Is it against code to splice wires inside of the load center?

So I was working on breaking a tandem 15A single-pole breaker into two 15A single pole breakers, one being a Combination AFCI. After getting the panel open and moving one circuit to a new, 15A single pole (non-CAFCI), I discovered that my second circuit, the one I want on the CAFCI, has too short of a neutral wire to reach the CAFCI breaker's neutral screw. It looks to have been shortened to be just long enough to reach the neutral bus bar. Is it against code to splice/pigtail a new, short piece of romex onto the existing neutral (w/ a w . . . [More]

Is it against code to splice wires inside of the load center?

So I was working on breaking a tandem 15A single-pole breaker into two 15A single pole breakers, one being a Combination AFCI. After getting the panel open and moving one circuit to a new, 15A single pole (non-CAFCI), I discovered that my second circuit, the one I want on the CAFCI, has too short of a neutral wire to reach the CAFCI breaker's neutral screw. It looks to have been shortened to be just long enough to reach the neutral bus bar. Is it against code to splice/pigtail a new, short piece of romex onto the existing neutral (w/ a w . . . [More]

Why wont my range hood fluorescent tube stay on continuously?

The fairly new (few months in service) FEIT Electric 15 watt tube (F15T8) 18 inches long just started flashing in our 35+ year old 30-inch VentAHood. I changed the starter for a GE one in an opened package so I am not sure it is a new starter. The tube starts but then flashes off and back on repeatedly. What about trying another new tube and a known new starter? Maybe this fairly new tube is defective. Could I change to a drop-in replacement LED, if there is one? Presumably a drop in replacement would require a functioning ballast. How wo . . . [More]

Why wont my range hood fluorescent tube stay on continuously?

The fairly new (few months in service) FEIT Electric 15 watt tube (F15T8) 18 inches long just started flashing in our 35+ year old 30-inch VentAHood. I changed the starter for a GE one in an opened package so I am not sure it is a new starter. The tube starts but then flashes off and back on repeatedly. What about trying another new tube and a known new starter? Maybe this fairly new tube is defective. Could I change to a drop-in replacement LED, if there is one? Presumably a drop in replacement would require a functioning ballast. How wo . . . [More]

GFCI receptacles vs GFCI breaker - Can my kitchen receptacles be standard receptacles?

It is my understanding that most (if not all?) receptacles near wet locations (e.g. kitchens, bathrooms, etc.) need to be "GFCI" per the NEC. does this just mean GFCI protected? In other words, can all of my outlets in my kitchen be standard outlets IF the breakers in the panel for those circuits are GFCI-rated? And, if so, will this pass inspection or are do inspectors tend to prefer one way over the other? Specifically, my use case here requires a duplex receptacle (under my kitchen sink) to be half-switched: one (always power) f . . . [More]

GFCI receptacles vs GFCI breaker - Can my kitchen receptacles be standard receptacles?

It is my understanding that most (if not all?) receptacles near wet locations (e.g. kitchens, bathrooms, etc.) need to be "GFCI" per the NEC. does this just mean GFCI protected? In other words, can all of my outlets in my kitchen be standard outlets IF the breakers in the panel for those circuits are GFCI-rated? And, if so, will this pass inspection or are do inspectors tend to prefer one way over the other? Specifically, my use case here requires a duplex receptacle (under my kitchen sink) to be half-switched: one (always power) f . . . [More]

How can I reduce creaking sound in 100 year old stairs?

I have a house built in 1928, with two large stair cases (straight to small landing, then curved). When we bought the house they were covered in vinyl, and had plywood nailed in between the rear of the tread, up to the nose of the tread above (so angled / in front of the riser). The back of the stairs is all plastered so I can't easily access it. I do notice when I walk on it that a lot of the noise appears to come from the riser itself moving when I walk on the tread above once they are attached firmly. However, to be honest, the whole . . . [More]

How can I reduce creaking sound in 100 year old stairs?

I have a house built in 1928, with two large stair cases (straight to small landing, then curved). When we bought the house they were covered in vinyl, and had plywood nailed in between the rear of the tread, up to the nose of the tread above (so angled / in front of the riser). The back of the stairs is all plastered so I can't easily access it. I do notice when I walk on it that a lot of the noise appears to come from the riser itself moving when I walk on the tread above once they are attached firmly. However, to be honest, the whole . . . [More]

How deep to cut the lap-joint for joining the wooden beams without the glue?

I bought the glued dried pine wood already. I will use screws because I want to be able to disassemble it easily on demand. I also want to achieve that cross connections are aligned as a straight plane on the top, as shown on the image, so I have no gaps for the top board. That means I need to cut out the beams one into another to achieve it. The question is, for the marked joint in the middle of the 2.5m (100") beam, what is the optimal depth that I can cut out the lap-joint on each of the beams in order not to weaken too much neither . . . [More]

How deep to cut the lap-joint for joining the wooden beams without the glue?

I bought the glued dried pine wood already. I will use screws because I want to be able to disassemble it easily on demand. I also want to achieve that cross connections are aligned as a straight plane on the top, as shown on the image, so I have no gaps for the top board. That means I need to cut out the beams one into another to achieve it. The question is, for the marked joint in the middle of the 2.5m (100") beam, what is the optimal depth that I can cut out the lap-joint on each of the beams in order not to weaken too much neither . . . [More]

How can I turn these table leg attachment screws?

I bought a used table and the screws holding it together are of a kind that I've never seen before. Unfortunately, some of them are loose and I need to tighten them. They are impossible to turn with any of my tools. The problem is that when sticking something "horizontally" in the notch it can be turned only for a couple of degrees until one touches the wood, and then the screw has not yet turned enough such that the other notch (the other "half of the cross") would be accessible. Sticking any sensible screwdriver " . . . [More]

How can I turn these table leg attachment screws?

I bought a used table and the screws holding it together are of a kind that I've never seen before. Unfortunately, some of them are loose and I need to tighten them. They are impossible to turn with any of my tools. The problem is that when sticking something "horizontally" in the notch it can be turned only for a couple of degrees until one touches the wood, and then the screw has not yet turned enough such that the other notch (the other "half of the cross") would be accessible. Sticking any sensible screwdriver " . . . [More]

How do I properly cut pre-existing kitchen backsplash tile for new low voltage wall plates?

I'm doing a little bit of kitchen remodeling, overflow from my home theater remodeling. I'm adding some RCA input ports to a pre-existing low voltage wall plate that previously hosted just Cat5 and RG6. Problem is, when this plate was first installed (before I was here), enough room was made only for the cat5 and RG6 aligned vertically. How do I properly cut the pre-existing backsplash tile, and how do I fix the damage I've already caused? Question from user Paul Hazen at stackexchange Answer: What would probably work be . . . [More]

How do I properly cut pre-existing kitchen backsplash tile for new low voltage wall plates?

I'm doing a little bit of kitchen remodeling, overflow from my home theater remodeling. I'm adding some RCA input ports to a pre-existing low voltage wall plate that previously hosted just Cat5 and RG6. Problem is, when this plate was first installed (before I was here), enough room was made only for the cat5 and RG6 aligned vertically. How do I properly cut the pre-existing backsplash tile, and how do I fix the damage I've already caused? Question from user Paul Hazen at stackexchange Answer: What would probably work be . . . [More]

Why does one LED have a massive delay before turning on?

I searched for similar issues, but didn't find one exactly like I am experiencing. I recently replaced four old light fixtures with LED light fixturess in an existing room.  In addition, I replaced 2 older dimmer switches with LED compatible ones. The install was very easy. Everything worked right away. I'm not sure if the problem happened the next day or if it was good for a couple of day, but now when I turn the lights on first thing in the morning 3 of them light up right away and the 4th does not. After 30-60 minutes th . . . [More]

Why does one LED have a massive delay before turning on?

I searched for similar issues, but didn't find one exactly like I am experiencing. I recently replaced four old light fixtures with LED light fixturess in an existing room.  In addition, I replaced 2 older dimmer switches with LED compatible ones. The install was very easy. Everything worked right away. I'm not sure if the problem happened the next day or if it was good for a couple of day, but now when I turn the lights on first thing in the morning 3 of them light up right away and the 4th does not. After 30-60 minutes th . . . [More]

Will moldy washrooms attract rats to invade my basement?

I'm concerned about a possible rat infestation in my basement, as I haven't been there since August 30th, 2023. The bathroom drywall is peeling from hot showers, there is mold in the shower, and I've noticed a small puddle on the upper left rim of the bathtub. Is there a chance of rodents invading my basement? It's important to take preventive measures, such as sealing entry points, removing food and water sources, and keeping the area well-ventilated and dry, to reduce the likelihood of a rodent infestation. Question from us . . . [More]

Will moldy washrooms attract rats to invade my basement?

I'm concerned about a possible rat infestation in my basement, as I haven't been there since August 30th, 2023. The bathroom drywall is peeling from hot showers, there is mold in the shower, and I've noticed a small puddle on the upper left rim of the bathtub. Is there a chance of rodents invading my basement? It's important to take preventive measures, such as sealing entry points, removing food and water sources, and keeping the area well-ventilated and dry, to reduce the likelihood of a rodent infestation. Question from us . . . [More]

How can I make self-tapping sheet metal screws go into metal studs more easily?

I am framing metal stud walls to hang drywall in my basement. When using self-tapping sheet metal screws to secure the metal studs to the top and bottom stud tracks, it seems like the screws often try to veer off-center when I am getting them started. Connecting the plate to the stud on the side that faces the interior of the room are straightforward since I have no obstructions and can keep the screw at a 90 degree angle as I drill through the stud track into the stud. However, to connect the stud to the plate on the side facing the f . . . [More]

How can I make self-tapping sheet metal screws go into metal studs more easily?

I am framing metal stud walls to hang drywall in my basement. When using self-tapping sheet metal screws to secure the metal studs to the top and bottom stud tracks, it seems like the screws often try to veer off-center when I am getting them started. Connecting the plate to the stud on the side that faces the interior of the room are straightforward since I have no obstructions and can keep the screw at a 90 degree angle as I drill through the stud track into the stud. However, to connect the stud to the plate on the side facing the f . . . [More]