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1500 questions
14
votes
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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3 answers

Can I use old abandoned iron pipe as electrical conduit?

I have an older house (1920) and I have been planning on doing some rewiring to get rid of some k + t stuff. Anyway, I just noticed today that there are some irons pipes that used to be part of the heating system. (they are no longer connected +…
A.R.
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14
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2 answers

We built a pergola, is it safe?

We found a pergola design that we loved and copied the design but now that it's (mostly) up we are questioning its stability and safety. The 2x6 beams are notched 3" to fit together, which I have read makes them equivalent to 2x3's. We love this…
Cindi
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14
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4 answers

Re-painting drywall after patching leaves tones

I patched a few scrapes and small holes in the drywall, then got a can of color-matched paint in the hardware store (I took a sample with me, they color-matched it and prepared the paint). It is a white color anyways. However after I applied a first…
Mark
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7 answers

Is running over your extension cable with an electric lawn mower dangerous?

I'm currently about to buy a lawn mower, but don't know if I should take a fuel, electric with cable or battery one. I'm leaning more towards electric with cable, because it's cheaper than battery and the price and the raising price of fuel won't…
Fredy31
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7 answers

How to spray paint parking lot stripes by hand and avoid overspray

Our home owners association's community parking lot lines are wearing off, about 5 lines, and I'm interested in respraying it instead of calling a professional. I bought a Rust-Oleum Professional White Paint Spray, and I'm not sure how to avoid over…
Iancovici
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