Homeowner Forum / Repair / July 2008

I'm looking at building a fountain/birdbath thing that will possibly use
flagstone for the watercourse.  I'd like to subtly tool or etch or whatever
a slight depression in the stones to help the water flow in the right places
and continue to the reservoir rather than just flowing ...

One of my pet peeves is seeing heat sources inside of the house when I'm
running the AC.  The three that get most of my ire are the laundry room, the
dishwasher, and my over stove microwave/vent (that just filters the air and
returns it to the room). I realize that I could ...

We will be starting our new kitchen cabinet installation project next
and there are few things we were wondering what the community feel
is.  First, we heard that will the prices the way they are that
granite countertops are actually cheaper then alternatives like

Any recommendations for self-contained grey water pumps that work? This
would be for a basement laundry and sink on a septic system.
I know I can rig something up using a container and sump pump equivalent,
but I'm wondering if anyone has experience with smaller, self-contained

I want to install a fan in the hallway ceiling of my upstairs. Do you need
to run a dedicated line to the service panel or can you run a hot from a
close source like a wall plug or such?

I need to repoint some brickwork. One of the things I'm wondering about
is whether or not to use mortar dye to darken the mortar so it is close
to the color of the bricks. It seems like it wouldn't be a bad idea but I
notice that the professional jobs I have seen around here do ...

A friend has a backup generator that runs off of natural gas, and I
always thought it would be nice to get one when I got a new house. Fast
forward - I have a new (old) house, but it heats by oil and there is no
gas nearby.

I got a Coastal Farm Supply coupon book this weekend.  They are running
an August only special on wood pellets, $214.50 a ton for Bear Mountain
or $219.50 a ton for Golden Fire.  Wow.  Just a year ago, pellets were
$149 a ton.  Then a shortage developed last winter.  The price ...

Hope someone can help me here...In my wood burner I have a back boiler
that is starting to kettle and hiss. Normally I would think about
adding some additives to the header tank, but when I went to screwfix
they have some superconcentrate- which apparently can be added to the

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I have read over all the many posts that are already here about replacing
the chuck and I still have a question.  I have the middle bolt undone and
am trying to get the chuck off, however the chuck is stuck in complete

I've had my electric water heater for 5-6 years and decided to drain it for
the first time (yeah, I know). Following directions on a how-to site, I
powered off, closed the cold water feed valve, opened the hot water faucet
on the nearby slop sink, and opened the drain valve. The ...

Are there any resources online for get information on buying front- or
top-loading washers to be installed in a second floor location?  I
just bought an LG front-loader that shakes the whole house even when
the spin speed is on Low.  I even reinforced the floor with 3/4" maple

How's the idea of you getting paid money to receive messages on your
mobile? How's the idea of your mobile being able to pay its own bills?
and even your email inbox pay for all your internet bills ?? :)
Sounds fantastic ! Doesn't it ?!

I applied Behr wet look sealer to the brick on my balcony a few months
ago, and it looks great. Lately I've been wanting it to look wetter
than it does now and am wonder if it's ok if I clean the brick, then
months later apply another coat. Thanks for your opinions!

I am looking for suggestions for kitchen/bath design software that is
reasonably easy to use and that I can use to do basic kitchen and bath
layouts.
The software I have now is called Interior Designer 7.0.  It is put out by