Home and Garden

Ground-fault circuit interrupters are usually found in the kitchen, baths, garage and outdoors. A new GFCI will cost less than $20 and take about 30 minutes to install.

Q: I have a bathtub/shower combination, and when I pull the knob on top of the spout to start the shower, only a little water comes out of the showerhead while most of it comes out of the tub spout. Do I have a clog in the pipe or is this a water pressure problem?

Bi-fold doors are good because they don’t take up as much space as swinging doors but, boy, can they be temperamental. They are hinged in the middle to allow them to fold open rather than swing open.

Before deciding whether to repair the fence or replace it, test its strength. If most of the framework feels solid, I would repair it. If most of the posts are falling down, it’s probably best to rebuild.

When installing a grab bar, make sure it is solidly anchored to the wall. The wall framing will dictate where the grab bar will be placed.

Homeowners often neglect to repair cracked or missing tile grout and to replace the old caulking. Grout will crack and chip out creating a void where water can enter.

Because there is no trenching involved, setup should take only a few hours with a starting cost from about $200 for an average-sized yard.

Q: I have a cheap range hood that is permanently stained and, as a bonus, it stinks. I want to replace it with a microwave oven/range hood combination, but I don’t see any ductwork in the cabinet above the hood. Do I need to change the cabinetry?

Take the frame of the garage door window to a home center or glass shop and have them cut a piece of glass to fit inside. The cost should be less than $25.

Q: I have a problem with my garage door opener. When I push the button, it goes up with no problem. However, when I push the button for the door to go down, it comes down about a foot and then goes back up. If I hold the button down though, the door will close. I hope this won’t be an expensive repair.