Cleaning black streaks off gutters
Q: We have vinyl gutters that are only about two years old. They have vertical black streaks that just won’t come off no matter what cleaner we try. We have cleaned the regular dirt off but these streaks just won’t disappear. Can you advise us as to what will remove them?
A: The product to use is the new Shell Busey “It’s Just that Easy” Heavy Duty Cleaner. It is available in a trigger-activated bottle, easy to use and mop up with a sponge and rinse water. This product is ideal for vinyl or aluminium gutters, lawn furniture, siding, RV’s, wood, stucco or vinyl decking. It is available from most Windsor Plywood and Home Hardware stores and at our HouseSmart Referral office in Surrey. You can also call the distributor Twin Maple Marketing at 1 800 663 8898 and ask for a location in your area that stocks the product.
Where to purchase low flush toilets
Q: During a recent visit to Europe I saw a toilet with two handles for a low or full flush. Since everybody makes such a great fuss about water consumption why are such systems not available for retrofit. Some years ago Canadian Tire had one but I missed the opportunity and they no longer carry it. It really makes no sense to use a full flush just for a P but that can ripen very rapidly if you don’t, particularly in hot weather. To put a brick or waterbag in the tank might just nullify the idea if two flushes area required for a full house. Any idea where I might find such a retrofit?
A: I believe the toilet you are looking for is a called a “Korona” manufactured in Australia and is available through Hillcrest Plumbing at 604 596 1077. There is also a device called Water Wizard that will save up to one gallon of water per flush on the average toilet. The Water Wizard is available from HouseSmart Referral by either pick up or mail order. Call 604 542 2236 for more information. Note: Do not add ballast to the toilet tank in the form of a brick or water jug as it will change the hydraulics of your toilet and it will not function properly.
Cooling a Warm House in the Summer.
Q. I live in a 1650 square foot two story home. During these hot summer months our second floor is quite warm compared to our main level. We have closed all the vents in the basement and only have the ones open on the main floor which is needed, but it is still its quite warm upstairs with all the vents open. Anything else we can do?
A. During the hot summer months remove the attic access panel in the ceiling and turn on the summer fan on your furnace. To do this, shut the pilot light off on the furnace burner and remove the blower panel (front panel on the furnace) allowing the cool air from the basement to circulate up through the furnace duct system pushing the warm air up through the attic cavity and out the vents. Note: You can place an inexpensive furnace filter over the attic access hole to stop any insulation bits or dust from coming down into your home.
Remove Paint from Vinyl Siding.
Q. Do you know of a way to remove paint from vinyl siding without damaging it?
A. Use water based It’s Just that Easy Paint Remover available at Windsor Plywood stores.
Removing Nail Polish Remover from Linoleum.
Q. Is there a product which will get nail polish remover out of linoleum? It spilled on the bathroom floor and we don¹t have any extra pieces to do any patch work.
A. Finger nail polish is plastic based and acetone solvent based allowing the polish to penetrate into the vinyl floor. Sorry, the only way to correct this is to apply a new floor over the old one or cover the spill with an area rug.
Removing Old Urethane from Pine Logs
Q: We have a cottage approx. 20 years old at Grand Beach. The cottage is partially covered with pine logs that have been painted with clear urethane (approximately 3 coats at different times). We have not done anything with them for approx. 5 years and they are now beginning to peel and parts of the logs underneath the urethane are blackening.
Our question is how is the best way to go about renewing this. My husband suggests sanding and removing as much of the clear urethane we possibly can and then re-urethane the logs. I suggested to my husband we remove as much of it as we can and then apply a natural light coloured stain.
We are looking at the best way and the way which will last the longest since we are older now and down the road maintenance on the higher part of the cottage may not be that easy for us.
A: Using a water based technology paint stripper such as Shell Busey’s It’s Just That Easy brand will remove the existing finish in an environmentally safe way. Following the product instructions remove the old urethane with an 800 – 1000 PSI power wash. After the stripping is complete wash the area with an all purpose exterior cleaning formula available at most paint and Building supply stores. Rinse well, allow to dry and apply two coats of Cloverdale Paint SunFast exterior finish.
Tip for painting straight edges
Q: How can you get a straight edge when painting walls that have a stipple ceiling? Is there a special tool to use or a tape that sticks to a stipple ceiling that will not allow seepage? I have contacted a couple of paint stores and basically they have advised it is freehand with a paint brush and takes plenty of time. The stores I contacted advised that the roller with guide wheels would not work – nor will any type of masking tape. Could you provide me with information on the best method to do this project?
A: The best brush to use for this project is a 4 inch foam tapered brush. This allows you to work up from the bottom leaving a nice straight line to the ceiling. Apply two coats in this manner and you won’t have to load the brush with excess paint.
Cement flaking apart where there is a downspout .
Q: We just bought a house in the spring of this year (2005). The house was built in 1989. I am having a problem with the cement flaking apart at one corner (NE) of my house. It seems to be above grade, but I haven’t dug down to check yet. This is happening where there is a downspout and the flaking is behind the stucco coating that is also flaking off. It (the flaking) is from 1/2 an inch to 1+ inch deep. I was told that the previous owners sprinkling salt (or de-icer) on ice may have formed at the down spout and then chipping with a shovel in past wonderful Manitoba winters might be the cause of this. The corner at this point in time is still nice and “sharp” [90 degrees].
How do I go about fixing this problem and what should be used?? I am worried that if I clean out too much I may take away from the foundation. I want this done before it starts to get to cold out.
Can you help me before this becomes a major problem (if it isn’t already)??
A: Clean all the loose cement facing off of the concrete wall. Apply a full strength coat of Weldbond all-purpose wood adhesive to a damp surface and allow drying. Using bonded topping mix cement apply a coat as per instructions and allow curing for one week. To complete the project apply a heavy brush coat of Cloverdale Paint’s Aqua Seal to seal the porosity of the concrete. Run your down pipes away from the house approximately 3 – 4 feet to protect the affected area.
Resurfacing Concrete Steps with Tech Stone Granite.
Q: I would like to apply the Tech Stone Granite sold by Home Hardware to my front step except right now we have a glued outdoor carpet on these steps. I plan to remove the outdoor carpet (scrape it off the cement) but need some assistance on how to get the glue off the cement. We installed the carpet back in 1992. I have read some notes on the Internet but still cannot find a good answer to my question.
A: I am assuming that your steps are concrete. Remove the glue residual with Shell Busey’s It’s Just That Easy paint Remover available at Windsor Plywood stores. After removing the residual glue rinse well with clear water. Apply Target brand Bonded topping mix (following the directions on the bag) over the concrete steps levelling to a smooth finish. Apply the granite finish according to the product instructions.
Another option would be to apply a primer, base coat and topcoat of acrylic Deckote manufactured by Consolidated Coatings and available at most Windsor Plywood and Paint stores.
Removing carpet glue left in tiles
Q: I have indoor/outdoor carpeting over tile on my backdoor entrance space and down the basement steps. Is there a way I can remove the carpet and also the glue that may be left on the tiles???
A: Using a heat gun, heat the carpet and scrape it off the tiles with a sharp 2-inch metal spackle knife or paint scraper. To remove any remaining glue residue apply Shell Busey’s It’s Just That Easy Paint Remover and scrub with a synthetic abrasive pad. Complete the project by washing the area with an all-purpose cleaner. Rinse well and allow drying. You may need to use the Safe Solution product to complete the project in order to have a non-slip surface.
