Homeowner Forum / Repair / November 2008

Subject: (in North-East USA): Must *every* leaf be blown from lawn?
A couple of people (have nice lawns, gardins, and so on --
and tell me that I *must" get rid of *all* thse leaves.
Question: is this really necessary?

I got one of those small portable DVD players.  I got it mainly for
when I go camping, or want to watch a movie when I work in the garage,
or when I have to wait in the car for my wife, while she is shopping.
I wasn't looking for anything complicated or costly.  I picked up a

I know that studs need metal plates over studs where there is plumbing
too close to the wall.   This is to protect a nail going into the
plumbing.   I'm wondering about exceptions.  What about plumbing
behind the toilet?  There is a stud directly behind the toilet where

I want a solid gold toilet seat.  The entire seat must be reeal gold,
not just a gold plateing.  Even the hingers must be pure gold.  My a.s
is very impotent and derserves the best.  Money is no obgict.  I just
want the best for my a.s.  Where can I get one?

I can't believe nobody knows anything about vent-free gas log sets.  A big
disappointment from a group that has so many new threads going.

I've stained my 5-year old cedar deck with Sikkens Natural Light Cetol
SRD-996 twice, but it doesn't wear well.  Last spring, I power sanded the
thick gray film down to bare wood and restained. It looked beautiful. But
by fall, a grayish film was there again, although not as thick ...

I just installed a new wood fence on my property about 6 months ago. I
just got around to treating it with water seal, and I've noticed one
part the wood seems mushy with little holes, here and there.   They
appear to be oval shape on a 45' angle.   It's on a very small part of

am I the only person in the world who likes to buy a consumer good ONCE
and expect it to last until I am sick of it?  Today I'm specifically
referring to bathroom fixtures.  SWMBO thinks I'm a little anal
retentive but I don't know that I really am.  There are a few finishes

Does any one know of a web site for a novice?
Thanks in advance.
Doug
ps.

Comments, please.

I need to run an ice maker line around 50 feet from the softener and
RO system.  I'm on a slab so that presents a problem running the line
underneath.  It gets -20F about once a year here so running the line
in the attic so it won't freeze will be tricky.  All the roof beams

I never though I would as this question, but...
I have a ceiling fixture that is a two blub domed glass on a metal ceiling
mount.  It was purchased at home depot.  There is NO discernable means to
remove the glass from the metal part other than a seam.  No screws, no

Our basement boiler-room (steam-heat, water-heater, other heater,
all gas) has, up high, a window looking out into a grate-covered
pit.  (Grate at ground-level.)
For safety from CO, we keep the window open a few inches,

I am including a picture...  Basically I sawed the space for the timer
on the far right.  Now I'm bring told to put another timer on the switch
second to the far right.
Is there a plate that has the two right "designer" style while keeping

   I am putting down a 1/4 inch plywood subfloor over top of existing 3/4
inch plywood. What kind of fastener should I use?. I have an air stapler
that puts down 1/4 inch wide staples or an 18 Guage air nailer...or should I
screw the plywood down? The existing 1/4 inch plywood ...