Maintenance & Repairs - July 2007

Okay, we bought a house, it was a foreclosure and they didnt clean at all but for 20,000 less than appraised value(it was in do it yourselfer didnt know what they were doing shape) but all fairly easy fixes countertops, refinishing floors etc, so I go to get started on the basement floor cleaning it(we are going to finish a playroom and office in here during the winter) and the previous owners had dogs yellow labs that they raised to sell, apparently keeping them in the basement while not potty trained, the floors do not look like they have been cleaned since 98 when they bought the house and after a couple swipes my mop water is black, any ideas on cleaning? I have water connections in basement, a drain and sump pump but we already installed the new furnace so we cant just power wash i am prego and cant be around major fumes, the stud work is all done down here(94') and i dont want to water damage it, floor will be painted before new flooring is put down.

2007-07-24 03:30:20 · 12 answers · asked by mommy to be of 3 3

2007-07-24 03:03:21 · 1 answers · asked by Anonymous

I live in an apartment building. I cannot go outside and drain my a/c from the back since I live on the 3rd floor. What do I do? Water is filling inside the a/c. I soaked some of it up with paper towels but it came back. I have cleaned my filter and the inside of the unit. I don't know what to do! Please help! I cannot sleep another night without a/c! :)

2007-07-24 02:59:41 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous

I live in an apartment and I woke up this morning and without looking thought I turned the AC off. Well it was already off and so somehow I turned the heat on instead. I quickly realized what I had done so I turned everything off. Right after I did that the smoke detector went off and it smelled as if something was burning in our apartment. It was very scary. We looked everywhere to make sure there was no fire in our place and could find nothing. We went outside to make sure it wasn't someone else's apt on fire. Nothing. There was no smoke just a smell of something burning and it only started smelling like this when I turned the heat on. Now, it is summer and I know it is not good to have the heat on when it is not cold. But why would it smell like something is on fire? Does anybody have any possible explanations of this??

2007-07-24 02:46:20 · 9 answers · asked by babysteaks3 2

Just rang someone called Lee Davies at the Gas Board. He's told me that the 'pilot light' in a gas back boiler (which you HAVE TO HAVE ON) otherwise ya heating and hot water wont come on.... costs over £30 per month to run. Apparently thats why every1 is going over to combi boilers. Im not sure whether to believe this, and wonder why it hasnt been brought to everyone attention before??
its outrageous news.

My question is:-
HOW MANY OF YOU OUT THERE ARE:--

1) AWARE OF THIS COST?
2) AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH IT?
3) REALISED YOUR HOT WATER IS ON ALL THE TIME COS OF THIS PILOT LIGHT?
4) ARENT GETTING HOT WATER THRU IT EVEN THO YOU'RE MEANT TO BE DOING, EVEN THO ITS NOT SWITCHED ON?
5) ARE TOTALLY CONFUSED AT THEIR CHARGES?

Have you changed to a combi boiler?
Are you gonna change to a combi boiler?

They have also jus told me that I can have the meter changed at a cost, and then they want to charge me £63 +VAT to get the tester people to look at it... Im stunned!!

2007-07-24 02:00:56 · 14 answers · asked by ? 5

I have 2 plastic toolboxes, there is nothing in them, except tools. Why the smell? ok everyone go smell the inside of your plastic toolboxes, and tell me why, thank you

2007-07-24 01:01:48 · 7 answers · asked by misti1251 2

I want to buy a new lawn tractor for my three acre lawn. I'm not sure which is better- John Deere LA150 with a 26 h.p. Briggs and Stratton V-Twin with 54 inch mower deck from Home Depot or a Sears Craftsman DYS 4500 with a 26 h.p. Kohler Pro V-Twin with 54 inch mowing deck? I Automatically, I thought the John Deere was better because of their reputation, but upon more research, it seems that J.D. is not what it used to be and that ther customer service is terrible. At the same time, it seems that Sears really stands behind their products, plus supposedly they make really good tractors. Does anybody know enough about these tractors that they can give me some sound advice'? Thanks.

2007-07-24 00:06:03 · 6 answers · asked by beachbum 1

if i was to put up a building in the side of a hill so it would not show above the original ground level. are there any loop holes where you do not have to apply if it meets a certain criteria. thanks.

2007-07-23 22:53:55 · 8 answers · asked by kevhookway 2

I had cavity wall insulation injected in march. I have lived in the house for 5 years and it hasnt happened before. The surveyor is coming to check from the insulation company after i insisted(the manager says it is not their problem as it must be structural) they also say water cannot absorb through render and blockwork and the rock wool insulation and pass inside. I have inspected the concrete lintel and it appears that it spans the cavityand there are no weepholes above. The house is 1960's traditional cavity. I need help so that the surveyor cannot fob me off and blame us, should a survey have been carried out by them and any problems highlighted before the work was done? what can i say to them to resolve the problem as i really do think the problem has arisen from the cavity being filled? all advice appreciated.

2007-07-23 21:45:02 · 4 answers · asked by simon j 1

Recently in my house, there has an occasional loud noise. I'd describe it as a groaning and I believe it may be coming from the pipes. It usually lasts 15 seconds or less, but is very loud.

What might the problem be?

2007-07-23 21:30:24 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous

WHEN I REACHED IN THE WATER I GOT SHOCKED , I SEE NOTHING WRONG WITH PLUG , ITS GROUNDED AND APPEARS IN GOOD SHAPE I HAVE UNPLUGGED THE WASHER AND TURNED OFF BREAKER TO THE OUTLET AS A PRECAUTION, WHAT COULD THIS BE

2007-07-23 19:56:05 · 11 answers · asked by zodaron 1

My mom is gonna try and sell our house. She is about to put it on the market and I dont wanna move. The house is old but beautiful and in great shape except the heating and air conditioner needs replacing and all the pipes under the house need replacing because they could go at any minute. Those two things are the 2 reasons were are selling the house because we cant afford a new heat and air system, and new pipes under the house. But i love this house with a passion and so does my mom. what can we do to have to keep from moving. the heat and air need to be replaced soon and so do the pipes but we cant afford to replace them, so what else can we do about it besides moving. Its the best house we could ever get and we wouldnt ever have a house as nice as this one.

2007-07-23 19:08:21 · 9 answers · asked by Chris H 1

I found out there is roots in my service line and it is clogging. My Uncle is experienced with this and has offered to help me replace the line if I can find friends to help dig.

This would save me a ton! What leg work do I need to be doing, i.e. how to locate, what pipe to buy, fittings I will need. Anything to make this as easy as possible on him.

Thanks!

2007-07-23 17:09:53 · 4 answers · asked by Lisa 3

I broke the rope on my 10 hp lawn mower. Can I buy rope from the hardware store or do I need to buy the starter repair kit the rope is all that broke the handle is still good and reuseable

2007-07-23 16:29:22 · 3 answers · asked by tenthirty_two 2

i need to glue something and don't want to have to glue it again. it's wood but i don't see wood glue as being much stronger than the glue i used to use for crafts when i was a kid!!

what is the absolute strongest no-budge glue?

2007-07-23 15:10:37 · 13 answers · asked by of 2

I didn't notice it until it had already dried. How do I remove it without harming my no wax floor?

2007-07-23 15:09:09 · 2 answers · asked by Pom♥Mom Spay and Neuter 7

I've got a puller designed just for the job and it still won't budge. Any suggestions? I've sprayed some lime away to try and break up the deposits. I was told that I had to be careful of the stems behind the handles, so I'm afraid to really go to town on it.

2007-07-23 13:58:40 · 8 answers · asked by Kal-El 4

2007-07-23 13:54:40 · 7 answers · asked by John 2

I have a light colored cement driveway that is getting thrashed by the black tire tracks from my truck - help! Thanks

2007-07-23 13:36:45 · 4 answers · asked by mustabeenjoe 1

I'm planning to build a house, but I'm not sure how much it will cost to wire a house for about 10 outlets with cable, internet, and phone capabilities. Does anyone know? I appreciate any feedback.

2007-07-23 12:47:21 · 6 answers · asked by DXL 1

2007-07-23 12:04:57 · 3 answers · asked by GAVIN D 1

I moved into a house Saturday that I just bought and discovered my sewer line drains real slow and upon snaking it discovered roots in it. I called my insurance (first house, didn't know) and of course it's not covered. I know my options are yearly augering and chemicals or total repair. Clearly, first house, I'm hardcore broke. My boyfriend wants to rent an industiral snake and do it ourselves. I'm scared though we have busted pipes and if it bursts and damages the house insurance won't pay a penny because they knew I knew there was a problem. I would hate to repair, but don't want to put an 300 dollar bank aid on it via roto rooter every year.

If this were your house what would you do?

2007-07-23 10:06:45 · 7 answers · asked by Lisa 3

i'v just put a new celler in my house boat, and it keeps filling up with water....why,,,,

2007-07-23 09:47:46 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous

Yesterday, I was a little fed up with young responses and said so. Today, I am NO LONGER a top contributor in maintenece and repair. Even at 38 % best answer. Fair and honest board? Doult it !!

2007-07-23 09:38:11 · 3 answers · asked by grounded 4

this is a B&S 17.5hp, OHV, single cylinder engine, labeled as a Craftsman I/C engine.

this engine is 2 years old, but barely used. i just started using it today and it sounds like this. cuts the grass fine, but my old 17hp (almost exactly the same as this one) worked much better then this. it never bogged down unless i was cutting through really thick grass or pulling a heavy load, and when i engage the blades, it got up to speed in less than 2 seconds and ran at a higher rpm.
this engine also takes a while to get up to redline. my old engine was quick revving like a car.
could this be from an improper fuel/air ratio?

i also installed it myself, what could have gone wrong? everything fit the same as my old engine.

2007-07-23 08:35:50 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-07-23 08:01:25 · 9 answers · asked by Jim M 2

i really dont want it to be broken :[...again.

2007-07-23 07:58:52 · 8 answers · asked by Stephanie C 2

I want to flip may no flip mattress because it is to soft and saggy. It is only a year old and was 1100$. The other side seems like it would have more support because there is 9" less foam. Any suggestions?

2007-07-23 07:44:18 · 3 answers · asked by Crazy_Fool 5

We had a guy come around on the weekend to offering an estimate for our driveway. He was very nice/not at all pushy. We were on our way out so he measured while we were gone and tried to call several times that night but we didn't get back until late. He gets a hold of us yesterday and gives us a quote-$800. We ask him to come out and remeasure because we forgot to mention that we wanted the driveway widened by six inches on both sides and brought up to the height of the garage. He comes out and takes a look and says thats fine and he will still do it for $800. We start to get a weird vibe from this guy and he goes and gets a contract from his truck and asks us to sign. The contract is not filled in except for the agreed upon price and "no deposit required" written in the deposit field. I say that we are not signing a blank contract and he says all we are doing is agreeing on the price and the rest is a verbal agreement. My gut tells me I was taken. Does this sound normal?

2007-07-23 07:28:53 · 9 answers · asked by silent j 1

I just moved into a new apartment and have started up a new phone/internet connection. Come to find out the materials sent to me ( phone cords) are to big to fit into the phone outlets in this house. Is there anyway I can buy an add on or do I just have to get them changed or buy new lines?

2007-07-23 07:18:56 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous