Recent content by CMHbob

Since there are no pictures, I will assume the source of the water is the downspout and not drainage from the yard or something else. Resetting the metal window well flush with the foundation wall will not solve your problem. You need to get the water away from the foundation. The best way to do...

I'm a little late to comment on this thread, but I found a solution to this problem different than the above comments. My situation was a pink tub made from cast iron with minor rust stains. After researching several DIY refinishing kits, I decided to call a professional to refinish the tub in...

Here's a link to a motion-sensor made by Leviton designed to control a fan. According to the manufacturer: The OSSMD-FT is intended to control a light circuit and a fan. The button on the sensor provides ON control for both circuits and OFF for lighting circuits only. The sensor will...

When you sale "level of my floor", I assume you mean height. I agree with CharlieO. I am not aware of any thin-set that would adhere to the ceramic tile surface. It might be possible if the tile surface was prepped properly, but this is a lot of work, like scarifying concrete before painting. If...

This happens in my rentals occasionally. The ice maker or water valve just quit working. I'm not an electrician, can't read a schematic, and can't afford a $200 service call from the Amana (or GE or Whirlpool) service tech. So I just swap one or both of these parts until it works again. The...

I don't want to get into a debate because you did what you thought best to protect yourself and your home. I agree with that way of thinking. However, I clean up mold all the time in my rehab projects. I talked to the EPA and a couple of local professionals. I am not an expert but I had to learn...

Thanks Joe. Your advice just saved me hundreds of dollars in pest control services in the future. Ants need warmth and moisture to survive. Convincing them to move on is difficult once they get a nest established, especially if it is inside a wall. My pest service charges $100-$150 to spray with...

I agree with Joe that a "nail to the stud" shower enclosure is a good solution to a basement shower stall. I've installed several of these with good results. If you are still looking at a tile enclosure with mildew resistant grout, investigate epoxy grout with Microban (an anti-microbial...

We found mold in one unit of our 50-unit condo building last year. We hired a professional to identify and remediate the problem. We were told by this company that bleach causes more health issues than mold, plus it only cleans the surface. Strong soap and water is 99% effective as bleach with...

Some motion sensors do not 'play well' with fluorescent lights. Read the instructions on the box to get the right ones. They draw a few volts at all times to power the sensor and may not leave enough voltage for the fluorescent light. I wired a fan and light (not fluorescent) off one sensor, but...

DIYmom, Thanks for the complement. I just published a product review on my blog for Trafficmaster Allure vinyl plank flooring sold at Home Depot (I don't work for HD. I rehab houses full time.) Hope you and other readers find it useful.

After an hour of trying to figure this out with no success, including the suggestions made in earlier posts, the frustration was just too much. I started taking the ceiling & wall drywall down to trace the wires back to the switch and to the panel. BTW, the circuit breaker was being thrown when...

The only wires in the ceiling box are the 14/2 coming from the switch and another 14/2 leaving the box. The wire leaving the box is much older, wrapped in black insulation. My guess is that the black-insulated wire was part of the original building (circa 1960s) and the switch was added later.

Volt meter reads 240V. It is residential setting. [This room was remodeled by a previous owner and made into a laundry room with a new door into the kitchen. The original door (now closed off) opened into the garage and the room was used as a shed. I have seen other homes in the neighborhood...

I lost mine 3 years ago. But I still keep cutting the lumber and it is too short. Thanks for the welcoming comments.....