Is Ultralight Drywall Right for You? This material revolutionized the home construction industry when it came into widespread use in the years after WWII. For its benefits,drywallis not without drawbacks. The Spruce / Kevin Norris How Much Does a Sheet of Drywall Weigh? A conventional 1/2-inch sheet of drywall measuring 4 feet by 8 feet weighs just over 51 pounds. A stack of 1/2-inch ultralight drywall is nearly 300 pounds lighter than a stack of conventional drywall....

Choose from twotypes of portable cool-mist humidifiers: ultrasonic and evaporative. Each has significant differences in how they produce moisture. Read on to understand their unique qualities and to help you decide on the right one for you. Ultrasonic humidifier (left) and evaporative humidifier (right)The Spruce / Krystal Slagle & Jorge Gamboa Choosing between a design will depend on what features are more important to you. It’s the quieter of the two types of humidifiers....

Unlike tubs or showers, sinks cannot be snaked from above. Sink openings are designed to prevent objects from getting into the pipes. Even if the cable fits, thedrain trapswill make it difficult to get the snake though. The Spruce / Kevin Norris The trap is held together by friction washers and slip nuts. If the trap is made of plastic then nuts will only be hand tighten and should come off easily....

TikTok users are now obsessed with minimalismespecially when it comes to home decor and cleaning. And for good reason! Underconsumption is so in! Israel Sebastian / Getty Images Let’s talk about it. Underconsumption core is all about repurposing items of course, even if they are broken or dull! For instance, thisTikTokermade her beautiful bed headboard out of old palettes. LightFieldStudios / Getty Images She also uses old and broken spoons that still work....

What Is a Drop-In Sink? Below the countertop are clips to hold the sink firmly in place. They are also typically less expensive than undermount sinks. The Spruce / Kevin Norris Additionally, the rim of the sink is visible when looking at the countertop. Not all drop-in sinks require clips to lock them down. In some cases, two people are needed during the installation. The Spruce / Kevin Norris What Is an Undermount Sink?...

When you hear alight switch or outlet buzzingor hissing, you are hearing arcing as it happens. What Causes an Arc Fault An arc fault is essentially triggered by stressed electrical wiring or devices. This can include equipment or wiring that is damaged or overheated. Ernesto r. Ageitos / Getty Images When current flows through an unwanted path, an arc fault can occur. This process generates intense heat, which can ignite nearby materials such as wood framing or insulation....

The Spruce / Jacob Fox Clay soil can be a challenge for gardeners. Clay particles are extremely dense and resistant to water movement, which is not conducive to root growth. In clay soil, the bulbs of spring flowers simply rot over the winter, for example. The Spruce / Jacob Fox What Is Clay Soil? Clay is one of the threebasic soil types. Soil that consists of over 50 percent clay particles is referred to as heavy clay....

The furnace thermostat is the nerve center of your home heating system. It’s the main control point that determines when and how much heat will be delivered by the furnace. At the most basic level, thermostats are simply temperature-sensitive switches but they have become sophisticated with more features. Nine OK / Getty Images Learn more about types of thermostats and how to choose the right one for your home and needs....

The gaugeor sizeof the wire used needs to match the circuit’s amperage rating (energy level). The Spruce / Bailey Mariner What Are Wire Gauges? A wire gauge is the measurement of the diameter or thickness of a wire. The Spruce / Bailey Mariner The gauge determines how much electricity the wire can safely carry for different electrical applications. The American Wire Gauge (AWG) system determines the standard gauge sizes. A higher wire gauge number means the wire is thinner....

When subjected to extreme conditions, the fuse will blow or burn out. Unlike a circuit breaker, a fuse cannot be reset. It must be replaced. Westend61 / Getty Images Fuse Boxes A fuse box is a metal box containingscrew-in fusesand cartridge fuses. Most older fuse boxes are rated at 60-amp total capacity. By comparison, residential electrical systems today have a200-amp total capacity. Fuses have an element that burns out, while circuit breakers have thermomagnetic switches that can be reset....

LukaTDB/Getty Images Fast Facts What Is Soil pH? The abbreviation “pH” stands for “potential hydrogen and indicates the concentration of hydrogen in the soil. The higher the amount of hydrogen in the soil, the lower the soil pH. LukaTDB/Getty Images The scale ranges from 0 (most acidic) to 14 (most alkaline). It’s rare to see extreme readings at either end of the scale in garden soils. A reading of 7 is considered neutral....

The Spruce / Kevin Norris Bathroom sink plumbing is easy to understand and simple to repair. There are very few parts, and most parts are accessible inside the sink cabinet. All bathroom sink plumbing parts are divided into either water supply parts or drainage parts. The Spruce / Kevin Norris Learn about bathroom sink plumbing, including water supply parts like supply tubes and drainage parts like tailpieces andP-traps. Most have an oval, football-shaped handle that you turn to open or end the valve....

Learn how to decide which bed is best for your space and needs. So, how do you choose the right size for you? Read on to learn about each option and how to choose the perfect pick for you. The Spruce / Catherine Song Start by measuring your room, then choosing a bed that fits comfortably within those dimensions. They’re the most common choice for children’s ormulti-use guest bedrooms. These beds are narrow and fit easily into the smallest bedroom....