Homeowner Forum / Repair / November 2003

Quick question - looking for suggestions
I am remove a counter space 14' x 10' from my wife store. The floor behine and the counter itself is on a
raised section (aprox 4in) . I am taking all of this out so will be left with a hole in the carpet (concrete).  Here's my thoughts so ...

I hope that this group can clear up my confusion.  Are there some
types of paints that you cannot use with a spray gun??  I have been
researching spray guns and I think I am going to get the Campbell
Hausfeld HV100 system.  My initial use will be to use it to spray

I am about to repaint a porch floor that begins inside a glass-enclosed
sunporch and extends to form a small ledge on the outside of the house.
Around 15 years ago I painted it with marine paint, and it seemed to hold up
well.

How should we vent our attic?
We recently moved into our first home, a 1200SF, 1-story, 40-year old ranch in St. Louis
MO.
There is an unfinished attic over the L-shaped house.  At the peak, the trusses are around

My parents have asked me to lay some porcelein tile in the kitchen.  There
is currently some vinyl tile on the floor (the sheet type, not individual
squares) and I assume it has been glued down.  Is it okay to put the tile on
the old flooring?  If so, do I need a special type of ...

I'm putting up a 32x24 shop. Id like some Ideals on laying the inside out.
If anybody has any pictures on  a neat lay out send them to me.
I want a built in work table.Im just thinking somebody has a sweet
layout of a place for everything.

Hey Folks,
I live in a townhouse with an attic.  Recently, a neighbor told us the
attics in these houses area not intended to bear a load, and should not
be used for storage.

Seems like that our toilet when it flushed gets most out of the bowl,
but once in awhile it doesnt, seems as if its cutting off to
short...any way to fix this?

I recently moved into a house, built in 1897, with primarily
wall-papered plaster walls. The plaster (on wood lathe) was apparently
meant to be papered (not painted) as it is not very smooth. From the
look of it, sand was mixed into the plaster.

We're looking to replace the ill-fitting double hung double
glass windows in our only 16 year old home. The windows should
be original units, but they come apart easily like a sash kit,
the sashes pretty much pop/tilt in with a tug from their plastic

My driveway is pulling away from the garage foundation. What should I
fill this with to keep the moisture (especially during the winter)
from seeping into the large crack. It is about an inch wide this year.
The driveway is only about 10 years old.

I'm looking for a recommendation for someone to do some minor home
repair/remodeling in the Denver area.    I have some door rehanging,
drywalling, and some concrete repair work to do.  I'd appreciate
suggestions for reliable, good quality folks who could help with this

How can I increase water pressure in my shower in the downstairs bathroom?
The shower upstairs has enough pressure to take your skin off.....but thats
what I like. The one downstairs is very little pressure......like trying to
pee with a stuffed up bladder.

About a month ago I was given some lamps as a gift.  I noticed that
the cords are becoming covered with a white deposit.  None of the
other cords in the house have anything like this.  Is this something
to be worried about?

I've seen houses go through facelifts in magazines where it appears as
though the original vinyl or wood (or somesuch) siding was replaced
with stucco.  How difficult is this?  How expensive?  I'm thinking of
buying a house whose outside is textured stucco on the bottom floor