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4 votes
0 answers
112 views

Gas cans should be on-topic per the Help Center

As stated in the question, filling a gas can at a gas station is a common home improvement task that enables me to perform other home improvement tasks at home. How to easily fill a gas can at a ...
pkamb's user avatar
  • 310
0 votes
1 answer
41 views

Reason for dupe closing seems invalid

My question How to remove glue from temporary paper shades on vinyl windows? was just closed as being a duplicate of what is the easiest way too clean adhesive residue from glass? However my question ...
Peter M's user avatar
  • 360
5 votes
2 answers
67 views

Should "this is what I did" be updates to the question or stand alone answers?

We get some people who will return to their asked question to post "this is what I ended up doing". Some update their original question, some post it as an answer. When I see it as an update ...
FreeMan's user avatar
  • 40.5k
2 votes
1 answer
40 views

Duplicate questions getting re-answered

This may come off as a rant - and I guess maybe it is one (at least a little bit), but here goes... Why do users re-answer questions which are clearly and obviously duplicates instead of flagging them ...
brhans's user avatar
  • 5,776
4 votes
1 answer
54 views

How to ask a question about reasons behind electrical code?

Out of curiosity, and to learn something, I want to learn about reasons behind electrical codes (for this purpose, it doesn't matter which ones). Especially since it's often mentioned on the site that ...
jaskij's user avatar
  • 123
6 votes
5 answers
212 views

Closing because question "abandoned"?

Recently I've come across a large number of questions in the Home Improvement Stack Review Close Votes queue that are marked to be closed for "a community-specific reason", with the written-...
Daniel Griscom's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
42 views

Is a question about a GFCI refrigerate outlet on topic?

We just had a kitchen fridge breaker trip. We eventually figured out it has something to do with a GFCI outlet in the kitchen. I don't know what the relation is between the breaker and the outlet. And ...
CDspace's user avatar
  • 111
4 votes
2 answers
51 views

How much follow-up is it appropriate to expect/request from an answerer?

I am a total newbie at DIY, and really grateful for this site as the high-quality resource that it is. I really appreciate that knowledgeable people take the time and effort to answer my questions. ...
user101270's user avatar
-3 votes
1 answer
66 views

Why close a question just because the same exact question has been asked and answered before?

Recently a question was closed because it had been asked and answered before. I thought this was a forum to express your expertise. Why close a question when you could refer the OP to the previously ...
Lee Sam's user avatar
  • 23k
8 votes
1 answer
139 views

Can I ask how to build a chair I saw on the web?

Can I ask how to build a chair I saw on the web? I’m always looking for diy ideas in pinterest, always keeping in mind my very very limited diy skills. Many times I see chairs that seem relatively ...
rbhat's user avatar
  • 2,013
4 votes
1 answer
55 views

On Topic - fixing a drill press?

The question would include pictures and be: My drill press chuck fell out on me while using a 4.5" hole saw bit. It appears to have wobbled itself out because there is some chipping on the tenon ...
Hueco's user avatar
  • 143
1 vote
0 answers
45 views

Can the Tour be Improved?

I repeatedly find the same problems with questions, particularly (but not exclusively) from new users: No model #s listed - just "a new dimmer" or "a new light fixture", etc. With model #s, which are ...
manassehkatz-Moving 2 Codidact's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
84 views

When to close for product recommendations

I do a lot of closures on the main Stack Overflow site so I've seen more than a few recommendation requests. While DIY is a different subject set, I've been increasingly baffled by people wanting to ...
Machavity's user avatar
  • 23.4k
2 votes
1 answer
48 views

I just want someone to check my work -- where do I post?

Where should we post questions that aren't necessarily looking for a detailed answer, but more geared towards just wanting a second set of eyes to look over your work and point out blatant mistakes or ...
ctote's user avatar
  • 710
1 vote
1 answer
69 views

Is a question about using the hammer function on a specific type of drill on-topic?

I inherited an old drill. It supposedly has a hammer function (it's a Black & Decker that calls itself Schlagbohrmaschine), but I don't know how to switch it on, and need help. Is that too ...
Arthur's user avatar
  • 101
2 votes
1 answer
47 views

Would a question about where to report a contractor's behavior be on-topic?

I have the following question: Subj: Where would I report bad contractor behavior? A contractor in my area is asking for 50% of the quoted price for the work as cash up front with a promise to come ...
jcolebrand's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
35 views

Home Sales question in Home Improvement SE

I'm new to home Improvement and have a rather specific question I need answered. I am not sure, however, if it is off topic. In summary, I'm looking for some advice on selling my house during the ...
user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
139 views

What should we do with OPs suffering from a case of utility futility?

Sadly, in some parts of the world, trying to get a utility (electrical is the one I've seen so far, but other utilities are probably susceptible to this as well) to do anything for you without an ...
ThreePhaseEel's user avatar
12 votes
0 answers
125 views

Can we just upvote questions more?

Don't have much to say. I thumb through questions. I upvote anything that contains all info needed and is not a repeat. However I often see comments on the question from our top 30 users and see no ...
DMoore's user avatar
  • 47.7k
3 votes
1 answer
72 views

How do we get people to stop assuming that we have X-ray vision?

One of the great banes of this site is the dreaded question that needs photos to answer, but lacks them, leaving everyone guessing at what it could be. Anyone have any ideas how to get more folks to ...
ThreePhaseEel's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
34 views

How to handle posts asking multiple independent questions

The Stack Exchange question and answer format breaks down when multiple discrete questions are posed in one post. Either answers must address each question, or they fail to completely meet the ...
isherwood's user avatar
  • 126k
7 votes
1 answer
118 views

What should we do when we see something in the OP's situation that is dangerous, but not necessarily the subject of the question?

Our existing meta topics on dangerous things discuss people either: asking to do something dangerous (drilling into a tank o' diesel while it still has fuel in it, working on live electrical lines) ...
ThreePhaseEel's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
138 views

How do I add pictures to a question from my phone?

The title says it all. When I post questions from my phone I don't get the option to add a picture. I think.
iopener's user avatar
  • 165
1 vote
1 answer
38 views

Asking for non-brand specific tool qualities- on topic?

I am looking for a drill press... but I don't want a recommendation for a specific drill press. Instead, I want to know what qualities are important to consider while buying a drill press. I would ...
Blue Ice's user avatar
  • 113
2 votes
1 answer
58 views

Hobby or not? How do I know if I can ask?

I have a question about a ways to covering OSB edges. I'm not a professional, but I build (and helped to build) furniture since childhood. So I know my basics pretty solid, I think. So can I legally ...
Mołot's user avatar
  • 536
0 votes
1 answer
47 views

Should we strongly encourage foundation questions to include a basic drawing?

Thinking of foundation questions, and so I'm reading the history of such question to see what trends I should consider. I see lots of questions which lack any spatial sense that could improve the ...
New Alexandria's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
59 views

When (and/or where) is it okay to ask questions about homemaking processes?

Is there a clear guideline about what makes a homemaking question appropriate for this site? I'm interested in process improvements, however, there seems to be some inconsistency about whether ...
virtualxtc's user avatar
  • 2,517
-2 votes
1 answer
102 views

Are resale/worth questions OK or not?

I have seen several questions that basically want an opinion on if doing a project is worth their time as far as resale value or what would be the best thing to do while keeping resale value. I ...
DMoore's user avatar
  • 47.7k
2 votes
2 answers
77 views

Help improving a downvoted question?

I posted the following question and answer: How do I set the clock on a Thermador CT227N or CT227NW oven? But it has gotten two down votes with no explaination as to how to improve it. Before ...
WilliamKF's user avatar
  • 431
7 votes
1 answer
186 views

Would it be in bad taste to post a picture of a completed result of a question I posted?

With the help I received in my question how do I fix an uneven cement floor prior to hardwood flooring install, the process of install was great. I would like to share with the answer posters the ...
Carl B's user avatar
  • 653
5 votes
1 answer
63 views

Would this wiring question be appropriate on DIY.SE?

We have a question on physics.SE about electrical wiring, which is off topic there. It didn't jump out at me as home improvement at first, but the people on the EE site suggested it might fit here... ...
David Z's user avatar
  • 101
3 votes
1 answer
204 views

Questions about flooding.

I have seen numerous questions dealing with yard flooding, which do not possess enough uniqueness to warrant their own question. Personally I have seen these below... How do I stop backyard from ...
allindal's user avatar
  • 2,044
5 votes
1 answer
89 views

Is asking a question relevant to a specific county too local?

I asked a question about dumping waste in my county. It was closed as too local. As per Joel Spolsky, co-founder of stackexchange, the rule of thumb for too local is "why is their a car parked outside ...
Justin Dearing's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
47 views

Is there a specific way of referring new members to SE?

Do I get reputation points for it? is there a specific procedure?
Asaf Chertkoff's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
62 views

Can I ask a question about bed frames on Home Improvement?

I need to ask a question about bed frames and head boards is that going to fly here?
Mark Rogers's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
49 views

Are "share your experience" type questions appropriate / worthwhile?

I've read through the sample questions in the area51 proposal and I don't see any examples of questions that encourage users to share experience so I'm not sure if they are appropriate or not. Here ...
Mark Edington's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
105 views

How to encourage users to ask more questions

I noticed on the Area 51 site that this site is rated 'worrying' for the number of questions asked, so how can we encourage users to ask more questions? At this point it looks like Mike B has taken ...
Tester101's user avatar
  • 131k
1 vote
1 answer
88 views

Are car repair questions on topic?

Are questions regarding car repair on topic? If it's truly just DIY I'd say yes, but if it's just home improvement I guess no.
Neth's user avatar
  • 263
2 votes
2 answers
46 views

What do if there are multiple answers that are equally great?

I have a couple questions out now that each have multiple brilliant responses. I'm conflicted on which answer to select as the "accepted answer". What should an OP do for questions like these? I don'...
Mike B's user avatar
  • 8,021
2 votes
1 answer
15 views

Questions about energy-audit services on-topic?

I recently had an energy audit done on my house by a national contractor, who offer this service in many cities around the country. Would it be on-topic to ask about the general validity of these ...
Jim Garrison's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
54 views

Can I ask "self-learning" questions about handmade stuff?

Hi! Can I ask (and maybe self-answer) questions about computer modding or handmade stuff how-to? Thanks!
Maksym Gontar's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
53 views

Shouldn't these questions be community wiki?

What are the pros and cons of different types of smart switches on the UK market? What are the pros and cons of different types of smart switches (that are on the US market) ? What are some pros, ...
Mike Sherov's user avatar
  • 1,469
2 votes
3 answers
104 views

Why are there so many unanswered questions?

This beta seems to have an extremely high proportion of unanswered questions. Am I the only one concerned about this? It seems as if, especially during private beta, it's important to focus on ...
Mike Sherov's user avatar
  • 1,469