Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Most Popular

more tags
1500 questions
20
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
  • 211
  • 2
  • 5
20
votes
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
  • 331
  • 1
  • 2
  • 8
20
votes
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
  • 542
  • 2
  • 4
  • 10
20
votes
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
  • 1,283
  • 5
  • 22
  • 43
20
votes
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
  • 3,146
  • 6
  • 23
  • 28
20
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
  • 201
  • 2
  • 3
20
votes
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
  • 301
  • 1
  • 2
  • 5
20
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
  • 723
  • 2
  • 10
  • 20
20
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
  • 201
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
20
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
20
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
  • 309
  • 1
  • 2
  • 6
20
votes
4 answers

Should lintels above wall portals be considered for smoke alarm placement?

I need to place a smoke alarm on my first floor (no sleeping areas). There is a wall portal with a 15" lintel (see image) between the living room and the dining room. I am unsure whether one alarm is adequate for both of these areas. My…
Darryl
  • 373
  • 2
  • 10
20
votes
5 answers

What bit should I use to drill a two inch hole in a solid concrete wall?

I am planning to install a 1.5-inch conduit through a poured concrete wall. I am planning on drilling a two-inch hole to accommodate the size of the conduit body. I have been searching up and down, but I don't know what drill bit to use. Bi-metal?…
Henrik VT
  • 322
  • 1
  • 2
  • 7
20
votes
6 answers

How long should I wait to plug in my refrigerator after unplugging it?

I just had a strange recommendation when I wanted to move the fridge inside my house to a new position. It's just about 2 feet away. I was told that I should wait 30-40 minutes after I unplug the fridge before plugging it in again. How is it so and…
deathemperor
  • 303
  • 1
  • 2
  • 5
20
votes
6 answers

Does unblocking power bar outlets through short extension cords increase fire risk?

Power supply units are often large relative to the outlet and block access to adjacent outlets in a power bar. A simple solution is to use 1/2 ft or 1 ft (15cm, 30cm) power extension cords to keep all outlets in a power bar available. Yet my hunch…
Calaf
  • 1,205
  • 6
  • 25
  • 47
1 2 3
…
99 100