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1500 questions
29
votes
7 answers
How can I reduce noise coming in a window for under $100?
I live 200 feet from a 6 lane highway, and the noise is rather annoying to say the least.
I would like to reduce the noise coming into my 58"x 70" bedroom window by at least 50%, as I think the noise is causing stress and tension.
Unfortunately,…
fixit7
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29
votes
3 answers
Unused outlets get warm when others under load
When we run moderately high power devices (around 8-9 amps, e.g. vacuum cleaner, portable AC, small space heater), the other unused outlets on the same circuit get warm/hot after 15-30 minutes. The devices are plugged directly into the outlet, not…
iondune
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29
votes
9 answers
What to do with wood shavings and sawdust?
Been doing a lot of woodworking recently and have many bags of sawdust and wood shavings. I haven't the facility to compress them into the pellets I get from my local woodyard which are useful for my woodburner, but am reluctant to take it all to…
Tim
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29
votes
5 answers
Why are we to leave a front-loader clothes washer open, but not the dishwasher?
Everywhere, everybody, says to leave the door open on your front-load laundry washer so it can dry out and not accumulate mold.
But no one, anywhere, says to leave the door open on your dishwasher.
Why is that?
(FYI: I googled the crap out of this…
Steve Wellens
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29
votes
1 answer
Why is there only one receptacle in this outlet?
This looks like an outlet with only one receptacle, but why?
It's mounted about 7' up, in a basement-level room in a school building. It is stamped 15A/125V, but I've never seen something like this before.
My question is, is it indeed a standard…
nuggethead
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29
votes
4 answers
Why does my shed door expand/shrink?
I built a shed door last summer and have had a few problems with it since.
Using pressure treated outdoor timber I made a fairly simple shed door. I wood glued the long planks together and then used four straight braces across the back that I glued…
GamerGypps
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29
votes
10 answers
Propane appliances throwing orange flames suddenly and generator's back firing
So here's the deal: about 1.5 to 2 weeks ago, our generator started backfiring like crazy and our cookstove, water heater and heater are throwing yellow orange flames intermittently as well as producing soot blackening the ceiling and range hood.
We…
Vermonter802
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29
votes
3 answers
How did my ground and neutral become energized by a short in the buried main line?
Long post, because I'm not sure what information is critical. The ultimate question is what, if anything, I need to do to ensure there are no hazardous conditions in my home.
Friday night, the lights flickered for 10 seconds and then the house lost…
Larry
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29
votes
5 answers
Is it unsafe to remove one stud from a load bearing wall?
I need to cut a hole for a recessed medicine cabinet. This wall is at the end of the house. I only need to cut one stud to make a frame for the cabinet. Will this damage the integrity of the bearing wall?
Sonia Leon
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29
votes
3 answers
Can you cut open a plastic junction box and just lay splices inside?
This doesn't look like it should fly to me, but the "electrician" hired by the seller of this property is arguing that this is an acceptable way to put an open splice into an box. I know this shouldn't be allowed, but is there phrasing in the code…
Shane
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28
votes
5 answers
Is there a trick to opening a tube of caulk?
Is there a tool especially designed for opening a tube of caulk, silicone, or construction adhesive?
Ben Welborn
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28
votes
7 answers
Are water boilers dangerous when showering?
Where I'm from (Serbia) everybody says to turn off the water boiler (the container that heats up water and stores it for use in the bathroom and shower) when you take a shower or use the bathtub. They say that if the boiler becomes faulty, the…
NeoXx
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28
votes
4 answers
Why do I have voltage on a plumbing ground strap, and is it dangerous?
We have been having problems with the lights in our basement for awhile now (few weeks), sometimes they will work, other times they just won't turn on.
Today I noticed a thin metal piece in the basement closet and I accidentally broke it off. I am…
Samantha
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28
votes
5 answers
What actually happens if I vary proportions of cement and sand in mortar?
When preparing cement mortar proportions of sand and cement can AFAIK be varied. I've always been using the "default recommended" 1-to-3 (one volume of cement for every three volumes of sand) proportion.
What actually happens if I alter the…
sharptooth
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28
votes
7 answers
How to separate superglued fingers
I glued 2 of my fingers together with Rapid Fuse superglue.
I have tried rubbing alcohol, butter, and warm soapy water.
fixit7
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