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1500 questions
14
votes
1 answer
Which is better for deck flooring: 2x6 or 1x6 deck boards?
My current deck flooring is done with 2x6x10' boards, however they have degraded to the point now where they need to be replaced.
I'm wondering if there are any specific pros or cons for using the same 2x6x10' boards, vs. 1x6 deck boards? Of…
Wally Lawless
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14
votes
4 answers
How can I speed up the removal of stubborn tile?
I am trying to remove tile from the bathroom floor. It was installed in the 70s, and the pieces are tiny, 1 in x 1 in. I've been hammering away but they're not coming up very easily. Is there a product I can use to loosen them up?
Sara
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14
votes
9 answers
Can I use an LED bulb in a 3-Way fixture?
Is it possible to use an LED bulb in a 3-way light fixture? Will all three settings (low, medium and high) work?
user2676
14
votes
4 answers
How do I meet the 7 feet high ceiling requirement after finishing the basement?
My basement ceiling joists are exactly 7 feet above the concrete slab. The requirement for finished living space is 7 ft from the finished floor to the finished ceiling. Since I'll loose a couple of inches with the flooring (I'll have Delta-FL…
Peter Q
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14
votes
15 answers
What is your top tip for painting?
Simple really - add your best tips for painting (a room, that is). Ideally one tip per answer for ease of voting.
Moyersy
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14
votes
7 answers
Why do electricians prefer not to use the push-in connections on receptacles?
Why do electricians prefer not to use the back-stab or quick connect holes on switches and receptacles? If these were unreliable do you think they would be allowed by the NFPA and NEC?
Dave B
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14
votes
4 answers
Detecting cigar/cigarette smoke levels
I have a cigar lounge with a ventilation system, I would like to detect the "level" of cigar or cigarette smoke in the room. But I am not sure what sensor to go for, since these smokes contains a lot of different substances and I really want to…
Thomas Jensen
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14
votes
1 answer
How do I correctly install ceramic floor tile?
How do I correctly install ceramic floor tile? There's lots of talk about using backerboard and waterproofing membranes, what an acceptable floor deflection is, different grout and thinset additives, ect...
Starting from subfloor-less 16"oc joists,…
Mazura
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14
votes
1 answer
Can a GFCI receptacle protect other receptacles?
My contractor has wired one GFCI receptacle in the main bathroom on the same circuit as a normal receptacle in our en-suite bathroom (it is less than a foot from the sink). he says that since they are on the same circuit that the GFCI in the…
kers
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14
votes
6 answers
How to keep home automation complexity under control?
If you installed some form of home automation (lighting control for example), how did you keep the complexity manageable for your family members?
In many cases where friends have installed some form of home automation, I see that the person who…
Jan Fabry
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14
votes
6 answers
How can I quiet a noisy downspout?
Possible Duplicate:
How do I stop the dripping noise from my gutters?
I have metal downspouts that come down from by gutters. One of them happens to be right by my bedroom window. When the rain is just right this downspout will often make an…
Brh
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14
votes
5 answers
Can metal studs support a 64" plasma TV on a swiveling mount?
Alright, I need a sanity check here. I've been tasked with mounting a 64" plasma TV with an articulating mount onto a metal stud wall in the corporate boardroom. It's the quadruple-threat with no room for error.
The TV weighs 85lbs dead load. The…
BB ON
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14
votes
3 answers
Something in my home is making my family sick. How do I determine what it is?
My wife and I moved into a new rental house two months ago. Our small dog, my wife, and myself have all started experiencing symptoms such as headaches, runny nose, constant congestion, cold-like swelling in the sinuses, neck, and throat, general…
Bryson
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14
votes
3 answers
What is the proper way to install a junction box above a dropped ceiling?
I'm doing some remodeling in my basement and part of that work involves moving a switch. When I was tracing the wires for the switch I found this above my dropped ceiling:
Now, I'm no electrician, but this does not look up to code to me. Further…
heavyd
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14
votes
4 answers
How can I make suction cups stay securely to a tiled shower wall?
I am trying to hang a mirror in the shower and it simply will not stay on the wall. It does not weigh more than a couple of pounds. There are two suction cups.
Things I've tried:
Cleaning the tile surface before attaching
Using water on the suction…
John Conde
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