Home & Garden - 19 December 2006

I have a 25+ year old G.E. furnace and a/c which are still working good. But I want to replace them to save heating and cooling bills. I have gotten 3 bids : Amana with 95% , 13-14 seer: at $4800, American Standard - 90+, 13-14 seer: at 6400, and Ruud - 90+, 13 seer. Someone who used to be an HVAC contractor said American Standard has motor problems, and so is Ruud. He said to check Amana further. Anybody heard about this motor problem? He recommends Lennox (?) or Goodman. Also, when the system is replaced, is it standard for the contractor to check all the ducts and seal them if needed? Only 1 of the 3 contractors mentioned that in the bid. Or is that an assumed part of the job? Thanks for any advise on the bids.

2006-12-19 18:42:55 · 5 answers · asked by Carmen M. 2 in Maintenance & Repairs

Our house was built in 1897. The original floors are wood--but nothing fancy, as far as I can tell (thanks to damage, some having been painted, etc.). Any time we do something do our house, I wonder about the materials and processes used to build it. Installing a wood floor today means protecting it with a high-quality poly...but how were wood floors treated at the end of the 19th century to protect them?

2006-12-19 18:29:11 · 4 answers · asked by Sahara 2 in Other - Home & Garden

I have had to change 2 shower head's already. I want to know how I can clean it without having to buy another one.

2006-12-19 18:22:46 · 11 answers · asked by deedee0902 1 in Cleaning & Laundry

2006-12-19 18:20:24 · 5 answers · asked by Osmel L 2 in Decorating & Remodeling

I have a king-sized bed now but I'm looking at new furniture sets and the one I like best comes as a set with a queen bed. I don't mind getting a queen mattress but is the size difference that much that I'll really be able to notice and miss it and then regret it? It's usually just me and lazy boyfriend using it and ocassionally my dog lounges on it.

2006-12-19 17:50:47 · 11 answers · asked by seriously shannon 3 in Other - Home & Garden

I opened a Pur water filter replacement, and there was some water inside. Are they usually wet? I remember them being pretty dry and you had to soak them. Do you think moisture got into the package? There was enough water for there to be droplets on the filter and package.

2006-12-19 17:47:23 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Maintenance & Repairs

I tried manu alkaline and acidic solution, but none can do the job.

2006-12-19 17:32:35 · 3 answers · asked by ms chan 1 in Cleaning & Laundry

2006-12-19 17:17:49 · 3 answers · asked by wjb 3 in Maintenance & Repairs

I just need to put up some blinds from Ikea.

I live in Boston and the moldings (mouldings?) in this apartment are old hardwood. The walls are plaster. I have a hard time hanging anything.

I just spent forty-five minutes trying to get six screws into the window moldings. Three of the screws broke. One was stripped. The others went in, but took forever.

I am using an inexpensive cordless drill from Black and Decker. I tried changing the bit (both a larger and a smaller one): no luck.

What is going on?? Is my drill too cheap? Is the wood too hard? I asked the man at the hardware store today, and he said that as long as it wasn't metal (it's definitiely wood), the screw "should go right in." I haven't used power tools since I used to build sets in high school, but I don't remember having this much trouble with such a basic project.

Help!!

2006-12-19 17:05:48 · 7 answers · asked by lotf629 2 in Decorating & Remodeling

Mainly I just don't want to taste the chlorine in tap water, and better tasting coffee. Which type will remove most of the junk, filter system or purifier? Or are other factors more important to consider. Please answer if you can speak from actual knowledge or experience.

2006-12-19 17:02:44 · 1 answers · asked by martin h 6 in Other - Home & Garden

haha

2006-12-19 16:57:04 · 23 answers · asked by babe_cake12 2 in Garden & Landscape

2006-12-19 16:56:18 · 13 answers · asked by barnett g 2 in Other - Home & Garden

its a hella nice jacket and i just found out it was dry clean only. i dont want to return it but i want to wear it in the rain as well!!!

2006-12-19 16:54:02 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cleaning & Laundry

we have only seen one and it is rather big. Does that mean there are more?

2006-12-19 16:53:42 · 5 answers · asked by Jose S 1 in Other - Home & Garden

I must cover a 70X160 ceiling

2006-12-19 16:50:59 · 2 answers · asked by farmerdrewie 1 in Do It Yourself (DIY)

I must cover a 70X160 ceiling

2006-12-19 16:50:05 · 2 answers · asked by farmerdrewie 1 in Do It Yourself (DIY)

2006-12-19 16:30:29 · 11 answers · asked by cokeman652001 3 in Do It Yourself (DIY)

2006-12-19 16:29:04 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Maintenance & Repairs

Mine are blue flannel with black and white cows jumping over the moon.

2006-12-19 16:23:13 · 9 answers · asked by sparkie 6 in Decorating & Remodeling

how do u remove oli from clothes? this site said "To remove oil or grease stains off clothing, rub with un-salted lard and wash as usual. " but is there anyother way please help..

2006-12-19 16:18:17 · 16 answers · asked by inuyasha403 2 in Cleaning & Laundry

With all the bad weather we have been having lately, my front door has started to get like black mould on the inside. I can wipe it off but it keeps returning. How can I stop this?

2006-12-19 16:17:49 · 8 answers · asked by This is my username 3 in Maintenance & Repairs

It costs around 25 Dollars, I totally forgot the name and I need it, 'cause I am gonna order it online. Thanks.

2006-12-19 16:14:58 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - Home & Garden

2006-12-19 16:09:47 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - Home & Garden

Heya I'm tring to get several blood stains outta my sheets. A few days ago my daughter cut her toe (she has Spina bifida so she has no feeling in her feet) and crawled in my bed. So now there is lots of blood marks all over them. Well i probably did the wrong thing by washing them in Hot water and putting lots of bleach in. Well I took them outta the washer and they turned pink lol (used to be Peach) I was just wondering if there is anything i can do to get the stains out. Since there are very expensive sheets for a deep fitted mattress, and I just bought not even 2 months ago lol. Thanks ^^

2006-12-19 16:07:08 · 14 answers · asked by sarah s 3 in Cleaning & Laundry

2006-12-19 16:00:12 · 4 answers · asked by keli_casey 1 in Maintenance & Repairs

I bought this plant at the 99 cents store.
http://www.geocities.com/christigmc03/unknown.JPG
I really like it I would like no know what it's called. Does anybody know or have an idea? It looks like a bunch of tiny tomatoes

2006-12-19 15:59:23 · 5 answers · asked by christigmc 5 in Garden & Landscape

I've done a little drywall finishing before with good results. Some people have told me that I should damp sponge the finish for a better result and less dust. I've tried it this way, but I can't get as good a finish as I can by sanding. Am I doing something wrong, or is sanding the way to go for a pro's- finish?

2006-12-19 15:58:19 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Decorating & Remodeling

Spark module

2006-12-19 15:57:13 · 5 answers · asked by mike b 1 in Maintenance & Repairs

We installed a new hot water heater today, but it doesn't seem to be warming, how long should it take to heat up a 50gallon hot water heater. Should there be any noises letting you know it is heating?

2006-12-19 15:51:40 · 10 answers · asked by NuNu 2 in Do It Yourself (DIY)

Although this isn't the only time this has happened, recently we stored chili in Ziplock containers ( 8oz. bowls) and well the inevitable orange red ring has appeared after one use. As mentioned this has happened before, but my tolerance for it has passed. They recieve plenty of soaking immediately after use.
What am I to do about these stains?
Vinegar, lemon, live with it?
Probably the latter, which I am prepared to do, but any suggestions/ gripes are welcome.

2006-12-19 15:47:40 · 11 answers · asked by jkautt 4 in Cleaning & Laundry