Homeowner Forum / Repair / November 2003

I am building up the concrete slab floor in my mudroom.  I plan to lay T& G
plywood over 1/2" x 4" sleeper joists 2' o.c. with 1/2" rigid foam between
them.  I may put down tile and I understand tile will not tolerate floor
flexing before they crack.  What's the minimum plywood ...

Here's the problem:
1.  Sometimes toilet doesn't flush sometimes because tank is empty.  I have
to take off cover and moves somethings around to make the water refill.
2.  Toilet runs.  Jiggling the handle helps, but not enough.

The Whoolpool side-by-side refrigerator stoped working last night
after 3 years (The extended warranty ended last 2 months ago).
I opened the back cover. The fan works. The freon (R134) seems quite
hot. What kind of problem do I have?

Howdy,
Bought a home that's a 1959 built and goin' nuts "Home Improving." Need
some help.
I had replaced a vanity and figured to replace the faucet as well. Got

Started my gas log (converted from WB last year) and I was visited by some
sleepy wasps on the floor and on the windows. I checked the inside and as
much of the chimney
as I could see without seeing the nest. I would like to cook or gas them

I was just curious if I can replace just my toilet bowl and reuse my
existing tank.  That way I would be pushing 3 gallons of so through a
low flow bowl.  I would think that would give me a really good flush.
Anyone try this or do they make them incompatible with each other or

Which one is best bang for the buck?
TIA,
Tony

I have a drilled well that I draw water from.  Testing by the state and
FHA/VA blessed labs show no pathogenic bacteria but I still installed a
UV sterilizer because due to physical considerations my well (although
legal) is closer to septic systems than I'd like.  I'd like to ...

Hi there! I was wondering if anyone has encountered the same problem I have
with regard to seat washers for bathroom and kitchen faucets. You used to be
able to get nice rubber ones years ago but now they seem to only be selling
these hard-plastic-ish ones. Everywhere I go in search ...

I am considering buying a Porter Cable (Oil less) C5100-1 Compressor. I
think it is a 20 Gallon, 5(Peak) Hp 135 PSI Unit. It is a special clearance
(new) unit on sale for $340 CAN / $260 US. It will not get frequent use but
I hope to use it for:

I have a gas Tappen range, about 6 years old that sometimes makes a "boom
sound" when the oven lights. It has a glow type igniter. Self cleaning oven.
Spark type ignition for the burners. They all light correctly. Part of the
time it lights quietly and part of time it makes a mild ...

There's some long explanations here.  Skip to "The Heart Of The Matter",
below, if you don't want the story.
Just to set the stage: the original structure of our house was built in
1920.  From 1954 to '56, my uncle added a garage/office to the back (West),

I have a Craftsman garage door opener and have a remote that quit working.
Yes, the batteries are good, per battery tester and swapping batteries with
the other remote.  It has the roving codes and has the 3 button remote with
the beige buttons.  A new remote is $40.  It seems to be ...

Here is the situation:
Natural gas furnace is 14 years old (in great shape for age according to
tech) and the choice is to run either a continuous fan or auto fan. In total
energy consumption (gas and electricity) which mode is more efficient. Ours

Looking for suggestions on how to remove the Fan [impeller] from the
drive shaft.
Model: Ariens H70 1973 vintage  910995
It has two pins holding the fan to the drive shaft, but the fan