Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
SOLUTIONS: Scratches, rings and measuring things
QUESTION: My daughter has some scratches on her new laminate flooring. What can she use to repair or cover them up? Harv, Gladstone
ANSWER: For minor scratches on laminate floors there are special, color-coordinating pencils that may be used to fill scratches. Touch-up markers and pencils are easy to use by applying the color and finish in one operation. Rub the stick onto the damaged area until it is completely filled, then remove the excess until the filled area is level with the floor surface.
For chips, deep scratches and gouges there are colored burn-in sticks available which are used in conjunction with special electric knives to repair these areas (you might want to call in a professional depending on your home improvement confidence). In a nutshell, your daughter's best bet is to visit her local hardware store and color match her flooring to the available touch-up pencils.
QUESTION: My friend needs a treatment for ring around the collar. Do you have a "green" solution for this problem? Karen, Pinawa
ANSWER: The easiest way to get rid of ring around the collar is to wash the collar with shampoo. However, to keep ring around the collar from becoming a problem in the first place, rub the collar with chalk before throwing it into your hamper. Regular white chalk is an old proven solution for this problem. You can also add washing soda to your wash for brighter fabrics; it contains no bleaches or phosphates.
QUESTION: We are looking for something that will keep weeds down outside our back fence. Thank you. Ruth, Winnipeg
ANSWER: The following recipe is from my book Household Solutions 1 with Substitutions. In a spray bottle combine: one gallon of pickling vinegar, one cup of table salt and one tablespoon of liquid dish soap. Mix together until salt is dissolved. Pour into either a spray bottle or weed sprayer. Spray directly onto weeds. Remember this solution should not be sprayed on anything you don't want to kill and don't spray it on the soil. It is non-selective in what it kills, meaning it will kill any plants it comes into contact with and it will sterilize the soil for up to two years depending on how much you get on the soil.
If you are concerned about getting the vinegar solution on your desirable plants you can use a cloth to wipe the solution onto the leafy parts of weeds. It is advisable to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from the acidic effects of the vinegar. Happy summer!
QUESTION: How do you measure ingredients for recipes using the palm of your hand instead of a measuring spoon? Helga, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Neat question. When it comes to baking, precision is important therefore don't use the palm method until you have mastered it with great accuracy. Cooking is a completely different art and many choose to estimate the small measurements of ingredients to save time. Pour the measured amount of an ingredient into the palm of your hand. Observe the look and feel of the quantity and then try to pour that same amount into your palm without measuring first. Measure the amount you poured out to see how close you are to the actual measure. Practice doing this and soon you will be able to measure the ingredients by look and feel. This will greatly reduce prep time when cooking.
Fabulous Tip of the Week:
*Did you know spiders hate chestnuts? To keep spiders from coming near the house, shell chestnuts and place them near entrances. Pledge Lemon Clean works in the same way. Betty!
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. Check out my brand new videos/blog/website: reena.ca.
Renovation & Design
ASK THE INSPECTOR: Spore wars
QUESTION: Our ceramic tiles above the bathtub have been leaking, so we're going to have to remove them and replace the wallboard. We know there is mould behind the tiles because there are black areas in the basement ceiling where the pipes come through.
What disinfectant should we use to kill the mould after we open up the wallboard? Is bleach safe to use, and in what proportion to water? What precautions should we take when removing the wallboard? Thank you.
Elizabeth & Stephen Bahr
ANSWER: One of the most discussed issues related to hazardous materials in homes is mould. I get numerous questions from clients, readers and others wanting more information about this often hidden issue. There are many misconceptions about the dangers and treatment of mould if it is found in homes. You have identified a couple of these items and I will address them and others while answering your questions.
The first thing to note is moulds are everywhere and we can never eliminate them. They are critical components of our ecosystem and we would surely drown in leaves, dead trees and other organic matter if moulds were not present to help break down these natural items.
There are thousands of different species of moulds and only a dozen or so are known to be harmful to humans. Unfortunately, a few of the moulds that produce toxins can be present in our living areas. Some of these love the building materials we use in our homes, especially drywall paper.
The solution to mould, when found in our home environments, is to eliminate it. This can be done either by cleaning or removal and discarding of affected materials.
If you find a small amount of mould on a painted surface, concrete foundation wall or floor slab, or bathroom fixtures, cleaning may help prevent a quick return. Using common household cleaners, with a scrub brush or disposable cloths, should be enough to remove this surface growth. If there are much larger infestations, or if the mould is embedded in the wall coverings or other building materials, further repairs may be needed. Physical removal and discarding of mouldy or rotten drywall, plywood, paneling or insulation will be the only way to eliminate the growth.
Finding the true source of the issue -- moisture -- and eliminating it will prevent a quick return of mould. Whether it's leakage from foundations, roofs or windows, or from a one-time event such as sewer backups, stopping the water is the key.
In a situation like your bathroom, when old tile grout wears out and water from showering gets behind the surface, removal of moisture-damaged materials is required. Black stains on the subfloor beneath this area don't necessarily mean you have a serious mould issue. Removal of the damaged tiles and wall coverings will allow you to see inside the wall cavity to assess the extent of the problem.
You should wear breathing protection, like a good-quality disposable mask or respirator, when smashing out the old shower walls. Also, make an attempt to contain the debris to the bathroom, avoiding contamination of the rest of the home with any active mould spores. Cover heating registers and exhaust fans with plastic and put all debris in sealed garbage bags.
Once the wall is opened, you should be able to easily determine the extent of the moisture intrusion into this area. If the wood or the backside of the wall coverings from the opposite room are stained or black, the next steps must be taken. Probing all the wood with a sharp awl or screwdriver will help determine the extent of the damage. If the probe barely penetrates the surface of the wood, even with some visible staining, the framing may be salvageable. If the probe easily penetrates the surface and buries well into the wood, damage is extensive. Removal and replacement of damaged wood or drywall/plaster is the only choice.
Wood rot is a type of mould and may be physically indistinguishable from other more dangerous types. Either way, removing moisture-damaged framing or subflooring is the only solution.
If there is just surface staining or damage to the studs, you may have to do little labour prior to redoing the shower walls. There are liquid treatments that are supposed to help prevent mould re-growth, but they do not kill existing mould. Mould cannot be killed, just removed with the affected material. Using bleach is not recommended because chlorine bleach is toxic and if there are toxic mould spores present, mixing these toxins can be hazardous. Removing surface growth with household cleaners may be all that is required.
Once the new shower walls are installed and sealed, moisture will not be able to get to the wall cavity, preventing further mould growth, even if dormant spores are present.
Ari Marantz is the owner of Trained Eye Home Inspection Ltd. and president of the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors - Manitoba (www.cahpi.mb.ca). Questions can be emailed to the address below. Ari can be reached at 204-291-5358 or check out his website at www.trainedeye.ca.
trainedeye@iname.com
Renovation & Design
Renovation engine helps power Canadian economy
In Manitoba, we're acutely aware of the importance of the renovation industry.
Winnipeg has the third-oldest housing stock in Canada, behind only Halifax and Montreal. We love our traditional neighbourhoods and are only too willing to upgrade our existing homes in order to remain in them for longer periods.
Research shows that we don't renovate our homes to sell them at top dollar; we renovate to improve our standard of living in that home.
Residential renovation spending is an important contributor to the Canadian economy. It accounts for almost four per cent of the GDP, exceeding $61 billion annually. Renovations do not experience the ups and downs of the new-home industry in large urban centres, as there always appears to be a need to renovate something.
Renovation spending skyrocketed with the Home Renovation Tax Credit stimulus during the recent recession. This program not only encouraged homeowners to spend money during tight times, it also served to uncover the nefarious tax cheats who performed repairs without filing taxes. It was an extremely popular and effective measure
However, when the program ended, renovation spending dried up nationally. Some form of reintroduction of this program is definitely in order -- anything that can stimulate the economy while saving honest people money and exposing those who choose to break the law must be good.
To no one's surprise, bathroom and kitchen upgrades are the most popular renovations and continue to grow. Energy-efficiency improvements, exterior renovations and room additions follow. Declining in popularity, but still on the radar, are bedrooms and home-office renovations. Home-equity line-of-credit is the financing method most often used for larger renovation projects.
Every region except for Atlantic Canada is forecasting some growth in renovation spending for 2013. Ontario and Quebec have modest growth rates, while the Prairies lead the country.
Long-term homeowners who anticipate remaining in their current homes represent by far the largest client group for professional renovators. Although jobs done in preparation to sell are significant, they are no more common than first-time buyers fixing things up before occupancy.
The renovation industry is a strong economic driver throughout Canada and especially in Manitoba. Its' contribution to our economy cannot be overstated.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
Renovation & Design
SOLUTIONS: Easy to test baking staples for viability after winter
QUESTION: My question pertains to baking supplies and other staples. I leave staples such as rice, dry pasta, lentils etc. at our unheated cottage over the winter. Do products such as baking soda, baking powder, flours and Bisquick lose their viability after six months of freezing temperatures? Each of these is stored in closed containers or jars, but how can I check to see if they are still as potent as they need to be. Thanks in advance. Greg, Winnipeg
ANSWER: This is a great question! Baking soda and baking powder are not subject to spoiling, although they will eventually fail to rise to the occasion as leavening agents for baked goods.
To put baking powder's effectiveness to the test measure 1 tsp. baking powder with a half-cup of water. The mixture should bubble immediately and if it does it will still act as a leavening agent. To test baking soda, mix one-quarter tsp. baking soda with 2 tsp. vinegar, the mixture should bubble.
As for flour and Bisquick, you will know if they are rancid by the smell (or any sign of bugs). I always keep my whole wheat flour in the fridge but any of the four products are freezable.
QUESTION: My son plays team soccer and wears a black jersey with white numbers. I washed the jersey and the white came off of the number on the back of his jersey. Now he is the only player on the team with numbers that are black instead of white. I have tried to remove the black but it looks as though the white numbering actually peeled off, now what can I do? Lesley, Arborg
ANSWER: Your son will look as wonderful as all of the other players on the team with this easy and inexpensive tip. Purchase white fabric paint and simply paint the numbers. His shirt will look great!
Feedback from Outstanding Reader:
Dear Reena,
I read a recent item in your column about dandelion control, and it reminded me to pass this information along.
For years I had been frustrated that controlling dandelions with pesticides didn't seem to be effective because all it seemed to do was give the plants a huge growth spurt, and cause them to go to seed earlier than they normally would have, before the pesticide killed the main plant and root. As a result I wasn't so certain that spraying them was doing any good.
So, I called a farm extension specialist in the Department of Agriculture, and he explained that after the dandelion has been sprayed with weed killer, any seeds it produces afterwards will not grow.
Now, I may be a slow learner, or maybe I just wasn't paying attention, but I was raised on a farm and I had never heard or been told that before! On our acreage we have so many dandelions growing uncontrolled on surrounding land that it is a losing battle to try to control them. So, we just enjoy the color and try to keep our lawn grass in the best possible condition, which seems in itself to somewhat control the number of dandelions that grow in the lawn.
Dave
Fabulous Tip of the Week:
*To remove sticky price tag residue from books, wrap masking tape around your fingers and press tape over the sticky area. The tape will lift gummy leftovers.
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. Missed a column? Can't remember a solution? Need a speaker for an upcoming event? Check out my new videos/blog/website: reena.ca.