Hardie Board Subfloor. Thinset or No?

I'm remodeling the bathroom in my house that was built in the 1930s. I stripped out the old flooring down to the 1x8 wood planks (about 1/4" between each). . I have 1/4" Hardie Board to put down in preparation for tile and I'm a little confused on how I should do this. . Some resources I've found have said to lay down mortar first, then screw the board into the floor. Other resources have said that you can just screw it into the floor in appropriate locations. Others yet have recommended laying down plywood first, th . . . [More]

Hardie Board Subfloor. Thinset or No?

I'm remodeling the bathroom in my house that was built in the 1930s. I stripped out the old flooring down to the 1x8 wood planks (about 1/4" between each). . I have 1/4" Hardie Board to put down in preparation for tile and I'm a little confused on how I should do this. . Some resources I've found have said to lay down mortar first, then screw the board into the floor. Other resources have said that you can just screw it into the floor in appropriate locations. Others yet have recommended laying down plywood first, th . . . [More]

Why do so many of my screws break?

I wouldn’t be surprised if I had got my wood screw pack from AliExpress but it’s from Home Depot and I believe Everbilt is at least not a random brand. Yet many of the screws just break if I screw them into hard wood. The worst is that the piece stays in the wood and I have no means to get it out. I am using a driver at very slow speed but it even happens if I use a screwdriver by hand. I have used them in the past for fixing NM cable clamps to studs (from 1920 though), screwing together simple pieces of lumber, fixing lumber . . . [More]

Why do so many of my screws break?

I wouldn’t be surprised if I had got my wood screw pack from AliExpress but it’s from Home Depot and I believe Everbilt is at least not a random brand. Yet many of the screws just break if I screw them into hard wood. The worst is that the piece stays in the wood and I have no means to get it out. I am using a driver at very slow speed but it even happens if I use a screwdriver by hand. I have used them in the past for fixing NM cable clamps to studs (from 1920 though), screwing together simple pieces of lumber, fixing lumber . . . [More]

How can I prevent suds from spewing out my toilet?

Recently suds spouted from inside my toilet. The plumber concluded that someone on a higher floor used too much soap, but plumber can't pinpoint which. How can I foolproof my toilet from all these suds overflowing again, particularly when I am traveling away for business? Anyone got better ideas than buying quick dams, flood bags, barriers? Question from user user1147844 at stackexchange. Answer: You'd have to plug up the toilet exit somehow. Plumbers use inflatable "test balls" to plug drains, they are availabl . . . [More]

How can I prevent suds from spewing out my toilet?

Recently suds spouted from inside my toilet. The plumber concluded that someone on a higher floor used too much soap, but plumber can't pinpoint which. How can I foolproof my toilet from all these suds overflowing again, particularly when I am traveling away for business? Anyone got better ideas than buying quick dams, flood bags, barriers? Question from user user1147844 at stackexchange. Answer: You'd have to plug up the toilet exit somehow. Plumbers use inflatable "test balls" to plug drains, they are availabl . . . [More]

Range Hood Galvanized Pipe - Installation Code

I want to install a modern open range hood on top of a kitchen stove. However I need to first install a 6 inch duct from the roof, through the attic and have some part of the pipe exposed under the ceiling. My question is - how low should this pipe be exposed from the ceiling down wards? what is the code? ( The range hood came with a very long, flexible vent pipe to connect the range hood with the 6inch pipe exposed from the ceiling. I will connect both these pipes. We are using Cosmo Cos-63175S. Question from user Rose at stacke . . . [More]

Range Hood Galvanized Pipe - Installation Code

I want to install a modern open range hood on top of a kitchen stove. However I need to first install a 6 inch duct from the roof, through the attic and have some part of the pipe exposed under the ceiling. My question is - how low should this pipe be exposed from the ceiling down wards? what is the code? ( The range hood came with a very long, flexible vent pipe to connect the range hood with the 6inch pipe exposed from the ceiling. I will connect both these pipes. We are using Cosmo Cos-63175S. Question from user Rose at stacke . . . [More]

How do I build a firewall around my furnace - water heater?

I'm in the planning stage of finishing my basement. I'd like to section off the furnace and water heater, and am assuming that I should fireproof that section of the build. What's the best way to go about it? My guess would be steel studs and concrete board instead of drywall, and a steel door. Question from user Chris Cudmore at stackexchange. Answer: As best I know, a fire rated utility room isn't required by any code for a single family structure. And for multi-family this requirement is to isolate each re . . . [More]

How do I build a firewall around my furnace - water heater?

I'm in the planning stage of finishing my basement. I'd like to section off the furnace and water heater, and am assuming that I should fireproof that section of the build. What's the best way to go about it? My guess would be steel studs and concrete board instead of drywall, and a steel door. Question from user Chris Cudmore at stackexchange. Answer: As best I know, a fire rated utility room isn't required by any code for a single family structure. And for multi-family this requirement is to isolate each re . . . [More]

Tap into existing downstream gfci outlet for new fan in show stall

My bathroom has a separate toilet room in it and the exhaust fan is in that toilet room. It does not do a very good job of venting the steam from the shower. Additionally, the shower does not get much light from the the vanity lights so it is a bit dark in the stall. I want to install another exhaust fan directly over the shower with a built in light to address both issues. There is a single outlet in the bathroom and it is downstream from the gfci outlet. I would like to tap the line going to that outlet in the attic and run it to a n . . . [More]

Tap into existing downstream gfci outlet for new fan in show stall

My bathroom has a separate toilet room in it and the exhaust fan is in that toilet room. It does not do a very good job of venting the steam from the shower. Additionally, the shower does not get much light from the the vanity lights so it is a bit dark in the stall. I want to install another exhaust fan directly over the shower with a built in light to address both issues. There is a single outlet in the bathroom and it is downstream from the gfci outlet. I would like to tap the line going to that outlet in the attic and run it to a n . . . [More]

Wiring 6-50 Welding Outlet

A couple clarifying questions on my welder outlet install. One issue is that since I don't have any real NEC knowledge - it seems that every aspect of the install has some fractal detail of what NEC requires. I already did the install and it works great. But want to make sure safe and code. 6/2 wire - Home Depot person sold me 6/2. I intended to get 6/3 but "that was all I need". It's only a 3 foot run so no harm if I need to redo. See my 14-50 question below. Ground - If using a 6-50 outlet - there is no neutral w . . . [More]

Wiring 6-50 Welding Outlet

A couple clarifying questions on my welder outlet install. One issue is that since I don't have any real NEC knowledge - it seems that every aspect of the install has some fractal detail of what NEC requires. I already did the install and it works great. But want to make sure safe and code. 6/2 wire - Home Depot person sold me 6/2. I intended to get 6/3 but "that was all I need". It's only a 3 foot run so no harm if I need to redo. See my 14-50 question below. Ground - If using a 6-50 outlet - there is no neutral w . . . [More]

Are there any arguments against LED strings for crawlspace lighting?

I have a small unfinished basement (1929 house) into which I regularly venture down (HVAC, electrical panel, IT, some food storage). The basement is surrounded by a dirt crawlspace and every time I get the chance, I look around for issues and anomalies. However, I am really frustrated by the darkness and grabbing a strong light every time and moving around is annoying. Also, often paths for the light rays are obstructed by duct work and beams. I got two simple ceramic lamp holders and put on 6000 lumens LED lamps. While the light itself . . . [More]

Are there any arguments against LED strings for crawlspace lighting?

I have a small unfinished basement (1929 house) into which I regularly venture down (HVAC, electrical panel, IT, some food storage). The basement is surrounded by a dirt crawlspace and every time I get the chance, I look around for issues and anomalies. However, I am really frustrated by the darkness and grabbing a strong light every time and moving around is annoying. Also, often paths for the light rays are obstructed by duct work and beams. I got two simple ceramic lamp holders and put on 6000 lumens LED lamps. While the light itself . . . [More]

Diagnosing water heater - can I apply voltage to a thermocouple?

American Water Heater BFG6140S403NOV. I am troubleshooting this water heater. The pilot light won't stay on and I suspect it is the thermocouple. I measured the voltage while running the pilot manually, highest it gets to is 18.1 millivolt. General consensus seems to be under 20 is bad. I am wondering if I can confirm this is the only issue on the unit before tearing everything apart. In theory could I somehow apply voltage from a different source to the thermocouple or is that a dumb idea? Mainly to see if I can hear the solenoid ope . . . [More]

Diagnosing water heater - can I apply voltage to a thermocouple?

American Water Heater BFG6140S403NOV. I am troubleshooting this water heater. The pilot light won't stay on and I suspect it is the thermocouple. I measured the voltage while running the pilot manually, highest it gets to is 18.1 millivolt. General consensus seems to be under 20 is bad. I am wondering if I can confirm this is the only issue on the unit before tearing everything apart. In theory could I somehow apply voltage from a different source to the thermocouple or is that a dumb idea? Mainly to see if I can hear the solenoid ope . . . [More]

Can I use just split units for winter heating if I have mini splits and hydronic base board heaters?

We're trying to go all-electric/solar and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. We currently have an 11 year old propane tankless combi-boiler that supplies hot water and also circulates water through a hydronic baseboard heating system connected to a thermostat (starting to slowly fall apart). We also have Mitsubishi heat pump split units that we use as our primary heat source in the winter (the boiler is more to keep the house above a minimum temperature to protect the pipes). These are in great condition. Given our goal, I was thinking of . . . [More]

Can I use just split units for winter heating if I have mini splits and hydronic base board heaters?

We're trying to go all-electric/solar and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. We currently have an 11 year old propane tankless combi-boiler that supplies hot water and also circulates water through a hydronic baseboard heating system connected to a thermostat (starting to slowly fall apart). We also have Mitsubishi heat pump split units that we use as our primary heat source in the winter (the boiler is more to keep the house above a minimum temperature to protect the pipes). These are in great condition. Given our goal, I was thinking of . . . [More]