<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<rss version="2.0" xmlns:blogChannel="http://backend.userland.com/blogChannelModule">

<channel>
<title>Home Repair &#x26; Improvement forum - dslreports.com community</title>
<link>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/homerepair</link>
<description>Home Repair &#x26; Improvement forum current topics</description>
<language>en</language>
<copyright>Copyright 2007, dslreports.com</copyright>
<pubDate>Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:35:24 EDT</pubDate>
<lastBuildDate>Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:35:24 EDT</lastBuildDate>

<image>
<title>dslreports.com</title>
<url>http://i.dslr.net/bbrdisc1.gif</url>
<link>http://www.dslreports.com</link>
<width>19</width>
<height>18</height>
<description>bbr disc</description>
</image>

<item>
<title>Know when to run!</title>
<link>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23298000</link>
<description><![CDATA[I've seen a lot of questions from first time buyers on here. I thought I would start a thread asking current homeowners and pros to post their advice on what to run away from. Please share your wisdom with the "yoots".

I'll plant my seeds of wisdom.

1) Water in the basement (or anywhere else it shouldn't be). Run.
2) Aluminum wire - I DO NOT give a rats ass if you haven't had any problems in the last 30 years. Run.
3) "Flip" houses: These are often done by amateurs trying to make a quick buck. These are also done by professionals trying to turn a quick buck. Their goal is to "sugar coat" the house without spending a lot of money on the innards. These should be very carefully inspected.
4) Crappy neighbors. That 1980 Granada and pile of tires in the neighbors back yard is not going to magically disappear when you close on the property.
5) Always have a home inspection. An inspector is never going to say "don't buy this house". Read between the lines of the report.
6) Find out about the HOA. There are some HOA's out there that make Hitler look like a rational guy.
7) Sellers repairs: The seller is going to do it the cheapest cheapskate way they can cheaply do cheap repairs. Make sure it's understood that seller repairs are to be completed by licensed professionals in a neat, code compliant, professional manor.
8) Incomplete or evasive disclosure. As-is generally means there is something majorly wrong.
--
Looks like Reverend Wright got his wish - God Damn America.
Nancy Pelosi - House Minority Leader 2010
Harry Reid - Senate Minority Leader 2010]]></description>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23298000</guid>
<pubDate>2009-11-05 17:51:13</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title>Using 2-cycle gas in a 4-cycle engine</title>
<link>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23308985</link>
<description><![CDATA[I ran out of regular gas for my lawnmower today.  Since I was short on time, I grabbed the can with pre-mixed 2-cycle oil in the gas and used it.  The lawnmower didn't seem to mind, which made me wonder.  Rather than keep two separate cans, can I just run the oil/gas mix in my lawnmower? ]]></description>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23308985</guid>
<pubDate>2009-11-08 02:52:18</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title>plastic box vs. metal box (electrical)</title>
<link>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23311566</link>
<description><![CDATA[I'll be doing a bit of wiring (i.e. adding 3 way switch and a some extra outlets) and would like to know when to use a metal box vs. a plastic box.

TIA
--
And the winner is:]]></description>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23311566</guid>
<pubDate>2009-11-08 19:24:34</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title>Blown out Ballasts</title>
<link>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23313539</link>
<description><![CDATA[I bought (25) 277 volt outside fixtures for my building. In 4 months 18 of the 25 fixtures have blown out the ballasts. 

PSEand G checked commercial power outside and all is good. 

I suspect my step up transformers did this but I have two of them. Half the lights on one half on the other. I have a hard time believing both xformers did the same thing to the fixtures. 

If I call a company to test the Step up transformers I have a feeling that at the time of the test they will test good. 
Any suggestions??]]></description>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23313539</guid>
<pubDate>2009-11-09 09:20:49</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title>There goes the wallpaper</title>
<link>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23308225</link>
<description><![CDATA[Had a pinhole develop in a pipe in my downstairs bathroom.
I really had not planned on re-doing the walls but I know I'll never match the wallpaper as it has been up since 1990.
Shame a picture hung over the hole would not look out of place since the hole is an inch below the ceiling height.

I taped it for now and will repair it Tomorrow.  Always something. :)]]></description>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23308225</guid>
<pubDate>2009-11-07 21:52:50</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title>New electrical outlets. Jam in hole or wrap around screw</title>
<link>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23284670</link>
<description><![CDATA[Ive been installing new outlets in my 1984 house. The new outlets from Lowes have a hole in the back that you can just jam the wire in and it holds. 

Ive mentioned this to a friend whos an electrician and he about flipped out saying those arent safe and that I need to go back and wrap the wire around the screws on the side.

I cant imagine that they make these things and then not be safe. Is there maybe more of a chance of a fire with it that way or some other reasoning that he may have to not use the jam in the hole method? ]]></description>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23284670</guid>
<pubDate>2009-11-03 13:25:24</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title>Tasks the Average Homeowner Should Do</title>
<link>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23280230</link>
<description><![CDATA[I've been meaning to post this here for several weeks, but it's hard for me to admit I should've never bought a house in the first place. My wife and I barely lived in an apartment (and never a house) for a year before we were in our own home. (Financial decision and problems aside, it seemed like a good idea at the time...)

I'm a terrible DIY-er, but part of being an adult and a homeowner is doing things that you aren't necessarily any good at, but chugging through and gettin' 'er done. Obviously there are times when a professional is needed, such as electrical work or lots of plumbing, etc.

What I'd love to see from the very knowledgeable here is a compendium of tasks that every homeowner should do on a regular basis, and even some that only need to happen every X number of years. I think we can leave stuff out like "mow the lawn" or "trim the hedges" but everything else is fair game (I'm thinking gutters on up).

 
--
Come play Mafia! | My Picture Blog]]></description>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23280230</guid>
<pubDate>2009-11-02 16:42:31</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title>New  Lawnmower Winter Maintenance</title>
<link>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23284971</link>
<description><![CDATA[I bought this lawnmower over the summer (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=303527-270-TB240&lpage=none).  It has been running like a dream, and I'd like to keep it that way.  Now that it's getting colder, the grass has stopped growing so I no longer need it...what do I need to do to prepare it for winter?]]></description>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23284971</guid>
<pubDate>2009-11-03 14:30:44</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title>1/2 or 5/8 Drywall for Cathedral Ceiling</title>
<link>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23313636</link>
<description><![CDATA[Slope is about 10/12 with an overall run of just under 8' and with rafters 14 to 16 O/C (its an old house). I plan to use the standard on the walls, 1/2, and ceiling, 5/8, with screws, but am unsure what to use on the slope. 

I have been told 1/2 will be fine and would prefer to use it due to cost and weight but have no problem spending the extra coin to get the best results.]]></description>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23313636</guid>
<pubDate>2009-11-09 09:42:11</pubDate>
</item>

</channel>
</rss>
