Advice and - or Resources for Identifying Tub & Shower Valves

Based on similar questions, it seems that there are some folks out there who have a preternatural talent for identifying plumbing parts -- or access to a secret database of descriptive features. This valve, which looked old 15-years ago, has stopped delivering hot water (even with the temperature limit stop removed and the handle turned fully counterclockwise). I'm hoping that it's a failing cartridge or a clogged filter or something that can be replaced without having to tear the wall apart two days before the house sitter arrives a . . . [More]

Advice and - or Resources for Identifying Tub & Shower Valves

Based on similar questions, it seems that there are some folks out there who have a preternatural talent for identifying plumbing parts -- or access to a secret database of descriptive features. This valve, which looked old 15-years ago, has stopped delivering hot water (even with the temperature limit stop removed and the handle turned fully counterclockwise). I'm hoping that it's a failing cartridge or a clogged filter or something that can be replaced without having to tear the wall apart two days before the house sitter arrives a . . . [More]

Best way to install three 36 x 80 frameless mirrors onto wall

I am looking to put 3 large and heavy mirrors onto one of the walls in my room and am looking for advice on several things. I put in a mirror rack on top of the baseboard and nailed it to the studs and drywall, and will put the hooks on top of the mirror. Will I also need to put adhesive or will the rack be enough? Also, what would be the best way to lift and put on the mirrors to not risk it bowing and breaking? I tried to see if there were anything online on the installation process but the mirrors shown are usually smaller and easier to carr . . . [More]

Best way to install three 36 x 80 frameless mirrors onto wall

I am looking to put 3 large and heavy mirrors onto one of the walls in my room and am looking for advice on several things. I put in a mirror rack on top of the baseboard and nailed it to the studs and drywall, and will put the hooks on top of the mirror. Will I also need to put adhesive or will the rack be enough? Also, what would be the best way to lift and put on the mirrors to not risk it bowing and breaking? I tried to see if there were anything online on the installation process but the mirrors shown are usually smaller and easier to carr . . . [More]

Connect 3 black wires to new switch

I want to replace my old switch with a wifi switch. The old switch has only 3 wires attached, and in the box there is a bunch of white wires together and a copper wire capped off. The new wifi switch, is looking for a load, line, neutral and ground. How do I get convert the old wires to the new ones? Attached is the old switch box. Question from user RDs at stackexchange. Answer: The line wires are the two black wires going into the bottom of your old switch. Cut, strip and connect those to the line wire from your smart switch with a w . . . [More]

Connect 3 black wires to new switch

I want to replace my old switch with a wifi switch. The old switch has only 3 wires attached, and in the box there is a bunch of white wires together and a copper wire capped off. The new wifi switch, is looking for a load, line, neutral and ground. How do I get convert the old wires to the new ones? Attached is the old switch box. Question from user RDs at stackexchange. Answer: The line wires are the two black wires going into the bottom of your old switch. Cut, strip and connect those to the line wire from your smart switch with a w . . . [More]

Is it ok to use drydex joint compound for nail pop fixes?

I am a DIY guy that has a handful of nail pops to resolve in my home. I’m intimidated by the drywall mud that requires mixing, and I’m not trying to be a drywallologist over here I’m just trying to fix my house up in few places. I’ve gravitated to using the drydex joint compound that goes on pink and dries white for various patching jobs that require fibatape throughout my house. I’ve gotten a good feel on how to use it and sand it down to a finish I’m happy with. All YouTube videos show how to resolve nai . . . [More]

Is it ok to use drydex joint compound for nail pop fixes?

I am a DIY guy that has a handful of nail pops to resolve in my home. I’m intimidated by the drywall mud that requires mixing, and I’m not trying to be a drywallologist over here I’m just trying to fix my house up in few places. I’ve gravitated to using the drydex joint compound that goes on pink and dries white for various patching jobs that require fibatape throughout my house. I’ve gotten a good feel on how to use it and sand it down to a finish I’m happy with. All YouTube videos show how to resolve nai . . . [More]

Close off gable vent?

I had a new roof installed on my house a couple of years ago. The new roof has ridge vent along the peak of the main roof as well as where this gable vent is. I was reading on an unrelated topic that you should close off gable vents if you have ridge vents and if you have continuous soffit vents around the house (I do). The vent is about 2' in diameter overall. Do I do any harm leaving it open, or should I close it off? It's the only gable vent on the house. Also, other than thin plywood, any thoughts on sealing it off from the outsi . . . [More]

Close off gable vent?

I had a new roof installed on my house a couple of years ago. The new roof has ridge vent along the peak of the main roof as well as where this gable vent is. I was reading on an unrelated topic that you should close off gable vents if you have ridge vents and if you have continuous soffit vents around the house (I do). The vent is about 2' in diameter overall. Do I do any harm leaving it open, or should I close it off? It's the only gable vent on the house. Also, other than thin plywood, any thoughts on sealing it off from the outsi . . . [More]

How can I remove faux brick from a kitchen wall?

My kitchen has these fake bricks placed over the drywall on the walls around the cabinets. My question is, is there a way to remove just the bricks without completely tearing down the cabinets and drywall and starting from scratch? Question from user Jon Garvin at stackexchange. Answer: You cannot remove this fake brick without damaging the drywall under. You will have to replace the drywall, best solution, or do one hell of a good skim mud coat over the damaged drywall. You can use a Rockwell Sonic Crafter or similar tool to cut th . . . [More]

How can I remove faux brick from a kitchen wall?

My kitchen has these fake bricks placed over the drywall on the walls around the cabinets. My question is, is there a way to remove just the bricks without completely tearing down the cabinets and drywall and starting from scratch? Question from user Jon Garvin at stackexchange. Answer: You cannot remove this fake brick without damaging the drywall under. You will have to replace the drywall, best solution, or do one hell of a good skim mud coat over the damaged drywall. You can use a Rockwell Sonic Crafter or similar tool to cut th . . . [More]

Quite high pitched noise in room

When I'm trying to sleep I hear a high pitched, ringing noise. I can only hear it if everything else is quiet. I've considered if this is a medical issue, such as tinnitus, but before jumping to conclusions I would like to check the room itself for sources of noise. Are there any tools available for doing that? I installed an app on my smartphone for measuring the sound level, but I don't think it's very accurate. I know my baseboard heater sometimes squeals but I turn it off and can still hear the noise. Also my computers po . . . [More]

Quite high pitched noise in room

When I'm trying to sleep I hear a high pitched, ringing noise. I can only hear it if everything else is quiet. I've considered if this is a medical issue, such as tinnitus, but before jumping to conclusions I would like to check the room itself for sources of noise. Are there any tools available for doing that? I installed an app on my smartphone for measuring the sound level, but I don't think it's very accurate. I know my baseboard heater sometimes squeals but I turn it off and can still hear the noise. Also my computers po . . . [More]

Do I have room to add a 240V breaker in my panel?

I’m trying to see if I have room to add a 240V line for a mini split. The mini split I got is a Gree with nominal 9 amp pull and manufacturer recommended breaker size of 20 amps. Any thoughts on an approach? Could I use a Siemens Q22020CT2 where the pool heater or filter is to add the extra power? Current load info: With oven, pool pump, 2 refrigerators, 4 window AC, 1 mini split, dryer I’m about at 85A of the 200A power draw. Question from user Chris at stackexchange. Answer: First, the empty space. This has to be . . . [More]

Do I have room to add a 240V breaker in my panel?

I’m trying to see if I have room to add a 240V line for a mini split. The mini split I got is a Gree with nominal 9 amp pull and manufacturer recommended breaker size of 20 amps. Any thoughts on an approach? Could I use a Siemens Q22020CT2 where the pool heater or filter is to add the extra power? Current load info: With oven, pool pump, 2 refrigerators, 4 window AC, 1 mini split, dryer I’m about at 85A of the 200A power draw. Question from user Chris at stackexchange. Answer: First, the empty space. This has to be . . . [More]

Remove outlet from light switch that controls recessed lighting

I've been searching DIY but haven't found a clear "how-to" for my exact situation. I've got a light switch that controls both the recessed lighting in a room as well as an entire outlet below it. I'd like the outlet to be permanently hot without impacting the lighting. Notes: The outlet has not had the brass connector removed. When tested with an outlet checker, both outlets are "correct". The circuit is turned off. Switch. Switch box. Outlet. Outlet box. Question from user Outlet h . . . [More]

Remove outlet from light switch that controls recessed lighting

I've been searching DIY but haven't found a clear "how-to" for my exact situation. I've got a light switch that controls both the recessed lighting in a room as well as an entire outlet below it. I'd like the outlet to be permanently hot without impacting the lighting. Notes: The outlet has not had the brass connector removed. When tested with an outlet checker, both outlets are "correct". The circuit is turned off. Switch. Switch box. Outlet. Outlet box. Question from user Outlet h . . . [More]

Need C-wire for new Honeywell RTH6500WF Thermostat

I am upgrading my old non-wifi programmable thermostats with Honeywell wifi models. These need a C-wire and my wiring only has 4 conductors and no C-wire. I contacted Honeywell support and they suggest using a C-wire adapter, but it appears my system's air handler units for heating/cooling do not have a control board with a terminal block to connect the adapter to. I opened the side panel. They are First Co units that were installed when the house was built 30 years ago. There's a unit in my basement, and one in the attic. All the . . . [More]

Need C-wire for new Honeywell RTH6500WF Thermostat

I am upgrading my old non-wifi programmable thermostats with Honeywell wifi models. These need a C-wire and my wiring only has 4 conductors and no C-wire. I contacted Honeywell support and they suggest using a C-wire adapter, but it appears my system's air handler units for heating/cooling do not have a control board with a terminal block to connect the adapter to. I opened the side panel. They are First Co units that were installed when the house was built 30 years ago. There's a unit in my basement, and one in the attic. All the . . . [More]