Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

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1500 questions
15
votes
6 answers

Why won't HVAC supply stores sell directly to the public?

I am quite shocked that every store in my very large metropolitan area that sells HVAC supplies requires purchasers to have HVAC contractors license. Which makes it very difficult for a very technically inclined DIY-er to do the job himself. I…
amphibient
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What type of tape do I use on a dryer vent?

I need to install a dryer periscope vent in my new dryer unit, However, it needs to be sealed for leaks. What type of tape should be used to tape a periscope dryer vent?
Rick
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What are my options for asphalt driveway repair and/or sealing?

I live in New England and my asphalt driveway is showing a lot of cracks. There's also a little divot in one flat spot that collects water. What are my options for getting the driveway back to looking good, and stopping any further damage?
Jon Fournier
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Garage door opener remotes do not work when light is on

Garage door opener remotes do not work when light is on. I have the same issue with three remotes with fresh batteries. Removing the lightbulbs does not help. The wired wall button works fine. The unit is 20+ years old and only started having issues…
mrBlack
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15
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6 answers

Accidentally drilled holes through dryer duct

Husband was installing some cabinets in our laundry room and thought he was drilling into a stud, but turned out to be the dryer duct. So there are a few holes in it now. Can we leave this as is or do we need to remove drywall to repair? We’re…
Jessica
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Are there any reasons I shouldn't remove this odd nook from a basement room?

I'm thinking about taking out this weird nook in my basement, along with the white-topped blocks/supports that surround it. Is there any reason I shouldn't? In other words - is there a likely purpose the nook serves that means I ought to leave it…
infinitely_improbable
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What kind of lightbulb is pictured here, having a clear bulb window and 4 yellow vertical rods?

I have a weird issue where different types of light bulbs are triggering some kinds of visual issues. I found this lightbulb to be perfect. However, when I unscrewed it to read the label, it fell on the ground and broke! What kind of lightbulb is it…
nick carraway
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3 answers

Will the coating on deck screws interact poorly with untreated lumber?

I installed a washer box onto a stud using deck screws. Following this, during a conversation at Lowe's with one of their employees, I was informed that the coating on deck screws is specifically designed for use with pressure-treated wood.…
Chris
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5 answers

Why does my tankless water heater fail when the HVAC is running?

Florida, USA. 1963 or 1964 home. TL;DR: When my central (electric) heat is running, my A.O. Smith tankless (electric) water heater malfunctions. We purchased this home a few months ago. Over the last six decades it’s had a lot of work done, and…
samh
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15
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9 answers

How long should I wait before painting or staining pressure-treated wood?

My husband is installing a new deck with pressure-treated lumber at our home in Tennessee. How long does he need to wait to paint, or should he stain the deck now?
Y.Kimble
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3 answers

How should I power a shed before the house is built?

I want to bring power in to an undeveloped lot, where the first thing I want to build is a shed/shop. This will be the main base of operations while I begin constructing the main house. Since I will need power in the shed long before the house goes…
nscheens
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15
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4 answers

How can I remove a fridge that's trapped in my kitchen?

We bought this house 4 years ago and the kitchen was updated by the prior owner about 7-8 years ago. The Fridge is about 12-13 years old and has been acting up. I started looking at replacements and measuring out our current fridge and its 36" x…
D_D
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I think my electrician compromised a loadbearing stud

I contracted a company to remove a closet partitioning wall along with a header and a few small pieces. That work was all approved by a structural engineer in an official report. However, I was also having the company install a power outlet in the…
Kyle
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15
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7 answers

Am I OK cutting an unused cable TV incoming service cable attached to my house?

I have some tree limbs I need to cut but there is a wire under it going to a house I own and will eventually demolish. I think the wire is for internet. I called the local company to get it removed, but I'm not a customer and will not become one, so…
MsAgentM
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4 answers

What determines "old work" vs. "new work" during a re-wire project?

My Home Depot Wiring 1-2-3 manual (2000) says the following about DIY re-wiring projects: It's possible that some of the wiring in your home fails to conform to current regulations. That's usually not a problem as long as it conforms to the rules…
Syntax Junkie
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