Can I connect 14 - 2 gauge wire to 12 gauge wire?

I have 12 gauge wires on a 20 amp breaker, and there are 3 power outlets in this circuit. Can I create an extended outlet (just for a WIFI router about 50w) using 14/2 gauge wire on that 12 gauge circuit? Why I am considering doing this:. I have 14 gauge wires available. This power outlet will only be used for the 50w WIFI router. Any safety concerns? Thanks. Question from user Ming at stackexchange Answer: If you change out the breaker for a 15 amp breaker, then 14/2 wire to that receptacle is fine. Otherwise you' . . . [More]

Can I connect 14 - 2 gauge wire to 12 gauge wire?

I have 12 gauge wires on a 20 amp breaker, and there are 3 power outlets in this circuit. Can I create an extended outlet (just for a WIFI router about 50w) using 14/2 gauge wire on that 12 gauge circuit? Why I am considering doing this:. I have 14 gauge wires available. This power outlet will only be used for the 50w WIFI router. Any safety concerns? Thanks. Question from user Ming at stackexchange Answer: If you change out the breaker for a 15 amp breaker, then 14/2 wire to that receptacle is fine. Otherwise you' . . . [More]

Google Nest Causes Furnace to Need Reset

After installing a Google Nest, my furnace heats until it reaches the correct temperature, but if it sits, the controller light turns off and I need to turn the breaker off and then back on in order for the furnace to kick in. The controller light turns off, but does not flash as far as I have seen. I have switched back to the original thermostat, some basic Honeywell one, and it works fine. There is a C wire connected, though I had to add that and I'm not sure if it's totally legit. Currently the C-wire is connected at the T terminal. . . . [More]

Google Nest Causes Furnace to Need Reset

After installing a Google Nest, my furnace heats until it reaches the correct temperature, but if it sits, the controller light turns off and I need to turn the breaker off and then back on in order for the furnace to kick in. The controller light turns off, but does not flash as far as I have seen. I have switched back to the original thermostat, some basic Honeywell one, and it works fine. There is a C wire connected, though I had to add that and I'm not sure if it's totally legit. Currently the C-wire is connected at the T terminal. . . . [More]

Microwave oven blows internal fuse when door is closed

My GE model mc0165uw above range oven blows its 20 amp ceramic fuse when i close the microwave oven door. I have checked the continuity of all 4 door interlock switches, and as far as I can tell they check out ok. What would be the next troubleshooting step here before heading to the pawnshop for a new one. Question from user rhill45 at stackexchange Answer: Years ago I had experience with helping an electronics shop owner next door to my office fix a similar problem. The problem turned out to be alignment of the micro switches which w . . . [More]

Microwave oven blows internal fuse when door is closed

My GE model mc0165uw above range oven blows its 20 amp ceramic fuse when i close the microwave oven door. I have checked the continuity of all 4 door interlock switches, and as far as I can tell they check out ok. What would be the next troubleshooting step here before heading to the pawnshop for a new one. Question from user rhill45 at stackexchange Answer: Years ago I had experience with helping an electronics shop owner next door to my office fix a similar problem. The problem turned out to be alignment of the micro switches which w . . . [More]

Trying to fix a leaky shower. How can I remove this cartridge?

My experience level is novice at best. I've done basic stuff: installing faucets and toilets in my own home while remodeling. If it's just a matter of taking things out and putting new things in, I can handle that. Never messed with hooking up drains or water lines, I leave that to the professionals. That said, this seems like an "easy" fix (haha) if I can just get this cartridge out and put a new one in. Symptoms with my shower:. When this valve is turned to "shower", a significant amount of water still comes . . . [More]

Trying to fix a leaky shower. How can I remove this cartridge?

My experience level is novice at best. I've done basic stuff: installing faucets and toilets in my own home while remodeling. If it's just a matter of taking things out and putting new things in, I can handle that. Never messed with hooking up drains or water lines, I leave that to the professionals. That said, this seems like an "easy" fix (haha) if I can just get this cartridge out and put a new one in. Symptoms with my shower:. When this valve is turned to "shower", a significant amount of water still comes . . . [More]

Should I open up the ceiling due to this mold -like substance?

Visted my mothers house and saw this pretty uniform spread of substance on the ceiling. Before I go start ripping it out I wanted to see if anyone has experienced something similar? This is an office underneath a 2nd floor bathroom, so my thought is there's water somewhere, but it's so uniform it's making me question that. Thoughts? Question from user hydro_logic at stackexchange Answer: No! Don't rip out the drywall. These look like the typical mold that grows in areas of high humidity. Just wipe it with a rag th . . . [More]

Should I open up the ceiling due to this mold -like substance?

Visted my mothers house and saw this pretty uniform spread of substance on the ceiling. Before I go start ripping it out I wanted to see if anyone has experienced something similar? This is an office underneath a 2nd floor bathroom, so my thought is there's water somewhere, but it's so uniform it's making me question that. Thoughts? Question from user hydro_logic at stackexchange Answer: No! Don't rip out the drywall. These look like the typical mold that grows in areas of high humidity. Just wipe it with a rag th . . . [More]

What adhesive solution should use for walls with powdery surface?

First of all I am new to this stuff and in a stage of adulting thus I am really sorry if this question might not be well put. I just move to a new place as a part of adult life trying to living all by myself, I am adding curtains in a window and do not want to put holes in the wall so I use 3m double sided adhesive hook for the curtain pipe. It works for a couple of days but then suddenly the right side hook fell and also peels off the paint. At first I thought its due to lack of support in the center since the pipe is a two piece metal and it . . . [More]

What adhesive solution should use for walls with powdery surface?

First of all I am new to this stuff and in a stage of adulting thus I am really sorry if this question might not be well put. I just move to a new place as a part of adult life trying to living all by myself, I am adding curtains in a window and do not want to put holes in the wall so I use 3m double sided adhesive hook for the curtain pipe. It works for a couple of days but then suddenly the right side hook fell and also peels off the paint. At first I thought its due to lack of support in the center since the pipe is a two piece metal and it . . . [More]

HE Front End Washer vibrations on wood floors: any tried-and-true solutions?

We recently purchased a new washer and dryer set. It's a High Efficiency front loader washer with the high speed spin cycles. It's causing us grief. It vibrates like crazy. To the point where it's walking across the floor and you can feel it throughout much of the first floor. I've 'tuned' the feet to make sure it's perfectly level, and it helps, but is not a cure-all. . There seems to be a lot of chatter online and theories, though I have yet to find anything definitive (maybe I'm adding to the chatter. . . . [More]

HE Front End Washer vibrations on wood floors: any tried-and-true solutions?

We recently purchased a new washer and dryer set. It's a High Efficiency front loader washer with the high speed spin cycles. It's causing us grief. It vibrates like crazy. To the point where it's walking across the floor and you can feel it throughout much of the first floor. I've 'tuned' the feet to make sure it's perfectly level, and it helps, but is not a cure-all. . There seems to be a lot of chatter online and theories, though I have yet to find anything definitive (maybe I'm adding to the chatter. . . . [More]

Is this outlet safely grounded?

I was replacing one of the outlets in the kitchen in my home and I noticed the ground wire goes to a screw on the back plate of the outlet box, and a green ground wire runs from the same screw on the back of outlet box, to the receptacle. I opened a few more outlets in the house and noticed that they are all wired that way. I'm no expert, so I was curious if these outlets are considered grounded properly or not. Or if I should go into every outlet in the house and run the ground wire directly to the receptacle and ditch the green wire to . . . [More]

Is this outlet safely grounded?

I was replacing one of the outlets in the kitchen in my home and I noticed the ground wire goes to a screw on the back plate of the outlet box, and a green ground wire runs from the same screw on the back of outlet box, to the receptacle. I opened a few more outlets in the house and noticed that they are all wired that way. I'm no expert, so I was curious if these outlets are considered grounded properly or not. Or if I should go into every outlet in the house and run the ground wire directly to the receptacle and ditch the green wire to . . . [More]

Building shower curb directly on concrete

I am getting ready to remodel my basement shower and wanted to get everyone's input on building up the shower curb. My shower is located in the basement where the floor is concrete. My concern was building up the shower curb directly on that concrete. I know the alternatives (i.e: kerdie or cement) but I wanted to build the shower curb up using 2 by 4s. I was against using pressure treated wood as I get concerned that the shrinking of that wood would potentially break the tile I use on the curb. Ideally I could use untreated wood with . . . [More]

Building shower curb directly on concrete

I am getting ready to remodel my basement shower and wanted to get everyone's input on building up the shower curb. My shower is located in the basement where the floor is concrete. My concern was building up the shower curb directly on that concrete. I know the alternatives (i.e: kerdie or cement) but I wanted to build the shower curb up using 2 by 4s. I was against using pressure treated wood as I get concerned that the shrinking of that wood would potentially break the tile I use on the curb. Ideally I could use untreated wood with . . . [More]

Why is there a 1 to 2 inch hole drilled in my heater exhaust?

I have a Carrier high efficiency furnace which uses 2-inch PVC pipes to pull in combustion air from outside and exhaust the combustion gasses back outside (through a concentric vent, but that's not really important.). It seems that the installer drilled a half inch hole in the exhaust pipe about 2 feet up from the heater. When the heater is running, you can feel air coming out of this hole, it is warm and moist, and it smells like you would expect natural gas exhaust to smell. (Before you ask, yes, there IS a carbon monoxide dete . . . [More]

Why is there a 1 to 2 inch hole drilled in my heater exhaust?

I have a Carrier high efficiency furnace which uses 2-inch PVC pipes to pull in combustion air from outside and exhaust the combustion gasses back outside (through a concentric vent, but that's not really important.). It seems that the installer drilled a half inch hole in the exhaust pipe about 2 feet up from the heater. When the heater is running, you can feel air coming out of this hole, it is warm and moist, and it smells like you would expect natural gas exhaust to smell. (Before you ask, yes, there IS a carbon monoxide dete . . . [More]