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Home Improvement

Launched Q&A site for contractors and (serious) DIY'ers

Announcements

2  
I edited the audience field... it should only describe the audience; use the example questions to describe the domain – Joel Spolsky♦ May 27 '10 at 14:25
3  
Why does it have to be (serious) DIY'ers? Why not the weekend warrior, or anyone who wants to DIY? – Alan Jun 12 '10 at 21:09
1  
if you voted for a question not in the top 5, consider moving your votes to questions in the top 5. – antony.trupe Jun 16 '10 at 13:22
show 2 more announcements

131 Example Questions (10 closed)

active newest votes
up vote 1 down vote
How do I wire an outbuilding with a remote fusebox? When do I need a ground rod?
added by Adam Davis May 27 '10 at 3:51
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up vote 1 down vote
Which type of siding [wood, plastic, etc...] will be the most durable in [state]?
added by Kredns May 27 '10 at 4:02
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up vote 1 down vote
What work requries a permit? What are my liabilities if I do permit-required work without a permit?
added by Adam Davis May 27 '10 at 4:06
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up vote 1 down vote
Should I insulate my garage door since it is connected to my home?
added by Kredns May 27 '10 at 4:16
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up vote 1 down vote
What are the possible ways to cap the end of a 2x4 that is just barely coming out of a brick wall?
added by ADB May 27 '10 at 11:44
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up vote 1 down vote
How do I efficiently trace a leak back to its source?
added by Jonathan Sampson May 27 '10 at 13:42
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up vote 1 down vote
Cheap options for installing a new lawn sprinkler system?
added by Adam Davis May 27 '10 at 14:47
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This is on-topic because it is a reasonable question for landscaping, which is part of home improvement, imo. – JYelton Jun 10 '10 at 16:12
up vote 1 down vote
How to build concrete water storage tanks for potable water?
added by Adam Davis May 27 '10 at 14:48
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up vote 1 down vote
Safe uses for gray water?
added by Adam Davis May 27 '10 at 14:48
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Seems like out of the realm of home improvement and into the realm of survival skills... – Adam Jun 16 '10 at 20:30
@Adam agreed. either GOTE or NaGE. – antony.trupe Jun 16 '10 at 20:34
up vote 1 down vote
Can I fit secondary glazing to my Victorian sash windows without damaging them?
added by ChrisF May 27 '10 at 15:31
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up vote 1 down vote
How do I neatly remove Molly Bolts from my drywall?
added by Jonathan Sampson May 28 '10 at 5:17
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up vote 1 down vote
What are the new building codes for roofs in Lake Superior Lowland, Wisconsin, United States that take effect at the end of 2010? [closed]
added by WikiSpeedia hang-around May 28 '10 at 21:59
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closed as off topic by Niall C., jschoen, gnovice, Mike Sherov, Simurr Jun 6 '10 at 3:52

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

4  
Too localised.. – ChrisF May 29 '10 at 11:20
What if there is another user from the same area that knows the answer? – Arlen Beiler May 30 '10 at 11:24
1  
@Arlen - the definition of "Too Localised" is "This question would only be relevant to a small geographic area, a specific moment in time, or an extraordinarily narrow situation that is not generally applicable to the worldwide audience of the internet." This fails on the small geographic area and specific moment in time parts. – ChrisF May 30 '10 at 17:49
Who says that this site will use the so definition of localized? – bmargulies Jun 5 '10 at 2:12
1  
It would be better to ask, in general, where you can find the most recent building codes – d03boy Jun 14 '10 at 3:40
up vote 1 down vote
What is softwood and hardwood, and why should I care?
added by Adam Davis Jun 1 '10 at 3:49
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up vote 1 down vote
PEX vs copper vs ??? for plumbing - what are the differences?
added by Adam Davis Jun 1 '10 at 3:54
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up vote 1 down vote
Can I do my own simply DIY geothermal system, or must I go with a professional system and installer?
added by Adam Davis Jun 1 '10 at 3:54
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up vote 1 down vote
How do I safely test a "popcorn" ceiling for the presence of asbestos?
added by Foster Brereton Jun 1 '10 at 20:21
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I'm voting as "off topic" because anything to do with asbestos should be handled by professionals – Mark Henderson Jun 8 '10 at 7:45
5  
@Farseeker: Not sure that makes it "off-topic". It just makes the answer "get a professional" – Jeff Yates Jun 9 '10 at 14:18
up vote 1 down vote
How do I best test the quality of water coming into a property?
added by Foster Brereton Jun 1 '10 at 20:23
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up vote 1 down vote
What are good methods/solutions for adding a local network to a home?
added by Foster Brereton Jun 1 '10 at 20:28
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This is more for SuperUser or a site on Computer Networks – Jeff Yates Jun 9 '10 at 14:14
disagree. because it fits some other planet, means nothing on its relevancy to this space. – csmba Jun 16 '10 at 20:37
up vote 1 down vote
How to repair a crumbling lath-and-plaster ceiling?
added by Niall C. Jun 2 '10 at 2:51
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up vote 1 down vote
Which type of screw head should I choose for <project X>? X in {cabinetry, exterior deck, furniture, raised beds, chicken coop, kids play structure}
added by Trey Jackson Jun 2 '10 at 17:03
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up vote 1 down vote
Should I install a "hybrid" (heat pump + element) water heater in an unconditioned attic in Southeast Texas?
added by richardtallent Jun 3 '10 at 6:01
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In this case the location just serves to give climate context, and the answer wouldn't be limited in usefulness to only SE Texans. – Kara Marfia Jun 8 '10 at 16:27
up vote 1 down vote
How effective is Orange Oil for termite control compared to more conventional poisons?
added by Foster Brereton Jun 4 '10 at 4:14
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Subterranean termites or dry-wood termites? – Stefan Lasiewski Jun 4 '10 at 21:27
up vote 1 down vote
Should I remove the caulk around my shower and bath before I start re-grouting?
added by Jeff Yates Jun 9 '10 at 14:27
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up vote 1 down vote
What are the pros and cons of various materials (redwood, composite, etc.) to build a deck?
added by JYelton Jun 10 '10 at 16:19
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up vote 1 down vote
What's the life/maintenance of treated lumber used as edging for a gravel driveway?
added by antony.trupe Jun 11 '10 at 17:46
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up vote 1 down vote
What are the risks of building a wood porch on top of/over a concrete slab?
added by antony.trupe Jun 11 '10 at 17:48
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up vote 1 down vote
How do I find out what's behind my drywall if stud finder can't seem to find anything sane?
added by Steve Armstrong Jun 16 '10 at 20:31
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Question would expand on if "exploratory holes" are the only way to investigate – Steve Armstrong Jun 16 '10 at 20:32
up vote 0 down vote
How can I repair a routed-in stair tread?
added by Kredns May 27 '10 at 3:21
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up vote 0 down vote
What impact does new VOC limits have on polyeurathane drying times and temperature fluctuation allownaces?
added by Kredns May 27 '10 at 3:21
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up vote 0 down vote
Will sheathing interior walls provide enough support for old framing with width-hung studs?
added by Kredns May 27 '10 at 3:22
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up vote 0 down vote
What kind of metal roof is best?
added by Chris W. Rea May 27 '10 at 3:23
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2  
I would actually vote no because this is too subjective. If it narrowed it down to two products and listed the advantages/disadvantages of both I would be more inclined to vote yes. – Kredns May 27 '10 at 3:29
This kind of question falls under community wiki, I believe? I think a list of the pros/cons of different types would be hugely useful and appropriate. – Kara Marfia May 27 '10 at 13:12
1  
Agree w/ @Lucas: this sort of question ends up becoming... AT BEST... a long list of pros and cons for various products in myriad situations. Unless someone is very, very dedicated to editing a single answer AND skilled enough to work in material from new answers without creating a contradictory mess, you end up in the PHPBB trap: 5 pages of answers, all of which must be read before the topic does you any good. Limit the types of material, describe the type/location/purpose of the roof, etc. – Shog9 May 27 '10 at 16:07
up vote 0 down vote
What's the best way to hang my large LCD HD television to the wall?
added by Chris W. Rea May 27 '10 at 3:24
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I don't think something like this should be home improvement - tenuous at best - but I'm throwing this out there. – Chris W. Rea May 27 '10 at 3:26
Since these have to be attached to studs, and building a home theater could be considered home improvement, I'd vote yes (if I had any votes left today...) – Adam Davis May 27 '10 at 14:41
Voted no 'cause there are scores of ways to do this and which one is "best" will depend on your situation... Now, "How could I build a custom mount for my 58" LCD TV?" might be an interesting DIY question. – Shog9 May 27 '10 at 16:14
This is one of those questions that belong equally in a home improvement thread as well as an electronics/theater/entertainment thread. – JYelton Jun 10 '10 at 16:10
up vote 0 down vote
Does [insert paint color here] go well with [insert carpet/cabinet/etc. color here]?
added by Chris W. Rea May 27 '10 at 3:27
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3  
Interior decorating question. IMHO, I don't think this kind of question should be allowed. – Chris W. Rea May 27 '10 at 3:27
It would be bad to let these sorts of conversations start: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/… ("bikeshed principle" – Jared Updike May 27 '10 at 3:44
5  
Subjective and argumentative. – ChrisF May 27 '10 at 10:13
3  
Might be reworded to include the reason help is needed, "I am partially colorblind. While I think these look fine together, I just need a quick check with normal people so if I sell this in the next few years I won't be scarring people for life. Is this scheme reasonable?" – Adam Davis Jun 1 '10 at 3:45
up vote 0 down vote
How to: Subfloor heating and cooling
added by Adam Davis May 27 '10 at 3:53
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How to what? Design it? Install it? Maintain it? All of the above? – Shog9 May 27 '10 at 17:39
up vote 0 down vote
Is steel framing for homes viable for the DIY homebuilder?
added by Adam Davis May 27 '10 at 3:53
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up vote 0 down vote
The cost of DIY - post stories or pictures of injuries you received while working on a project! [closed]
added by Adam Davis May 27 '10 at 3:57
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closed as off topic by Shog9, Peter K., Simurr, Foster Brereton, alex Jun 9 '10 at 23:32

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.
up vote 0 down vote
Wood, fiberglass, plastic - what windowframe to use and when?
added by Adam Davis May 27 '10 at 4:00
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up vote 0 down vote
How to design and build a septic field?
added by Adam Davis May 27 '10 at 4:02
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up vote 0 down vote
How to get permit for shed?
added by Adam Davis May 27 '10 at 4:04
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2  
Too localized..? – Chris W. Rea May 28 '10 at 2:27
up vote 0 down vote
How can I keep my neighbor from building their horribly ugly "gazebo" (i.e., trash heap) in their back yard? [closed]
added by Adam Davis, edited by WikiSpeedia hang-around Jun 2 '10 at 23:24
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closed as off topic by Shog9, Chris W. Rea, Peter K., gnovice, Simurr Jun 6 '10 at 3:22

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

To localised as it depends on local planning laws and application processes. – ChrisF May 27 '10 at 10:33
11  
Question could be reduced to, "How can I build my own neighborhood trebuchet?" – Shog9 May 27 '10 at 16:17
5  
@Shog9 - Your ideas intrigue me, and I would like to subscribe to your newsletter. – Adam Davis May 27 '10 at 16:38
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