Answers
to Your Questions
MORE
TO BE ADDED ALMOST EVERY DAY!
Q:
How
is the best (easiest) way to remove a tree stump in the middle of the front
yard? Clif, Austin, TX.
A: Most tree people have
a machine called a "stump grinder" that does just that. In a matter
of minutes, the stump can become fine wood chips that act as mulch. There
are also chemical products that claim to hasten the rotting process. An
old do-it-yourself remedy is to cut the stump as close to the ground as
possible. Then take a long, large drill bit and drill as many holes as possible.
Soak the stump with water and cover with several inches of dirt. This process
takes a long, long time but the stump will decay.
Q:
On
your radio show, you recently mentioned a new steel wool that was not made
of metal. Is it for real? David, Okla City, OK
A: Yes. I've used it
and like it. One big plus is that there are no steel splinters. However,
I know some old time woodworkers who will only use the real thing.
Q:
How
good is the sprayed in foam insulation? Babs, Dallas, TX
A: It's great because
it has a high R-value and because it gets into every nook and cranny and
expands to fill all the gaps. The disadvantage is that it has to be installed
in walls and other places during the building process.
Q:
What
can be done to tighten the seats on wicker chairs? Maria, Dallas, TX
A: Mix up a solution
of equal parts of white vinegar and water. Dampen the seats with this an
place the chair in direct sunlight. This should cause the wicker to shrink
and thus tighten the seats. You may need to retreat from time to time .
. .or maybe gets some of your family and friends to lose weight.
Q:
Our
tile shower has a leaking shower pan. The plumber can remove the tiles and
replace the pan but he can't retile to shower. He says many of the tiles
will be broken. There is little likelihood that we can find an exact match
as replacement tiles. Plus the cost of all this is like the national debt.
Is there any other way? Wally, Frisco, TX
A: If
you can seal the tile floor and other places where water could get in, the
ruined pan would be taken out of the game. There is a process called Megaseal
that does just that without removing any tiles. Since you're in the Greater
Dallas/Ft. Worth area, you're lucky because there is a Megaseal installer
in Arlington at 817 480-7773. If you have the problem but live elsewhere,
e-mail us and we'll see if there is help in your area.
Q:
Vinyl
floor tiles are a pretty easy DIY project. How about those big sheets of
flooring?
A: They
can be easy, too. Armstrong has a kit with which you tape many sheets together
to make a perfect pattern to making cutting the flooring with foolproof
results.
Q:
We're
going to remodel. Should I get a building permit or should the contractor?
A: Either
way. Often the contractor will know what permit is needed if any and can
maybe cut through the red tape for a quicker permit.
Q: I have a slate tabletop
that has a stain on it. I set a plant down on it and it left a white ring
where the pot was. I can't get rid of the stain. What would you all recommend?---W.S.
A: The stain is probably
due to mineral deposits in the water leaking through the pot. Try rubbing
with a little warm vinegar on a rag and see if that works. If not, we've
seen scratches taken from slate floors with a powdered abrasive. We've also
seen spots hidden by a very thin coating of pure oil furniture polish. Wipe
it on and the remove all the excess. This treatment gives slate a new shine,
too.
Q: I found out the hard
way that drilling into glass wasn't easy. I knew it might break so I practiced
first. Sure enough it did. Before I attempt the real table top, how would
you recommend I do this?---L.V.
A:
You
will need to use a carbide tipped bit. You will also need lubrication. We
have found a great way to add a little water for lubrication and keep it
in place by building a little dam around the area with kids' clay dough.
Fill the dam with a few drops of water and start out at a slow drill speed.
It takes time but you should get good results. Practice first.
Q: Our home has aluminum
window frames. I would like to paint them. What type of paint should I use
and what prep work is needed?---K.G.
A: Usually,
you'll need to scuff sand the surface as aluminum is shiny and doesn't give
the paint much to hold onto. You don't state whether you are going to paint
inside or out so tell your paint dealer so he can show you the best type
of paint for the job.
Q: I have always covered
my turbine vents for the winter but I asked my neighbor to help me this
year and he said it's a bad idea. Is he just putting me off or should I
really not do it?---L.W.
A: In most cases, the
attic needs ventilation in the winter as much or more than in the summer.
The reason is that as humidity collects in the attic and when rafters and
other parts get cold, the condensation will form on these cold surfaces.
This moisture can cause damage to wood, metal, insulation in the attic and
even stain the ceilings in the house below. So it's best to leave the vents
to do their job. |