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Where to install smoke detectors

Dave Farquhar DIY December 22, 2017November 21, 2018

Smoke detectors save lives, so it’s important to have them. But how many you have and where you put them is also important. If you’re going to go to the effort to install smoke detectors, you might as well install them right. Here’s where to install smoke detectors.

Dave Farquhar

David Farquhar is a computer security professional, entrepreneur, and author. He has written professionally about computers since 1991, so he was writing about retro computers when they were still new. He has been working in IT professionally since 1994 and has specialized in vulnerability management since 2013. He holds Security+ and CISSP certifications. Today he blogs five times a week, mostly about retro computers and retro gaming covering the time period from 1975 to 2000.

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How a light socket works

Dave Farquhar DIY November 14, 2017October 28, 2017

A light socket is a simple device that holds a light bulb and provides electricity. When the bulb burns out, you can easily replace it. Here’s how a light socket works.

Dave Farquhar

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Fix bent plug prongs

Dave Farquhar DIY November 10, 2017October 26, 2022

If the prongs on one of your electrical gizmos is bent and you can’t plug it in, there’s hope. Here’s how to fix bent plug prongs.

Dave Farquhar

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GFCI without ground wire

Dave Farquhar DIY October 31, 2017May 17, 2023

A GFCI outlet without ground wire isn’t ideal, but it’s better than a 2-prong outlet. A GFCI outlet will work without a ground wire and it’s legal. Here’s how to properly wire a GFCI outlet without the ground wire, and label it to meet code. If the outlet shorts out for any reason, it will still trip for safety, even without ground.

A GFCI without ground wire won’t protect electronic equipment from static electricity, so you have to label it as such, but it will protect human life in the event of a short circuit. And, if your goal is to pass an inspection, an electrical tester will cause it to trip. Installing a GFCI is an acceptable alternative to the dangerous and illegal practice of a bootleg ground.

Dave Farquhar

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Change a wall light fixture

Dave Farquhar DIY October 25, 2017March 13, 2021

It’s easier to change a wall light fixture than it looks. If your wall light fixture is old, broken, or you’re just tired of it, you can swap in a new one in 30 minutes.

Dave Farquhar

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Does peel and stick tile last?

Dave Farquhar DIY October 3, 2017March 7, 2018

Peel and stick tiles certainly offer attractive pricing. But you may be wondering, does peel and stick tile last? That’s a wise question to ask, because a floor that costs 38 cents per square foot isn’t much of a bargain if you have to replace it a lot.

I’m a landlord, so I use a lot of peel and stick tile. You might be glad to know that I see a lot of old peel and stick tile too.

Dave Farquhar

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How to cut vinyl tile around door jambs

Dave Farquhar DIY September 28, 2017October 29, 2021

Cutting vinyl tile to fit around obstacles can be tricky. It’s easy to end up with an unsightly gap. Here’s how to cut vinyl tile around door jambs and how to cut vinyl tile to fit around a toilet, around a corner, or other obstacles.

With a couple of tricks and a fair bit of patience, you can get nice results.

Dave Farquhar

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How to disable a light switch

Dave Farquhar DIY September 18, 2017February 11, 2019

Sometimes you need to disable a light switch, such as when a light switch turns an outlet on or off and you want to plug something other than a lamp into that outlet. Here’s how to disable a light switch.

The good news is you can do this in such a way that it is completely reversible. If you want to replace the light switch at any point in the future, you will be able to.

Dave Farquhar

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Who makes Insinkerator garbage disposals?

Dave Farquhar DIY September 8, 2017April 15, 2023Emerson Electric, home improvement, InSinkErator

Insinkerator is a venerable and popular brand of garbage disposal you can find at at almost any hardware or home improvement store. You can find one at almost any price point you want, whether you want to spend tens of dollars or hundreds. But who makes Insinkerator garbage disposals?

Dave Farquhar

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Which wire is hot, black or white? Is the black wire hot?

Dave Farquhar DIY September 5, 2017September 7, 2023

If you don’t do electrical work very often, it can be confusing and can lead to questions. Is the black wire hot? Which wire is hot, black or white?

By convention, the white wire is neutral, the black wire is hot, and a green or bare wire is ground. But the first rule is there are no rules. So if you see lots of different colors in an electrical box, you probably need to call an electrician. But if you see three or four colors, you can probably figure it out.

Dave Farquhar

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