Primary Fermentation Plastic Bucket Lid

There are a couple of small things that you can try to fix it but it would be best to buy a new bucket with a proper seal from a home brew store.One fix could be to wrap the bucket lid in electrical tape to seal it better. I have a friend who has the same issue as you and he does this which works. Another thing depending on the lid is you could try to put some vasoline gel in the rim of the lid to help block any gaps but you may end up having to use a lot depending on how bad the leak is.Another thing to check is if the airlock has a proper seal. You could also vasoline that.In regards to this being a problem if your brew is fermenting then there will be CO2 escaping from the bucket from the leak in the seal, which will mean that infection wont be able to find its way inside the bucket with the pressure of the CO2. When the fermentation stops then there will be no CO2 escaping meaning that infections can find their way into the bucket.A way to find out when the brew has stopped fermenting would be to take hydrometer readings and compare them to what the brew company says it should be at the end of fermentation

1. Why do people put that plastic bucket/ Rubbermaid/ container in the sink what is the reason for it, some even?

I saw that this is quite common when I live in the UK and asked the same question. I believe it came about to conserve water but it also protects the finish on your sink. My Gran used to empty the dirty washing up water onto her roses to water them and deter bugs.

2. Where in Los Angeles could I buy a PLASTIC BUCKET?

WHAT!!!, you are kidding are not you? There's no plastic buckets in Los Angeles? But seriously, like your other answers you should be able to find one at a Home Depot, Lowes, Sam's Club, Costco and even K-mart , Walmart or any hard ware store

3. Is there a tool I can use to make 1 7/8" holes into a plastic bucket lid?

1 7/8 ths forstner bit... edit...whatever you use , you would have better luck and nicer holes if you drilled the lids under a drill press...are they off the buckets when you drill them?

4. where can I buy clear / plastic bucket seat covers?

Try J.C.Whitney, or Some auto upholstery shops can make them. They have that stuff in stock

5. Will I be able to find plaster gauze at Target/Walmart?

not usually. Look at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, any art supply store (around $5-6 for a package, enough for a mask) , or look online at Dick Blick or Cheap Joe's Art Supply. Call it plaster bandage also. If you live in small town and absolutely do not have time to get it online, you can get it from medical supply or drugstore, or ask pharmacy at Walmart if they carry it. It will be more expensive as a medical supply than as an art supply. If you can not find it or can not afford it, make your own. Use rolls of the cheapest wide medical gauze available at Walmart, and dip pieces about 5-6 inches long (cut all your pieces in advance) in a bowl of prepared plaster of paris, one at a time and apply to the art project. Make up your plaster in small batches so it does not harden on you too fast and waste your plaster and gauze. Use a disposable and flexible plastic tub to make up your plaster - like a 1 lb. margarine or cool whip tub. That way, to keep reusing the tub, just scrape up all the wet plaster and use it before it gets hard, even if it is getting thick, and you can either rinse it out in a bucket of water and reuse the tub, or wait a couple minutes and the residue will dry enough to crack and fall out. NEVER ever rinse out your plaster mixing utensils or your hands in your sink - it will clog the drain. Wash off outside under the outdoor faucet, or wash your things and hands in a bucket of water. Let the water sit until the plaster sinks to bottom. carefully pour out top water, then clean out the bucket with paper towels or let plaster harden in plastic bucket then break it up by squashing bucket slightly till plaster cracks and falls out - put the broken up plaster pieces in garbage bin.