous?

My stainless steel kitchen sink arrived with the P65 warning for Nickel and Chromium. Will these chemicals leach into the water over time? Are they present on the surface? Can they be absorbed in my hands as I use the sink? Simply wondering if there…
deahudge
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7 answers

How should I refurbish a concrete slab with a rough surface?

I am about to commence work on extending my garage. I will be pouring a new concrete floor and trying to get as smooth a finish as I can. However, this will flow up to my existing garage floor which was very poorly laid. It looks like when they…
James Drinkwater
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2 answers

Are there safety concerns or code violations with my added outlet and bath fan?

My contractor helped me added several outlets and bathroom fan a year ago. Today I saw the wire in attic are like this. From the duct tape marks I can know each of the wires use for. The additional outlets are for the washlet toilet and hair dryer.
YRJ
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