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Recently, a really large storm hit Illinois. About 6.9 inch of rain fall in a day. There haven't been this much rain since the 1870's. . As a result, I got water seeping from the sump pump into the...

In a house built about the 40's, the bathtub has an overflow plate with a center screw. The screw goes into a bar that runs across hole, but it's rusted completely away.

I was wondering how this...

Hi

I live in Itasca, IL a suburb west of Chicago. I attempt to look into the IL code, but could not find any reference to this. I have gas coming out of a black iron gas pipe and water coming out...

Nope, the yellow hose that goes to the gas is a gas line and is connected to gas. I used it instead of trying to get the cast iron pipe to work. The stainless steel flexible hose is design to carry...

This weekend, I kept hearing the ejection pump going off, so when I went to investigate, I notice that water was leaking out of the water heater. The gas water heater is a 6 year 50 gal GE dated back...

Hi,

I recently moved into a house with a sprinkler system. Actually, I haven't even used it, but it appears that I will need to winterize the system by blowing it out.

My question is who do I...

The bulbs are brand new. The switch consists of a mechanical push button switch. Push it and it toggles the light to on or off. It's tied to a button in the garage. To my knowledge, it appears not to...

Hi,

I am having a weird problem where when I install a CFL into the light outside, it starts to flicker. I do not have a dusk to dawn or motion sensor on the lamp, so I am puzzled at why this is...

Thank you everyone for the explanation. I knew it would be something simple, but there are few explanation when I google.

I am not sure, it's my in-law's fridge. I think the fridge freeze stuff on some level and is warm on others. The temperature seems inconsistent. I was thinking of getting them a new fridge for...

Is it worth hiring a repair man to fix a 15 year old fridge or should one just buy a new one.

Paul

The light on my ceiling light burnt out, so I replaced it with a compact flourescent. Much to my surprise, it did not work as I expected. The light is hooked up to a motion sensor and when the bulb...

One more thing, I am thinking that I will need to run a ground wire to the metal receptacle box. I don't see any screws or wire I can attach the ground to. I do see something that looks vaguely like...

Mainly because I don't know what that means. Keep in mind I only recently figure out that a GFCI has a line and load side and that there are things like self-grounding outlets.

Paul

Hi

The house was built in 1996, so it should not have older BX wiring. I am guessing that the box is probably correctly grounded, since the self-grounding outlet (with the wire around the...

Hi

The home inspector indicated that all outlet used by the kitchen counters should be protected by a GFCI. Most of the outlets were, except for one. I decided to replace it with a GFCI. I even...

Hi Petey

Thanks for your prompt answer. Can you tell me what a tester is? I only have a non-contact voltage tester. I was planning to use that to test if the wire contains voltage. Is there a...

The house inspector indicated that the kitchen needed a gfci, so I have the following questions.

1. I don't really need to replace all of the outlet with gfci right? All I need to do is the...

We have a tub that came with the house when it was purchased in 1979. It has a overflow cover that's secured at the center. One day, it came off. I thought it was because the screw was rusted, but...

Nope, water damage is on the other side of the house. I talked with my mom and she indicated that the cracks may have been there already. Perhaps the handyman may not be at fault after all, and that...

Well, neither the relative or I know how much an a/c install is suppose to cost. This is why I asked about a rough bar park so that we know. There is a list of stuff that needs to be done around the...

No, I don't think so. I believe the guy poke the ladder through the corner...

Paul

My mom employed a neighborhood handyman to fix her roof. This was a very bad idea. It rained really hard one day and water started dripping down the ceiling.

I managed to located a decent roofer...

One of my mom's friendly neighborhood "handyman" was painting her staircase and somehow rip the corner of the top of the staircase (see attachment).

I don't have a long ladder, but I was...

Well, I think the relative who wanted this done wanted to spend no more than $2000. The unit itself cost $900 and $1800 with warranty, so it is likely to exceed that with installation.

Paul