Maintenance & Repairs - August 2006

My hot water is running out very quickly lately..I can take maybe a 5 minute shower before it runs out. My guess is that one of the elements may be burned out, but that seems strange to me as the tank is only two years old. How can I tell if it is one of the elements? If that's not the issue, any idea what it could be? It's an electric heater btw.
Thanks!

2006-08-11 01:39:29 · 9 answers · asked by Howe132 2

Ok I'm looking for some sort of transformer or volt booster. I have an oven that I want to run at the full power of or near 240 Volts but my power supply is only 208 Volts. My oven is 3 phase and runs at 40 Amps. Any suggestions or recommendations?

2006-08-11 01:05:15 · 2 answers · asked by JRod 1

2006-08-11 00:58:49 · 4 answers · asked by geekiegirl 2

I am curently watching Discovery Home & Leisure as its been added to my cable lineup. I have been watching a US programme called Holmes on Homes, with a (really hunky) builder who is putting right properties.

The question I have is about the construction of homes in the US. I have seen where he has pulled away the dry wall, revealing underneath stud walling with insulation and vapour barrier underneath. My question is, from what I can make out, the vapour barrier sheeting is normal and seems to practically seal the room in, surely there is the need to adequate ventilation to prevent moisture build up, and I cannot work out where the moisture produced within the room can escape to? Please can you explain in laymans terms

2006-08-11 00:35:28 · 8 answers · asked by SunnyDays 5

2006-08-10 20:07:36 · 19 answers · asked by Rebecca S 2

Does anyone know how to reset a three digit combination lock on a Louis Vuitton suitcase? I forgot the combination and now I can't open it. Is there a way to reset it? Thank you!!

2006-08-10 18:49:23 · 4 answers · asked by sky 3

Is it freon or a thermostat? I'm not good with appliances so I don't know what the problem could be. I'm also afraid that my refrigerator might lose cold air as well. Once the freezer went out my paranoia has got me believing that stuff in the fridge are now getting warmer whether it's the case or not.

2006-08-10 18:48:57 · 4 answers · asked by ammy2000 2

2006-08-10 17:48:52 · 2 answers · asked by Ted B 1

We recently bought a home with electric heating. We've always had gas before and I wanted to know about some of your experiences with it.

2006-08-10 17:25:50 · 12 answers · asked by ? 4

2006-08-10 17:16:56 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous

Several electrical outlets in my home have 'oozed' a green ointment-like film. It comes from the receptacle to the wall plate especially when a plug is inserted / withdrawn. The first observance was after a main floor reno when a lot of electrical work was done including a panel replacement and kitchen makeover.

2006-08-10 16:41:12 · 3 answers · asked by blaine 1

The girder was damaged by termites and the side stucco covering was opened.

2006-08-10 16:39:09 · 9 answers · asked by EMILIO V 1

The bricks on the outside of my fireplace are spalling. It was explained to me that the spalling occurs from the freeze-thaw cycle here in Northeast Ohio. Also, I'm wondering if it's possible that the more porous interior-only bricks were used during construction. (Home is about 30 years old.) One contractor told me this is basically a cosmetic problem, another told me it's a serious problem that needs to be addressed. The inspector who looked at this house before I bought it did not deem it a structural problem. The fireplace was wood-burning converted to gas. It's been used twice in a year. It's not really unsightly, kind of rustic looking. Just want to make sure it won't come tumbling down outside in the yard. Any thoughts?

2006-08-10 15:49:40 · 3 answers · asked by Yolani 2

2006-08-10 15:45:25 · 3 answers · asked by walter_moore2003 1

I opened the valve, what could it be?

2006-08-10 15:43:45 · 7 answers · asked by ballstothewall 3

I have a Carrier A/C Unit that is about 5 years old and the coil (evaporator) is leaking (it's been checked by a contractor). It needs a new one so I am wondering if any HVAC pro out there can give me a ballpark figure of what it might cost. Thanks!

2006-08-10 14:57:30 · 2 answers · asked by T9ADDICT 1

I will be moving into a rented apartment for the next year. We need to take care of pest control ourselves. I know the people who lived there before us weren't very tidy, but I dunno if they had pest problems in the past.

My question is, should I get the place sprayed now, or wait until I actually see a bug?

Btw, I'm pathologically afraid of roaches. I can stand other bugs though, including spiders. But I can't handle roaches, dead or alive.

2006-08-10 14:05:34 · 8 answers · asked by retzy 4

broken shutters

2006-08-10 13:48:16 · 4 answers · asked by jonatan3 2

I live in phoenix (specifically Laveen) and I have a brand new 1900 sq. ft. house that is built with 2x6 inch studs with a new AC unit (12.7 SEER) and we keep the inside temp 78 degrees. Also, we have a pool and the pump runs 6 hours a day. Our bill last month from SRP was $290, is that too high?

2006-08-10 13:29:27 · 10 answers · asked by phxem 2

I'm about to scream... Here's the deal.

I just got my dryer out of storage and put it in our new house. Well, it was spinning, but it refused to blow hot air. In essence, it wasn't drying our clothes. I knew that it was time for a new dryer (this was some 80's piece).

I get the new dryer, hook it up to the wall, and it's doing the SAME THING as the old one! It's not an operator error, because it's assembled correctly!

What could this be? Is there a chance that we just got a defective dryer, or do you think that there's something wrong with the building, or... WHAT?!?!?

HELP! Please!

2006-08-10 13:04:58 · 11 answers · asked by <3 The Pest <3 6

2006-08-10 12:57:32 · 7 answers · asked by bruceemasters 1

Our cement driveway has really taken a beating. It has large cracks and it is pitted from salt dripping off of the car in the winter. I've used the rubbery liquid stuff in the cracks and it shrinks and looks worse than ever. Can I do a skim coat of cement over the whole thing? We can't afford to replace it right now.

2006-08-10 12:43:15 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-08-10 12:34:27 · 5 answers · asked by galileean@verizon.net 1

hvac

2006-08-10 12:08:07 · 4 answers · asked by Robert R 2

The people that lived here before us banged up the door moldings and painted over them. I would like to make them smooth and I would like to know the best way. They are small and medium size nicks. Can you help?

2006-08-10 12:03:42 · 7 answers · asked by His sweetie 2

i have lived in my apartment for 2.5 years and am getting ready to move out, i know the carpets are going to need to be changed out does anyone know if my landlord is allowed to charge me to change the carpets out?
if they are does anyone know if i am allowed to change this out myself?

2006-08-10 11:56:41 · 12 answers · asked by funloving00 1

The next door apartment is not kept clean ... so even though we have had them professionally pest controlled ... I understand having a cat will help .... There are places where they can just crawl in due to poor workmanship and there are gaps between the walls which are connected ... I am in the process of filling all holes in the wall ... is there something I can use that doesnt smell thanksThanks

2006-08-10 11:51:59 · 18 answers · asked by bartlettthree 2

I have a gigantic screened in porch - I keep putting the screens in and the raccoons tear them right back out - I do not put any food or trash on the porch, however they continue to get in there...Is there anything that keeps them away?;

2006-08-10 11:29:43 · 9 answers · asked by Holly J 2

2006-08-10 11:07:37 · 11 answers · asked by congosma 1

The legs of the chair are somewhat angled. I tried using plain sitck on felt, but it came off pretty quickly. I cant seem to find a product that will work. Also, any help on keeping bed wheels from scratching the floor will also be appreciated.

2006-08-10 10:54:39 · 10 answers · asked by Jimmy Crack Corn 2