Homeowner Forum / Repair / December 2003

I have an underground oil tank in Toronto, Canada. Would like
information from or to have discussion with others in the same
situation or anyone who has had to deal with this situation.

I'm getting some estimates for finishing the basement in my 7-year-old
townhouse and am coming up with more questions than answers when it comes to
what kind of flooring to put down over the concrete. I don't want to put
down carpet but I'd like something not too cold underfoot. ...

I have a 30yrold floor standing boiler (potterton), I'm struggling to get
someone out to service it.
So I thought i'd have a go myself ,I'm an engineer so I'm fairly confident I
won't do anything too wrong.

In one of my bedrooms, the wall switch operates both receptacles in the box
on one wall. Anything plugged into either receptacle is then operable by the
wall switch. However, I would like only one side of the receptacle to be
operable by the switch. How do I take one of the ...

Hello, I'm writing to seek feedback/suggestions regarding my overall
rodent home-invasion problem.  I have a 1.5 storey 1907 Tudor-style house with
a multi-dormer roof structure which makes it an attractive place for squirrels
and roof rats to set up housekeeping or contemplate ...

I bought Armstrong laminate flooring for my kitchen, after seeing some
of the design shows on TV, I might want to install it at an angle, has
anyone in here done this and what are the pros and cons?
My flooring has bevelled edges and foam back from the mfr.

I will soon be placing a shower door in my newly tiled shower stall.  The tiles
are placed such that the holes to hold the track on the wall, if properly
centered, will start about 1/4 inch away from a 1/8 inch grout line.  I've
never used ceramic bits, but I imagine the bit will ...

I have a multi level townhouse which I am renovating as the housing prices
are ridiculous where I live.  One thing that bothered me about the place is
that there was a sag in the kitchen floor.  I had planned to either put down
some ceramic tile or perhaps hardwood flooring, but, ...

I've nearly finished painting the interior of my home and I'm pretty happy
with the results so far.  I still have doors to do, however, and I am not
sure how to paint them.  These are standard, smooth wooden interior doors.
If I roll them with a low nap brush, will I get a smooth ...

I have a 1928 home that is not insulated.  I keep seeing posts referring
to "blowing in" insulation.
What is this?
How can I do it?

Our 17 year old house here in Clearwater, FL has cypress fascia that is
rotting in several places. I recently painted the house several years
ago. A neighbor who recently replaced some of his fascia says he was
told that painted cypress prevents moisture transfer and can cause

Can an engineered hardwood floor be installed over a chipboard subfloor?
Anybody out there have any experience with this type of installation? Any
comment, pro or con, would be appreciated.
Thanks,  R.C.

I'm having hardwood floors put in throughout the first floor of my
home and I'm doing the demolition. Our house was built in 1977 and had
plywood put on the subfloor with vinyl sheeting in the kitchen and
foyer. Later, but no telling how far later, a previous owner laid

Would anyone know whether there is a group that is devoted to
appliance repair?  If there is, I haven't been able to find it.
My dryer has been out for awhile now.  I think the people here can
figure that one out and that I can fix it.

The utility room (housing the furnace/AC and HWS) is next door to the
room that is to become my den/study. The main duct passes through this
room but has no vent into that room. Is it OK to cut a hole in the duct
and install an adjustable vent there?