Toilet Filter: After putting down a new floor and re-installing, my toilet won't flush all the way. I've completely rebuilt the guts (new fill mechanism, new flush valve, new flapper), I've maximized the tank fill, plunged and augerred, and even used muriatic acid to clean the jets (though I might not have done it correctly), with no results. (More Inside...) [more inside]
posted by milkman at 8:48 AM - 3 answers

I was given a couple little plants. They're succulents or cacti. Can you tell me what they are? I took a picture. [more inside]
posted by floam at 12:57 AM - 4 answers

I need to buy a non squeaky bed for under 500 bucks. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by rileyray3000 at 3:34 PM - 9 answers

NSFSS (Not Safe For Sensitive Stomachs): What is the best way to pre-treat bedding that have been soiled by copious amounts of chunky vomit? [more inside]
posted by echolalia67 at 12:59 PM - 12 answers

Nicest but Cheapest Furniture Possible for a New Home? I'm looking for something more durable and nicer than IKEA (my furniture staple since college), on par with, but at a discount from the normal price of, Restoration Hardware, Crate & Barrel, West Elm, etc. I've had no luck at the Outlets for the previous stores. I've read about hotel liquidators and have heard about special wholesalers only available for designers in major cities, but I'm not sure where to find them in D.C. (current city) or El Paso (where I'm moving). Bonus question: Do you have an online designer (like Kelly and Olivia) that helped you?
posted by roundrock at 9:31 PM - 10 answers

It's time to begin my dream garden - help me design it! I've always dreamt of being self-sufficient enough to virtually take my family off the food grid. Last year we moved to a house with an acre of land, all woods, and as soon as this latest snow dump disappears the contractors will arrive and clear approximately 5,000 sf of it (out-of-scale pictures here). I'm poised on the brink of drawing up plans and am eager for some input; I've got the wee beginnings of an orchard coming in March, plus the beds will be built of harvested timbers and thus fairly permanent, so I want to get the design right the first time. [more inside]
posted by GardenGal at 8:56 PM - 48 answers

Some less common types of building construction (e.g. Straw bale, earth, adobe, tires) seem like they would be cheaper than the standard balloon wooden houses that are built these days. Assuming you could find knowledgeable workers, which type would be the least expensive to build, but would still meet modern construction codes?
posted by mmf at 3:12 PM - 15 answers

considering move from central location in large city to edge of large city - within limits but nearly suburban. while homes here have amenities we desire in our price range - we are very very concerned about being away from things we rely on - proximity, nightlife, restaurants. how do people make this decision? [more inside]
posted by dublin at 10:02 AM - 21 answers

How do I fix the clock alarm on an old GE stove? Photo and details inside. [more inside]
posted by zadcat at 6:51 PM - 3 answers

My hot water pot and coffee machine suddenly (over a period of 2 days) simultaneously completely descaled themselves, leaving piles of scale on their bottoms. This despite no use of descaling agents, or any other efforts to do this. I am thinking something must have changed with our tap water to have done this, but can't imagine what this would be. Any thoughts or other possibilities?
posted by dougiedd at 11:10 AM - 9 answers

Househunting in VT. How feasible is adding a 600sq/ft addition (master suite above living room) to an existing 800 sq/ft Cape Cod? Could it be done by the end of the summer for under $100K? [more inside]
posted by billtron at 9:56 AM - 10 answers

I have a TV hanging on the wall, and want to put some things under it - laptop, antenna, etc. My room is very narrow, so I need a narrow table. [more inside]
posted by zavulon at 6:14 PM - 10 answers

Where to buy salt in bulk? [more inside]
posted by sarajane at 12:33 PM - 10 answers

Where is this coffee table and end table from? [more inside]
posted by disillusioned at 11:54 AM - 3 answers

I've moved into a house. It has a lawn, a yard with some trees and bushes, and some rosebushes as well. Problem: I don't know the first thing about gardening/lawn maintenance. Where to begin so I don't murder all my plants? [more inside]
posted by thisperon at 1:55 AM - 14 answers

Homeowner's insurance help needed. My insurance agent says I'll need vacant house insurance, which is triple my current rate. What constitutes "vacant" for these purposes? [more inside]
posted by pappy at 8:30 PM - 10 answers

I have a tiny, weird-shaped studio apartment. Help me figure out the most logical way to add a full-sized bed! And/or help me figure out what to do with an acutely angled corner. [more inside]
posted by Knicke at 6:04 PM - 20 answers

DIY: How can I swap my 1500W/220V in-wall space heater with two safe 220V outlets? I am in the state of Oregon and would prefer to do this myself. [more inside]
posted by roygbv at 3:34 PM - 8 answers

French-press coffee drinkers, what do you do with your spent grounds? [more inside]
posted by RockyChrysler at 7:27 AM - 35 answers

Renting an apartment where a murder occurred, must landlord inform potential tenant? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:51 AM - 26 answers