Home Improvement Stack Exchange
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1500 questions
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5 answers

How to keep screws in a hollow door

I have a hollow core interior door. The screws for the handle keep pulling out. To fix this I've used the biggest screws that will fit. I've tried a couple of different types of glue, and I've tried hollow door plugs. All of these solutions last a…
GdD
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Can my municipal water line siphon from my house water lines?

Our local water tower is empty during this winter storm. I heard my water heater "running" even though there were no faucets on in the house - I immediately thought I had a burst pipe. After finding no leaks, I turned on a faucet, and there was…
Aww_Geez
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What basic safety equipment should everyone have?

When doing DIY what safety kit should everyone have (and use)?
Walker
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4 answers

What should I do with a powered switch that seemingly does nothing?

In my house, I fortunately have a well-labeled circuit breaker. There are a few rooms that could be better named, but it's fine. As such, it's very easy to identify almost every switch and what it does and what breaker switch it's attached…
Merlin -they-them-
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How can I get a wire that is outside a wall to be inside a wall

I recently removed an abominable drop ceiling from my dining room and found this close to the ceiling on the one side of the room. There is definitely a stud between these two holes. On the other side of the wall, there is another wall…
Scribblemacher
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Should I make my two steps have the same rise or keep one closer to a typical height?

I have a 10-1/2" rise outside from my concrete patio to my deck. Should I put in one step at the halfway point or a shorter step with a 3" rise with the 2nd step being 7-1/2"?
R. Flower
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4 answers

What is the difference between "handle tie" and "common trip" in circuit breakers?

This image shows a quad-breaker with handle ties. Image borrowed from this DIY question One of the comments noted that despite the "handle ties", this is not a "common trip" breaker. I, in my ignorance, previously assumed that a trip on one of the…
FreeMan
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What are "backstab" receptacles/outlets?

Several questions and answers on the site mention electrical outlets or receptacles with "backstab" holes (just a short while ago, here). I'm sure people in the US find that description to be obvious, but for the benefit of those of us from other…
einpoklum
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What is the cause of this short in the outlet receptacle?

My dishwasher was plugged into this socket, and then this happened, tripping the circuit breaker. So I assume there was a short in the outlet, but how could that have happened? I replaced the outlet and plugged the dishwasher back in, and all…
Patrick Szalapski
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6 answers

Hang indoor swing chair BETWEEN two ceiling joists

I purchased one of those indoor hanging swing chairs for kids, specifically this one, which is meant to be mounted in the ceiling with a single eye bolt. I want to hang this in a 38" space, between wall and bookshelf. This is pretty tight, so I…
Aaron Beall
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What are these orange outlets directly attached to my breaker box?

I haven't noticed these over the years I've owned my home. Only recently I happened to look down and think "huh, that's odd, why are those outlets colored bright orange." I have, over the years, realized that color around electrical components…
William
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1 answer

What is this component in my microwave?

My apartment comes with a wall-mounted microwave (KitchenAid KHMC1857WSS) that I clean periodically. While doing so, I see this component mounted on the right-side inside the microwave. It clearly has a dark discoloration, looking like it was burnt…
ChiefOfGxBxL
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What is this sticking out of my wall?

I've got this small thing (see attached pictures) in my third-floor bedroom wall that previous tenants have simply painted over. It's about 1 inch in diameter, sitting about 5 feet off the floor, and has two smaller bumps on it. It also has two…
zephyr
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What direction should laminate flooring be placed in?

I'm thinking of installing laminate flooring and have a question: If I'm installing laminate throughout the house, should ALL of it be going in the same direction? Say for example, let's say I have a hallway that is perpendicular to a large living…
Mike B
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What happens to foam insulation board after you pour concrete slab?

I plan on making a garage out of a large carport, and I've watched and I understood how to properly insulate a new concrete slab. 4 inches of gravel, vapor barrier, 2 inch foam board, 2 inches of sand and then 4-6 inches of poured concrete with mesh…
Jeffyx
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