Home Improvement Stack Exchange
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1500 questions
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3 answers

What is my drill hitting and not penetrating when I hang curtains?

I'm living in an apartment. So far I've put up 2 sets of curtains and had the same troubles with both attempts. One set was over a sliding mirrored closet door (tacky!) and the other set was over a window. What's happening is there's something…
OwenP
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Does voltage play any role in choosing the appropriate wire gauge?

Online, most household wiring guides suggest 14 gauge wire for 15 amp circuits, 12 for 20 amps, and 10 for 30 amps. Do these assume the voltage is 120, or does voltage not come into play when choosing wire gauge? For example, I have an appliance…
trw
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How do I repair/prevent woodpecker holes in cedar siding?

What is the best way to patch woodpecker holes and deter the woodpeckers from returning? I was thinking of filling the holes with Great Stuff, having the house sprayed inside/outside for insects and buying some fake owls. Thoughts?
themerlinproject
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5 answers

How do I fix a sinkhole in my backyard?

I have a sinkhole in my backyard along the fence line which began expanding during the last few months. There's a slight depression in the ground about 6' in diameter centered around one of the fence posts which is set in concrete. The fence post at…
Doresoom
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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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17
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6 answers

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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4 answers

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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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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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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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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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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How do I run power to a treehouse if I can't bury the wire?

I put in a treehouse and would love to get power to it, but my property is very rocky. Burying the wire is just not practical as digging a trench would require equipment that can get through rock on a very uneven surface. Is there a practical way…
DBWeinstein
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