What is the best way to seal open caulk tube for reuse?

I am a homeowner who uses caulking sporadically. What is the best way to reseal the tube for use in 6 months or even a year later? Is there an industry agreed upon method? Question from user pkout at stackexchange Answer: The "Industry Agreed Upon Method" you seek is buy a new tube in 6 months to a year. Industry hasn't got much reason to spend worker time and storage space on saving an expendable product that is always better and more reliable when fresh. Of course, industry also typically has another job less than a wee . . . [More]

What is the best way to seal open caulk tube for reuse?

I am a homeowner who uses caulking sporadically. What is the best way to reseal the tube for use in 6 months or even a year later? Is there an industry agreed upon method? Question from user pkout at stackexchange Answer: The "Industry Agreed Upon Method" you seek is buy a new tube in 6 months to a year. Industry hasn't got much reason to spend worker time and storage space on saving an expendable product that is always better and more reliable when fresh. Of course, industry also typically has another job less than a wee . . . [More]

Use Polyurethane or Epoxy Paint Over Latex?

I have a utility trailer with plywood sides added on. They were painted several years ago with a standard exterior paint.I didn't do it myself, but I am pretty sure it was a water-based latex paint. So main question: assuming I wash and then scuff-sand surfaces with appropriate grit, am I OK to refresh surface with a polyurethane or epoxy paint like what someone might use on a boat (above water line) or whatever? I am trying to get as long-lasting and durable of a surface on, and am open to other options. Question from user AA040371 a . . . [More]

Use Polyurethane or Epoxy Paint Over Latex?

I have a utility trailer with plywood sides added on. They were painted several years ago with a standard exterior paint.I didn't do it myself, but I am pretty sure it was a water-based latex paint. So main question: assuming I wash and then scuff-sand surfaces with appropriate grit, am I OK to refresh surface with a polyurethane or epoxy paint like what someone might use on a boat (above water line) or whatever? I am trying to get as long-lasting and durable of a surface on, and am open to other options. Question from user AA040371 a . . . [More]

Is Schedule 80 PVC pipe suitable for water main connections?

I'm helping a neighbor who is out of town. As luck would have it, the water main pipe they just had installed less than 4 days ago cracked and started leaking. When I checked it out I discovered that the line on the home side of the meter is some grade of gray schedule 80 PVC. It cracked a short nipple right where it entered into the coupling to the brass:. So my first thought, is this really up to code / commonly used? There is going to be an awful lot of expansion / contraction of the exposed pipes here as the weather in this area (San . . . [More]

Is Schedule 80 PVC pipe suitable for water main connections?

I'm helping a neighbor who is out of town. As luck would have it, the water main pipe they just had installed less than 4 days ago cracked and started leaking. When I checked it out I discovered that the line on the home side of the meter is some grade of gray schedule 80 PVC. It cracked a short nipple right where it entered into the coupling to the brass:. So my first thought, is this really up to code / commonly used? There is going to be an awful lot of expansion / contraction of the exposed pipes here as the weather in this area (San . . . [More]

Can I rejuvenate a rubber O-ring?

I have a couple of O-rings in my swimming pool's filter/pump system that are leaking a touch. This is a 4 year old system so things are getting worn and the O-rings are a bit cracked. This is the final year we're keeping this above ground pool and I'm trying to make it last the season. Is there anything I could use to rejuvenate the O-rings or rig it up to avoid replacing them? Question from user UnhandledExcepSean at stackexchange Answer: O-Rings are (or should be) cheap - if they are not, try to establish exactly what . . . [More]

Can I rejuvenate a rubber O-ring?

I have a couple of O-rings in my swimming pool's filter/pump system that are leaking a touch. This is a 4 year old system so things are getting worn and the O-rings are a bit cracked. This is the final year we're keeping this above ground pool and I'm trying to make it last the season. Is there anything I could use to rejuvenate the O-rings or rig it up to avoid replacing them? Question from user UnhandledExcepSean at stackexchange Answer: O-Rings are (or should be) cheap - if they are not, try to establish exactly what . . . [More]

How can I remove screws with stripped heads?

I have wood screws whose heads are stripped from trying to remove them with a drill. The drill (or screwdrivers) can't grip the heads anymore. What can i use to remove these screws easily? Question from user LordHits at stackexchange Answer: Damaged screws are extracted by drilling into the screw with a drill bit, then using a special screw extractor bit that is tapered and has threads which turn opposite to those of the screw. The extraction process should be done slowly and carefully because the extraction process is more frag . . . [More]

How can I remove screws with stripped heads?

I have wood screws whose heads are stripped from trying to remove them with a drill. The drill (or screwdrivers) can't grip the heads anymore. What can i use to remove these screws easily? Question from user LordHits at stackexchange Answer: Damaged screws are extracted by drilling into the screw with a drill bit, then using a special screw extractor bit that is tapered and has threads which turn opposite to those of the screw. The extraction process should be done slowly and carefully because the extraction process is more frag . . . [More]

Water damage to wall drywall near ceiling - Should I repair or extract and replace?

A few months ago, we had a leak that caused some moderate damage to the drywall in the corner of one room. The resulting damage left peeling tape, as well as a gap between the drywall and the ceiling. The damage to the tape is about 12 inches long, and then the more adverse damage another 12 inches, spreading out from the joint ~2in in either direction, up to the corner of the room. Looking into this on my own, it seems like it might be possible to redo the tape and joint compound in place, but I'm not sure whether this is actually th . . . [More]

Water damage to wall drywall near ceiling - Should I repair or extract and replace?

A few months ago, we had a leak that caused some moderate damage to the drywall in the corner of one room. The resulting damage left peeling tape, as well as a gap between the drywall and the ceiling. The damage to the tape is about 12 inches long, and then the more adverse damage another 12 inches, spreading out from the joint ~2in in either direction, up to the corner of the room. Looking into this on my own, it seems like it might be possible to redo the tape and joint compound in place, but I'm not sure whether this is actually th . . . [More]

Splicing electric in attic properly

I am installing ceiling lights on my attic that has only fiberglass insulation. I needed to splice some cables half way to the fixture box. I just want to verify that I've done so properly. Here is what I've done: I've spliced the cables with the plastic caps and encased the plastic in this box (which is a metallic fixture box):. Then I secured the cables using the clamps in the box, secured the box to the joist and put a lid on the box. Is this okay? I know some say that one should use a junction box but I had the fixture . . . [More]

Splicing electric in attic properly

I am installing ceiling lights on my attic that has only fiberglass insulation. I needed to splice some cables half way to the fixture box. I just want to verify that I've done so properly. Here is what I've done: I've spliced the cables with the plastic caps and encased the plastic in this box (which is a metallic fixture box):. Then I secured the cables using the clamps in the box, secured the box to the joist and put a lid on the box. Is this okay? I know some say that one should use a junction box but I had the fixture . . . [More]

My bathroom smells of paint after a steamy shower, should I be worried about my health?

It's been 31 days from this post since I moved into this apartment. I've noticed that if I take a steamy shower, then close the door on the bathroom after I get out, then the bathroom will smell strongly of paint for at least 5 hours afterwards. Well I did that again last night, and upon noticing the smell this morning, I decided to test scratch the white-painted drawers and found that the paint immediately peeled of. I know nothing about paint, what's in it, how it cures, or how paint is supposed to properly dry. Why am I smelli . . . [More]

My bathroom smells of paint after a steamy shower, should I be worried about my health?

It's been 31 days from this post since I moved into this apartment. I've noticed that if I take a steamy shower, then close the door on the bathroom after I get out, then the bathroom will smell strongly of paint for at least 5 hours afterwards. Well I did that again last night, and upon noticing the smell this morning, I decided to test scratch the white-painted drawers and found that the paint immediately peeled of. I know nothing about paint, what's in it, how it cures, or how paint is supposed to properly dry. Why am I smelli . . . [More]

Merging multiple circuits into a single one at the panel

I am working on slowly updating my house with new wiring and I have a question regarding proper circuit setup. My house has 2 stories and currently, I work on the second-floor guest bedroom. There are 3 bedrooms on this floor (A main bedroom, a guest bedroom, and an office). I understand that ideally I should have 2 circuits for each room - one for light and one for outlets, but that would take up a lot of space in the panel. Is it OK to wire each room as if they have 2 circuits, bring all 6 circuit wires back to panel, and then combin . . . [More]

Merging multiple circuits into a single one at the panel

I am working on slowly updating my house with new wiring and I have a question regarding proper circuit setup. My house has 2 stories and currently, I work on the second-floor guest bedroom. There are 3 bedrooms on this floor (A main bedroom, a guest bedroom, and an office). I understand that ideally I should have 2 circuits for each room - one for light and one for outlets, but that would take up a lot of space in the panel. Is it OK to wire each room as if they have 2 circuits, bring all 6 circuit wires back to panel, and then combin . . . [More]

Fixing Whirlpool front loader washing machine. Error at start of 2nd rinse fill.

Whirlpool Duet, front loader, . Model WFW9150ww00. Serial HLY4930303. Type 832-A. Manufactured around 28 January 2010. The washing machine shows the following symptoms:. Washes normally, will do the first rinse, then at the start of the second rinse will stop and sound 3 short beeps. It will repeat this every few seconds until you power cycle it. . If you start it immediately (power on, then start) it will unlock door, then relock door, and go back to triple beep. The manual for it talks about error codes. But they are i . . . [More]

Fixing Whirlpool front loader washing machine. Error at start of 2nd rinse fill.

Whirlpool Duet, front loader, . Model WFW9150ww00. Serial HLY4930303. Type 832-A. Manufactured around 28 January 2010. The washing machine shows the following symptoms:. Washes normally, will do the first rinse, then at the start of the second rinse will stop and sound 3 short beeps. It will repeat this every few seconds until you power cycle it. . If you start it immediately (power on, then start) it will unlock door, then relock door, and go back to triple beep. The manual for it talks about error codes. But they are i . . . [More]