Homeowner Forum / General / January 2004

I went out for nice ride on my horse yesterday. When I came back I
went to my bedroom and wanted to change myself and sat on my waterbed
to pull off my ridingboots,but I sank further in my bed than normally
and my breeches were getting wet OH NO MY WATERBED IS LEAKING DAMM IT!

One Furnished 1-Bedroom to sublease:
Best Location: corner of 4th and e.Clark; 5 minutes walking distance to
campus; on bus-line also; 2 blocks to Far-East; several blocks to Amoco.
Lowest Price: only $385.00; with furniture; including free parking and

Michigan house, 1940's, steep pitched roof, vented, affraid of ice
problems.
OK in the attic I have on the floor between the joist. 1st a cardboard
baffle. 2nd is a layer of 1" cotton. 3rd is 2" of paper back

On the coldest day of the year (-20 here in Chicago), my 1 yr old
furnace stopped working. It was only blowing cold air. I played around
a little, shutting it off, checking the thermostat, etc. The code (a
flashing light) told me there was an "open limit switch or circuit". I

Anyone have any particular mattress they feel is the best?
I am still using the same one from my first apartment which was the cheapest
one at Mattress Discounters at the time.  It's too soft and sags.
There seems to be too many choices to choose from:  Sealy, Serta, Lindsay

Do gas water heaters typically have any safety features to prevent
running with an empty tank? Since I am away from home a lot and have a
finished basement I am thinking of getting a valve that cuts off the
water if a leak is detected. I would assume that in that case the tank

I own a home that I have a mortgage on and make all payments on. There
is a co-borrower on that loan. I want to buy a second home. For
mortgage purposes, will the entire first mortgage count against me or
just 1/2 of it?

Can anyone tell me: what is the weight of one 4ft x 8ft x1/2 inch
sheetrock panel?
I have a small utility trailer and need to calculate how many sheets
is a safe load.

Hello,  I have noticed that other homes in the block have snow on the
roofs.  Mine does not.  Ranch with an attic.  Not sure what this means
I am guessing that I need more insulation?
Thanks for your help

received a notice from our local water authority that for $49.95 per
year they will pay for up emergency service from a qualified plumber
for outside line problems, up to $2500 each visit.
Anyone out there have opinions on this?  Does homeowners insurance

My husband and I have purchased a real fixer-upper.  We thought we
would enjoy the process of fixing up a house, and in theory we would,
except we find ourselves arguing about everything it seems.  I'm
wondering if you all could chime in on a few of the latest outstanding

I need to take some steps to reduce noise and vibration coming from
large (semi) trucks which pass about 50ft from my house at high speed
(35-40mph).  The roadway is about 10 ft below the level of the house
with a gradual slope.

I'm installing a central vacuum - Electrolux 1590, not exactly brand
new but supposedly in very good shape. The unit isn't here yet but I
am pre-running some of the piping to the approximate location of where
the vac will be installed. I'd appreciate some input:

Need a window a/c that can reach a plug unnaturally
far to the right; does anyone know if the big 220v
models by kenmore or panasonic (or ?) can stretch a
yard to the right of window to hit a 20a plug?

I purchased a house last summer and is having a 3/1 ARM at 3.5%. Since
we may be staying in this house for more than 3 years, I'm wondering
if it is a good time to refinance to a 5/1 ARM. no cost no point
refinance, loan amount $322,700. I am trying to compare 3 cases at 5