Erin's Home and Other Issues and Questions...

[2boysandtoys]

My brake light came on in my car this morning.  I thought at first that perhaps my emergency break may have been activated accidentally.  However, I've been raising it up/down - and the light stays on.  It's a Mitsubishi - and this is going to sound real stupid....but - is it telling me I need a break job? 

2nd issue - I am regrouting and recaulking my 2nd of 3 tile showers in my home.  This one has obviously had caulk on top of caulk.  Long story short, I've been digging at the old caulk in the corners for what seems like a lifetime.  There is some that is 'hard' - as in not latex.  I've been chipping away at it - per forum posts on home improvement.  However, I have tons of chunks that have fallen inward vs. outward.  Does anyone know if I can leave those or if I need to keep digging?  I will never do 'this' again - it will be hired done the next time!!! 

TIA all - gotta pick up boys from school but will be back!!

[chiquita]

Erin maybe this article will help regarding the caulking. I know nothing about vehicles 

http://www.naturalhandyma...m/iip/infxtra/infcau.html

[The Tavern Wench]

My brake light came on in my car this morning.  I thought at first that perhaps my emergency break may have been activated accidentally.  However, I've been raising it up/down - and the light stays on.  It's a Mitsubishi - and this is going to sound real stupid....but - is it telling me I need a break job? 

Typically that means one of two things...you need to add brake fluid in the master cylinder or it's time for you to have your brake pads changed. 

HTH 

FYI:  The master cylinder is usually a grey/silver, rectangular shaped 'box' under the hood of your car.      

[2boysandtoys]

Thanks 4 the speedy responses!  I'll check out the link for the caulking 'chaos'! 

OK - now...the whole brake light thing is baffling me.  When I got back into the car to go get the boys, it wasn't on any more....

Of course, I have another car - we each have 2 (don't even ask why....) - but did I think to put my purse, etc. into the other and use it?  No........

I have to run to/from baseball practice (my boy) and pick up the other from work - so all close trips.  Of course, I could also switch cars....that's a pain - I really don't wanna move my 'stuff' from car A to car B....I guess - I'm too lazy and it's cold outside....

I will leave the car issue to my hubbie!  Of course, repairing my car will be secondary to improving his golf game....but - that's a different issue!! 

[kevinatgrannys]

Hi Erin...
Check the brake fluid in the car.  Usually that is what it is.  If it need additional fluid, it might also be time to have someone check the breaks. 

As to the caulk insanity...yes, you can caulk over the stuff that has fallen to the back so long as it is completely out of the way.  (Years and years of experience as a maintenance man in apartments.)

[2boysandtoys]

Hi Erin...
Check the brake fluid in the car.  Usually that is what it is.  If it need additional fluid, it might also be time to have someone check the breaks. 

As to the caulk insanity...yes, you can caulk over the stuff that has fallen to the back so long as it is completely out of the way.  (Years and years of experience as a maintenance man in apartments.)

Kevin - you're a peach!  Thank you....I've never done any of this, but decided I needed to learn (I do not know why I made this decision, I preferred my home improvement ignorance, to be perfectly honest).  I thought so, and all that I read suggested 'remove as much caulk as you can....' - so ---- being Anal Annie ---- I was trying to remove ALL....

Tomorrow - clean up really well to prepare for grouting!   :bye7: :bye7:

I'm just going to have my hubbie deal with my car.  Might my brake fluid be leaking?  or does it just go low?  I refuse to get 'too smart' about cars - cuz then I'll own that too!! 

[kevinatgrannys]

As your break pads wear down the fluid level gets lower.  OR if you have a leak it gets lower. (Really not a good thing to have leaky break lines...) There is one more reason but unless your cars is over 25 years old, and has never had any fluid added, you really don't need to worry about it.

Have fun doing the grout!  I use to have a blast at that point because you get to make a BIG MESS...then you have to clean it up but heck...you get to make the mess...    :beers1:

[QUILT]

Just my 2 cents...watch yourself with the grout.  It is much more toxic than people realize.  Wear gloves if possible and keep wet rags around in case it gets in your eyes.  Also be sure to wear protective eyewear.

[2boysandtoys]

This is my Galant, and it's a 2003 (I think)....I buy what I want and drive them until I die!  It's going to son # 1 if he ever acts responsible enough to drive.  Actually, this car may die before he 'gets there'....

I do enjoy the grouting part.  And the caulking!  It's the removal that's such a pain.  My hands are torn to shreds as we've got a very strange corner in this shower.  If I had built this home - I would NOT have put it in.  Needless to say, I keep banging my knuckles every scrape ... 

Quilt - you raise a great point with the grout.  Not just that, but all the various chemicals involved in this entire process.  I was using an acid today to work on getting off some grout that had been stuck to the tiles (on top of them) and proceeded to later 'sit' on my rag.  It took about 10 mins. for my 'cheek' to be on fire and very agitated.  I had to stop, go take a shower, and flush for a bit... :rollieyes:

I will say tho - my first shower, which is mine looks super cool!  All looks brand clean, spanking shiny and 'rocking'....Even the doors we discussed in another forum - putting them back deflecting the 'spots'. 

Now...the bad news - each of these stupid bathrooms has a separate bath tub.  And - you guessed it.  There is massive tile that goes all around the tub and connects the wall between the shower and the tub.  Needless to say - all the outside tile will be a 2008 project.   

By the time I get done with all this, I should be an expert!!!  Just in time to never do it again....

[QUILT]

You will LOVE it when you are finished.  Where are the boys by the way.......playing Ninetendo?

[2boysandtoys]

One is at baseball practice (indoor - starts now thru August) and the other I just picked up from work....

One at a time - they're 'good' - the 2 together can put me over the edge!!!! 

[QUILT]

My sister has 3.  I get calls all the time.   It's just all part of the big picture.  Thank God!

[2boysandtoys]

  :blink1:Amen to that girl....

Now...they're both here - and I'm suggesting it's bed time....

[2boysandtoys]

OK......I am not a happy camper!!!  Well - I'm as unhappy as I get - which is 'NOT'...

The darn brake light is back on.  So - off to the car repair we go.  This means I have to 'move' out of one car and into another.

We need to do a top 10 on what's in Erin's car....actually a top 50....

So - if I disappear for 1/2 a day, you'll know I'm cleaning out the car.... :rollieyes:

[kevinatgrannys]

And there goes Erin...never to be seen again...lost in the cars...transferring stuff for the rest of eternity... :bye7: