Homeowner Forum / Repair / November 2006

Looking to add a 2nd floor bathroom (shower, toilet, sink).  Existing
home has bathroom on 1st floor with cast iron pipe drains.  Would like
to get some info as to how to plumb new PVC drainage run into existing
cast sewer pipe, as well as venting into existing stink pipe.

I just purchased a brand new outdoor light for my house. It is operated
by a normal switch like most lights.. However, my Wife is always
complaining that I don't remember to turn it off in the morning. So, to
avoid future nagging (aside from remembering to turn it off), is there

I have a toilet tank with a Fluidmaster 400 series float control
thingie. I noticed that the water level in the tank is a bit lower than
it used to be. It must have been higher when a different manufacturer
float control was in there. Judging by the (for lack of a better term)

Anyone have any experience with a Homesaver WindBeater Chimney Cap?
http://www.hartshearth.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=3499
Is this just a gimmick or does it really work in regard to keeping wind
gusts from blowing cold air down the chimney?

Never Bury Electrical Cable.  Not even the type intended for that
purpose such as UF cable.  The soil is dirty, and you will end up
getting dirty power going to the building served by this cable.  Dirty
power is destructive to electronics and other devices.

A house on our neighborhood has "cement slabs" (~3x3?) alongside both
sides of driveway to widen it by 6 feet.
Another house used bricks (or so it appears) to effectively do the same
thing.

In our home there are 3 smoke alarms, all wired into the house wiring.
All are the same age (about 22 yrs). There's a high pitched noise
coming from one of them.
In a recent discussion, one guy told me to replace all of them, not

I have a brick fireplace that is very drafty. The flue is shut, but
there are air leaks. So last weekend, I sealed the face of the
fireplace
with cardboard and held it to the brick fireplace with duct tape for

I am replacing part of my kitchen floor, then putting a second layer of
OSB over entire thing to get ready for some new hardwood flooring.
My problem is that I can not find plywood that is the exact same
thickness as the plywood I am replacing.   I took a chunk to Home Depot

Can any one tell me if there is a code requirement specifying that
electrical outlets must be placed within X number of feet next of a
doorway ?  Thanks for your help.

I just installed 3 replacement windows.   53" x 41' double hung Pella from
Lowes..
I've trimmed back the siding to 3" from the edge of the new windows. I now
plan on cutting some pine to 2 7/8" wide, priming it and framing around the

Hello.  I'm looking to replace the fence at my home, and have several
options to think about if having it installed by a professional.  I prefer
hiring a professional, mostly because I want it done right, plus I have
existing fence material to be removed, and I don't want to deal ...

Environmental friendly service ! When a sterile environment is a must!
http://www.teflex.org
Teflex® - a Universal disinfectant with prolonged action.
http://www.teflex.org

I'm having problems with my furnace. The thermostat works fine because it
keeps calling for heat. The Pilot Light and burners work because they kick
on. When it "seems like" the blower should turn on nothing happens and then
the burners turn off again. This is a really old Flame ...

Recently I have noticed that they are installing a fire alarm system in
my building with pull stations and in some places detectors. As of now
they have installed a bunch of boxes throughout the building with rigid
pipe conduit and a single red wire fished through.