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1500 questions
14
votes
4 answers

Can tankless & conventional water heaters join forces?

Although I have properly maintained my nearly 20-year-old 40-gallon (150-L) Kenmore natural gas-fired water heater, I have been considering replacing it with a natural gas-fired tankless water heater unit, a Rinnai 180,000BTU (190 MJ), which I…
H1991
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3 answers

What is this cast-iron device on my water supply pipe?

This is on the water main for the house, just downstream of the main shutoff valve. Water is going up in the picture, as the arrow shows. Is it a strainer? A check valve? Pressure regulator? It appears to say "Parts No. 135CM2" but I couldn't find…
hamboy
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6 answers

How can I repair this gas leak on my new range? Teflon tape isn't working

I'm trying to install this GE gas range, so I attached everything and tightened all the nuts. Unfortunately, there's gas leaking at the base of the stove (where the flare connects to the stove). I first tried without teflon tape at the base, and…
rbhat
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1 answer

What are these funnel-looking green things in my yard?

There are 5 or 6 of these funnels on stakes in my back yard from the previous owner. Are they insect bait/poison stations? Repellent stations for chipmunks? (not working in that case!)
autonomy
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14
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3 answers

Is it safe if the neutral lead is exposed and disconnected?

I think I’ve found a potential design flaw in an extension cord. It allows you to plug in the hot blade, while leaving the neutral blade out and exposed. Obviously you shouldn’t try and use the cord like this, but is this actually safe, as in you…
mrb
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14
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9 answers

Basic power tool set for Home repair and simple projects

I have a feeling this has been asked before, but I didn't find it here. I've read a number of websites and there always seem to be a little fluff and maybe this favorite tool or that. I'm thinking about putting together some basic home repair…
Paul TIKI
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14
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5 answers

Installed Electric Tankless Water Heater - Internet loss when active

I installed an Ecosmart 27kw tankless water heater yesterday and as far as heating the water goes, everything works perfectly. The issue is when the water heater is running, I lose internet! Specs: Heater is 240v 27kw @ draw 112.5amps Breakers are…
Jon Barker
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14
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5 answers

Right tool to dig six foot holes?

I would like to dig some 6-12 inch diameter dry wells (any diameter in that range will work). The holes need to be at least 6 feet deep to reach the permeable layer of the soil. However, the equipment the local rental agency has will only dig 4-foot…
Tyler Durden
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14
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6 answers

Can GFCI outlets be cleaned after flooding?

My house just went through a flood and there was 7 feet of muddy water on the first floor, so all the AC outlets were underwater. After the water receded, all the unprotected outlets continued to work just fine. But 4 out of 5 GFCI outlets no…
Patrick
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14
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7 answers

Small nick on power cord from an electric alarm clock, and copper wiring exposed but intact

I bought a vintage alarm clock and radio. It works perfectly, but it took me a day to discover that along the length of the cord, there is a small nick, which revealed a small bit of copper wire, which doesn't seem frayed at all. The cord is…
David
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14
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2 answers

How do I repair my stair bannister?

My stairs bannister are made of small wood posts nailed to the ramp. The whole thing have always been quite fragile. After 10 years, a couple posts came loose and most show a gap between the posts and ramp. I know how to use a screwdriver and screw,…
Jeffrey
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14
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10 answers

How to fit a screw into a drilled big hole on wall?

I am fitting a window blind on a wall. The wall is made of plaster board as far as I have known. I have drilled a hole on wall bigger than the screw size. The drilled hole on the wall has a diameter of 6mm The screw I try to fit in has a diameter of…
hunterex
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14
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1 answer

Safety hook on double pole circuit breakers

My home was built two years ago, so I would expect everything to have been done up to code. The problem is that I don't know what the metal ring in this photo is. It loops over the double pole circuit breakers, but only if in the off position. When…
mh00h
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14
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4 answers

How can I reseal a shower drain on a pre-formed shower base?

The shower drain in my first-floor bathroom leaks. Based on looking from the basement below, it seems the leak is at the point where the drain assembly should clamp to the shower base (which is pre-formed fiberglass/plastic). This is confirmed by…
Shimon Rura
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14
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1 answer

What are those metal discs at the base of some walls?

Here's an example from a shower stall at work. I've seen them in other types of walls, including exterior ones.
Dan Dascalescu
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