Homeowner Forum / Repair / December 2007

I am bringing in electrical power to a detached garage from the pump
room. I know that I need to install two ground rods for the garage
subpanel. My question the service cable how many wires do I need? Four
(2 hots, 1 neutral, 1 ground) or three (without ground). Thanks.

If i were to attach my Broadband Antennae for my LapTop, right at the
top of my Homes Main Mast for the main electrical coming in....would
it get interference from the electricity coming into the house ?  The
reason id like to attach it to the Mast is because it is the highest

Have 2 questions on a blower fan type water heater.   It is a big
sucker.. 75 gallons (I have a lot of kids, and am willing to pay a few
extra dollars upfront and operating costs to make sure I have a hot
shower when I want one.  Call it my sense of entitlement as an

Tuesday at 9:00 to 10:00am MST is the Jack Hammer Re-Construction
show. Listen at www.castlerockradio.com
or call in toll free at 1-888-321-7234 with any repair questions.

When the hot water flow through my kitchen sink sprayer is low or on
full, it is quiet, but when the flow is at about 75%, it "sings" very
loudly with a loud high-pitched tone. With cold water, it is quiet at
all flow rates. I have taken the faucet apart and don't see anything

I have recently put in a water softener in my home for the first
time.  The softener came with a GE #760 control valve on it.  When it
is regenerating there is a loud water hammer between cycles C4 & C5.
I also have an iron filter ahead of the softener.  I have tried a 3/4"

I recently tried to replace my sisters tub faucet because the
diverter valve let more water out of the faucet than it puts up to the
shower head. I've replace a few before but they all twisted off and
the new ones threaded right back on.  However, this one was not like

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here is the pic of the
hallway entrance.
http://usera.imagecave.com/ronnald/hallway1.jpg
dimension: 41" wide

I am considering alternatives re how to repair an old, leaking roof.
The roof has a shallow pitch (4 in 12?) and a single layer of asphalt
shingles in bad condition.  They are not curling much but they are
badly weathered and missing many edges.  And there are plenty of leaks.

I need to add a 2" sink drain to a main vertical 3" drain.  I will
need to remove a section of the main 3" drain and replace it with a
PVC fitting to accept the 2" sink drain.   Should a Wye or a sanitary
T be used?

Do professional installers generally attach the bottom of wall cabs
from underneath or inside just above the bottom shelf?  It probably
doesn't matter either way, but which looks the "cleanest"?
--Jeff

I recently noticed some cold air around the bottom of our fireplace
hearth, which is brick and mortar.  A quick look showed that the
mortar under the bottom brick has worn away, in many places quite
deeply.  Should I fill with mortar, or could I use some other sort of

I've seen toilets advertised with left-hand and right-hand trip levers.
 What's the difference?  Aren't they all operated with the left hand?

I will be installing laminate flooring in an area that is currently
covered by tile flooring set in a layer of mortar over a piece of 1/2
inch plywood.  The tile comes off easy enough with some chiseling and
a hammer, but much of the mortar remains on the plywood.  What is the

Is there anything I can pour into a water heater that will dissolve
mineral deposits and definitely not damage anything inside the tank?
Hopefuly something that will work in a somewhat diluted solution since
buying enough Lime-Away etc. to fill far enough to reach the lower