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1500 questions
15
votes
4 answers
Is there any danger in pulling a washing machine forward?
Our washing machine broke, specifically it stopped draining water. The water has been in there for a few days now and has started to smell. I researched this problem a bit and all possible solutions involve having access to the back of the machine.…
joon
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15
votes
4 answers
How can I tell if these pipes are gas lines or water lines?
I recently moved into an in-law unit of a large old house. In the kitchen, there are two pipes coming out of the wall (one protruding out a little more than the other). I had assumed they were gas lines to connect my stove. But since the stove…
Erica
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15
votes
2 answers
Splitting a 240V line into two 120V lines
In my garage I have wiring for a 240V outlet. It is a four-wire setup (two hots, one neutral and one ground). It is set up on a 20 ampere double breaker in the circuit breaker box. I want to remove that outlet and install two 120V receptacles in its…
Kevin Bright
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15
votes
4 answers
How do I replace a garage door spring?
One of the springs on my garage door has snapped. I'd like to replace it, but it seems like I'm going to have to get the door up before I can do so. Of course, the door is extremely heavy with a broken spring, so that is tricky. Do I just need to…
Jim Kiley
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15
votes
6 answers
How much pressure should you apply when rolling on paint?
I hate painting, as I know many people do. One of my issues has always been the streaks that are left on the wall. I got to thinking that perhaps I'm applying too much pressure when I'm painting, and that's what is causing the streaks to show…
hack3rfx
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15
votes
3 answers
New GFCI outlet; green light is on but no power
I installed a new GFCI outlet with an one that was working. I wired it exactly as the older one and it isnt working. The green light is on but no power? I reversed the wires and no light. I replaced it back with the old one and it works.... I…
Joe
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15
votes
7 answers
How can I stop my lights dimming when my Air Conditioning turns on?
I have no noticeable problems with my house's electricity, but when my Air Conditioner kicks in (and here in Central Texas, it kicks in year round) my lights dim for a second or so and then run normally. It doesn't seem to have any bad effects,…
enkrates
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15
votes
8 answers
How to finish wide gap in drywall at edge of ceiling
I have a long narrow gap in the ceiling where it meets the wall. It is too big for plaster and tape, but too small (and uneven) to cut a piece of drywall.
Furthermore, unlike in this question, there is no wood to fill with plaster.
What is the best…
TheCatWhisperer
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15
votes
1 answer
What are these tools used for?
I have recently found in a box these two tools:
I do not have any knowledge on whether these tools are for wood or metal.
The second tool can be winded and unwinded in order to form some kind of tooth bite like shape to a material.
Many thanks…
Konstantinos Chertouras
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15
votes
6 answers
How can I detect reverse polarity on an ungrounded receptacle?
Recently moved into a 1950s-built house and am swapping out some of the older receptacles.
On one particular ungrounded circuit there are four receptacles. The first two are as expected - the two black wires were connected to the gold screws in the…
Scott Mitchell
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15
votes
3 answers
What is this electrical cord for?
I found this odd cable while cleaning out the garage of a house I recently bought. It's plugged in to a live outlet but doesn't appear to connect anywhere. It also has some wrapped junction in the middle. Super puzzling to me. Thanks!
Chris
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15
votes
6 answers
How should I run wiring for my above-fireplace mounted TV?
I'm going to mount my 47" LCD above my fireplace. I'm not looking for arguments against this decision. I'm looking for wiring solutions. The diagram below should help explain the situation.
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Jordan Ryan Moore
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15
votes
3 answers
What should I look for when choosing a stud finder?
Stud finders are notoriously unreliable at finding studs; some will indicate a "rapidly shifting network of hundreds and hundreds of studs". Is there a way to determine before purchase that a particular stud finder will be more accurately named…
intuited
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15
votes
5 answers
What is the difference between R20 and PAR20 lightbulbs?
Are they compatible? What do R and PAR prefixes represent in general?
Important decision, need to buy several replacement lightbulbs!
Meringros
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15
votes
5 answers
How do I install transition molding between my new hardwood and existing tile floors?
I have ripped out some old carpet and am preparing to install a new solid hardwood floor myself. In several places, the floor transitions to an existing tile floor. The hardwood floor guys told me the best transition between the two is a T…
mohlsen
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