Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Most Popular

more tags
1500 questions
13
votes
7 answers

What can one do with shower water?

A relative is rebuilding his bathroom. Since he has a garden and he is all about "thinking green" he was wondering if he could use the shower water (or any other) in any way, like water plants. I found the idea interesting when he told me and we…
nsn
  • 515
  • 1
  • 7
  • 14
13
votes
5 answers

Why aren't Geothermal heat pumps more common?

Air conditioning and heating are major energy consumers in American buildings - commercial, residential, and industrial. I have been curious for a while as to why it isn't more common to use the practically constant 50-60*F temperature of the earth…
Matt Chambers
  • 319
  • 6
  • 13
13
votes
1 answer

How do I unscrew these?

I'm a college kid trying to sneak my boyfriend in my dorm window. The first section is the holder on the window, the second part is the end of the slider on the window. All I have to do is disconnect the slider. This looks definitely like a…
Rose
  • 139
  • 1
  • 3
13
votes
8 answers

Can I connect copper wire to aluminum wire?

I'm installing additional light bulbs in my basement. I have an older house with aluminum wiring. Can I do this: [new light bulbs]<--copper-->[old light bulb junction box]<--aluminum-->[main circuit] Is it safe / does it comply to code ?
Rollo R
  • 1,006
  • 3
  • 18
  • 29
13
votes
6 answers

re-using wood from a concrete form?

I strive to not waste materials wherever possible, and "use once then discard" methods are particularily irksome. So with this mind, what suggestions do you have for enabling re-use of lumber used for concrete forms?
matt wilkie
  • 497
  • 2
  • 6
  • 17
13
votes
1 answer

Is it OK to install a concrete slab without mixing?

Going upon the advice of a reputable builder, I used Quikrete fast-drying concrete for a small slab outside my house. Not load bearing. His recommendation was to dry-pour the whole thing. Framed, leveled, screeded and then watered every 30 minutes…
jerebear
  • 233
  • 1
  • 2
  • 6
13
votes
5 answers

How can I remove a stump?

I need to level a patch of ground in order to put in a shed, but there's a large stump right in the middle of where the shed will go. Since I'm in a suburban setting, dynamite is out, fires are illegal, and I can't get a truck anywhere near the…
chris
  • 3,271
  • 1
  • 23
  • 20
13
votes
3 answers

How can I eliminate one 3-way switch to leave just one switch on the lighting circuit it's on?

I have two sets of lights in my kitchen. At one end of the kitchen, I have a 2 Gang light switch which operates both sets of lights, and at the other end I have a single light switch which operates the lights at that end of the kitchen. I want to…
Roy
  • 131
  • 1
  • 1
  • 4
13
votes
8 answers

What is the best way to clean your clothes dryer exhaust?

My dryer exhaust goes out of my laundry room, into my attic, and runs for about 15 feet before it gets outside. Over time the lent has built up quite a bit. What is the best way to clean this? The sections in the attic are connected via duct…
Jason
  • 727
  • 3
  • 10
  • 22
13
votes
7 answers

Can I plug a generator into a dryer outlet

I have an electric dryer with a 30 amp circuit running to it. If I had a male-male plug to run from a portable generator to this outlet, would it be safe to run essential appliances (water pump, refridgerator, sump pump, etc) during a power outage…
Lucas
  • 267
  • 1
  • 2
  • 6
13
votes
7 answers

How can I fix a Moen faucet that is still leaking after replacing cartridge?

I had a leaky Moen faucet (Moen 4600) so I removed the old cartridge and replaced it with a new brass replacement cartridge (model 1200.) Since replacing the cartridge I now have a leak from the valve stem, that leaks faster the more I open the…
Dave Forgac
  • 351
  • 1
  • 2
  • 9
13
votes
5 answers

Can metal studs support a 64" plasma TV on a swiveling mount?

Alright, I need a sanity check here. I've been tasked with mounting a 64" plasma TV with an articulating mount onto a metal stud wall in the corporate boardroom. It's the quadruple-threat with no room for error. The TV weighs 85lbs dead load. The…
BB ON
  • 359
  • 3
  • 4
  • 16
13
votes
5 answers

What is the best way to remove popcorn from the ceiling?

What is the best solution for removing popcorn from the ceiling if I want to get it to look smooth afterwards? Edit: thanks for your answers! Would you estimate that replacing the drywall on the ceiling would be less work/mess and result in a…
Rom
  • 498
  • 1
  • 6
  • 11
13
votes
5 answers

How can I protect my hands when using power tools?

When doing many DIY projects there's a strong need to protect hands against cutting by sharp part edges. Gloves seem a natural solution. However recently I was mounting a countertop and wearing gloves and I needed to drill a hole in the countertop…
sharptooth
  • 9,537
  • 20
  • 62
  • 87
13
votes
8 answers

What's the minimum recommended compressor HP/PSI to spray paint?

I have a little compressor that I use for a small brad nailer and blowing up tires. Is there a minimum PSI or horsepower that I need to be able to get to in order to spray paint with it?
MattGrommes
  • 663
  • 2
  • 7
  • 11
1 2 3
…
99 100