Home repair, improvement
Q: We recently bought an old farmhouse with a large stone fireplace. I want to clean the stone to show the beauty of it and install a stove. I have tried several cleaners, but nothing is working for me.
A: Here’s the advice I got: Mix DAP TSP Substitute and a few ounces of bleach in a gallon of warm water. Soak blackened areas with the solution and scrub with a brush. Rinse the surface well, then repeat the process until the stains are gone. Be sure to put down canvas dropcloths, and to remove anything valuable from within splashable proximity of the job.
Other experts suggest using a dry sponge and a paste of laundry detergent, bleach and diatomaceous earth — the hard shells of sea creatures. Spread it on the spot and let it sit. Then clean it off after a day or so.
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Q: For a quicker, cheaper fix, we are considering having our 50-year-old tub resurfaced. Do you have any information about this procedure that we should consider, such as types of materials used or processes involved? Also, is this an appropriate means to change the color of ceramic tile?
A: Is the tub worth refinishing? A lot of homeowners refinish antique tubs, such as clawfoot models, because they fit better into their restoration plans. But I can’t imagine that a tub from the mid-1950s — unless it was one of a kind, custom-made for an unusual space — would be worth the trouble. I’d bring in a couple of refinishers for estimates; first try to determine whether the tub is worth saving, and then gauge for how long a new finish is guaranteed.
There are several refinishing methods available, some involving rather unpleasant chemicals. The preparation of the surface to take the new finish is typically the key to any refinishing job. Get the estimators to explain the process to you.
As for your tile question: Yes, ceramic tile can be repainted with proper preparation and the right kind of paint. Cleaning and surface preparation are the key, after which you should apply a high-adhesion primer and a high-quality finish paint. Acrylic latex is often acceptable, but high-moisture areas may require an epoxy paint, painting experts tell me. Ask the folks at the paint department of your local home center what’s best for you.
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Q: I wonder if you have any experience or advice concerning liquid vinyl siding. I live in a red cedar log house and am plagued with carpenter bees. I wonder if this type of siding would be beneficial for me.
A: I have no personal experience with liquid vinyl siding, which is spray vinyl coating the manufacturers contend is formulated to last 30 years or more without ever chipping, cracking, flaking or peeling. The coating is applied like paint.
The Ohio State University Extension Service, among others, suggests that covering exposed surfaces of a wood house with polyurethane can deter carpenter-bee infestations. I’d head to the paint store or home center and see what’s available first. Vinyl is plastic, and you might not like the look liquid vinyl siding would give to a red cedar log house.
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Q: We have a commode that is losing water at a slow pace, and when the water falls below the line, it does a quick refill. I have already replaced the flapper, and it still does the same thing. I do hear a steady drip but do not know where it is occurring.
A: The flapper is usually the cause, although the fill valve can also cause some leakage problems when the valve doesn’t completely close after refilling the tank, so you might want to check into that, too.
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Q: A toilet on the first floor of my home has started sounding like a foghorn after it flushes. It does flush properly, but the noise is very loud and lasts about a minute. It happened infrequently in the past, but now it happens every time the toilet is flushed. Any ideas on what may be causing this noise?
A: A plumber friend, Terry Love, suggests looking at the water-supply valve to make sure it is fully opened. The other possibility, he says, is loose rubber washers on the fill valve.
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Q: Can I install ceramic/porcelain floor tiles over vinyl self-stick floor tiles that are in good condition and really stuck to the floor?
A: According to the Tile Council of North America, when tiling over other surfaces always make sure to check with the mortar and grout manufacturers to find the right material for bonding to the surface in question.