Restain Our Wood Deck.
Q: We have recently moved into an older home and we would like to restain our wood deck. What type of stain should we use and how often should we finish a wood deck to prevent it from graying again?
A: The gray results from the reaction of the sun’s UV rays with the wood fibers. How long a finish lasts depends on the exposure, stain color and the application. First, clean the deck with the Shell Busey Home Cleaning formula then apply a quality penetrating clear or semi-transparent stain. The finish you choose will depend on the look you want to achieve. If you like the natural look of wood, use a clear penetrating finish. This will bring out the wood’s grain while providing protection from water and the sun. Expect the finish to last 2-3 years. If you want to add some color but still want to see the grain of the wood, then a semi-transparent finish is what you need and lasts 3 or more years. For an older deck consider a solid color deck stain.
Shell Busey
Spring Cleaning Chores
Q. One of most dreaded spring cleaning chores is cleaning my window screen. How do you recommend cleaning them?
A. When cleaning screens take care not overstress the fabric. To begin mix equal part vinegar and water in a spray bottle. If the screens are quite dirty you can add mild dish soap to the vinegar cleaner. Fill another bottle with clear water. Remove the screen from the window and wipe both sides with a microfibre cloth or you can gently vacuum. Lay the screen flat on and old towel and spray with your vinegar cleaner and clean using a soft brush or sponge. After you have cleaned both sides rinse with the clear water and blot dry with a clean towel. Throughout the year you can keep your screens clean using a lint brush.
It’s Just that Easy.
Shell Busey
Countertops Sealed Properly
Q. We moved into a home with granite countertops that we really like but we are not sure if the previous owners have ever sealed them properly. What maintenance is required for granite and is there something that we can use to restore the shine.
A. While granite is one of the most durable stones available, you should re-seal your granite countertops every two years to avoid any staining and preserve the natural look. For maintenance and cleaning, always use a product specifically designed for natural stone, not over-the-counter cleaning products. I would suggest you contact the folks at Apex Granite and Tile since they will be able to suggest a suitable product and maintenance program as well they have a restoration service that would help to bring the stone back into its original appearance. In the Greater Vancouver area they can be reached by calling 604-882-9284.
Shell Busey
Updating Oak Cabinets
Q. We want to update our oak cabinets in our kitchen by painting them white. I would appreciate any tips that would make the finish as durable as possible.
A. Before attempting to paint cabinets, see whether the surface can be sanded and roughed up so that it will hold the paint (test an inconspicuous place). If the job is not done properly, paint will peel in no time.
STEP-BY-STEP:
Remove cabinet doors and hardware.
Wipe surfaces with a clean rag saturated with mineral spirits. You may have to do this multiple times, since older cabinets typically have a heavy buildup of grime or wax. Change rags frequently to avoid re-depositing dirt.
Wash surface with the Shell Busey Home Cleaning Formula.
Rinse well with clean water. Allow surface to dry completely.
Prime surface with an alkyd-based primer-sealer. Let dry over night.
Finish with melamine paint for a more stain-resistant, washable and durable finish. Cloverdale Paint Melamine Paint is very DIY friendly. Two coats should be enough, depending on the look you want.
Each coat may take two or more days to dry — temperature and humidity determine this. Make sure each coat dries completely and is not tacky to the touch between coats.
A good paint finish takes time and patience; including drying time, up to a week but the job is within the skill level of most homeowners. Alternatively, try taking cabinets to an auto-body shop, which already has spray equipment to provide a smooth, hard finish, or rent a sprayer yourself. Another option would be to just replace the cabinet doors. There is a Cabinet Refacing Service available through the HouseSmart Referral Network by calling 604-542-2236.
Replacing Vinyl Siding
Q. Is it possible to repair holes in vinyl siding? I am not having any luck finding a replacement piece to match my existing siding that is about 25 years old and has faded over the years.
A. It can be a challenge or even next to impossible to find a match to replace older faded vinyl and especially aluminum siding. If replacing the entire piece is not an option, you can fill the hole with a color matched caulking. This would likely be available through siding suppliers. They carry caulks blended for different shades of siding so if you don’t have the siding name and color take in a sample piece or photo of the siding to have it matched as close as possible. This fix will keep the water out and make the hole appear less noticeable. To repair, clean the area with the Shell Busey Home Cleaning formula. Squirt the caulking into the hole to fill the area behind the hole. You may need a foam backing rod to act as a caulking stop when filling. The less caulking you get on the siding the less obvious the repair will be so be careful not to smear too much over the surrounding area. Let the caulking cure for at least a few days then trim the hardened caulk even with the siding using a straight edge of a razor blade. Note: Vinyl and aluminum siding can be painted using exterior acrylic latex paint such as Cloverdale Paint’s Ecologic.
It’s just that easy.
Shell Busey
Remove The Stipple
Q: I have an older home which has dated stipple ceilings. We have replaced some bulky light fixtures with pot lights. Now we have damaged this stipple and I am hoping there is a way to remove the stipple and have nice smooth ceilings. Can this be done and if so how do I go about it?
A: To remove the stipple all together, first you will want to cover floors with plastic and make a clear working space by removing the furniture. Next, in a spray bottle mix 1/2 Sudsy Ammonia and 1/2 warm water. It is easier if you purchase a 2-litre spray/mister from one of your local building supply stores. Mist a large area of the ceiling 4 feet x 8 feet section at a time. Mist the area a few times to ensure it is wet and let sit for fifteen minutes. The stipple should be bubbling/blistering and easy to scrap off. Be careful not to dig into the drywall with the blade of the scrapper, since this will damage it and a drywall repair will be required. This job requires patients so go slow, smooth and steady. It is important to make sure all the stipple base (chalky powder) is totally removed and vacuumed before priming and painting.
Your other option would be to just patch the stipple areas that were damaged where the pot lights were installed by purchasing a can of stipple touch-up spray at your local paint stores. I do recommend you practice on a scrap material to make sure it is the texture you want.
Shell Busey
Can we Add More Concrete
Q. Our sidewalk is leaning toward the house, and water is leaking into our basement. Can we add more concrete to the cement to slope the water away from our home or should we have it lifted.
Do not add more concrete to the surface since that will cause more problems by adding weight to the walkway. In most cases, having a company come out to lift the concrete through a process called slab jacking will allow the concrete to “pitch” away from your home. Slab Jacking involves pumping a dense combination of clay, sand, water and other materials through a hole drilled into the concrete. The mixture is injected by hydraulics under the sunken concrete making it rise into its original position. Slab Jacking often improves drainage problems associated with water seepage but it will not completely solve water problems if other problems exist in your drain tile perimeter drains. Contact the HouseSmart office at 604-542-2236 to have a drainage professional come out to have a look.
Shell Busey
Removing Moisture
Q: I am having a problem convincing my tenants to leave their bathroom exhaust fan on long enough after they bath or shower. Moisture is accumulating on the windows and there are signs of water drips on walls as well as some paint peeling in the bathroom window sill. They have said that the fans are too noisy to keep running. What can I do to ensure the fan is venting until the moisture is totally removed?
A: Bathroom ventilation is very important in protecting your bathroom against problems caused by too much moisture such as peeling paint and mold forming. To ensure the correct operation of an exhaust fan, remove the single pole toggle switch and replace with an electronic de-humidistat which will enable you to set the required relative humidity level and will automatically turn the fan on if the humidity level is over the humidity setting. For example: For outside temperatures over 0 Degrees Celsius the de-humidistat should be set at 40% relative humidity, For -12 to -18 Degrees Celsius the setting would be 35% and in the summer months you would set at 50% relative humidity.
Consider replacing the fan with a quieter and more efficient one. Chances are the quieter the fan the more it will get used. Two things to consider when choosing a new fan are the CFM and Sone levels. Sound levels are measured by an industry standard called a “Sone.” The lower the sone, the quieter the fan. The best fans have sound ratings of 1.0 Sone or less. Units that produce more than 4 Sones or more should be avoided. However, the price goes up as the noise levels go down. For a fan to be effective at removing humidity it needs to be able to move a sufficient amount of air. To choose the proper unit for your bathroom, the rough guide of airflow is one CFM (cubic foot per minute) per square foot for bathrooms of one hundred square feet or smaller. For example, with a sixty square foot bath, you’ll want a fan with a rating of 60 CFM or more.
Shell Busey
Decide Between Hardwood, Engineered Wood, And Laminate Flooring.
Q. We need to decide between hardwood, engineered wood, and laminate flooring for our cabin in the Okanagan. The cabin gets closed up for the winter and is not heated. Also, can we install flooring over the existing tile i.e; since it will be extremely difficult to lift? We would appreciate any suggestions.
A. I would suggest the vinyl over laminate or wood flooring. It will last longer, more durable and more resilient to moisture. Fortunately, there are great vinyl flooring products that are on the market today that replicates the look and feel of natural materials; such as – slate, ceramic, and wood. Check out the Karndean Flooring website at www.karndean.com. If your vinyl flooring is in good shape you can apply over the existing vinyl floors with the proper preparation. Secure any loose tiles and apply a floor leveling compound if required. Follow the manufacturer’s installation directions for applying over vinyl.
It’s Just That Easy.
Shell Busey
Repair and Paint Vinyl Sheet Decking?
Q. Can I paint over a faded vinyl sheet decking? Can you let me know how I can repair a few tears in the vinyl?
A. The product to apply over top of a vinyl deck surface is Ducan’s “Vinyl Re-Fresh.” which is an acrylic coating used to restore the appearance of vinyl. To begin, wash your deck well with Shell Busey’s Home Cleaning Formula and rinse with clean water. When the deck is dry, apply two coats. If your vinyl decking has leaks, they must be repaired prior to applying since this coating is designed for ascetics.
To repair the tears in the vinyl:
• A CUT OR TEAR – UP TO 6″:
Using a flat head screwdriver gently pry up the vinyl on either side of the cut, about 1″. If moisture has permeated the plywood, allow to dry for 3 to 4 days. Ensure the area is clean & dry, use Ducan Overlap Cement and squeeze some under the flaps on either side of the cut. Roll flaps down with a wallpaper seam roller, gently squeezing the Overlap Cement to the cut line, wipe excess cement immediately. Have a brick or something heavy to place on the glued down flaps. Remove after 24 hours. NOTE: be careful not glue the bricks to your deck. This can be prevented by adding wax paper between surfaces.
If you have a large tear, place a piece of vinyl over the damaged area. Use a razor knife to cut through both layers of vinyl. Remove damaged portion from plywood. Apply adhesive to both surfaces – back side of vinyl & plywood. Let dry until tacky. Fit new vinyl piece in cut out area and firmly roller into place then use Overlap Cement around perimeter of repair. Remove any excess cement immediately. More information is available at www.ducan.com or call them at 1-800-943-8226.
