Archive for January, 2010

If a landlord refuses to fix a sewerage problem, can I withhold rent? I cannot flush toilet, shower or dishes.

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

Joyce S asked:


I rent a small, one bedroom cabin for $600 a month. I cannot flush the toilet, drain the sink or shower because everything backs up into the shower stall. I discovered the sewer line is draining on top of the ground (landlord has tried to cover this up with soil and leaves). It smells and I don’t feel he is entitled to rent money until he fixes the problem. I have reported him to the town but no action has taken place. Most of the time I stay elsewhere or shower at a friends. If the problem gets fixed, do I owe him all of the back rent?

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Posted in Renting & Real Estate | 24 Comments »

House is SINKING?

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

The Joker asked:


PLEASE give detailed answers….

My dad bought a house in Florida and half of it is sinking. There’s a few cracks in the walls and part of the floor isn’t leveled. What can be done to the bottom so it can remain stable?

My physics teacher said that since it’s in Florida, the bottom of the soil could be forming a cave due to the dryness of water underneath.

What should my dad do? He’s willing to fix it himself since he knows how to work with this stuff, but he’s a bit worried about this and wouldn’t want to make a mistake.
my dad bought it just last year and I don’t think anyone inspected it.
and the house is barely about 30 yrs old.

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Posted in Maintenance & Repairs | 5 Comments »

Do I need to pack down soil before and/or after I plant grass seed?

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

mmiata23 asked:


Please read the following before answering, thank you.

I have planted grass before, and I know there’s certain steps to take to plant grass. I only need help in a few spots.

I got a delivery of fertalized soil and I put the soil in the area that I’m planting grass. The area is about 20′ by 15′.

The soil has about an inch + of layer. I raked the soil to make sure it’s nice and level. Now this is where I get confused…

Do I need to pack down the soil, meaning, right now the soil is lose enough where you step on it you sink very little. If I do need to pack the soil please tell me how to I only have basic tools to work with.

Next I know the soil has to be lose to mix grass seed in with then rake it so the seeds fall into the soil a little bit, but do I need to pack down the soil after the seeds are planted? Or is the soil supposed to be lose.

Thank you to those who answer. Please provide any websites if you can, thank you.

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Posted in Garden & Landscape | 2 Comments »

how long does it take for fecal matter to contaminate soil?

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

xxxlord101 asked:


i might be in a lil trouble with the department of public health anyways im wondering if i could take a back hoe dig up the soil and replace it with ok soil because there gonna take ground samples to see if its contaminated soil but how long does it take for fecal matter to sink into the ground in small amounts that is not very big amounts very small amounts of fecal matter cause we live right on the underground river for are county and i do want to get rid of the soil so it don’t do anything to the water but i would rather do it my self instead of paying 1000$’s in fines so if you know anything about it please tell me

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Posted in Other - Health | 2 Comments »

I have a home on cinder blocks with a cement base. The base has sunk on one side. How can I repair it?

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

Mud rat asked:


The contractor poured a base then set cinder blocks on it. This part of the house is three feet off the ground. The highest elevation of the house. The area had a long dry spell and I noticed the problem in July. The soil under the house is red dirt and gravel.
Can this be repaired by one person?

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Posted in Maintenance & Repairs | 1 Comment »