Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

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1500 questions
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5 answers

Do studs in wooden buildings eventually get replaced as they lose their structural capacity?

I'm living in a 30 years old building made of wood - an ordinary apartment complex in Seattle. As I was drilling a hole into a stud, a thought occurred to me - over the years, these studs have probably seen hundreds if not thousands of things…
JonathanReez
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Hole in granite countertop for kitchen faucet slightly small

The hole for a faucet in my granite countertop is 1 1/4 inch. This limits my selection for faucets. I'm wondering if I can make the hole bigger without spending an arm and a leg. I have lots of woodworking tools, and I could make a template with a…
Marty Fried
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Can I use the CAT3 cable in my home for internet?

I have FiOS internet (200 Mbps up/down service), via an Ethernet cable entering my house from one of their ONT boxes outside. I would love to have it available at each of the wall plates in my house. When the Verizon tech did the install, he looked…
Mr. W.
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3 answers

Any problem to build a house that covers a same-sized hole in the ground?

I have recently bought a piece of land to build a country cottage and perhaps eventually move there permanently. The terrain is sloped with only a few flat spots. The former owners dug a large rectangular hole in one of these flat spots, with about…
heltonbiker
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What is this stake in my yard and can I remove it?

My child has been swinging in our front yard (NC, US) and worn away the grass, revealing this metallic stake (* See photo, note the acorn top for scale*): I gently tried to pull it up, but it is lodged in pretty well, and I don't want to damage city…
neuronet
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3 answers

How can I patch this ceiling hole my new light fixture does not fully cover?

I recently had a new ceiling light fitted which replaced a standard plastic ceiling rose. The new fitting is quite slim and the old fitting was hiding a larger than expected cutout in the plasterboard. What would be the best way to fill in these…
FlyingBattery
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7 answers

How to reduce drywall hole size

I want to run network cable into a bedroom and was going to use one of those Low Voltage Wall plate and cat 5E wall plate over it. While trying to install low voltage wall plate, instead of tracing inner sides I traced outer sides and cut a wider…
Siva
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Why tape black garbage bags to outside windows, not between inside windows and blinds?

I went store to buy double layer of heavy duty black garbage bags to black out a bright bedroom at night, and spoke with salesperson and his supervisor. They both recommended go outside to balcony and tape these bags on outside window. Don't stay…
user54670
16
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5 answers

My house was hit by lightning. What should I do?

A huge thunderstorm passed by the other night and lightning hit the condo building I live in. The fire department came out and inspected the attic, and removed the antenna that was hit. Inside the condo unit, some of the outlets no longer seem to…
The Other Steven
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How do I drywall when the studs are not flush?

I have a problem with my bathroom. I recently had someone come and switch the door from the kitchen side to the other side while redoing my kitchen. He did a great job and the kitchen looks great. That being said he used new studs to re-frame the…
Ryan Brokaw
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6 answers

What is this kind of security bolt head called, and how can I remove it?

A previous owner fitted the light fitting pictured above, and has not left me a tool to remove the bolt. The bulb has blown so I need to get in to the unit. The head diameter is about 12mm and the gap between the two notches is about 6mm. I would…
Dickon Reed
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3 answers

House already wired for ethernet; how to engage?

A previous owner of my home (I don't know when) wired every room in the house with an ethernet port. I have not been using the ethernet at all, but recent needs for working at home have made me curious about what I could accomplish with somewhat…
gregmacfarlane
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4 answers

How can I install a cable jack without a box?

I recently had our drywall replaced due to flooding. Our coax cables are now just hanging out of the new wall and I need to install cable jacks. Is there a way I can mount the coax wall plates to the drywall without an electric box in the wall? I'd…
ShawnCBerg
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4 answers

What is this attaching my toilet seat and how can I unscrew it?

I’m trying to unscrew my toilet seat but it seems to have been fitted with this plastic mechanism, which doesn't seem to want to be unscrewed. Do I need a special tool to remove it?
Urbycoz
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6 answers

Should I run 240v for any supported appliances?

I am having my main circuit breaker panel replaced (by a licensed electrician) and he told me I can run new circuits for him to hook up to the new panel. Is there any benefit to running 240v circuits for computers, network equipment, other devices…
yakatz
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