What do I use to cap a kitchen sink sprayer hose?

My kitchen sink has a sprayer. I want to remove it. I believe I would need a cap to seal off the connection after I take the sprayer hose off. I saw a few articles saying you need to get a "3/8-inch threaded brass flair cap". Is that correct?  I want to go to a home supply store to get whatever cap I would need, but not sure what to ask them for. Question from user user3203425 at stackexchange. Answer: If 3/8" is the correct size, I believe you need a 3/8" FIP cap (FIP stands for Female Iron Pipe) also known . . . [More]

What do I use to cap a kitchen sink sprayer hose?

My kitchen sink has a sprayer. I want to remove it. I believe I would need a cap to seal off the connection after I take the sprayer hose off. I saw a few articles saying you need to get a "3/8-inch threaded brass flair cap". Is that correct?  I want to go to a home supply store to get whatever cap I would need, but not sure what to ask them for. Question from user user3203425 at stackexchange. Answer: If 3/8" is the correct size, I believe you need a 3/8" FIP cap (FIP stands for Female Iron Pipe) also known . . . [More]

How do I replace two split receptacles with GFCI receptacles?

I need to replace two receptacles in my kitchen with GFCI outlets. On each receptacle, the top and bottom outlet are on different breakers. I've replaced standard outlets before, but this seems a bit more complicated. The A outlets are on one breaker, and B is on a different. An electrician once told me that I could just cap the red wire on the left and the black wire on the right. Not sure I quite remember what that means. These load to other outlets as well. Any thoughts on how I can replace these with GFCI?  Question fro . . . [More]

How do I replace two split receptacles with GFCI receptacles?

I need to replace two receptacles in my kitchen with GFCI outlets. On each receptacle, the top and bottom outlet are on different breakers. I've replaced standard outlets before, but this seems a bit more complicated. The A outlets are on one breaker, and B is on a different. An electrician once told me that I could just cap the red wire on the left and the black wire on the right. Not sure I quite remember what that means. These load to other outlets as well. Any thoughts on how I can replace these with GFCI?  Question fro . . . [More]

How do I fix seams that open up at the corners of walls during the winter?

Every winter, we get cracks like this where the walls meet the ceiling in certain rooms. We just got our bathroom redone, so it's most bothersome here. When springtime comes, they "seal" back up. Why does this happen and what's the best way to fix this? Or should I just hire someone? How much would this run minus painting? Update: thanks everyone for your answers! Ultimately, I think the best answer is the "cover it up with crown moulding". Since that will look prettiest, add some value, and fixes the issue for th . . . [More]

How do I fix seams that open up at the corners of walls during the winter?

Every winter, we get cracks like this where the walls meet the ceiling in certain rooms. We just got our bathroom redone, so it's most bothersome here. When springtime comes, they "seal" back up. Why does this happen and what's the best way to fix this? Or should I just hire someone? How much would this run minus painting? Update: thanks everyone for your answers! Ultimately, I think the best answer is the "cover it up with crown moulding". Since that will look prettiest, add some value, and fixes the issue for th . . . [More]

Can I use a 220V rated LED lamp on a 110V line?

I am presuming the answer of this is no. (I haven't tried to use a 220V bulb from the supplier before but their supply of 110V or Wide Voltage bulbs is limited.). E27 6W LED Maïs Lamp Koud Wit 750lm 6500K 69-SMD (AC 220V ~ 240V). Is it safe to use this on a 110V power line? Question from user Archimedes Trajano at stackexchange. Answer: Probably not, since it's an LED bulb; and while there seem to be very few details on the website, the link calls it out as 220-240V. Some "wide range" LED supplies work from . . . [More]

Can I use a 220V rated LED lamp on a 110V line?

I am presuming the answer of this is no. (I haven't tried to use a 220V bulb from the supplier before but their supply of 110V or Wide Voltage bulbs is limited.). E27 6W LED Maïs Lamp Koud Wit 750lm 6500K 69-SMD (AC 220V ~ 240V). Is it safe to use this on a 110V power line? Question from user Archimedes Trajano at stackexchange. Answer: Probably not, since it's an LED bulb; and while there seem to be very few details on the website, the link calls it out as 220-240V. Some "wide range" LED supplies work from . . . [More]

What is the best way to secure a set of folding attic stairs?

My company is opening a new office in an existing office building. While inspecting the office prior to move-in, I noticed that the attics between all suites in the building are open to each other. Someone from another suite could easily gain access to ours by just pushing open the folding attic stairs. What is the best way to secure the folding attic stairs? I considered using a padlock, but the ceiling is too high to open a padlock using a ladder. Do they make a lock attached to the pull cord? Question from user longneck at stackexchang . . . [More]

What is the best way to secure a set of folding attic stairs?

My company is opening a new office in an existing office building. While inspecting the office prior to move-in, I noticed that the attics between all suites in the building are open to each other. Someone from another suite could easily gain access to ours by just pushing open the folding attic stairs. What is the best way to secure the folding attic stairs? I considered using a padlock, but the ceiling is too high to open a padlock using a ladder. Do they make a lock attached to the pull cord? Question from user longneck at stackexchang . . . [More]

Rolled paint on wall has a patch that goes completely matte/flat.

I have a patch on my wall where the rolled paint goes completely flat against the wall so it looks like it was brushed on in that area rather than rolled like the whole wall. Before I painted it there was a patch of paint there that was really smooth, almost gloss like, I have no idea what was used but it was obviously to cover up something. Anyway, before I painted the wall myself I sanded down the whole wall included that area. I then put an undercoat/primer from Dulux over the whole wall. I noticed when doing the primer it bubbled . . . [More]

Rolled paint on wall has a patch that goes completely matte/flat.

I have a patch on my wall where the rolled paint goes completely flat against the wall so it looks like it was brushed on in that area rather than rolled like the whole wall. Before I painted it there was a patch of paint there that was really smooth, almost gloss like, I have no idea what was used but it was obviously to cover up something. Anyway, before I painted the wall myself I sanded down the whole wall included that area. I then put an undercoat/primer from Dulux over the whole wall. I noticed when doing the primer it bubbled . . . [More]

How much weight can a large screw safely hold in a ceiling plasterboard?

I have a plasterboard ceiling. I want to hang a speaker mount from the ceiling. I have these screw plug things. I have already used these to hang other stuff from the same ceiling and they're currently handling about 2kg each with no problems so far, but maybe I just got lucky (and if these other objects fall down it won't be quite so expensive!) so I would like to know what a reasonable load is. The existing 2kg-per-plug objects are a couple of metres apart from each other. The speaker plus mount apparatus comes to about 8kg s . . . [More]

How much weight can a large screw safely hold in a ceiling plasterboard?

I have a plasterboard ceiling. I want to hang a speaker mount from the ceiling. I have these screw plug things. I have already used these to hang other stuff from the same ceiling and they're currently handling about 2kg each with no problems so far, but maybe I just got lucky (and if these other objects fall down it won't be quite so expensive!) so I would like to know what a reasonable load is. The existing 2kg-per-plug objects are a couple of metres apart from each other. The speaker plus mount apparatus comes to about 8kg s . . . [More]

Should I cut the PVC in my Kitchen Drain?

I am replacing my kitchen cabinets. I am not sure how to handle the 2in PCV drain from the sink- ie should I cut the PVC, make a hole in the cabinet and join the pipe or cut a "U" slot in the cabinet and slide it down (ie avoid cuts to the drain pipe). How is it normally done and if I have to cut the PVC and re-join- is it easy? Question from user hrs at stackexchange Answer: The most usual approach given what you have would be to cut the pipe and install a union, so the pipe can be taken apart and put back together. Obviousl . . . [More]

Should I cut the PVC in my Kitchen Drain?

I am replacing my kitchen cabinets. I am not sure how to handle the 2in PCV drain from the sink- ie should I cut the PVC, make a hole in the cabinet and join the pipe or cut a "U" slot in the cabinet and slide it down (ie avoid cuts to the drain pipe). How is it normally done and if I have to cut the PVC and re-join- is it easy? Question from user hrs at stackexchange Answer: The most usual approach given what you have would be to cut the pipe and install a union, so the pipe can be taken apart and put back together. Obviousl . . . [More]

What is a traveler wire and how does it work?

I have been doing little bits of electrical lately, mostly wiring up basic single pole switches and outlets and I have been trying to learn more as I go. When looking at some diagrams for 3 way switches there is a so called traveler wire. What exactly is a traveler wire and how does it work/what does it do? Question from user matt. at stackexchange Answer: A traveler, in the context of the US terms 3-way and 4-way switches, is a wire between switches which sometimes carries power and sometimes does not, depending on switch positi . . . [More]

What is a traveler wire and how does it work?

I have been doing little bits of electrical lately, mostly wiring up basic single pole switches and outlets and I have been trying to learn more as I go. When looking at some diagrams for 3 way switches there is a so called traveler wire. What exactly is a traveler wire and how does it work/what does it do? Question from user matt. at stackexchange Answer: A traveler, in the context of the US terms 3-way and 4-way switches, is a wire between switches which sometimes carries power and sometimes does not, depending on switch positi . . . [More]

After cable replacement, Craftsman garage door wont close.

I have a Craftsman automatic garage door that came with the house. A few days ago, my wife informed me that the garage door was "making funny noises". Since we'd just gotten home late at night, and she mentioned it after we'd headed off to bed, I figured I'd check it out in the morning. Well, the next morning, she got into the car, hit the button, and the cable snapped. It had worked its way off of the pulley and had frayed and finally snapped (this had probably been going on for some time, explaining the noise). I disenga . . . [More]

After cable replacement, Craftsman garage door wont close.

I have a Craftsman automatic garage door that came with the house. A few days ago, my wife informed me that the garage door was "making funny noises". Since we'd just gotten home late at night, and she mentioned it after we'd headed off to bed, I figured I'd check it out in the morning. Well, the next morning, she got into the car, hit the button, and the cable snapped. It had worked its way off of the pulley and had frayed and finally snapped (this had probably been going on for some time, explaining the noise). I disenga . . . [More]