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Herndon

If the problem has been there since your townhouse was built, your cold-water pipe is probably running next to a hot-water pipe at some point. If it's a recent change, your neighbor might have installed a hot-water recirculating pump that's causing heat to transfer.

Either way, pipe insulation could solve the problem. This insulation comes in flexible tubes that look like the snake-type pool toys that kids love. The tubes have a slit along the side so they slip over the pipe. However, getting to the pipes is the big issue. If they are accessible in the attic or basement, you're in luck. If they are hidden behind walls, there may be no easy fix.

If your townhouse is relatively new, you might start by calling the builder.

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Your [March 29] article on matching paint colors was generally good. Here's an addition: My paint store suggested removing the cover plate from an out-of-the-way receptacle and breaking off a small paint chip (where the spot will be covered by the plate). Bring the chip to a store that has a machine to "read" it and determine a formula.

Williamsburg

Great idea. Some machines can read samples as small as a quarter.

Need help? Is there something in your house or apartment that's clogged, cracked, broken or bedeviling? We'd like to help. Send your questions to Jeanne Huber at home@washpost.com.

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