Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Sorted by date Results 1 - 22 of 22
Fixing a Broken Windowpane Q: I was putting away my ladder after hanging up lights when it slipped and fell against the front window. One of the panes cracked all the way up. It’s an older window, and I don’t think I’ll be able to get a repair service in this late in the holiday season. How can I fix it? — A Reader, via email A: Believe it or not, the newer, double-paned windows can take longer to fix than older ones. So, you’re in luck. Because you have an older, single-pane window with multiple panes, replacing a single pane can be pretty ea... Full story
‘Dry Basement’ Springs a Leak Q: Our basement was outfitted as a “dry basement” several years ago and then finished to become additional living space, which we use as a rec room and for storage. I’ve noticed a musty smell for some time, and after heavy rains last week I saw water pooling near a corner of the basement. However, I can’t find the source of the leak. What can I do? — Tara in St. Louis A: It sounds like there is a leak somewhere in the foundation. You’re right to be looking at that one corner as the most likely source of the water l...
THIS IS A HAMMER Don’t Wait Until Fall to Get Chimney Cleaned Q: I told my neighbor I was thinking of hiring a fireplace cleaner — a chimney sweep, I guess — this month, and he said I was crazy to schedule one at this time of year because they’ll charge me an arm and a leg. He said I should wait until fall when they’re busier. What do you think? — Janice C., Syracuse, N.Y. A: I think you should go ahead and schedule the fireplace cleaning. Worrying about the possibility that the cleaning company will charge you more than usual is silly when...
Plan Now for Emergencies Q: I wanted to write and remind your readers to have a plan in place in case of natural disasters. I live in a hurricane-prone area, so I keep what I call a “hurricane kit” ready at all times. It’s stocked with first-aid supplies, food, water and other items that I can grab and throw into the car in case my family needs to evacuate. I also know the location of important papers so I can grab those, too. And I reserved a corner of my garage to store post-hurricane supplies like tarps, a generator and basic tools. I learn... Full story
Mold Is Hazardous to Home and Health Q: For a few months now, I’ve noticed a mildewy odor in the downstairs bathroom. I keep the bathroom clean, and I even pour a cup of vinegar down the drains once a month, but the odor comes back. For now, I’m using an air freshener to mask the smell, but how can I locate and get rid of it? — Gaia M., Baton Rouge, La. A: That mildew smell is most likely from mold growth. If you can’t visually locate a patch of mildew or mold in the bathroom, such as in lower corners of the wall or the shower, contact a plumb...
Contractor Fraud Q: I’d like to hire a contractor to make some repairs to my garage, but I hear a lot of stories these days about handymen who overcharge, don’t do the work promised or otherwise cheat customers. How can I make sure I get what I pay for? — Clarence T., Philadelphia A: There are several things you can do to make sure a contractor is legitimate, that the work will be done on time and to your satisfaction, and that unpleasant surprises won’t crop up later. Here are a few tips to keep in mind: —Take your time deciding: Unless th...
Pruning Tips Q: I haven’t pruned many of my hedges and trees in several years, and some of them have grown wild and ragged-looking. If they’re past the blooming stage, is it safe to trim them? Also, any tips to make this task easier? — Carol in Oklahoma A: Trying to tackle all of the shrubbery and trees in your yard can be daunting, even when it hasn’t been several years since their last pruning. The best thing to do is take an initial tour of your yard with notebook in hand. Mentally split the yard into several sections, and then note what ne...
Cleaning a Rusty Grill Q: I left my propane grill out on the back deck over the winter. We didn’t get much snow or rain, and actually used it from time to time, so I didn’t cover it. Now I notice some rust on the underside of the grill. What’s the best way to clean it and prevent it from happening again? — Janice B., Columbia, Md. A: You can buy a cleaner that removes rust stains at your local hardware or home-improvement store, or if the rust is mostly surface-based, try wiping the area first with a damp cloth. If not all the rust is removed,...
Is Basement Moisture a Leak, or Humidity? Q: My basement stays fairly dry, but in the spring and during other really rainy periods I can see the concrete walls are wet. Is it condensation or water leaking inside? I haven’t seen any puddles of water on the floor, but it is really humid at these times. — Bill in upstate New York A: There’s an easy way to test whether the moisture on the basement walls is seepage (water leaking inside) or condensation. Get a few large squares of aluminum foil and tape them to random spots on the basement walls...
Even Insulated Pipes Can Freeze Q: Regarding your recent column on pipe insulation and freezing: You blew it this time. As a chemical engineer who has worked with construction and operation of various facilities, I can categorically tell you that pipe insulation will not prevent pipes from freezing — particularly where power and heat are not available. Pipe insulation will slow the transfer of heat and cold into or out of piping. However, if heat is not available for a sufficient time, the water in the pipe will freeze if the surrounding air t...
Frozen Pipes Q: Last winter, a couple of pipes in my basement burst. The plumber said that they froze and burst. How can I prevent this from happening again? — Darla G., Dothan, Ala. A: Frozen pipes, as you unfortunately discovered, are a serious problem that quickly can become costly, especially if flooding occurs and damages furniture and other items. Before talking about prevention, let’s quickly look at emergency measures. When the worst occurs — a burst pipe — the water feed to the pipe must be shut off immediately in order to prevent... Full story
Termite Troubles Q: What do I need to look for when checking around my house for termites? — Jason in Tampa, Fla. A: Inspecting your home for termite infestation on a regular basis can make a big difference in the amount you’d have to pay to eradicate them, should there be a problem. Most homeowners aren’t able to decisively confirm that a termite infestation exists, but there are telltale signs to watch for: —Dirt tunnels on the house’s masonry foundation and on pipes traveling through the foundation. —Crumbly areas inside masonry cracks or h...
Why Drain a Hot-Water Heater? Q: A neighbor of mine said that he drains his hot water heater twice a year to keep it clear. Won’t draining the heater damage it? — Sal P., Tallahassee, Fla. A: Actually, draining the water heater can help it heat water more efficiently and even extend its service life. The trick is to turn it off and let the water cool for a few hours. Then, shut off the water supply to the heater so it won’t refill as you drain it. Note: If you need to turn off the water supply to the entire house or part of the house in order...
Home Maintenance in the New Year Ready for the new year? Me neither. It’s too soon after what’s been a really long and frenetic holiday season, starting with a pre-Halloween snowstorm that had me and my neighbors juggling snow shovels and carved pumpkins, and then moving straight into Thanksgiving and Christmas almost too fast to blink. I’m looking forward to catching my breath this week, however, and putting together my home maintenance plans for next year. January will be pretty quiet, except for the monthly furnace filter change and makin...
Using Linseed Oil to Preserve Tools Q: I’ve heard mixed information about using linseed oil to preserve tools over the winter. Do you place it on the cutting blades of garden tools, or only on the handles? Is there an alternative protectant for garden and work tools? — John F., Providence, R.I. A: Linseed oil isn’t a good protectant for the metal parts of tools. The reason is that it creates a somewhat gummy, sticky coat that may be hard to clean off come springtime. It often is used to coat and protect wooden handles, but like most preservativ... Full story
THIS IS A HAMMER Key Snapped Off In Door Lock Q: A couple of days ago, I was struggling to unlock the deadbolt of the side door on my garage, which tends to stick, when the key actually snapped in half! I can’t reach the part inside the lock because it broke too far inside. I don’t want to spend a lot of money on a locksmith, either. Meantime, I can’t unlock the door. How can I fix this? Do I need to replace the entire deadbolt? — Jolanda W., Dallas A: If you’ve already tried to retrieve the broken half of the key with needlenose pliers, a hat...
PAW’S CORNER Are Strays a Threat to Housecats? DEAR PAW’S CORNER: We have several apparently stray cats that can be seen wandering the neighborhood in the early morning and at night. I’m not sure where they came from, but there is a large stand of pine trees and scrub behind our subdivision. I’m afraid to let my cats out even during the day, as I worry they could come in contact with or be attacked by one of these strays. What can I do? — Gary in Tampa DEAR GARY: Contact your local animal-control office about the stray cats. They may be a colon... Full story
THIS IS A HAMMER A Plumber’s Snake? What’s That? Q: One thing my uncle recommended when I moved into my recently purchased house is something called a plumber’s snake. Just what is that? I presume it’s for getting into pipes or something. — Tammy in Des Moines, Iowa A: You’re right, Tammy, it does have something to do with getting into pipes. Specifically, a plumber’s snake — more professionally known as a hand auger — is a handheld tool used for clearing clogs in drain lines. It consists of a flexible tube with a spring coil on one end, attac...
Repairing Damaged Drywall Q: Last week while moving furniture, my sons accidentally shoved an end table against the wall and punched a hole in it. How can I fix this? — Charity in Lansing, Mich. A: Ouch! Fortunately, drywall holes are not too expensive a proposition in terms of repair. You can even get your sons to help, turning an accident into a learning experience. For supplies, you’ll need a power drill (for driving screws), a putty knife, a drywall/wallboard saw, a box cutter or drywall knife, drywall tape (a type of mesh tape), a dry... Full story
THIS IS A HAMMER Cleaning Up “Rusty” Concrete Q: My concrete driveway has several bright-orange stains that look like rust. How did this happen, and how can I clean it up? — Jane C., Winter Park, Fla. A: There are several ways that rust finds its way onto concrete to stain it: a metal tool left sitting on the driveway in the rain, rust washing off of a vehicle parked on it, and so on. The good news is that most rust stains can be cleaned off of concrete fairly easily. Home-improvement stores sell an array of cleaners that specifically addre...
THIS IS A HAMMER Composting tips Q: I really enjoy your column, it’s informative and helpful. We have many trees on our property, and leaves are a constant cleaning chore. We place the leaves in a barrel and let them decompose. When they’ve broken down, we use that compost in our flower beds and special gardens, like our volcano mountain waterfall garden. In the decomposing barrel, we add a little lime to sweeten the soil. The best way to maintain home value is to keep the home looking appealing. — Mr. & Mrs. Harry & Janice K., St. Cloud...
THIS IS A HAMMER Fast Roof Patching Q: While organizing the attic, I noticed there was an area of the floor that looked like it had gotten wet recently. I looked at the roof above, but did not notice any holes. But there is a little water streak down the plywood. Is this a serious problem? — Carol H., New Bedford, Mass. A: If you address it quickly, it will not become a serious problem. Minor leaks in a roof can be patched fairly quickly. They’re often caused by damage to the shingles on top of the roof, which occurs over time due to debris str...
