Maintenance & Repairs - December 2006

Our house was built in 1898, the smell is almost sewage smell but the septic was new in '99 and I called the septic cleaners and they said that the problem that I am having is not the septic. The smell is coming from the basement but only when the heat is on. We checked all the vents but they are clear and the gas guy said that it is not the gas. Please help!!!!

2006-12-27 15:36:28 · 28 answers · asked by Deena S 1

2006-12-27 15:28:46 · 21 answers · asked by silvestro l 1

The doorbell at the front of the house is an intercom system. The speaker at the front is always buzzing, like there is electrical interference. Have dismantled front panel to no avail. How can I check the wiring, or should I get an electrician

2006-12-27 15:16:20 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous

How much does it cost to convert an existing house to solar? That is, how much does it cost for the solar panels, batteries, etc. to make the power and heat of the house derived primarily, if not entirely, from solar energy?

2006-12-27 15:06:54 · 7 answers · asked by avocaronico 3

i have to cut moldings to fit a corner...not 45 degrees though guys.....i use this electrical machine too...so...yea...umm can anyone help?

2006-12-27 15:01:44 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous

I have three heat/AC zones in my house. One for downstairs and two for upstairs (one in the master bedroom and the other for the rest). When I leave the house in the morning I turned off all three zones. When I am upstairs I turned off the downstairs heat. Am I saving money or wasting money?

2006-12-27 14:57:07 · 13 answers · asked by wparker67 1

I live in a 4,000 sq. ft. home with 3 bed rooms upstairs that are not used. Is it better to shut the vents & doors and lower the upstairs temp or keep the upstairs temp the same as downstairs, since heat rises?

2006-12-27 14:44:34 · 10 answers · asked by CLW 1

The cover (cap) I am looking for is actually just a screw on type of a cover. Pretty much like a cap that screws on to the top of a milk jug. It is for a regular 110v outlet on the outside of my house. The cap needs to be 1 1/2" diameter. I remember that the original cover for this outlet also had a short chain on it, so the cap would just hang there when unscrewed so that you wouldn't lose it. The chain broke, and the cap was lost a few years ago. I have already tried to look for it at local small hardware stores, as well as big box retailers such as home depot, lowes, and others, as well as electrical supply places. If you know where I could get one, please let me know.

2006-12-27 14:33:40 · 6 answers · asked by hdrider 2

I filled up two tanks totalling 180 gallons of propane 6 weeks ago for around 400 bucks and now its empty. I have a 1500 square foot house and heat it with propane, also heat the water with it. Its only me, and it hasn't been that hot at all. I ran the temp at about 65. How fast do you run out of propane? I'm renting this place in Vermont and feel like I was a little scammed when not told of the large charges for heat...and its not even real winter yet!

2006-12-27 14:31:56 · 8 answers · asked by king_o_cutz 2

2006-12-27 14:25:57 · 8 answers · asked by kaleilani 1

Used caulk to fill nail holes after hanging crown molding. Applied caulk fairly thickly. What's the easiest and best way to sand? How can I minimize the mess when sanding?

2006-12-27 14:08:48 · 8 answers · asked by caelab 1

Used caulk to fill nail holes after hanging crown molding. Applied caulk fairly thickly. What's the easiest and best way to sand? How can I minimize the mess when sanding?

2006-12-27 14:08:23 · 3 answers · asked by caelab 1

my children just got an easy bake oven for christmas but the bulb is not included with the easy bake oven is it the bulb that actually does the cooking or can they use it without the bulb

2006-12-27 13:52:45 · 6 answers · asked by sassy 3

there is a gap of around an inch inside at the corners, the building was built around 1700 and three storeys, single brick i think. i had a survey 7 yrs ago when i bought it and it said because the vbuilding next door had wall ties i could strap the joists to the wall but when i looked this seemed to have bbeen done some time ago.

2006-12-27 13:37:29 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-12-27 13:31:29 · 15 answers · asked by schneb 3

I live in Maine and just bought a house in March. I have had 2 chimney fires in about 6 weeks time. The last one resulting in damage of floors and ceilings. I need to find the regulations on rebuilding a new chimney. I have done a few searches but I am having trouble finding anything. I do not have insurance on my house... and we are paying for the damages. I would just like some help finding information please!

2006-12-27 13:06:49 · 5 answers · asked by Jen 3

We are getting Dirty water in ALL of the faucets, toilet, washer.. We had a plumber come out and he can't find a water leak.. Our Well is only 4 yrs. old.. Any Ideas?? Please help me figure this out, , I have Dirty water.. Can't drink it , can't bathe in it. .. Don't even want to wash my hands in it..The water is dirty Not Rusty..

2006-12-27 12:50:52 · 4 answers · asked by crazy cat lady 1

My dryer is not heating, its almost like if it was on an air setting. But I checked my settings and its normal.
I dont know what to do.
Does anyone know how to fix it?

2006-12-27 12:50:31 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous

have 100amp. & 200amp. shutoff switches on meter bases,taking 100amp. & 200amps. from shutoff switches from outside meter bases to 100 amp. & 200amp. inside pannells. What size wire do I need for feeding inside service.?? this is for a 3 bay garage.

2006-12-27 11:49:57 · 2 answers · asked by oldreet55 1

My office has keyed door locks on each door, but no keys. These are indoor offices, and "ultra" security is not needed.

Can these locks be re-keyed without an original key?

How much does it cost if this is possible, say at a Home depot or Lowes?

I want all the locks to have the same key, so that one key can open all the doors.

Thanks for the advice.

2006-12-27 11:49:51 · 7 answers · asked by nathan_strahl 1

2006-12-27 11:18:14 · 1 answers · asked by Anonymous

There were 3 large dogs in the condo that I am buying...and now that I'm in there, I realize that it reaks! The deck outside stinks...the inside stinks...I am pulling up all of the old carpet and painting...any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

2006-12-27 11:01:27 · 6 answers · asked by QuelZ 1

We drained the water heater and put in new element and I have hot water & pressure everywhere but the kitchen sink. Does anyone have any clue as to why??

2006-12-27 11:01:03 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-12-27 11:00:54 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous

Please forgive me as I hardly have any home electrical experience. My sister plugged in a fan heater in her room and it blew a fuse, I went down and reset them by switching all of them off and on and still nothing. I turned off power to the house and turned it back on and still nothing. Any thing I can try that might help? Only certian appliances and lights work in the house, I am guessing that they are on different circuits. Thanks

2006-12-27 10:52:15 · 8 answers · asked by I THUMB DOWN N00BS 4

2006-12-27 10:34:44 · 6 answers · asked by holsten999 1

I have recently bought a flat with an old style central heating system and big water heater. It has recently started emitting cricket noises every second. I have turned verything off (pump, immersion & boiler) and it's still going. This time of year I can't get anyone to look at it, any ideas it's slowly driving me mad!!!!

2006-12-27 10:14:46 · 7 answers · asked by lizzybee 3

i have an older riding mower with wheels that slide on the axle. they are held on buy a bolt in the end of the axle and it has two flat spots on the end of the axle to keep it from turning in the wheel. there are no bearings in the wheel it just slides on the axle .i have the bolt out but the wheel will not come off .i have tried penetrating oil but i did not help. is there any thing else i could use to free the wheel from the axle

2006-12-27 10:10:18 · 2 answers · asked by janet d 4

I have a Chef upright gas oven/cooktop combo... basically it is working, the gas element in the oven lights, and it is great to heat up stuff or make casseroles... but I cant seem to bake anything... I cooked a roast chicken...after 6 hours it was still not cooked... and I tried a pavlova and a cake, and both came out flat as a pancake (and yes I do know how to cook!) .... I cant work it out... as it will bake small pies etc no problem.... but for other stuff it wont!!!!??? Please help!! Thanks.

2006-12-27 10:06:35 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous

The landlord has had the exterminators spray chemicals a few times in our apartment- inside and out. In fact, the exterminator was there spraying just a few weeks ago. But we keep seeing roaches- it's quite gross, because the roaches find a way to even get INSIDE the microwave! They are evidently hiding away somewhere in the building.

I remember using some kind of roach bait in our old townhome- it was food pellets laced with poison or something, and it seemed to work okay. It got rid of the pests for a time.

Any suggestions on a product or idea to get rid of these roaches?

2006-12-27 09:45:34 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous