Homeowner Forum / Repair / December 2007

I've probably asked this on here before, but then the weather got warm
and I got busy with other stuff and forgot about it.
I have an old abandoned buried garage bay in basement, not used since
they added a first-floor 2 bay garage, and filled in old garage door and

The vertical coves where two outside walls meet open up every winter
and close every summer, apparently in response to temperature change
in the framing lumber (2x6 studs, which move a lot more than 2x4); I
say temperature because the motion shows up long before the humidity

I have a ten-year-old Balboa hot tub that has served us well but required
numerous repairs over the years. The hot tub technician would come, replace
parts, and present us with bills for hundreds of dollars. After a while I
started to do my own repairs, replacing the controller ...

This one really baffles me.
Have a Sears electric start snowblower about 8 years old w/5hp
Tecumseh.
Did some basic maintenence ..changed oil, fresh gas, new plug, cleaned

We're converting our garage into a family room, and with this I hope
to convert a small 10x7 closet into a home office.  Instead of finding
bulky furniture for the room, I'd like to cut counters and place on
two walls in an L shape, and top the counters with formica.

I have Visio 2003 Standard, and I want to use it to do some drawings
for a potential kitchen and living room arrangement.  Visio 2003
Standard does not come with household stencils, but I know Visio 2003
Pro does.  However, I really don't think it's reasonable to shell out

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My cell phone (Tracfone LG-200) has a choice of "E911" or "Location".
No one at Tracfone or LG has been able to tell me what the difference
is.  I know that "E911" allows me to call 911.  What does "Location" do
for me?

I found this at http://www.thehardwarecity.com/thc/index.html?sku=5639877
for $19.95.
I am tempted to buy one but wanted to know if any one of you used this
before.

In my previous posts I already asked about the order in which to carry
out certain tasks, but now I'm getting contractors who want to do
stuff that I think another contractor ought to do because it comes
later. So I wanted to get your opinion on the order in slightly finer

No, subject line is not a euphamism...
just wanted to know if wood ashes are any good for mixing with soil or
if I should just make a dump run in the AM.  Am in the process of
cleaning out the bottom of my chimney; apparently the PO's of the house

lets list all rip off contractors
ones who dont pay taxes .
doo cash jobs
dont pay their workers or subtrades

I have a electronic countdown timer designed to replace an in-wall wall
switch.  However, I want to splice it into the cord of a small appliance
(so that the appliance shuts off automatically ).
The time has 4 wires - black (line); white (neutral), Red (load) and

Last week I noticed a new counter display at my electrical
distributor...bright colored EMT tubing.  Logical purpose for it is
likely color coding conduit runs, for example in computer server
areas. But I wondered whether anyone has picked up on this as a craft

I need to tap into a PVC 4" waist line about 12" up off a basement
concrete floor.   Unfortunately or fortunately, a cleanout is in this
desired location and that's where I want to install a drain for a 28
gal. laundry tub with a 1.5" PVC trap.   What materials/steps are