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1500 questions
18
votes
6 answers
Should I use nails or screws to refasten my subfloor to the joists?
My subfloor is squeaky, and there's a small window of opportunity I'll have to fasten it down before/during my carpet being replaced. I have available to me a nice corded drill, and an air-powered framing nailer. My chief concern is longevity of…
Bryan Boettcher
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18
votes
2 answers
Should I sand each layer of mud when joining drywall?
I'm plastering my first drywall and have been given advice from a friend who as done it a few times before. He believes I should not sand down the mud (a.k.a. jointing compound) between coats, but I think I should. I don't think the first layer is…
Craig
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18
votes
7 answers
Where could all these flies be coming from?
Now is the transition from spring to summer. The house I am now living has some strange things happening.
In the daytime of one day last week, I found many flies gather on the inside face of the window in the front living room. I then opened the…
Tim
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18
votes
4 answers
Why is my table saw blade burning oak boards as I make rip cuts?
Bought a new saw blade, most expensive one I've seen and it still burns the wood and takes some pushing to get through.
I am ripping 1 3/4 thick oak with the grain.
Blade is Orange Chrome Heavy Duty Multi Purpose Carbide 10" x 0.126"
60 TCG
Am I…
user3561494
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18
votes
10 answers
Should gaps be left between sheets of drywall for any reason?
My cousin says I should leave 1/4" space between all edges of drywall so that mud can be pressed into it. Everything I've read online say to butt them tight. When is leaving a gap a good idea?
Jerry
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18
votes
3 answers
Small branch stuck in electric wire
A few weeks ago a small branch became stuck in the telephone and cable wires leading to our house. I hoped it would blow out, but the latest snow storm has put it in it's current position.
Is this a concern? Could it mess up our electricity or…
user20127
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18
votes
8 answers
Broken door jamb - What's the easiest way to fix this?
My screen door arm bracket started pulling off of the door jamb. Unfortunately, it was a few days before I noticed, so I've already lost one corner of the bracket (I plan to replace the bracket, because it's also a bit bent up). More unfortunately,…
Sean Duggan
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18
votes
10 answers
Could a layman build a house from plans?
i am looking at pre-made architectural house plans on the Internet ranging from 300 to 800 square feet, some multi-level. I have no housebuilding experience. I don't imagine many of the millennials for which these are designed do.. I'm not even an…
DVCITIS
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18
votes
14 answers
What kitchen counter material would you recommend and why?
What are the pros and cons of various kitchen counter top materials?
Granite
Corian
Concrete
Laminate
Quartz
Silestone
Other
jlpp
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18
votes
2 answers
What is causing/caused these brown circular stains in my cabinetry?
Recently moved into a 1950s-built home and have unearthed a number of brown, circular stains on the wood inside various closets. These rings don't appear on the plaster walls, but rather on the wood shelves or siding in the closet. Here is a picture…
Scott Mitchell
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18
votes
6 answers
What sorts of appliances will malfunction on a reversed AC outlet?
The house I recently acquired had some wiring done in the basement by the previous owner. I've identified 3 outlets (all on the same circuit) where the live and neutral wires are reversed. I've switched off the breaker to that circuit so people…
Octopus
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18
votes
5 answers
How can I cut off 1/8 inch from ceramic tile?
I have a couple of 4"x4" ceramic tiles that are cut just slightly too wide. I need to take off about an eighth of an inch. I expect that's too little for the standard score-and-snap approach. What's the easiest way, given that I don't have any…
Jeremy Stein
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18
votes
5 answers
How can I effectively use Google Sketchup to render walls, doors, and windows?
This question falls dangerously close to being a software question, but it's definitely specific to DIY...
My house is around 100 years old. Off-the-shelf home design programs have nice libraries of drop-on components like walls and windows that can…
richardtallent
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18
votes
6 answers
How to remove screws from old decking
I have some decking in my back garden and some of the planks need replacing. However, the screws are difficult to remove.
Some have rusted/weakened sufficiently so that I've managed to remove the screw head entirely when trying to unscrew them while…
Matt Hogan-Jones
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17
votes
8 answers
When bolting down a porcelain toilet, how tight is "too tight"?
Tightening bolts on the base of a toilet is the one thing about toilet installation that has me the most nervous. They say not to over-tighten, but how tight is too tight before the porcelain is subject to cracking? Do I tighten until I can't…
oscilatingcretin
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