Home & Garden - 19 February 2007

We bought this house a year and a half ago and have had two "fireplace" seasons. The first time we used it we burned one of those little creosote reducing logs. We haven't used another since. We had probaby at least three fires a week on average the first year, but this year we've used it at least five times a week.

What I want to know is how fast does it take to build up, how often should we really get this chimney cleaned out professionally, if the creosote slag breaks free what should I expect and is it really as scary as I've heard? Our house was built in 1994 and I don't know if the first owners ever got it cleaned. Should we get the chimney professionally cleaned? Should I be very, very afraid of it and decorate the inside of the fireplace with plants?

And please don't tell me to do that self-cleaning job thing with the chain because I can tell you, that ain't gonna happen. :)

Thanks!

2007-02-19 08:14:10 · 5 answers · asked by Chick-A- Deedle 6 in Maintenance & Repairs

is there a way to remove or minimize the damage caused by banging a shovel on the ice that froze on the pavers?

2007-02-19 08:13:44 · 4 answers · asked by ndyou 3 in Maintenance & Repairs

My best friend is one of those very manly men. He loves his plants though. I want to get him something he can grow in his apartment, but not flowers. Thanks!

2007-02-19 08:10:55 · 10 answers · asked by ? 1 in Garden & Landscape

2 bed, I bath. Would I be ahead to add a bed and a bath?

2007-02-19 08:10:12 · 7 answers · asked by bob q 1 in Other - Home & Garden

to charge extra for doing the persons laundry,too? It's a family of 3.

2007-02-19 08:08:06 · 2 answers · asked by gabby 2 in Cleaning & Laundry

2007-02-19 08:05:46 · 2 answers · asked by coach 1 in Cleaning & Laundry

I miss my big beefsteak tomatoes fresh from the garden. I'd really like to grow some this summer. I know I will need to be starting them soon if I'm going to get a good crop. The problem is I live in an apartment without a balcony so they must be grown inside, although I do have a nice sunny window where I can place them. Has anyone grown tomatoes in a container indoors? Will a commercial potting soil (like from walmart) alter the flavor?

2007-02-19 08:05:09 · 3 answers · asked by DishclothDiaries 7 in Other - Home & Garden

The tiles are mosaic travertine, marble tiles. They are about 3 inches square and come in 12 inch squares. We have about 4m square to tile in total and have a good quote for all materials already. There is limited cutting around sockets etc. We've been quoted £300 which includes grouting and sealing but I think that's a bit excessive. We live in Sheffield, so don't expect London prices!

2007-02-19 08:04:18 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Decorating & Remodeling

We just set up a bunk bed for my six year old. We can't figure out an easy way to make the bed. One full side is against a wall. Do we need to keep a step ladder handy or can anyone help?

2007-02-19 08:04:18 · 4 answers · asked by northoncharles 1 in Decorating & Remodeling

Have advertised it as free to whoever takes it but I literally cant give it away!

2007-02-19 08:02:53 · 5 answers · asked by Vicky S 1 in Other - Home & Garden

2007-02-19 07:58:53 · 4 answers · asked by - - 1 in Do It Yourself (DIY)

i already plunged and used a liquid plumber. the water is filled to the brim and so i need something that wont make the toilet overflow. please help!

2007-02-19 07:56:15 · 6 answers · asked by skyskadoodles 3 in Maintenance & Repairs

2007-02-19 07:55:22 · 4 answers · asked by Suz 2 in Garden & Landscape

I had wire metal support for the bed. they were lost when we moved.I need to know the name of the supports and if anyone knows were I can get them I would be grateful.

2007-02-19 07:55:02 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Maintenance & Repairs

Where I may find a website that sells Herbert Herr Black Forest Cuckoo Clocks at a discount price, and also have a large selection. Many thanks in advance. St♥rmy.

2007-02-19 07:52:54 · 2 answers · asked by St♥rmy Skye 6 in Other - Home & Garden

the wire that i plug up to make it work starts to get real real hot like it may catch on fire just wondering if anyone knows what to do about this??? (the wire is not the power wire)

2007-02-19 07:52:50 · 2 answers · asked by daphaine 1 in Maintenance & Repairs

I was wondering if anyone knows of a way that I can have my roof shingles replaced. I don't think homeowners insurance covers that unless it's due to a storm or something of the like. I don't have the money to do it nor do I have enough equity in the house to take out a loan to have it replaced. The shingles are literally crumbling off the roof, and water is coming in from the snow and rains. If anyone has any solutions, please let me know. Thanks

2007-02-19 07:51:03 · 9 answers · asked by nic43201 1 in Maintenance & Repairs

I had an ice dam on my house, over the past couple of days water has been slowly trickling into my laundry room which has old plaster walls covered in wall paper and paint. The wall and the edge of the ceiling is wet and a little soft in places, and I think mold might be starting to grow, in some places the water running down the walls is orange (I don't know why, possibly dye from the wallpaper, or something in the wood framing, the house is very old). I wanted to remodel this room eventually but I don't have the time or money to do it right now. Is there any way to kill or prevent mold growth on and in the walls without ripping them out?

I was thinking of using a spray on the walls ... but I have a feeling this is only superficial and that there could still be growth behind the plaster.

I'd just like to get some opinions.

2007-02-19 07:50:37 · 5 answers · asked by Lindsey 3 in Maintenance & Repairs

is it to clean the snow and ice from the walk? I live in an apartment building that is part of three other bulidings my landlord owns. The landlord never puts down salt or shovels the sidewalks. There are alot of young families like mine with kids. We have to carry babies and toddlers over ice and try to balance car seats and groceries without falling. The few men who live in the buildings have tried to shovel, but without 10 or more bags of salt, nothing could be accomplished. The buildings sit very far back from the street, and therefore the paths are long and have several sets of steep stairs. Is it my landlord's responsibility to clean the paths or mine and the other renters? If it is his responsibility how can I get him to take care of it? If it is my responsibliity any ideas on how to remove the layers of ice and snow without hours of back-breaking work?

2007-02-19 07:46:05 · 4 answers · asked by danac210 5 in Maintenance & Repairs

Underlying Structure is concrete. Want to make a roof deck with planters and patio furniture

2007-02-19 07:42:20 · 3 answers · asked by Gwen O 1 in Decorating & Remodeling

they got SOAKED in and out. they are only a month old and were expensive. can anyone help?

2007-02-19 07:38:01 · 9 answers · asked by jimrwoodley 1 in Cleaning & Laundry

pictures of Italian landscapes, some with people in them

2007-02-19 07:36:37 · 4 answers · asked by moonbeam 1 in Decorating & Remodeling

I t was pretty dirty inside and out, (I bought it on the advice of a friend sight unseen and know I am stuck with it) and I wanted to know what can be used to clean the inside.
Thanks

2007-02-19 07:33:14 · 10 answers · asked by asurams2006 1 in Cleaning & Laundry

Every time we use the washer the system goes wacko. the toilet backs up with waste and so does the bath tub.MY QUESTION is what are my rights as far as a tenant ? you see the landlord has tryed to fix it 5times

2007-02-19 07:30:35 · 2 answers · asked by make it work 1 in Maintenance & Repairs

we are looking at a home built on a flood plain. we need to know if we can still build there if something ever happened to our home or if we wanted to build a garrage. where can i find that out?????

2007-02-19 07:30:24 · 15 answers · asked by bilinda a 2 in Do It Yourself (DIY)

does anybody know if nhbc accept the use of tyvek supro breathable roof menbrane in a pitched warm roof construction and do nhbc want it ventilated? if so where do you ventilate it ? between the top of the insulation and the underside of the Tyvek or where? and how much ventilation space?

2007-02-19 07:25:19 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Do It Yourself (DIY)

I always see these Designed to Sell shows putting in granite countertops for less than $1000 because they were able to get remnants from a supplier. Anyone know where these remnant places are? I only have about 25 sq ft of countertops, so I'm hoping I could do it much cheaper than the Home Depot price.

2007-02-19 07:20:00 · 1 answers · asked by Tom S 1 in Decorating & Remodeling

i am a 13 year old female and i am redoing my bedroom.I really like pink but im not sure if that will be too bright for a small room.i just want 1 color for the whole room, not a different color on each wall.i also want to get a bedspread that matches but i cant find any websites that have cute ones that arent overpriced.I like stripes and polka dots.i also need to get of white furniture but i have had no luck finding that either!

2007-02-19 07:18:13 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Decorating & Remodeling

I want to paint my room a solid color.
right now its pink with ballerinas.
i don't like it.
its too girly for me, =P.
my furniture is white or something close to white.
i want just a solid color.
HELP!

<3

2007-02-19 07:17:05 · 5 answers · asked by Abby 1 in Decorating & Remodeling

The dispenser on our refridgerator suddenly started dispensing crushed ice -- a feature that we seldom use.

But, the switch is pointed towards "cubed."

Why did the dispenser suddenly start crushing ice? It won't let us have just regular cubes.

2007-02-19 07:04:54 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Maintenance & Repairs