Homeowner Forum / Repair / September 2008

I have a vintage 1971 Price-Pfister single handle shower-tub mixer valve
that has decided not to shut off without a lot of handle wiggling.  I
took the cover off, and for the life of me can't figure out how it
works.  The body is cast bronze, and the only apparent working part is ...

I have to install an outdoor shower for a rinse off to the pool.  The shower
valve has a solid brass body and I have to cut a hole about 7" in diameter
to recess the valve into it.
How can I cut a 7" diameter for this?  The trim is not much bigger so a

I head conflicting advise on maintaining my deck.   Some say you
damage the deck by pressure washing it.   Does pressure washing it
remove the pressure treated chemical out of the wood?  Also, If you do
wash it is detergent required?   Our deck is in good shape except in a

When did they shrink 3-tab shingles?
I had an bundle from about 2 years ago that I bought to fix a few blow-
offs. Needed more to re-roof the SW slope before winter, so I went to
Home Depot, got 6 bundles of the same SKU, same color, same brand

What does this phrase from the NJ sales tax guidance mean?
"The purchase and installation of an air conditioner is taxable when
the unit is placed into an existing space
or metal casing that is part of a structure. An air conditioner that

What type of gas is used to pressurize fire extinguishers?
Anybody ever top-up an extingusher using say CO2. This would be a
secondary (actually a third), back up domestic extingusher in addition
to the up to date two we have permanently mounted in a) Our kitchen b)

I replaced all my incandescents with CFLs. With the recent power outages
here (Ohio) I bought a generator and was wondering if the CFLs  can handle
the fluctuation of the generator.What I mean by the fluctuation is choke not
being set right so you hear the motor speed up and slow ...

Hi, our office has a Sloan toilet flash valve like the one shown at
http://www.sloanvalve.com/index_2240_ENU_HTML.htm. The valve sits on a
standard toilet.
Recently it started to leak at the top of the vacuum breaker flush

Came home today to discover that my First Alert model FCD4 was acting
strangely.  Single chirp every minute or so.  Looking closely at the
display was the "err" message.
I'm guessing it is one of two factors.  #1 being they are cheaply made

I have determined that the door switch on our GE Electric Profile JET342H
microwave oven is failing.  The failure is evidenced by the microwave
starting and stopping if you jiggle the latch button ever so slightly.  Is
is possible for me to replace this switch without risk of ...

This is a bottom freezer  fridge that is 10 years old.
The icemaker is not making ice although there is fresh ice in the tray.
There is a creaking sound from the icemaker as if it is trying to run. It
makes no difference if the arm is up or down.

Hi group,
I've been looking (but not extremely hard!) for a switch I can use to
trigger the pump I'm using to drain water from a low spot in my yard.  On
heavy rains I get several inches in an area next to my garage, and on very

Converting 300 sq ft garage into family room. Installing full floor
above garage concrete slab. I want to put a polyethylene vapor barrier
on the concrete.
Most places I read recommend 6 mil polyethylene. Home Depot selling

I can find 3 switches, or 3 Decoras, or 2 duplexes and a switch, and all
kinds of other combos but not 3 duplexes.  (Actually I need a Decora in
the middle, but I can cut the center section to make it fit.)  I could
use the 2-duplexes-1-switch plate, but the switch is on the end ...

Most coffee mug warmers are under-powered. One reviewer on Amazon said
that they were restricted to about 24 watts by law.
This one
http://www.amazon.com/Bunn-BCW-Warmer-Home-Decanters/dp/B00023WAS0/ref=pd_bbs_3?
ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1221796737&sr=8-3