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household questions
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:41 am
by lady cop
do you have any? perhaps we can answer each others' questions.....i have two. one, my smoke detector is screeching because i have a candle lit! that's a first! i had to disarm it. second, i have 3 very big mag-lights. (torches to you Brits:D )...so i wanted to change out all the batteries. well one of them was totally ruined because the batteries had leaked and solidified acid inside. those lights are expensive!! and i had to throw it away.

i wonder why that happened.
household questions
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:48 am
by guppy
i have a question. why is it , if one thing tears up in the house ,enevitably two more things will shortly.....

household questions
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:50 am
by woppy71
Have you tried vacuuming '/ cleaning the smoke detector? Some times they get so dirty that the sensor gets blocked and the slightest thing sets it off. Please don't disarm it, get a new one if it dosn't work
Ahh, maglites. I have a seven D-cell one and a mini AA one. Strange thing is, they are supposed to be bomb / fire proof but not acid proof. Weird. I think that batteries tend to chemically break down when they get weak, then they start to leak

Have you tried using high capacity re-chargable N-imh batteries (high curent ones) ? They tend to be far, far less prone to leaking (due to different chemical composistion, and they will save you and untold amount of money.

household questions
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:56 am
by lady cop
i haven't tried rechargables. probably a good idea!
household questions
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:08 am
by Carl44
why have i just dried a plate with the oven gloves and the taken a red hot oven dish out of the oven with a tea towel and burnt my fingers:(
i think i'm losing it

household questions
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 11:42 am
by YZGI
jimbo;460035 wrote: why have i just dried a plate with the oven gloves and the taken a red hot oven dish out of the oven with a tea towel and burnt my fingers:(
i think i'm losing it

Because you are a dude. You instinctively want to be incapable in the kitchen. Now go change a tire.

household questions
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:56 pm
by guppy
how do yu get the metal thingy out of a socket when you break the bulb off trying to unscrew it?

household questions
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:59 pm
by Carl44
guppy;460320 wrote: how do yu get the metal thingy out of a socket when you break the bulb off trying to unscrew it?
first unplug it gups fried fish other wise
then use some pliers on the metal bit thats left
got to go got some manly tire changing jobs to do :wah: :wah:
household questions
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:00 pm
by guppy
jimbo;460323 wrote: first unplug it gups fried fish other wise
then use some pliers on the metal bit thats left
got to go got some manly tire changing jobs to do :wah: :wah:
it's a light socket on the wall. .....i thought about the pliers thing, but i didn't want to get fried. :p
household questions
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:10 pm
by weber
guppy;460325 wrote: it's a light socket on the wall. .....i thought about the pliers thing, but i didn't want to get fried. :p
go unplug the thingie that shuts down the power.......thingie being the female word for that little round thingie that screws in the power panel.
Ah, senior moment over........unplug the fuse, fuse, that's it ......fuse
household questions
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:20 pm
by YZGI
Turn it off, Throw the breaker swithch. Take a raw potato , shove it in and unscrew. Comes out with the tater.
household questions
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 2:13 pm
by guppy
tried that. it worked. thanks wise guy.:-6
household questions
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 2:16 pm
by guppy
weber;460339 wrote: go unplug the thingie that shuts down the power.......thingie being the female word for that little round thingie that screws in the power panel.
Ah, senior moment over........unplug the fuse, fuse, that's it ......fuse
thanks , i got it.:-6 i used the tater and crammed it into the socket and screwed it out. meanwhile i had to hold a flashlight so i could see cause it was in the bathroom. i couldn't figureout which breaker to throw so to be safe i threw em all.:p
household questions
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 2:32 pm
by YZGI
guppy;460407 wrote: tried that. it worked. thanks wise guy.:-6
Glad it worked. " Here I come to save the day, Mighty yz is on the way."

household questions
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:53 pm
by Nomad
Ok Im sorry but I must scold you publicly now. If you smoke and light candles you must re-arm your alarms at once. This is non-negotiable. Even if you have to live with the mind numbing peircing shreaking eardrum exploding noise. No one wants a burned up lady cop. Ill wait here while you go put the batteries back in.
This should keep you busy for awhile with your battery question.
Carbon batteries, sometimes called the LeClanche cell. This contains the following major components: a Zn metal can, which is the anode, in the can is a mix of Manganese Dioxide [MnO2], Carbon Black, Ammonium Chloride, and water . Upright in the middle of this mix is the cathode which is a porous Carbon rod, with a metal cap. On the inner surface of the Zn can, the metal is oxidized. Zn = Zn [+2] + 2e [2 electrons] At the carbon cathode, MnO2 + H2O + e = MnO[OH] = OH- When the battery is used, these electrons leave the Zn metal, travel through the external circuit [flashlight bulb and wires for example], and enter the carbon electrode. When the battery is not in use, other reactions can also happen. Zn is an active metal and will slowly react with the water and ammonium chloride. That is, it corrodes to form Zn chloride and/or Zn hydroxide and some hydrogen gas is liberated. If this gas cannot leave the can through the porous carbon cathode, this will generate pressure and the can will swell. When the Zn corrodes it becomes thinner and finally it is perforated. Some of the liquid electrolyte will leak out, adsorb water from the air and the Zn will corrode rapidly. This is a simple explanation of this common problem. If you need more details, find a good book on basic electrochemistry.
household questions
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:04 pm
by lady cop
i knew that. :p ...ok ok smoke detectors armed!
household questions
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:07 pm
by nvalleyvee
lady cop;459963 wrote: do you have any? perhaps we can answer each others' questions.....i have two. one, my smoke detector is screeching because i have a candle lit! that's a first! i had to disarm it. second, i have 3 very big mag-lights. (torches to you Brits:D )...so i wanted to change out all the batteries. well one of them was totally ruined because the batteries had leaked and solidified acid inside. those lights are expensive!! and i had to throw it away.

i wonder why that happened.
When I remodeled the house 3 years ago I was required to hard wire the smoke detectors electrically...........danged expensive............they are all wired into the electrical box now...........just battery back-up. BUT that could still happen...........would it eat the electrical wires? Mine beep at the least little battery low.........what if it didn't?
household questions
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:11 pm
by nvalleyvee
guppy;460320 wrote: how do yu get the metal thingy out of a socket when you break the bulb off trying to unscrew it?
Go to your electrical box and turn off the electricity to it...........test by turning the light off and on............cut a potato in half and shove the cut end into the metal thingy..............unscrew it. Wait for at least 1/2 hour before putting another bulb in there and turing on the electricity.
household questions
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:17 pm
by Nomad
lady cop;460747 wrote: i knew that. :p ...ok ok smoke detectors armed!
Your lying. Youll burn up if you dont. By the way if you do start on fire dont look in the mirror because that would probably just freak you out more.
household questions
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:22 pm
by lady cop
Nomad;460753 wrote: Your lying. Youll burn up if you dont. By the way if you do start on fire dont look in the mirror because that would probably just freak you out more.actually i did re-arm them, i'm a firm believer in the efficacy of smoke alarms. it was very unusual for a candle to set it off though. ...so what about human spontaneous combustion? HUH? :-2 you believe in that?? how do you prevent that o mad scientist?
household questions
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:26 pm
by Nomad
lady cop;460755 wrote: actually i did re-arm them, i'm a firm believer in the efficacy of smoke alrms. it was very unusual for a candle to set it off though. ...so what about human spontaneous combustion? HUH? :-2 you believe in that?? how do you prevent that oh mad scientist?
It cant be stopped or controlled. Its just something we all need to learn to live with. I carry an extinguisher on my belt at all times.
household questions
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:54 pm
by lady cop
Magenta flame;460765 wrote: wow that's actually funny.
recently I've pulled up vinyl tiles in the kitchen and I can't seem to get the sticky stuff off the floor. I've used domestic cleaners and turps etc, but still it's sticky. which is a bit of a bugger when I'm wearing socks.
Can anybody suggest something?would a home supply store, like the home depots we have here, help?
household questions
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:31 pm
by Mystery
Magenta flame;460776 wrote: Yeah ..and all they could say is," have you tried turps?" :-5
I'm not sure what turps is, so I'm hoping it's not the same as my suggestion

Have you tried paint thinner/acetone?
household questions
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:50 pm
by lady cop
i suspect it's turpentine... i just thought perhaps a home supply specialist would have an answer.
household questions
Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 12:56 am
by woppy71
YZGI;460354 wrote: Turn it off, Throw the breaker swithch. Take a raw potato , shove it in and unscrew. Comes out with the tater.
Now that is bloody impressive!!

household questions
Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:18 am
by Bill Sikes
lady cop;459963 wrote: i have 3 very big mag-lights. (torches to you Brits:D )...so i wanted to change out all the batteries. well one of them was totally ruined because the batteries had leaked and solidified acid inside. those lights are expensive!! and i had to throw it away.

i wonder why that happened.
Probably one duff or old cell in with the others. The stuff in torch batteries is
alkaline. Sometimes it helps to try and wash them out with very hot water (or
soak 'em) with a dash of vinegar.
household questions
Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:20 am
by Bill Sikes
guppy;460320 wrote: how do yu get the metal thingy out of a socket when you break the bulb off trying to unscrew it?
Push it in before you start screwing. Use electrical pliers. Swap to bayonet fittings
rather than the dreadful "Edison Screw", which are very prone to this problem.
household questions
Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:22 am
by Bill Sikes
lady cop;459988 wrote: i haven't tried rechargables. probably a good idea!
They are Good For The Earth. However, they have a voltage of 1.2V compared to
"normal" ones which are 1.5V. You can get torches that take sealed lead-acid
batteries, which are very good.
household questions
Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:26 am
by Bill Sikes
lady cop;460755 wrote: [B what about human spontaneous combustion?
Someone did an experiment with a pig carcass. It's not "spontaneous".
household questions
Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:31 am
by Bill Sikes
Magenta flame;460765 wrote: recently I've pulled up vinyl tiles in the kitchen and I can't seem to get the sticky stuff off the floor. I've used domestic cleaners and turps etc, but still it's sticky. which is a bit of a bugger when I'm wearing socks.
Can anybody suggest something?
Use a scraper (possibly heat too) if you really need to get the stuff off. Using
solvents invites disaster. If you're covering the stuff up again, you probably
don't need to get it off.
household questions
Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:33 am
by Bill Sikes
Mystery;460789 wrote: I'm not sure what turps is, so I'm hoping it's not the same as my suggestion

Have you tried paint thinner/acetone?
Turps=turpentine=solvent distilled from trees. Turps. substitute="white spirit",
a petroleum distillate. Paint thinner/acetone is even more likely to blow you up
when used like this.
household questions
Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:55 am
by YZGI
woppy71;460888 wrote: Now that is bloody impressive!!
Thanks Wop. Read or heard it a long time ago and have used it a few times . It does work pretty well.

household questions
Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:19 pm
by Nomad
Magenta flame;462884 wrote: thanks guys for the advice sorry I tend to use slang too often, Yes I meant turpintine:o I'll use some paint thinner and see how it goes.
thanks again
Be careful with that stuff ! Whats underneath it ? In my opinion you will never get it completely off. If its wood underneath sand it and recoat it with laquer. If its just more vinyl you should recover it. Do I have to come over there ?
household questions
Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:23 pm
by guppy
Did yall know that a bar of dial soap rubbed on stains will get them out of clothes. someone showed me this trick recently. beats all those stain removing products anyday.

just dampen the soap and rub it on the stain before you wash it. wah lah. stain gone.
household questions
Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:51 pm
by lady cop
i hate to spam...but there are a few things that i've tried that really are excellent. and i'm not some domestic diva, i just like CLEAN! clorox makes a bleach pen than is very effective on stains on white items. (saved more than one of my son's shirts)...the swiffer duster is great, it really grabs the dust rather than just move it around. it's the best thing for ceiling fans, which attract dirt like a magnet. and mr.clean magic erasers are amazing! stains i despaired of are GONE!
household questions
Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 7:24 pm
by lady cop
where do cobwebs come from?
household questions
Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 7:26 pm
by valerie
lady cop;468332 wrote: where do cobwebs come from?
Why, they come from cobs, obviously!
:yh_giggle :yh_dance
household questions
Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 7:27 pm
by lady cop
valerie;468335 wrote: Why, they come from cobs, obviously!
:yh_giggle :yh_dancewhy the heck didn't i think of that? :rolleyes:
household questions
Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 7:29 pm
by CARLA
Why are they called "Cobwebs" is there a creature called a cob that makes a web. ??? Nomie needs to research this pronto..:p
[QUOTE]Quote:
Originally Posted by lady cop
where do cobwebs come from?
Why, they come from cobs, obviously![/QUOTE]
household questions
Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 7:32 pm
by valerie
I was just yankin' at LC's extremity.
She loves it when I do that. Seriously.
Here's a link:
http://www.takeourword.com/TOW116/page2.html
;)
household questions
Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 8:32 pm
by guppy
I have a question. the lightbulbs went out in my laundry room i thought. replaced em. still doesn't work. no breaker throwed. .....any ideas or do i replace the whole light fixture???????

household questions
Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 8:28 pm
by Nomad
lady cop;468332 wrote: where do cobwebs come from?
Snakes.
Snakes and other things that crawl and slither.
While you sleep.
Always while you sleep.
household questions
Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 10:31 pm
by CARLA
Might be the best idea, and check the wiring as well.
[QUOTE]I have a question. the lightbulbs went out in my laundry room i thought. replaced em. still doesn't work. no breaker throwed. .....any ideas or do i replace the whole light fixture???????[/QUOTE]
household questions
Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 11:31 pm
by guppy
CARLA;469183 wrote: Might be the best idea, and check the wiring as well.
thanks carla, checking the wiring is out of my league. i will call an electrician monday.

household questions
Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2006 3:07 am
by lady cop
does the holiday season do this to you? i have things piled up that i would NEVER let go normally, the vacuuming, the dishes which i always do instantly, my guns are on the kitchen counter with a gun-cleaning kit, nearly frozen from lack of oil and cleaning, and all the bedding needs washing! and i still haven't done my Christmas cards! this is not like me! (i did, however, write in all my dates for 2007 in a new calendar, i guess that's some progress.:rolleyes: )
household questions
Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 4:24 pm
by lady cop
a cosmic question....why does your porchlight ALWAYS burn out in the pitch black dark and you can't see to change it??? :-5 ...then again, maybe we are meant to check them in the daytime:-6 *sigh*.