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July 23, 2008

I’m always surprised by how much stuff accumulates underneath wall-to-wall carpet. Over the years — even if you’re diligent about cleaning —a lot of dirt filters through the weave to the subfloor. 

If your situation is anything like I’ve seen, most of the green, dustlike material is a combination of sand and small particles of foam underlay. A simple vacuuming is the first place to start. Ideally you should use a vacuum with a HEPA-rated filter, to avoid broadcasting fine dust out of the exhaust of the vac.

With your floor superficially clean, let it dry; then look at what you’ve got. If there are pet stains and odors, scrub them using a brush and paste made by moistening some freshly purchased baking soda. (Old soda has often lost much of its deodorizing powers.) Sweep up the residual powder, let it dry and vacuum again.

Does anything that remains look like mold? If it does, use something called Concrobium to neutralize it. Although bleach and water is often used for mold removal, it’s harsh on both your body and the environment. There’s also some question about how effectively bleach kills dormant mold spores. Concrobium is a more environmentally sound option I’ve used with great results. It's a unique, non-toxic, spray-on liquid that kills mold spores safely by crushing them mechanically as the liquid dries out. It then inhibits mold re-growth for about 3 months.

With your subfloor clean, make sure it’s flat and fully secured with screws before laying your new floor. Laminate manufacturers specify a minimum level of subfloor flatness to support their product properly, and this is a detail you need to pay attention to.

July 15, 2008

I'd just use a wood chisel to get most of the foam insulation off. Then I'd use a paint scraper to finish the job.

June 27, 2008

They could. However, the usual practice is to wrap any structural member (wood, concrete block, steel) with felt or roofing paper to keep any moisture from condensation on steel — or moisture that might be drawn out of the plaster or stucco or concrete — away from the straw. A moisture barrier such as plastic probably isn't the best solution for wrapping the structural members because moisture also tends to condense and collect on it.

Straw bale construction is based on…

June 17, 2008

Cleaning your small engine’s carburetor isn’t terribly daunting, but I recommend that you have the correct service manual for your engine and a carburetor rebuild kit on hand before tackling it. It’s a good idea to start this project without significant pressure to get your machine running that same morning, as it may take a bit of time.

You will need plenty of clean, lint-free rags; some carburetor cleaner (visit your local auto parts store; I prefer aerosol carb cleaner); glass, gl…

May 13, 2008

Laminate flooring came to North America nearly 20 years ago. Laminates please a lot of people, but they disappoint more than a few homeowners, too. The outcome depends on the flooring you choose, where you use it and your expectations. Are you thinking about a new hard-surface floor for your home?  Laminates have a lot to offer, but there are things you need to understand that you won't find in sales brochures.

Originally developed in Europe, laminates are made of a high-density fiber…

April 28, 2008

It’s a good thing you asked because there’s something a whole bunch of experienced deck owners want to warn you about: It’s not easy to create a long-lasting deck finish.

Many people tell me stories about peeling, fading, mildew and deterioration of their decks—all within a year or two of brushing on hundreds of dollars worth of finish. This is actually a common experience for deck owners across America, though it doesn’t have to be. Successful deck finishing depends on understandin…

April 8, 2008

There are a couple of ways to go, including simply leaving the wood bare. I’ve worked in buildings with unfinished wooden floors, and they perform quite well. That said, there are two reasons a finish makes sense: It helps the wood resist staining, and it makes it easier to remove the inevitable hardened glue blobs that build up on the floor of any wood shop. Oil-based urethane works well as a basic sealer. Exterior grade latex paint lasts even longer under gritty foot traffic.

May I…

March 25, 2008

I understand the problem of a cold basement. When the ground freezes, a great deal of heat is lost through the basement walls. If possible, I would first dig a trench a few feet down around the basement wall and add solid insulation to the outside wall. Next wrap the insulation with chicken wire and plaster with cement. Then berm the insulation to within 6 inches of your foundation sill plate. These measures will help retain ground heat in the basement.

If you want to add solar heat…

March 11, 2008

In new engines I wouldn’t worry too much unless the manufacturer says something specific about it. Most manufacturers say up to 10 percent ethanol is OK. Some recommend draining the fuel if the engine is going to sit for long periods. In older engines, keep an eye on rubber components such as fuel lines. If they aren’t ethanol compatible they might change shape or consistency after contact with the fuel. I have experienced some leaking/hardened lines in older Briggs and Kohler engi…

There are several ways to approach this common problem.

The number one reason small engines don’t start is that they are out of fuel. Be sure the tank isn’t empty and the fuel shutoff (if equipped) isn’t closed. Once you are certain (or pretty certain) fuel is getting to the carburetor or injection system (turn the engine over and check for gasoline fumes in the exhaust) you should check the ignition system.

Is the engine “turned on”? Look for a switch (and be sure it is in the on position) or a m…