Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
Rusty door requires a little effort
QUESTION: I have rust at the bottom of my car door. What is the most effective product on the market that will take the rust off? Jim (Winnipeg)
ANSWER: Grind away any rust, then visit your local hardware store or auto repair dealership. Purchase proper moisture-resistant filler, primer and paint to repair the damage.
QUESTION: A friend of mine sat on the ground (in her white pants) and got one of those sticky pods from a poplar tree on her butt. I can't find anything similar in your books. Should I suggest your carpet cleaner 'recipe'? Thanks, Marie (Emerson, Man.)
ANSWER: Your best bet for tar is to lubricate the area with oil such as mayonnaise. Smear it on and scrape off all of the tar. Next, apply dish soap and water to the area so you are not left with a grease stain. Waterless hand cleaner is also effective. Just make sure you test everything on an inconspicuous area first.
QUESTION: I feel like I am wasting money by buying bread crumbs when I could probably make them myself. Sounds like a silly question, but how do I make breadcrumbs? Trish (Winnipeg)
ANSWER: There is nothing like homemade breadcrumbs to improve the taste of your dishes and any type of bread can be used. In fact, a mixture of various breads will add oodles of interesting flavours to your dishes (make sure you don't use stale bread or you will end up with stale-tasting bread crumbs).
If your bread is too fresh, just bake the bread slices in the oven on an ungreased baking sheet until slightly dry (300 degree F for 10-15 minutes). Turn halfway through. Store your bread ends in the freezer in a large, resealable plastic bag or an open ice cream bucket with a few bay leaves (to keep bugs away) until you have collected a sufficient amount of bread pieces to make crumbs. Tear dried bread in small pieces and crush in a food processor or leave the bread crumbs in a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin.
QUESTION: Your website indicates using borax to keep wasps away. I live in an area that only has a small convenience store and does not sell borax. Do you have any other solutions for discouraging wasps? Lincoln (Forrest, Man.)
ANSWER: Place a two-litre bottle of root beer away from where you are sitting. The bottle should be one-third full; the wasps fly into the opening but can't handle the carbonation.
Feedback from a reader who cares
Regarding how to ship fragile items throughout Canada:
Dear Reena,
I cannot believe the lady isn't using the oldest trick by antique dealers: disposable diapers. They contour around the items and the tabs hold everything in place. Anonymous
Fabulous tips of the week
Dear Reena,
I love reading your column. Do you want to get your glass coffee mugs sparkling? I put baking soda and cheap lemon dish soap in mine and fill them with hot tap water. I let them sit for a while and then wipe them out with a soft cloth and sterilize them with hot water. On another note: I used to use baking soda and dishwashing liquid and water on my oven bottom until I discoloured the silicone sheet. Julie (Winnipeg)
Hi Reena,
I came across a good cleaner for silver and copper. I have three copper vases and an old spoon of my grandmother's, which must be 100 years old. I cleaned them with Cerma Bryte ceramic cooktop cleaner. I thought I would try it and it works wonders with no elbow grease. Doreen (Winnipeg)
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 videos/blog/website: reena.ca!
Renovation & Design
Mancana ash disease tops reader concerns
Problems with Mancana (Manchurian) ash have dominated reader tree and shrub concerns this year, and I've even seen recently purchased nursery trees that show all the early symptoms of a potentially fatal disease believed to be related to a rare type of bacteria called phytoplasma.
An early sign of the disease is flattening of the current-growth twigs, which also have a tendency to curve and slightly twist. Those twigs may grow multiple buds that are side-by-side when there should only be one bud. Last year's branches often produce multiple twigs from a common location on the twig -- there should only be two twigs.
Most noticeably, branches die sporadically in the tree, and twigs often display unusual deformity in their growth.
Unfortunately, there is no known cure or method of controlling these bacterial infections. The infected tree will likely die and should be removed. Never grow another Mancana ash in that location, as the roots will be infected as well.
QUESTION: The leaves and twigs of my ninebark shrubs have started to grow a white-grey mildew-like powder on the leaves. Later, the twigs start getting these problems. How do I control this?
ANSWER: Ninebarks everywhere are being attacked by a powdery mildew, although it's more common in shrubs that have a dense mass of woody stems. Poor ventilation in the shrub and high humidity encourages the growth of mildew. This can also be a problem on nannyberry viburnums.
Plant mildew can be controlled with garden fungicides, but it's important that the stems of the plant be thinned out by as much as 50 per cent in the fall after the leaves have dropped. Collect all diseased material and place them in the garbage or if permitted by your local bylaws, burn it before winter arrives.
QUESTION: My willow hedge is turning yellowy green, and I see more and more twigs and branches dying each year. Can you help me with this problem?
ANSWER: I've examined several problematic willow hedges in rural areas this year and I often see a portion growing on low-lying ground. With heavy rains, these low spots accumulate water and keep the ground saturated. Most willow varieties prefer drier conditions.
As well, I often see twigs in the hedges that are partly black with orange-brown patches on their stems, a sign of willow blight disease. Dead and dying portions of the shrubs can be pruned out, but it's absolutely essential that you sterilize your pruning tool with bleach and water, methyl hydrate or denatured alcohol after every cut. It's easy to transmit the disease to other willow branches through disease contaminated tools.
Heavily infected plants are unlikely to recover and should be removed. All dead and diseased twigs and branches should either be covered with clay in a shallow pit or burnt. Never leave them outside in an uncovered pile -- the disease spores will be carried by winds to a nearby willow and infect it.
Michael Allen is a consulting urban forester and certified arborist and owner of Viburnum Tree Experts. He can be reached at 204-831-6503 or viburnumtrees@shaw.ca His web site is www.treeexperts.mb.ca
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