QUESTION: Our outside garage lights seem to burn out one at a time. Then, before we can get a bulb changed, it will come back on and burn for two or three days more, then seem to be burned out again.The lights always seem to burn out within two days of each other. This is a weird thing. Is this indicative of an electrical problem?ANSWER: That's a safe bet. If this had happened only once, I'd have said the bulb was probably faulty. But, given the repeated experiences, I think you'll have to bring in a licensed electrician to look into it. Some sort of moisture issues may be involved here, but I wouldn't fool with it.

QUESTION: I am refacing my kitchen cabinets and replacing my countertops. My kitchen is 28 years old, so at that time the Formica that was used as the countertop was also placed on the wall as a backsplash between the upper cabinets and lower cabinets. I really like it because it is easy to clean, but the company that is installing my new countertop will not replicate what I have. It says it isn't done that way anymore.My new Formica countertop will have a 4-inch backsplash, but not all the way up to the bottom of the upper cabinets. What can I do with the rest of the backsplash area? I don't want to tear the old Formica off because I am afraid of damaging the drywall behind it. Can I wallpaper over the Formica, or tile over it? Does it have to be scored or sanded to pre-treat?ANSWER: I'm not clear on what the countertop installer is saying it cannot do. Your present kitchen has Formica countertops with a backsplash running from the countertop up the wall to the upper cabinets. The company says that it isn't done that way anymore? I looked at my backsplash, which is slate, and it runs from the granite countertop to the upper cabinets. I was at a house the other day that had Formica countertops and a Formica backsplash that went from the countertop to the upper cabinets. And I looked in some shelter magazines and saw the same thing.When the company says, "It isn't done anymore," does that mean the company just doesn't want to do it and is making an excuse?Maybe you should find someone who will work for you rather than against you.

QUESTION: We are remodeling our cottage. We have a huge room with plenty of windows 50 feet from a lake. I'd like to make it my yoga/reading/scrapbooking room.My husband insists on painting every wall in the whole place (2,500 square feet) white or beige. I feel that we need a little color, especially in our beautiful upstairs room. Do you have any advice?ANSWER: This is one of those "Dear Abby," family-issue questions I get periodically. Let's see: It's your room. You should have it your way. Tell hubby to wake up and smell the coffee. He knows where the pot is.

QUESTION: I have a gas hot-water heater that makes popping noises when it starts up. A friend says the noise means the heater is about to fail. Is that true?ANSWER: For this question, I called both a plumber and a representative for a major hot-water heater manufacturer. They agreed that heating of water causes calcium carbonate to precipitate out and settle to the bottom of the tank. Steam bubbles form under the sediment when the burners come on, causing popping and other noises. Regular flushing helps prevent sediment buildup.If you're worried, call a plumber or the manufacturer of the heater to check on it.

By MCT News Service