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1500 questions
11
votes
2 answers
How can I build a custom stair case in a small space?
In my continuing pursuit of gutting this house and trying to better it; the snow has finally broken and its time to get back to work.
We really, REALLY, want to use the attic space as storage / den / office space.
We've finally come to the…
lsiunsuex
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11
votes
2 answers
What does a surge protector do that a breaker doesn't?
The circuit breakers in my home are 120VAC, 15A or 20A breakers.
What would a surge protector (e.g. this or a power strip with surge protection) do that a breaker wouldn't do already?
Jason C
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11
votes
1 answer
How can I adapt a wall outlet to suface mount conduit?
I have a single gang in wall outlet in my basement. I would like to adapt it into surface mount EMT conduit to get an outlet at a different location. Ideally I would be able to keep a plug at the current location, but its not critical.
Once site I…
JBCP
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11
votes
6 answers
How do I lubricate plastic rollers for sliding closet doors?
I just installed some new sliding closet doors, but unfortunately they're a bit squeaky/noisy when operating. They are "Reliabilt" doors from Lowes, the actual company that makes these is SGA. There's nothing in the instructions and nothing on their…
gregmac
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11
votes
5 answers
What are some routine home maintenance tips?
We just built a new home, and I'm wondering what routine things need to be done to keep everything working, well maintained, and happy. I can think of a lot of things, but the problem with any question like this is you never know what you don't…
Scivitri
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11
votes
1 answer
How does this 50 year old shower valve work?
I'm in a bind, with this valve taken out of the wall and the water supply turned off.
It looks like these pieces are all intact, nothing broken. The valve stem screws into what I would call the valve seat, but the valve seat doesn't have anything to…
Jim
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11
votes
6 answers
What is a good way to cat-proof (or child-proof) kitchen cabinets?
Our 6-month-old kitten has figured out how to reliably open kitchen cabinets at floor-level, by standing on his hind legs and grabbing the knob.
What are some good ways to make it harder for him to get these doors open wide enough for him to walk in…
Ed Brannin
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11
votes
6 answers
Can I upgrade existing T12 fluorescent fixtures to T8 just by replacing the ballast and bulbs?
I was going to replace the fluorescent T12 fixtures around my house with T8 fixtures, but I noticed that the T8 bulbs seem to fit just fine into the T12 fixtures. It seems like I could save myself a few bucks and maybe some hassle if I just replace…
rob
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11
votes
2 answers
Venting the attic space during summer to cool the house
The air in my attic gets superheated during summer, from the sun baking the (clay? terracotta?) roof tiles (I live in Sydney, Australia).
I have good ceiling insulation, and even put in some sarking (foil insulation just under the tiles) but some…
MGOwen
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11
votes
3 answers
How bad is it to have wet insulation?
With this recent blizzard we recently saw our ceiling lighting fixture leaking water (slow, about 1 drop every 5 minutes)
I got up in the attic and saw that some snow had been apparently blown into the attic through one of the vents. I removed about…
Ovi Tisler
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11
votes
1 answer
How can I install crown cornice molding and trim on rounded outside corners?
We have rounded outside corners throughout our house what is the best approach to installing crown cornice molding?
The baseboards that are currently installed just come to a 90˚ point and the gap is filled in with putty, trim paint, mud, or…
CapitalBoo
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11
votes
3 answers
How do you bend a sheet a drywall into a curve?
How do you bend a sheet a drywall into a curve? I tried wetting the back surface with a paint roller, letting it soak for 30 minutes, then scoring the back paper in parallel lines about an inch apart where I wanted the curve. When I screwed it to…
jlpp
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11
votes
2 answers
What is this drill guide/template used when fixing electrical sockets called and where do I buy one?
My dad used to have one, you use it as a drill guide/template when fixing electrical sockets, but I cannot find anywhere that sells them, and as I don't know the name Google is not much help!
(Searching on google for "socket drill template" did not…
Walker
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11
votes
1 answer
How can I level a sloped floor?
I have a 10x13 first-floor room which used to be a porch but at some point was closed in by the previous owners, and sheet linoleum was glued down to the plywood subfloor. Unfortunately they didn't correct for the built in slope of the original…
Jay Lance Photography
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11
votes
3 answers
How can I protect my kids' toes from this evil grating in the floor?
The cold air return in this house is in the floor, in the most-trafficked part of the house. It has a heavy grating over it.
My kids' toes are small enough to fit in the gaps, which is very painful when it happens. In the summer I cover the grating…
Jay Bazuzi
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