Do It Yourself: RainQuiet can reduce gutter noise

Sun., Feb. 5, 2012

Gene Austin McClatchy

Quick tip

A reader recently offered yet another solution for keeping woodpeckers from drilling holes in wood siding. He said he tried the usual solutions without success, including plastic owls that some readers say work on their homes. He finally installed bird-repellent spike strips in the areas where the woodpeckers attacked and perched. These strips, made of plastic or metal, have spike-like protrusions that make perching uncomfortable. They are often used to keep pigeons off roofs and ledges. Spike strips are sold at some hardware stores and home centers and at a number of Internet sites; use a search engine and the words Bird Repellent Spike Strips.

In the never-ending woodpecker wars, I have also heard from homeowners who used rubber snakes and mechanical spiders to repel woodpeckers. Those who want something less obtrusive can try a panel of aluminum-louver on the attack area. It can be spray-painted to blend with the siding.

Q. Several years ago we had new aluminum rain gutters and downspouts installed on our house. During heavy rains, there is so much noise in the downspouts that it keeps people awake in some of the bedrooms. What can we do about this?

A. The noise usually is caused by water falling down the downspouts and hitting the fitting at the bottom, which on many gutters is sharply bent and empties the water into a splash pan or, better, into downspout extensions that carry the water 8 feet away from the foundation. The noise happens at so many homes that a product called RainQuiet has been developed to quiet it. The product is an easily installed insert that is designed to absorb the noise of the falling water. The insert slips into the bottom of the downspout’s bent fitting and is held in place by a clip. RainQuiet pads cost about $10 for two. They can be ordered on the Internet at www.rainquiet.com and are sold at some hardware stores. Loose metal gutters can also rattle in strong winds; the solution for this is to check all the gutter fasteners and make sure they are tight. Add some new fasteners if necessary.

Q. Recently you wrote about hardwood floors being scratched by dogs. Can Pergo flooring and other types of flooring be scratched that way?

A. Pergo is a brand name for a type of plastic-laminate flooring. Basically, laminate flooring consists of a layer of durable plastic, usually finished to look like wood grain, bonded to a base layer of wood products. Laminate flooring can definitely be scratched. Whether a dog can scratch it depends a lot on the dog and the condition of its nails. Unlike wood floors, laminate can’t be sanded and refinished to remove scratches. Some Pergo dealers sell a color-match kit that can be used to help conceal scratches and small nicks, but if a laminate plank is severely damaged, replacement of the damaged “planks” by a flooring professional is recommended. Colored wax, such as Blend-Fil pencils sold at home centers, can also be used to help conceal scratches in laminate floors. After applying wax to the scratch, buff thoroughly. Other types of flooring, such as vinyl and ceramic tiles, can also be scratched under some conditions. The softer the flooring, of course, the easier it is to scratch.

Q. I clean lint from my dryer vent and dryer filter regularly, but I still see lint between the dryer drum and the frame. Is there some way I can remove that?

A. If you have a shop vacuum or household vacuum with a long wand for reaching into crevices, you should be able to vacuum out most of the highly flammable lint. You might also want to check into a gadget called a Lint Lizard, which is a long, thin attachment for a vacuum. If interested in the Lizard, visit www.getlintlizard.com. It costs about $11. I haven’t tried this device so I have no more information on it. Lint inside the dryer is a special fire hazard because of the heat. If you don’t feel you have adequately cleaned it out, have a dryer technician do it.

Questions and comments should be emailed to Gene Austin at gaus17@aol.com. Send regular mail for Gene Austin to 1730 Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422.