Homeowner Forum / Repair / February 2008

Mystery of the day. I was sitting at my desk at home when all of a sudden I
heard the toilet flush - but I was the only one home. Checked the toilet -
no water. Checked the tub - evidence of backup already subsided. Flushed the
commode. Flushed fine, filled fine. Went to back ...

Do those 4'x8' foam insulation panels commonly found in Lowes and HD
have any issues regarding toxic fumes release?
Does sunlight hitting them cause vapor problems?
Thanks

I have a soffit that overhangs about five feet beneath the exterior wall.
The soffit is lined with T4 wood panels.  There are recessed light every
five feet or so along the soffit around the inside and outside perimeter.
These are very old lights (30 years) and in bad shape.  I ...

I posted an inquiry a few weeks ago about cutting old plastered wall that is
has af gypsum lath as a double layer wall board.
I need to cut small holes on these existing walls for electrical outlets,
intercom units, and also old demolished walls that have unclean tearouts at

I am having difficulty with what I believe is air in my pipes. I hear
a very long and loud groan often, and from almost any tap.   It is
getting more frequent and loud and actaully will occur when we are not
even using  a tap i.e. during the night.  Right now it is happening

recently moved this gas dryer and now doesn't seem to be heating at a
reasonable rate.  any suggestions as to how/what to troubleshoot

I just got a call from one of my relatives.  They live quite a
distance from me but I am familiar with their house because I once
lived in it.  Back when I lived there, the house had a traditional
natural gas furnace that vented out the chimney.  Two years ago they

Anyone install 4 foot tall chain link fence lately?  What kind of
costs did you encounter per running foot for materials??

I replaced my countertop in the bathroom this past weekend and had to redo
the plastic .So I glued new pvc together and when I opened the new primer
,it splattered on the floor in a few spots .I tried a couple of  household
cleaners but no luck.Is there anything else I can try to ...

We found this thing in the basement of my daughter's home they just bought.
Can anybody identify what it is?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23816537@N04/2267656766/

This morning when I woke up, my TV/DVD/Stereo/Cable didn't work and I
figured since it did not blow a breaker switch, the outlet must be dead.
I went to Lowe's and replaced the old one and it still doesn't work.  I
bought a small tester and it is as dead as the first outlet.

My actual question is in the last paragraph but I wanted to provide some
history first.
My direct vent gas water heater went thursday.  I was surprised to learn
that replacement was about $1600.  I remember replacing an electric water

In the middle of my kitchen reno and while working in my attic, I
discovered that 1 or 2 full sheets of drywall in my living room are
sagging badly.  Apparently the construction adhesive used 30 yrs ago
simply dried up and lost its hold.  Since they used nails not screws

Hi guys.  Can anyone speak to the potential danger of installing a
light fixture in a full bathroom that has a "dry location only"
warning sticker?  I'm assuming that lights designed for baths must
have some sort of insulation??  I like this fixture and would rather

The plumbing under my kitchen sink has all metal parts.  The nut which
connects the waste pipe to the J trap/gooseneck has pretty much come
apart and is leaking.  Also, the bottom part of the waste pipe looks
really corroded.