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1500 questions
21
votes
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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21
votes
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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21
votes
20 answers
What projects should never be DIY?
What are the most common DIY projects that you should not do yourself? What must be hired out?
Edit: Just to be clear, what we're looking for here are the things that a regular homeowner might think they can do, but should not.
Things that look…
Jay Bazuzi
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21
votes
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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21
votes
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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21
votes
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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21
votes
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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21
votes
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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21
votes
5 answers
Is this a tool? Or a nail?
Got this at a yard sale in a bin with mostly random fasteners. Its about 3" long.
It has a tip like a nail but a dipped-looking rubberized coating.
Any ideas what this could be for? Someone suggested a small awl but given the very small size of the…
StayOnTarget
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21
votes
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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21
votes
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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21
votes
14 answers
Best way to stick a very long Ethernet cable semi-permanently to walls?
TL;DR: I am looking for good ways to stick flat Ethernet cable semi-permanently to ceilings/walls ideally suited to someone with no DIY expertise whatsoever
After successfully untwisting the very twisted Ethernet cable (thanks @Ecnerwal) I ran the…
Lieu Zheng Hong
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21
votes
7 answers
Why does Tesla recommend such a small gauge wire for their chargers compared to this chart I found online?
We are looking to install two NEMA 14-50 outlets for our kids to charge their electric cars, and I'm confused about wire choice. I thought I understood the correct wire to use, but then ran across a Tesla document that said something completely…
Nicholas
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21
votes
6 answers
Contractor is installing a vinyl fence and posts but is not using any water with concrete. Is he doing it right?
I hired a reputable local company to install 6 foot vinyl fence around my yard. Salesman was telling me how they would be using cement to hold the post in place. To my surprise I see the workers use dry cement mix with no water or sand or anything…
Agoor
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21
votes
7 answers
Why is my house wired with two coax in every room and an RJ11 splitter?
My house was built around 2005, though I've only owned it a year. Setting aside from the insane cluster of coax wiring we found in the attic, I'm trying to understand why every room in the house has at least one, and usually two outlets that look…
Warren
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