BTW: thanks for making me feel knowledgable! I feel like the years of watching dad swear at, I mean, work on the plumbing weren't a waste after all!

And you know what? I've got to figure out how to say everything at once, so I don't have to go back and edit my posts!

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Originally posted by Dewgirl:
We've got overhead registers (the kind that are just a hole in the wall with a grate over the front)

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Is this still the same house as the one I saw? If it is, then I think you're screwed unless you buy a humidifier. Sorry dew.

I was afraid of that

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Originally posted by squirrel:
Nieci, by refill valve I meant that thing at the top where the water actually comes in. The flush valve should be just lying there, on top of the hole where the water goes out of the tank into the bowl. But if the flush valve isn't preventing water from going into the bowl when it's closed, that could be why your tank isn't filling up. Is the float going down to the bottom when your tank is empty? Because if not, then the refill thing would think that the tank is already full and not put any water in.

BTW: thanks for making me feel knowledgable! I feel like the years of watching dad swear at, I mean, work on the plumbing weren't a waste after all!

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Thank YOU for helping me through this! I'm totally at a loss when it comes to fixing things!

I'm pretty sure it's the refill valve. The flush valve seems to be working fine - I think...I'm guessing that since it flushes when I pour water into the tank, it's doing it's job correctly. I'm going to have a friend come up and confirm it before I head over to the hardware store and buy a new one.

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Originally posted by Dewgirl:

(can a house be re-decorated if it was never decorated in the first place?)

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Oh sure. Just say you're moving away from your previous, minimalist style.

I'd told him how much research I'd done and that I thought I finally had it figured out. He walked in and within two seconds fixed the problem. One of my employees turned the freaking WATER off. I'd checked it, but thought it was definitely ON.

So, now I feel like a complete tard, and naturally the ex had to get a little dig in there about what a great job I did researching how to fix it.

ETA: Thanks guys, for all of your help. At least now I know how toilets work and how to fix it if one actually DOES break!

ETA: (gloating) Did I call it about Nieci's toilet or WHAT?!

I'm not really sure how they're attached exactly. They're hanging on a painted plaster type/ drywall wall. I plan on painting, so if the finish is ruined, I don't mind, but I don't want a giant hole in the wall.

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Originally posted by MissMel:
If that's what it takes....

I'm not really sure how they're attached exactly. They're hanging on a painted plaster type/ drywall wall. I plan on painting, so if the finish is ruined, I don't mind, but I don't want a giant hole in the wall.

They have a caulking seam all around the edge. I'm afraid that they might have been, like, superglued to the wall or something. I've never seen them before except in hotels and dorm rooms.

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I would try to have the people at a place like Home Despot (whoever came up with that in another thread, i love it!) cut it for you. Go at a time when they are not busy, don't bring any guys with you (seriously, that helps), and explain that you can't fit a huge sheet in your car. I know they cut wood for you to size if you ask nicely. It never hurts to ask!

Cutting sheetrock can be VERY messy. If you have to do it at home, try to do it outside and wear a mask and goggles.

ETA - $5, not $15. I asked my sheetrock expert

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Originally posted by ziola:
How about something like this? If I remember correctly, you just attach it to the wall and the front part tips open to reveal your shoes. It's about 7" deep, so wouldn't take up too much room.

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ARG! I really like the look of this thing, but wouldn't you know it, they only sell it in orange and olive green in the States. Ridiculous!

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Originally posted by attentionmonster:
What's the difference between a laminate and a veneer finish on furniture? I've always thought they were the same thing, but apparently I'm wrong.

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Kind of. A laminate is a plastic-type product that is thin, and is attached to a substrate, like particle board or plywood. It is basically a photograph of something else that you glue to wood. Your average kithcen or bath countertop is laminate. Sometimes cabinets have a laminate finish (usually white or ivory).

A veneer is usually a paper thin slice of actual wood that you attach the same way as you would laminate. The term veneer can also be used to describe what you've done: "I veneered that table top to look like a solid piece of oak." Sometimes you'll see furniture advertised as veneered, which means they used a less expensive piece of wood to build it, then put the fancy stuff on top. Most basic wood cabinets are veneered, too.

You wouldn't say: "I laminated that countertop to look like a piece of granite." It'd be: "I put granite laminate on that countertop."

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Originally posted by Nessa:
Good point...any reccomendations on what to fill with?

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Do you have another vaccuum cleaner, or even a moderately powerful hair dryer?

Edit: OR... can you put the hose of the vaccuum cleaner up against a flat surface (such as a wall, a smooth floor, a table, etc.) and run it? If you can make a seal on the end of the hose, the clog should dislodge itself. That sounds easier.

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Originally posted by PB&J:
I have a central vac and it appears that the hose is clogged--does anyone know how to locate/clear a clog that is in an incredibly long hose?

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at the store i used to work at, we had a stem of fake flowers (with the flowers removed) that we used to unclog the vacuum. it was about 3 feet long, and worked pretty well.