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Anybody here ever texture the actual paint rather than the mud? Can I get a decent orange peel using a sponge on the wet paint?

We've got virtually a brand new tan leather recliner and I managed to get a couple of smears of oil-based paint on it. What would you recommend to clean it up without defacing the sofa?

I understand the need for Nolox on copper-aluminum splices, but what do the special connectors accomplish?

Do you think using nolox and special au-co wire nuts is necessary when making an aluminum to copper joint where the neutrals are concerned. I absolutely don't waste the effort where the grounds are concerned. Also, when installing outlets in a house with aluminum wiring, do you think it's a good...

I have one of them large rubbermaid plastic containers that I keep my crushed cans in. It's got a lid but apparently it doesn't seal good enough because I opened it up and there were a few bees. I've got spray killer but what I need to know is is there a product I can buy that will repel the...

My son's bedroom doesn't cool off very efficiently during the heat of summer via the central system. We're planning on getting him a window unit. From what I've heard 220 is more efficient, draws less current, and hence is easier on the electric bill. But his room is only 12' x 11'. Is it worth...

I am an electrician who sometimes needs to cut and repair sheetrock. I've got the general idea of how to cut a reusable square and mount it. I'm going on to learning how to texture using joint compound. But what I need to know is what sort of paint to use. The vast majority of my work will...

I'm going to be installing outdoor "up lights" (single floods mounted low on the brick) and I'm not sure how to go about it. How do I get the wire to the light without exposing a bunch of conduit?

Somebody I know wants to add a dedicated outlet for a fridge in their garage. They would prefer it not be a GFI-protected outlet for fear that it may trip spurriously and ruin their food. So can I add a 20-amp non-GFI-protected outlet in their garage? I read somewhere that it's not necessary for...

What does the code book say about 120v outlets outdoors in the vicinity of a swimming pool? Is it at least 10 feet away from the pool's edge. Been a while. I can't remember.

I ran into a bunch of trouble trying to wire in a new thermostat at somebody's house. Turns out they've got a heat pump instead of a regular furnace. How could I have saved myself a bunch of heartache and figured that out myself in the first place?

Looks like I'm going to have to run some PVC under a sidewalk. Any suggestions as to how to do it. We used to do it using a 2 to 3 foot stick of PVC attached to a garden hose. Wondering if anybody else has any suggestions.

I had a missing bulb in a string of xmas lights, so I decided to just cut and splice. There are 4 "wires". 2 of them were normal copper strand but the other 2 were like hair. What do I make of that? They can't be conductors, can they?

I have a customer that wants me to install 6 3" recess cans with a 3-way. What would a contractor charge?

We've got a fairly old A/c unit in our mobile home. Got it serviced at the beginning of the summer. Learned we can't set it at 74 and expect the coils not to freeze up. The unit worked great all Texas summer long. Even through the 20+ days of triple-digit heat. Usually had it set at 78. Now, the...

From time to time I get to work in a house that has original aluminum wiring. Seems to me that back in the day, you were supposed to apply this substance called Noalax (not sure about the spelling) whenever aluminum met copper. Something about corrosion resistance. But I have seen cases of where...

I made a foolish mistake and washed my brushes and rollers at the curb. Lo and behold, there's a large white trail leading to my mobile home and I need to find a way to clean it up. What does anybody recommended?

I need to get to the overhead wiring above a Hampton Bay AC-522 but have no clue how to undo the canopy. There are no screws.

How are remote receivers installed on ceiling fans? Is it directly wired at the joints in the ceiling box?

I'm fixing to paint my deck and I was wondering if there are any words of advice as far as exposure to sunlight while drying. It's hot today and sure to get up in the upper 90s. (I'm in North Texas). Oh. and I'm using semi-gloss, if that makes a difference.