Dear Gene: Our basement is infested with crickets, and for years they have resisted our efforts to control them with sprays. We are considering trying an ultrasonic device because we do not like to use strong chemicals in the house. Do ultrasonic devices really work? Are there better ways to deal with this problem? I […]
Special Issues
Posted inSpecial Issues
A do-it yourself sunroom
Dear Jim: My family needs additional living space. I want a sunroom, but I cannot afford to have one built. Are there any do-it-yourself kits available? Can I build one from scratch? What design is best? Adding a sunroom to a home is an excellent investment and will often increase the resale value of your […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Fire-starters
Dear Jim: I plan to use my fireplace often this winter to lower my heating bills, but I have never been very good at getting a fire started and keeping it going. Is there a proper method of building a fire? Ask a hundred old-timers about the best method to build a fire, and you […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Insulating basement walls
Dear Gene: I want to insulate a cinderblock basement wall. I want to avoid any moisture problems in the insulation and thought of using foam panels, but I’d like the highest possible R-value. Can you help? Among foam panels, polyisocyanurate foam has the highest insulating value, about R-7 per inch of thickness. A 2-inch-thick panel […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Keeping mold off the roof
Dear Gene: I have heard that zinc strips can keep mold from forming on asphalt-shingled roofs, but how are the strips installed and where can I get them? Zinc strips are available in 3-foot lengths and in roll form. The manufacturer’s specific instructions should be followed when the strips are installed. In general, however, a […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Hitting the bricks
Dear Gene: I live in a 50-year-old brick house. The material surrounding some of the bricks has disintegrated, and the surface of some bricks also shows damage. How can this be fixed without replacing the damaged areas? The damage is caused by the penetration of moisture into the wall resulting from deterioration of the mortar […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Patch driveway cracks
Dear Gene: Is it really impossible to patch a concrete driveway? A couple of contractors want to replace the entire driveway, at high cost. The largest crack is about 8 inches long and 1 inch wide. It is certainly possible to patch concrete. There are dozens of special products made for this purpose, and I […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Water, water everywhere
Dear Gene: A few years ago the pressure-regulator valve on our main water line failed and some water pipes in our home burst, causing considerable damage. We have a new valve, but I worry that it will fail as well. How will I know if it fails, and is there anything else I can do […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Mind in the gutter
Dear Gene: I recently had my rain-gutter covers removed because they did not keep out small debris. These covers had two rows of slots that got plugged up with fine stuff from my trees. Is there some type of gutter cover that will work better? I prefer screen-type gutter covers to keep out the fine […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Cleaning hardwood floors
Dear Gene: What is the best way to clean finished hardwood floors? Should we use plain water, vinegar-water mix, oil soap or what? I get a lot of conflicting advice. How you clean depends on the type of floor finish. Here are some guidelines based on recommendations by NOFMA: The Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association (www.nofma.org), […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Squeegee it
Dear Gene: I have a relatively new glass shower door. I also have hard water. What is the best way to keep the door clean? After every shower, wipe the inside of the door dry with a squeegee, just as if you were cleaning a window or automobile windshield. I have used this system for […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Sticking it to the bricks
Dear Gene: We have a brick fireplace that was painted white but has become sooty and drab. We want to repaint it. I have had different opinions on whether I can use regular paint or must buy expensive high-temperature paint. What do you say? You should be able to use regular water-based paint unless you […]
