Home Improvement Stack Exchange
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1500 questions
13
votes
9 answers

How long should I wait before painting or staining pressure-treated wood?

My husband is installing a new deck with pressure-treated lumber at our home in Tennessee. How long does he need to wait to paint, or should he stain the deck now?
Y.Kimble
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13
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5 answers

How do I fix my bathtub drain plug that's not working?

I've looked online and couldn't figure out exactly what I need to do. I just moved to a new flat and found out that the bathtub drain plug doesn't work well, so water leaves from the bathtub pretty quickly, even when it's "closed". I would like to…
filaton
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13
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6 answers

What is the point of this double-ended spanner?

QUESTION: Just, why ? I was exploring a local swap meet and found this. For the life of me I cannot figure out why one would need an adjustable spanner at each end. I mean it's ADJUSTABLE and having two on the same handle means you can't tighten a…
Criggie
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13
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10 answers

DIY fiber optic network connection: 600ft through forest

What equipment, tools and supplies do I need, in order to build and maintain a single fiber optic network connection between two buildings that are about 600 ft apart, separated by forest? The way I am thinking about this problem is, instead of…
DavidMoksha
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13
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4 answers

Why was a screw hot after removal from a wall?

I was mounting a tv and midway I removed the bolt so I could grab the mount. When I removed the mount the tip of the bolt it was hot. I’m wondering if this is because of friction or if I’ve hit a wire. I got a little freaked out so I haven’t touched…
Fern
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13
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1 answer

How do I remove a Kwikset deadbolt with no screws on the inside plate?

My exterior door deadbolt has gotten stuck - it'll open with the lever but not the key. By spraying WD-40 inside the lock, I've been able to get it to work but it's very stiff. I'd like to remove the lock and inspect the inside, either to clean/lube…
Goodbye Stack Exchange
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13
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3 answers

Is it okay/safe to load a circuit breaker to 90% of its amperage rating?

To charge my EV I have a Level 2 Emporia EV Charging station (aka "EVSE") that is capable of outputting a maximum of 40 amps when using its included NEMA 14-50 plug on the supply side. Accordingly, in my home, the circuit that feeds that NEMA 14-50…
Richard B
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13
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5 answers

Square D Homeline AFCI breakers trip for all appliances

I'm trying to install AFCI breakers on my kitchen SABCs (2x 20A circuits), in my Square D Homeline panel. Unfortunately, the breakers trip whenever I try to do anything useful on those circuits. I've spent hours going over all the wiring inside the…
peter
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13
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4 answers

Should I replace two 75-gallon (gas) water heaters in series with a tankless heater?

We live in the Midwest in a large home that was built 20 years ago. At the time, we installed two 75-gallon gas water heaters, and the plumber did this in series, not parallel. We also have a system of pipes for hot water recirculating to each of…
Shelly Lee
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13
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5 answers

Installing a grab bar on a fiberglass shower wall

My elderly mother is coming for a visit and I initially was looking for a suction grab bar but deemed it not reliable so looking for options to install it. I’ve seen videos of grab bar installation without studs - they use Wingits and a toggler…
punsoca
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13
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3 answers

Can I use a 125A panel with a breaker and wiring sized for 90A?

I have a detached garage. I would like to run power to it and have a 400 amp service on my house. I already have a bunch of 2-2-2-4 aluminum ser wire, which I know is only good for 90 amps. I have installed a 125 amp 12 space subpanel and intend on…
Will
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13
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3 answers

Does hardwood floor REALLY need an expansion gap?

The conventional wisdom is that hardwood floors need a 1/4-3/8" gap to the wall (or bottom plate) around the perimeter, hidden under the baseboard. Ostensibly this is for thermal and/or humidity expansion. For a floating floor, I get needing a gap,…
Huesmann
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13
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5 answers

Attempt to locate buried sewer line with melted snow?

I live in a housing addition (built 1965-1980) in the barren (no trees) Oklahoma panhandle. The first thing the new home owners in this area did was plant as many trees as possible. Over last several years in my neighborhood many of these house…
Oily Tex
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13
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2 answers

Why would remotes work reliably on one garage door opener, but unreliable on another?

I have 2 older Home Builder garage door openers. Both have hard wired buttons on the wall that work fine for opening and closing. My remote in my vehicle and another hand held one work to open my door but will not close until I wait for about 3-4…
Frank Haylow
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13
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6 answers

Why don't people use rigid or spray foam insulation in attics?

I'm looking to upgrade the insulation in my attic bumping it from an R-6 to R-30 or better, and while looking into things I realized I've never seen anyone use rigid or spray foam insulation in an attic. Is there a particular caveat to these, or is…
anthonyryan1
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