Homeowner Forum / Repair / June 2008

I have a GE Profile gas cooktop, and today for no reason it started
that clicking sound it makes when you turn the gas on. The igniter
continued to spark about every 20 seconds or so even though the stove
was not turned on. I unplugged it, and called for service since I did

With all the talk about CFLs, incandescent bulbs and LED bulbs I was
wondering...  Is there a device that can be used to objectively measure the
brightness of a light? Something I can use to compare bulbs in my home, auto
headlights, flashlights, etc?

The alt.* newsgroups are not disappearing.  It is
just many ISP's do not want to pay for the disc
space to carry them - mainly because of the size
of the binary files that get posted in many of

Hate to have to ask about something so trivial-sounding, but ...
If I get mold/mildew on the grout in the shower, I can scrub it off
with Tilex and an old toothbrush.
Such approach doesn't work at all for m/m on the tub caulk, and I dunno why.

I want something like epoxy but that will not dry hard and brittle.  Tried
the standard 50/50 mix with JB Weld on a piece of cardboard and it cracks
when bent, but I understand that this is way it was designed.
On another test piece I put 75% hardner and 25% "steel", then next to ...

I just installed new cabinets in my kitchen.  Should I use all knobs,
all handles or a combination of knobs for the doors and handles for
the drawers?  I plan on selling this house and was wondering what most
people prefer.

I'll get whole flooring and all interior doors replaced for the main level
of my house. Laminate to replace carpet, do it myself. For doors, get a
carpenter to install pre-hungs. Doors include 4-fold doors  for a couple of
closets.

I've seen "loose neutral" connections on electric service panels, but never
a fully disconnected neutral with the two hots remaining connected.
So I was wondering what exactly would happen if a residential electric
service (3 wire 240/120 with neutral) lost just the electric ...

We have a slow sewer line between the house and the street.
It's almost certainly roots.  I read somewhere that roundup can
kill those off, so I flushed a couple of gallons of roundup down
the toilet.  How long before it has an effect?

It comes on for 2-3 min then goes off

Has anyone here had any experience with inverted roof insulation? I have a
1955 modern house with a low pitch  (3/16 in 12) roof consisting of tar &
gravel on 2x6 t&g with 4x8's on 4' centers. (no attic, no insulation). the
roof still has some life in it, and were planning an ...

I have a casement window which needs a new crank. I have identified
the crank and have a replacement. It is manufactured by Truth.
Before I do more damage then good, the window crank has a frame around
it which needs to be removed to unscrew the old crank.

Doing bathroom rewiring and had to get a new breaker for my electrical
panel.  Got both the AFCI breaker b/c I figured it's basically good
insurance and looking at the details and it says "you must have a
licensed eletrician do this!".  But it appears to me that it's pretty