698 useful answers · Page 3 of 30

Home repairs & tools: page 3

Change bulbs, patch walls, identify window hardware, and learn practical tool basics.

Search this topic

How do I hang a framed picture on a wall?

Weigh the frame and identify both its hanging hardware and the wall material. Choose compatible fixings rated for that wall and load, using a stud where appropriate. Mark the desired frame position, then account for the distance from its top to the hanger. Check the drilling area, install the fixings as directed, hang the frame, and level it.

Useful supplies at Lowe’s

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission when you buy through these Lowe’s links. How our links work.

Check Lowe’s for current price, availability and specifications.

Optional supplies on Amazon

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How our links work.

  • Amazon product search · paid linkBrowse picture-hanging kits on Amazon

    Match hardware to the wall material, frame attachment and weight. A kit's maximum rating does not apply to every mounting method.

  • Amazon product search · paid linkBrowse spirit levels on Amazon

    Choose a length suitable for the project and check the tool for accuracy. Level and plumb use different vial orientations.

How high should I hang a picture?

Eye level is a useful starting point, with about 57 inches from the floor to the picture's center commonly used. Adjust for seating, furniture, ceiling height, and the people using the room. Tape up a paper outline and view it from normal positions before committing to holes.

Useful supplies at Lowe’s

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission when you buy through these Lowe’s links. How our links work.

Check Lowe’s for current price, availability and specifications.

Does the beep on a stud finder mark the center of the stud?

Not necessarily. Many models indicate an edge; center-finding models identify the middle. Check your tool's display instructions and mark both edges when appropriate. Use the midpoint for the intended fixing, then confirm the location with another pass. A wide signal should not automatically be treated as one wide timber stud.

Useful supplies at Lowe’s

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission when you buy through these Lowe’s links. How our links work.

  • Stud finderCRAFTSMAN stud finder

    Choose a detector suitable for your wall. A stud indication does not prove an area is clear of pipes or wires.

Check Lowe’s for current price, availability and specifications.

Optional supplies on Amazon

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How our links work.

Should I always use deep-scan mode on a stud finder?

Use it when the wall thickness requires it, following your model's instructions. Zircon warns that deep mode on ordinary-thickness walls can make studs appear wider. A more sensitive mode is not automatically more accurate. Repeatedly inconsistent readings need investigation before you drill, not just a different sensitivity setting.

Useful supplies at Lowe’s

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission when you buy through these Lowe’s links. How our links work.

  • Stud finderCRAFTSMAN stud finder

    Choose a detector suitable for your wall. A stud indication does not prove an area is clear of pipes or wires.

Check Lowe’s for current price, availability and specifications.

Why does my stud finder keep flashing and beeping?

A calibration problem is one possibility, especially if you started directly over a stud. Place the detector at a different position, let it calibrate fully, and scan again as its manual directs. Check the battery and correct mode too. Do not treat every error beep as a positive stud location.

Useful supplies at Lowe’s

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission when you buy through these Lowe’s links. How our links work.

  • Stud finderCRAFTSMAN stud finder

    Choose a detector suitable for your wall. A stud indication does not prove an area is clear of pipes or wires.

Check Lowe’s for current price, availability and specifications.

Why must a stud finder start flat against the wall?

Many electronic models compare the wall's normal density with denser areas behind it. They need a reading of that surface before moving. Switching one on in the air and then placing it on the wall can produce misleading results. Follow the calibration sequence for the particular model you own.

Useful supplies at Lowe’s

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission when you buy through these Lowe’s links. How our links work.

  • Stud finderCRAFTSMAN stud finder

    Choose a detector suitable for your wall. A stud indication does not prove an area is clear of pipes or wires.

Check Lowe’s for current price, availability and specifications.

Optional supplies on Amazon

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How our links work.

How do I replace a screw-on shower head?

With the shower off, protect the tub and drain. Support the shower arm while loosening the old head so the arm does not turn inside the wall. Clean the exposed threads, fit the new head with its required gasket and screen, and tighten according to its instructions. Turn on the water and inspect for leaks.

Optional supplies on Amazon

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How our links work.

How do I replace a toilet flapper?

Identify a compatible replacement for the toilet and flush valve. Shut off the supply and flush to lower the tank water. Unhook the old chain and flapper, fit the replacement onto its mounting points, and reconnect the chain with the specified slack. Reopen the supply and test flushing and sealing.

Optional supplies on Amazon

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How our links work.

  • Amazon product search · paid linkBrowse toilet flappers on Amazon

    Identify the toilet or flush-valve model, opening size and any adjustable setting. Similar-looking flappers are not always interchangeable.

How tight should the chain on a toilet flapper be?

The flapper should sit fully closed with a little slack in the chain. A taut chain can hold it open; excessive slack can prevent a full lift. Adjust the clip a few links at a time and test. Use the amount specified for your flapper, since models differ.

Optional supplies on Amazon

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How our links work.

  • Amazon product search · paid linkBrowse toilet flappers on Amazon

    Identify the toilet or flush-valve model, opening size and any adjustable setting. Similar-looking flappers are not always interchangeable.

How do I measure for a replacement toilet seat?

Measure from the centerline of the mounting holes to the front of the bowl and identify whether the bowl is round-front or elongated. Check the seat manufacturer's compatibility dimensions, including mounting spacing. Similar-looking bowls can differ, and specialty or bidet seats may need additional clearance checks.

Useful supplies at Lowe’s

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission when you buy through these Lowe’s links. How our links work.

Check Lowe’s for current price, availability and specifications.

Optional supplies on Amazon

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How our links work.

  • Amazon product search · paid linkBrowse toilet seats on Amazon

    Match bowl shape, length, bolt spacing and mounting access. Check the installation method before buying.

Source checks for these answers: September 22, 2026. Product instructions and local requirements can vary.