Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

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1500 questions
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1 answer

What is this in my wall?

I am removing wall paneling and this is in the corner of the room and wondering if it is safe to remove
dbollig
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2 answers

Why are loop (Chicago) vents typically built with three elbows?

Loop vents, for use where direct vents aren't feasible (such as in kitchen island cabinets), are typically drawn, built, and described as comprising three elbow fittings--two 45-degree elbows and one 90. This results in a peaked shape that…
isherwood
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How to connect multiple light fixtures to one switch?

I am remodeling my basement, currently I have 5 light fixtures and each one has its own switch. I would like to make it so when I turn on the switch at the bottom of the stairs all the lights turn on. I would also like to add several more light…
John Thompson
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3 answers

How to bury electrical wiring

I know I can run indoor wire underground as long as it is protected in something, but can I use a water hose to run it through instead of conduit or PVC?
Teresa
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How can I trace cable through floors and walls?

How can I work out where an electrical cable runs through walls/floors? I am building a circuit map of a 1941 house with unfinished basement. I shut off all circuits at the main service panel, switch on the circuit I wish to trace, and track the…
Jeremy W. Sherman
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6 answers

Do I need a cordless screwdriver if I own a cordless drill?

I currently own a cheapo corded drill and one of DeWalt's lower-end cordless screwdrivers. I want to buy a cordless drill because I am done with extension cords. Most (good) cordless drills seem to be able to function as a screwdriver. If I did buy…
myron-semack
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4 answers

Toilet does full-blast, one-second refill every hour or so

I wouldn't lose sleep over this, except the unexpected and fierce sound startles my girlfriend and cat every time. So I just replaced the refill valve on our toilet (using a kit, so everything from the lock nut to the overflow spout, but not the…
Anthony
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6 answers

Do I need a box-spring for my bed?

I've moved into a smaller room and would like to maximize my space. I've decided to build a new bed frame, but for that to work how I would like I would need to eliminate my box-spring as it would make the bed too high. I currently have a standard…
NoBox-spring
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7 answers

Is there a good way to test water quality in your house?

What are the best ways to test for water quality in your house? The water is from a well, not town water. Are there any products that can continuously test the water coming in (versus manually sampling the water every so often)?
caseyboardman
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5 answers

Can paint/hardware stores match stain like they do paint?

I know you can take a color sample to a paint store (or some hardware stores) and get them to match it and mix you up a custom batch. Is a similar service provided anywhere for stain? The color charts from the stain manufacturers sometimes help,…
JohnFx
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3 answers

Why is there 4 inches of metal at on each side of this column?

I have a column in my kitchen. As far as I can tell this is a decorative column, and doesn't contain anything structural -- I live in a high rise, it really cannot contain anything structural. Yet, according to my fancy stud detector, it has metal…
Sargun Dhillon
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5 answers

How do I drill a hole in a shelf without going all the way through?

I need to drill a hole in a shelf that's half an inch deep but I don't want to drill a hole through the shelf. What's the best way of doing that? I have a drill and i was thinking of showing just a half an inch of the drip bit. This way, I can force…
burnt1ce
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5 answers

Why do my new dimmable CFL bulbs hum?

I just spent $100 upgrading our dining room lighting from regular incandescent bulbs with a dimmer switch to a CFL friendly dimmer switch with specifically marked dimming capable CFL bulbs. At full power, they work fine. 5 x 60W equivalent bulbs…
The Evil Greebo
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5 answers

How to fix cracks in lath and plaster?

I have an old house with lath and plaster walls. When I moved in a year ago I fixed dozens of cracks in the plaster with spackling, but many of them have opened back up again. What is the best way to solve this with a more permanent solution?
jdickson
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5 answers

Downsides of Linoleum (in kitchen specifically)

I am thinking of replacing tiled floor in my kitchen with linoleum (in Canada). I see a few benefits to it, 1) easy to wash 2) fallen glassware doesn't always break. However, there seems to be unexplained negative attitude towards linoleums. (At…
pitr
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