Oct. 28--Q In April of 2008, I bought a commercial-style faucet for my customer from Home Depot.

The customer had trouble with it not working correctly from the beginning. I tried as best I could to repair it.

Finally in June 2009, I called Home Depot in Atlanta and explained the problem. I was told that another part would be shipped out to me right away. It wasn't.

I called Home Depot-Atlanta again and got yet another person who said she would send e-mails to previous contacts.

I said, I have a great idea, I'll contact my newspaper and see if they can light a fire.

Tim Traviolia

San Jose

A Your report back: "Well, looks like just the threat of media coverage solves problems.

"Received a call this morning and they are sending a new, better, lighter model faucet head to me. Thank you."

You're welcome, Tim, but you did this yourself.

Q Hello, I live in Palo Alto, and have a privit tree near our mutual fence with a neighbor. On my side is our wooden deck.

The trunk, at this point, is beginning to lift the deck, and will eventually cause substantial damage.

The trunk cannot be cut as a tree specialist told us this would damage and eventually kill the tree.

The neighbors are unapproachable -- we have tried several

times.

We want the tree removed.

Jim

Palo Alto

A Once someone else's property is damaging yours, that someone can be and should be held liable for the damage. Common sense.

Your neighbors may be "unapproachable," but you probably know their address.

Send them a polite letter explaining the problem. If you hear nothing in say, 30 days, send another letter with photos, maybe even an estimate for repair. Politely mention a lawsuit. Be prepared to follow through.

Here is how to reach Action Line:

--Mail: San Jose Mercury News, 750 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, CA 95190

--E-mail: actionline@mercurynews.com

--Fax: 408-288-8060; phone: 408-920-5796; follow me on twitter at twitter.com/action_line

--Please include full name, address and phone number.

--Because of the volume, I cannot respond to all requests.

-----

To see more of the San Jose Mercury News, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.mercurynews.com.

Copyright (c) 2009, San Jose Mercury News, Calif.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

NYSE:HD,

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.