Household Tips
- , by Trudy Chuoke Trudy Chuoke
I was lucky enough to have my son-in-law in town while I was writing this article. I wanted to pick his brain about a few things I don't usually write about. So, this will be more of an interview with him about more construction than product. Hoping some of these questions help you around your home.
Question: I am having problems with an indoor bedroom door. It will not stay closed when I try to shut it. I’m worried that I might be having foundation problems- do you think that this is the case
Alan’s Answer: Did the door ever close properly? Is this just a recent problem? Look for cracks around the doorway- and if there are none, the foundation is not an issue. But hinges can get loose over time. And that can make a door sag. Look at the gap between the door and the frame around the complete door. If there is more space at the top, then the hinge is the problem. Lift the door from the handle and see if it lifts upward. Then open the door and look at the screws in the hinge. Do any of them look loose? Tighten them and see if that pulls the door up. If the screws won’t tighten, consider using a longer, thicker screw or an anchor.
Trudy’s Suggestion: This is a great question! There is a wonderful, easy anchor you can use in doors. It's called Screw it Again and it comes in a 4 pack, or a 10 pack. Remove the loose screw. Insert the anchor in the screw hole as far as it will go and cut off the excess. Then insert the original screw and tighten it. Close the door and check how it lines up with the frame. If there are any more loose screws, repeat the process.
Question: We had a roof replaced because of hail damage about a year ago. Then we had a blowing rain the other night, and now I see stains on the ceiling around my fireplace from the rain. What could be wrong?
Alan’s Answer: This is a hard question. My first response – call the roofer that installed the new roof. Have him inspect the roof. But it sounds like the flashing was not installed correctly. It has to be properly lapped to do the job. So the flashing will have to be removed and reinstalled correctly. This should be a warranty item and covered under the original contract. While he is there, have him inspect the rest of the roof and see if any shingles are raised. They need to be fixed.
Trudy’s Suggestion: Roofing issues can drive you crazy. A leak can pop up and cause problems in one area, while the rest of the roof is fine. A great product to use is Through the Roof Sealant. You can brush on this sealant to fix any leak. It will last for 10 years. It is crystal clear so it doesn’t stand out, but it holds up. It comes in three sizes: 10.5 ounces (caulk tube), quart, and gallon.
Question: The water pressure in my bathroom faucet is very low. But the one in the bathtub is fine. So what can be the problem?
Alan’s Answer: Let’s start with the easy possibility and check the aerator. A couple of suggestions. If it’s clogged, it’s an easy replacement. Remove it by turning it counterclockwise, then check the screens in the aerator to see if they're clogged. Take the aerator with you to the hardware store and match it with a new aerator. Make sure it’s the right size and the right threads. Now you can check the water flow to the faucet by checking the water supply lines. Go underneath the sink and turn off the water. Get a bucket. Turn on the cold water side and let it go into the bucket. Is the water flow good? Turn off that side, then try the hot water side. There might be sediment there from the water heater. If the water flow is good there also, then it can only be the cartridge.
Trudy’s Suggestion: Sometimes you can clean the aerator screens by filling a zip lock bag with regular vinegar and tying it to the faucet, immersing the aerator. Let it sit for an hour. Remove the bag and run water through the faucet. It should be clear if the aerator is the only problem. However, if you have a special metal like oil-rubbed bronze or gold, you can NOT use vinegar.