Home Improvement Stack Exchange
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What happens when you test a smoke detector?

When you press the test button on a smoke detector it obviously beeps, but I'm assuming it doesn't just test the speaker. So, how does the test work? I can't see a practical way to release smoke within the alarm itself, so does it use some other…
DarkLightA
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Is a 4x6x16 swing set beam capable of carrying five swinging children?

My husband just built our kids a large swing set in the back yard. We have 5 little kids (8 years to newborn). We have lots of kids over to play as well. The original plans called for a 12’ beam and 3 swings, but we wanted to fit 4. However, my…
user148908
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What is the best way to permanently abondon an unused cable?

I am doing a remodel on my rental. One of the things being done is replacing electric baseboard heat with a mini-split system. So that involves removing the baseboards and capping the wires. If I disconnect the wires in the breaker panel mark and…
George Anderson
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Mystery telephone wiring device in old house

This mystery thing is mounted to a ceiling joist in the basement of a 1940s house. I have a couple of questions: What is it? Is there any reason I couldn't rip it out and run new Cat 5e's from the NID to the wall jacks, just for the sake of…
alexantd
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Can I vent my bathroom exhaust fan into a plumbing drain vent?

I installed a bathroom fan in the ceiling. My bathroom is in the room right next to the laundry room. The washing machine has the standard drain pipe vent of a pvc pipe venting to the outside through the roof. To avoid cutting another hole in the…
cmccall
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Using 336V HVDC at home

I have a 336VDC source and have been connecting it to an AC extension lead (UK, 3 Pin Sockets) and then connecting various AC devices (which have no DC input specifications on them where the power requirements are listed) such as TV's, phone…
Brandon Kellett
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How can you repair split wood that cannot be moved?

My goal is to install a new set of blinds in an existing window. It looks like a former owner tried to do the same thing and split the wood on the side of the window casing. Unfortunately the location of the split is exactly where I need to screw…
Ben S
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Can I leave excess wire to allow for future use?

If I'm running wire through the crawl space for say a light switch in a wall above, but I plan on moving said wall 8 feet further away in a couple years is it legal/advisable to leave extra wire coiled as shown in the picture to have it ready to go…
Trevor
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What is the purpose of flanged plugs?

What is the purpose of putting a flange on a plug like this (from yard equipment)? Help me understand. It’s not like it’s waterproof. It seems to me it only serves to keep you from plugging it into a cord with a built in splitter. And even with a…
BIBD
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What would cause a microwave oven to trip the breaker when I open the door during heating?

I have a Frigidaire FGMV176NTB range hood microwave oven which was installed new about two years ago. It works fine, but recently started tripping the 15A standard breaker it's on (Siemens c. 1992) when we occasionally open the door to end cooking.…
isherwood
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Stains in grout

For a tiling job, I used this charcoal grout: After a few days, as indicated by the instructions, I applied this sealer: A few minutes after applying the sealant, these white stains appeared randomly in the grout: It's been a few days and the…
Martin Argerami
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Old subpanel has dual 60A breaker feeding lighting

We've inherited an old house, and the original panel for the house seems to be a subpanel to the new service panel that primarily has electric baseboard heating, and two 20A circuits of receptacles in the kitchen. In trying to figure out how things…
Dave X
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Screw with mixed threads?

I changed a deadbolt lock on my front door, and in the pile of old parts, there was a weird screw with 8-32 threads near the head and wood threads at the end. I'm just curious: what is the name for this type of screw? what is it used for? thanks
FJZ
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Electricity coming from panel is not right

After a recent power outage i have serious power issues in my garage. With no load, i get solid 123vac from both channels in the box and a solid 240vac across both legs. As soon as i apply a load one channel drops to approx 100vac and the other…
wsnbh
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Is it safe to use the ground as a neutral when other grounds are available?

I moved into a new house and was working on making a three way switch work properly when I came across some creative wiring. The traveling wire between the switches was only two wires, and the ground from it had been electric taped over and used as…
yesennes
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