Homeowner Forum / Repair / October 2008

Like many others, opr six-unit coop building is about to convert our
oil-burning furnace (boiler) from oil to gas.
I would welcome the experience of others who have made this conversion,
especially in recent months.

Some shots of my new 432 sf back yard awning.  Took a while, being
interrupted by some health episodes.  Now, we're working on landscaping,
pavers, lighting, tilework, canvas work, etc.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/deserttraveler/

I have had a Slomin's security system in my home for a few years and
have been satisfied. However, my fiancee just moved in with her three
cats. Now the motion sensor goes off when they use the stairway (at
least.. that's what I have witnessed for right now.. who knows where

I know about water hammer - the loud noise associated with a rapidly
closing valve causing the water to slam inside pipes causing them to
bang. I also know most of the solutions - arrestors, expansion tanks,
securing pipes, draining the pipes, etc.

A zero turn radius riding lawn mower two stick steer.  Anyone own one?  Like
it?  Hate it?  Talk to me.
Steve

We have just fitted an alternative heating system to radiators or
underfloor heating; that was easy to install and more energy efficient
than radiators. It’s called Thermaskirt and it is available from The
Discrete Heat company.

Am I just using the wrong terminology or am I looking for something
that doesn't exist anymore?
My phone line comes into the house then splits off in 6 directions.
Originally all the red/green wires were on a single pair of posts in a

I just installed 6 of the "Air-tite" Halo H5ICAT's in my ceiling via my
attic. My attic has batts of fiberglass insulation w/ vapor barrier
which I cut & peeled back to install the 6 lights.
The Halo website indicates "Housing may be covered with insulation".

i have standard speakers and wires all over my house not hooked up to
anything. I also have a nutone IM-3303 intercom master not hooked up
to anything. Anyway I can make the 2 work together?

Had a problem with my old single handle for my Moen upright shower not
completely turning off and the shower drips just a but. I replaced it with
a new Moen kit and it was fine for a while but now it's doing the same thing
the old one was. If I keep pushing on it it eventually ...

I need to work in my crawlspace for a few hours (sealing ducts, etc).
Due to dust, I use a goggle and a dust mask. However, after a few minutes
the goggle starts to fog up, my face gets hot and wet and I feel like I'm
running out of air. I tried different types of dust masks (with ...

Me again - mold lady, still deciding what to do about the mold
discovered in the finished basement of the house I'm selling.
No matter what I do I know I need to keep the basement from smelling
suspicious. With the house being vacant, the A/C and heater don't come

Frame house constructed in 1954. Bathroom paint is peeling all the way
down to bare drywall. Is there a better way to remove this than
scratching and scraping? Are the bottom layers likely to be lead
paint? Thanks.

I have a dead outlet, but no breakers are tripped.  Is there a way to trace
these unpowered circuits?  I have a circuit tracer, but it only works on
powered lines.  Thanks.
Mike D.

I'm going to have to replace my ancient (61 year old) 4" Orangeburg with
PVC. I'll be burying the new line unbedded decomposed granite, about
three feet deep. Should I use 3034 or Schedule 40 PVC?
TIA