Homeowner Forum / Repair / November 2004

Looking to install a utility sink in the basement.
Searching the Web, I have seen really only the two extremes:
       1. Cheap-looking plastic sinks costing $50-100
       2. Very expensive stainless steel sinks costing $1000+

I have recently bought a home with a sump pump in the basement.  We
also have had radon mitigation done.
2 questions:
Is it customary for a sump pump to turn on every minute or so to pump

I have a shower cole Shower faucet I am looking to replace is there
any manufacturer that is compatable with cole?

When you turn on my Tappan Gas Range (Model No. 30-3991)to Broiler,
whether on Low or High, it has hardly any flame at all.  The broiler
ignites but the flame is very small or only at the far end (in the
oven).  By fanning my hand I can get the flame to "crawl" all the way

I just finishing installing chairrail moulding in my hall and now are
planning to start installing pannel moulding. Would you guys recommend
buying ready pannel moulding from Home Depot or you believe it is not that
difficult to cut it by myself?

I spent about two hours with various tools trying to pry loose the
upper sash of a relatively new double hung window in my mother's
bathroom.  The window is circa 1973 and with an aluminum sash channel,
so there's no parting stop to remove and consequently no possibility

Hi.  Random plumbing question.  If there is a leak in a copper pipe, can you
use solder, by process of sweating, and fill in the leak, or would it be
best to cut out the leak and sweat in a coupler (union)?

Just taking a shot in the dark here.
Can anyone recognize the linked cabinet door knob backplate?
I have these on some 20 year old cabinets and would like to get
additional pieces.

I recently got married and would like to spend some of our wedding
gift money on a collection of good quality tools.  I'm a novice
handyman and looking for suggestions on the essential tools in a
handyman's garage.  Cordless drill, circular saw, router?  What are

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I'm building a new house with a full basement. The basement is not heated.  The
rest of the house will be heated with forced hot air. Should I insulate the
basement ceiling?  Should it have a vapor barrier on the basement side?  It may
not be practical to install with a vapor ...

After the last response I guess I'm taking my chances on getting an answer
to this one- but what the heck.
Forced air 119,00 BTU Nat gas furnace
Bryant-BDP-Carrier type

  We are thinking of installing a dual flush Mansfield toilet.   When lifting
the flush handle it flushes 1.6 gal. of water, when lowering the flush handle
it flushes one gallon.   Comments and opinions on this type of toilet would be
appreciated, esp. as to repairs, service, ...

My 6+ year-old water heater's pilot light won't stay lit.  I held down
the pilot light switch upwards of 5 minutes and it still extinguishes
when I let go.  The flame encompasses the last 2-3 mm of the
thermocouple so it's positioned correctly.  I put in a new

We live in the Northeast and have an approximately 8x4ft 1st bathroom
with one outside exposure on the first floor of our house.
We have gas-fired forced air heat but interestingly, the bathroom
currently does not have any registers.