Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Most Popular

more tags
1500 questions
23
votes
5 answers

How do I reattach a shelf to the wall when it ripped out of the wall?

I had attached a shelf to my wall using the hardware that came with the shelf, but then it came crashing down in the middle of the night and all of my stuff came down with it. The hardware came from Home Depot, I don't remember the name, but there…
aaazalea
  • 359
  • 1
  • 4
  • 10
23
votes
5 answers

Central Vacuuming: Is it worth it, and how does it compare to normal vacuuming?

I am in the process of buying a brand new home in the US through a builder. The home will be approximately 3,000 sq ft and I was given the option of buying a central vacuuming system for the house. It looks really nice and convenient. The price…
MisterStrickland
  • 595
  • 3
  • 6
  • 14
23
votes
4 answers

What should I use to secure/organize data cable runs?

I am running Cat-6 and Coax in new construction. I am looking for advice/best practices on how to organize and secure the cables during the runs. I will be running 2 Cat-6 and 1 Coax to a single-gang box in nearly each major room. These runs will…
Steve
  • 815
  • 4
  • 11
  • 21
23
votes
4 answers

What is the proper way to run wires along/across basement ceiling joists?

I want to add an electrical outlet in my unfinished basement. It makes sense to run the wire along the ceiling because that's where all the other wires are. What is the proper way to install NM cable either parallel to or perpendicular to the…
Vebjorn Ljosa
  • 9,705
  • 19
  • 62
  • 90
23
votes
6 answers

Does A/C encourage mold growth?

I think I'm being sold bunk by a mold company, but not sure. We live in the tropics, we recently had our bathroom ceiling flood due to a burst pipe, and went away immediately after. (the landlord had the bathroom ceiling removed a bit under a week…
ChrisJ
  • 333
  • 1
  • 2
  • 6
23
votes
8 answers

How can I fill a wheelbarrow tire when the bead is gapped away from the rim?

I have this wheelbarrow with tubeless tire, I had to replace it with the new one, however I don't see how to pump it! The tire is quite stiff, and it was tricky to put it on the rim, but now it looks like the tire isn't well adjusted to the rim. Did…
Mark
  • 1,345
  • 6
  • 36
  • 54
23
votes
5 answers

Architect drawing home addition by hand

I am planning to expand master bedroom and hired an architect to draw the plan. What I learnt is that he drew diagram by hand and not using CAD. He is an old guy. But I am wondering if I should be concerned now? Given this age, everything has to be…
HP.
  • 1,916
  • 16
  • 83
  • 114
23
votes
9 answers

How to get rid of CO₂ in a house with A/C in hot summer?

Recently, I've been measuring the CO₂ concentration during multiple nights and the levels in the bedroom where I sleep are very high and unhealthy (over 1600 ppm). I use an AirVisual monitor, which is high precision and catches the trends. I opened…
Physther
  • 333
  • 1
  • 2
  • 6
23
votes
5 answers

How would I go about turning a tree in to a tabletop?

My father-in-law is about to cut down a large Ash tree (on the insistence of a neighbour). At the same time, we need a dining table, and quite like the idea of a simple wooden slab on legs. Unfortunately I only have basic knowledge of woodwork, and…
UpTheCreek
  • 1,061
  • 4
  • 15
  • 21
23
votes
9 answers

Does bare drywall need to be primed before painting?

Is it necessary to prime bare drywall before painting? And do we need to prime existing textured, painted walls before we mud over them?
RET
  • 1,852
  • 15
  • 47
  • 65
23
votes
7 answers

Lubricant for squeaky doors

I'm looking for a long term solution to my squeaky doors. Our home is fitted with brass hinges on all doors and lately they have all been starting to squeak. I've tried several silicone based lubricants but none have solved this issue permanently.…
Geoff Dalgas
  • 477
  • 3
  • 8
  • 16
23
votes
1 answer

How do I remove this fastener under my bathroom faucet

What the heck is this brass fastener and how do I remove it? It seems to be holding down my bathroom faucet which I'm trying to replace. All I can think is that center "hinge" maybe unscrews somehow? But I don't see any way to grip it, it doesn't…
Magnus
  • 333
  • 1
  • 2
  • 6
23
votes
7 answers

How do I remove wallpaper from drywall?

I know there are a lot of different ways to remove wallpaper, ranging from elbow grease to chemicals and steam machines. What way(s) work(s) best?
Jon Fournier
  • 714
  • 2
  • 8
  • 12
22
votes
4 answers

Why don't programmable thermostats automatically switch between "Cool" and "Heat"?

While I can set my house to be a particular temperature, I still have to manually switch it between "Heat" and "Cool" mode, and this seems to be true of every thermostat (programmable or not) that I've seen. Is there a reason for this?
Adam Robinson
  • 941
  • 5
  • 16
  • 26
22
votes
6 answers

What "code" applies to projects that I do in my own home?

A good portion of the answers and discussion on this site references "code". What does a DIY-er need to know about code as it relates to project in their own home? Most of what I can find online either refers to commercial projects or third-party…
Portman
  • 1,099
  • 3
  • 10
  • 14
1 2 3
…
99 100