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1500 questions
12
votes
2 answers
How exactly does a 3-way switch work?
I just finished replacing all of the switches and outlets in my apartment, after fighting a long war with a weird 3-way switch. Needless to say, I won, but I'm still trying to grasp the concept of how it works. I know how a single pole switch works,…
Naftuli Kay
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12
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What are the pros and cons of different types of smart switches (that are on the US market) ?
When putting in a new switch for a light it is often less work to put in a smart switch than run the mains cables.
However, how do you choose the type of smart switch to use?
See also "What are the pros and cons of different types of smart…
Walker
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12
votes
5 answers
What kind of wall switch is needed for a natural gas fireplace to ignite consistently?
When we moved in, our natural gas fireplace worked well: Flick the switch & it would ignite.
Years later, it started acting erratically: Sometimes, the switch worked, other times, no luck. We'd try turning the switch off & on again a few times…
Chris W. Rea
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12
votes
7 answers
Why does my stud finder detect electrical wires over a large area of my wall?
I wanted to install a shelving system into my closet. The stud finder seems to detect live wires over a large area (approximately 4 by 4 feet!) The closet is in the basement, with no power outlets except the light fixture. But the stud finder's…
Irina
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12
votes
3 answers
How do I handle significant snow and ice dams on a 4/12 gable roof with ridge vents?
It is our first winter in a new-to-us house, that has a pretty flat roof (3/12-to-4/12 pitch), and a ridge vent along the entire top of the roof. We just had the snowiest December on record (Minnesota), which put a good 36" of snow on the roof,…
MarkD
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12
votes
3 answers
Are extension cords safe for permanent use?
I recently learned (via a rant from an electrician's son and some internet research) that the standard buy-anywhere cheapo extension cords are a big cause of electrical fires and are not recommended to be left plugged in.
So say I DO want to leave…
George Mauer
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12
votes
2 answers
Can I change a 1-gang electrical box to a 2-gang electrical box?
I live in a house built in the 50's in Maryland, US. Each bedroom contains 4 electrical outlets - configured in two 1-gang electrical boxes on opposing walls. However, with all the modern appliances, we really need more electrical outlets…
ChrisP
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12
votes
5 answers
How can I paint over a ceiling after there's been a leak?
We had a leak in our upstairs bathroom, about 2 weeks after we had a new ceiling put up and painted in the room below. It wasn't a major leak, but it caused quite a wide line to show up on the ceiling.
I've painted over the line 3 times now, but it…
Jaymz
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12
votes
2 answers
How do I identify the C terminal on my HVAC?
How do I identify the C terminal on an HVAC, furnace, or boiler? If the terminals don't have a screw labeled C what should I look for on the wiring diagram? What steps should I take if a wiring diagram cannot be found or if it indicates that a C…
BMitch
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12
votes
8 answers
Can a locksmith open a deadbolt lock?
I wonder how secure my deadbolt lock is.
How difficult is it for a professional to open such a lock?
TCL
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12
votes
5 answers
Which communication bus systems for home automation?
Many communication systems have been proposed for home automation (e.g., HVAC control, alarms, access control, light control, and entertainment), including 1-Wire and X10. Which system is best suitable for a beginning home automation DIYer,…
Vebjorn Ljosa
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12
votes
4 answers
When painting a house exterior, do you need to scrape and sand the entire house or just the peeling parts?
I'm repainting my house and everything I've read on the subject suggests scraping the old paint before applying new, but it isn't clear if you're only supposed to scrape just the peeling parts or the entire house. My wife thinks I'm crazy for…
rob
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12
votes
2 answers
Really Old Wires Frayed on an Outdoor Light
While cleaning our outdoor porch light, it blew a breaker. When I investigated by removing the light, I saw that the wire was frayed and basically connected by a thread. This was a few inches away from where the wire connected to the light. …
Robert
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12
votes
3 answers
What is the best way to twist conductors together before applying the wire nut?
What is the best way to twist conductors together before applying the wire nut?
That probably sounds like a silly question. But when I try, most of the time I end up wrapping one conductor around the other instead of truly wrapping around each…
Syntax Junkie
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12
votes
3 answers
How to fit a 4" pipe through a 3" space
So while redoing some flooring in my laundry room, I discovered that whoever built my house in 1995 got real lazy and used a flexible foil pipe to connect the dryer vent in the wall through the floor and out the back of the house. After opening up…
Matt Whitehead
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