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1500 questions
11
votes
6 answers
How can I drill a hole in tempered glass without shattering it?
How can I drill a hole in tempered glass without shattering it? Is it even possible? The hole only needs to be around 1/4" in diameter, nothing crazy huge.
Programmer
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11
votes
1 answer
How to remove/clean black mold?
What is the best way to remove black mold from wood?
Specifically, the mold on my back porch is black mold. Is the best option to use something like Kilz over it?
warren
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11
votes
3 answers
How can I determine which outlets belong to which circuit?
I'm putting in a powerline Internet adapter for my house (something like this). My mom said it has two circuit breakers, but she has no idea how the house is divided between them. Going across breakers causes too much interference and is bad for the…
Kevin Burke
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11
votes
3 answers
If polyurethane is not food safe, why is it used on dining tables?
Why do online sites say that polyurethane isn't food safe, and is there some way I can use it on my kitchen worktop and still be safe?
I don't prepare or store food directly on it or use it as a cutting board. I have it sealed with shellac now, but…
Keith Walton
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11
votes
4 answers
Why can the connections of a recessed light be buried in drywall, but not junction boxes?
I'm redoing lights in our kitchen and have to splice some lines. I have read numerous threads that all say you cannot bury the junction box in the drywall, it has to be accessible.
The recessed lights I'm putting in all have a junction box attached…
Fuzz Evans
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11
votes
16 answers
Would putting a sprinkler on my roof help cool my home?
Anyone ever put a sprinkler on your roof to help out your A/C on unusually hot days? Just wondering if it helps.
Greg Kurts
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11
votes
1 answer
What are the tabs on this face-plate for?
The Steel City RS-6 4" face plate has metal tabs that break-off easily. What is their purpose?
(click for full-size)
As you can see, they are cut and bent to leave a gap/slot.
Jay Bazuzi
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11
votes
9 answers
Is it about time to replace the water heater?
My wife and I just recently closed on our first home. The home was built in 1930 and aged excellently. The couple who we bought the home from had purchased it as a foreclosure in 2006 and made it their retirement project to completely restore the…
TFK
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11
votes
3 answers
How can I improve traction on an outdoor plywood ramp?
I've got a shed in a very shady area. There's a plywood ramp from the ground (grass/dirt) to the shed door.
When it rains, the ramp gets slippery. It stays slippery for a long time afterward, as it doesn't dry very quickly due to the shade (from…
Alger
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11
votes
5 answers
Reinforcing a shelf supported only by pins
Our liquor cabinet has the usual row of holes drilled on either side for height-adjustable shelves, with typical shelf pins:
I think the wood is MDF + veneer. It might be plywood. It's not holding the pins very well.
The end result was sudden…
Joel Spolsky
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11
votes
7 answers
How do I balance a ceiling fan?
About a year ago I installed a new ceiling fan in my living room and when it was installed it was balanced nicely, but it has a little wobble.
How do I bring it back in to balance?
fryguybob
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11
votes
7 answers
How to PROPERLY test that your smoke detectors work?
I installed two new smoke detectors in my house a few months ago and have been testing them using the 'test' buttons.
Today I decided to give them a more realistic test by placing a burning and then extinguished match underneath them. To my…
James
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11
votes
8 answers
Why is my brand new PEX clear tubing turning green near the water heater?
I just moved into my house with brand new PEX (uponor) plumbing. I used clear for the hot and cold instead of red and blue, because I bought everything myself and I thought it would prevent wasting too much. I installed the PEX tubing myself after…
brfox
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11
votes
2 answers
Mold remediation in crawlspace
Just bought a 25 year old home that has improperly installed insulation in the crawlspace. The insulation is fiberglass rolls with a paper backing, and is installed with the paper facing down, toward the ground. When the home inspector and I…
Eli Heady
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11
votes
3 answers
Would you expect a plumber to put up plastic to contain dust for a basement bathroom rough-in?
I've read through other posts on basement bathroom rough-ins, but haven't found anything.
Yesterday, a reputable plumber used a jack hammer to break up concrete in a basement bathroom being added to the unfinished portion of the basement. I expected…
RobertB
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