Homeowner Forum / Repair / July 2008

One pair of the fluorescent lamps in the kitchen stopped working. I
replaced with the other pair in the same big box on the ceiling. They
still didn't work. Then I bought a ballast from Home Depot, a magnetic
type, and installed it. One of the two bulbs can flash with dim light.

I am replacing an ancient water softener which was removed from the pipes 15
years ago.
The house has two water heaters. Apparently there are also some soft water
zones (showers) and hard water zones (kitchen and bar faucets). There are

Is it safe to shut off the main water valve to a house, and put the
water heater on "Low"? We will be leaving the house unoccupied
indefinately.
My concern is the the water evaporating in the 40 gallon tank, and the

I need to replace a bottom center drawer slider on an old chest.  I
went ot Orchard Supply Hardware and Home depot and they don't have any
selection there.  What type of store can I go to to find an assorment
of drawer sliders?  Is there an online site that you can recommend?

I have removed vinyl sheeting and adhesive from my guest bathroom
floor. I want to use a self-leveling liquid compound to level the
floor for tile. I have already removed the base board in the room.
What the best way/tool to keep the self-leveling liquid from flowing

"[MILWAUKEE] A 57-year-old south side man, who might have been struggling
with a hangover, is charged today with shooting his lawn mower with a
sawed-off shotgun."
http://www.jsonline.com/watch/?watch=1&date=7/25/2008&id=43793

I need to prime my newly hung drywall. I have most of a 5 gallon
bucket of the water based Kilz left, can this be used?
Thanks
John

Me again.
My firewood is stacked on a cement slab next to and partly under the
deck.   Is this ok.  How close to the brick house can the firewood be
stored?    

I put the wrong sort of gasoline in my gas tank and I need a quick and easy  
way to get it out again.
I was thinking of trying to stick a length of garden hose into the tank and
siphoning the gas out, but I am afraid that garden hose will be too bulky

Going to replace an ancient oil furnace.  My first preference is
electric & would appreciate advice/opinions on installation.  Old
furnace to be demo'd from the skin out as the ducts are not suitable for
electric.

I have a 10.5 hp gasoline engine on my wood splitter which sometimes kicks
back when I pull the rope to start it. (Just once every few days, but that
is once too many times.)
This kicks back with a lot of force! And I am pulling with a lot of force as

I've got a price pfister kitchen faucet that has a hose from the
control lever to the spout.  Today the hose just broke spraying water
everywhere.  I've taken a look and the hose broke at the "hydrolock"
connector.  (That is what it says on the label anyway).  I cannot find

HOW COME WHEN I....
Had a loose panel with some cracks...
Fixed it with new drywall screws or mesh tape...
Washed it with mild detergent...

A utility closet with natural gas appliances needs ventilation openings of
at least 100 square inches within 12 inches of the top and 100 square
inches within 12 inches of the bottom, according to local code.
Does that normally mean the entire 100 square inches has to be within ...

(I think i'm going to enjoy posting here a lot)
My wife and I aren't neat freaks, we both work full time and have a 14
month old. We try to clean best we can (vaccuum once a week, wash
curtains every couple months..) We try, we're not perfect.