How should I finish my 18-year-old cedar deck? Over the years I’ve tried many products, and none have lasted more than a year. Even products with a five year warranty didn’t fare better. What should I do? The wood is…
Where can I buy oxalic acid crystals? I want to bleach dark water stains from wood I’m restoring, and I can’t find oxalic acid on store shelves. I’ve purchased oxalic acid crystals from my local drug store. Sometimes it must…
Where can I find a hand pump for priming my seasonal cottage water system? I’m ready to follow your previous articles on priming from the end of the water intake line, but I can’t find any kind of a hand…
How can I figure out how much energy my washing machine uses with each load? I’ve already asked the manufacturer, and they suggested I ask EnerGuide Canada. I never did receive an answer from them. All I know is that…
How important is it that wood siding be installed over strapping to provide ventilation? My husband and I built a home that we’re now selling, but the prospective buyer is concerned that we installed clapboard directly to the outside face…
What can I do about the sad, ugly finish on my 2 year old cedar deck? The original finish lasted less than two months. Do I need to sand the surface? This would be a huge job, and maybe not…
It sounds like you’re envisioning a kind of moulding called plate rail. This is a narrow, wood shelf-like arrangement, often with grooves milled along the top surface to prevent plates and other items from sliding outwards. Although plate rail is…
Is there any kind of plaster that can be applied over old drywall that’s getting damaged as we try to remove old wallpaper? Our house was built in the 1950s, and even though we’ve tried saturating the surface with a…
Where can I find a reasonably priced replacement battery for my Skil 2487 cordless drill? A long time ago I read an article of yours about a battery supplier, but I can’t remember the name. A: All cordless tool batteries…
How can I remove a reddish brown stain from an old coat rack so I can stain the wood black? Is there a particular stripping product that works with stain? The thing about stains is that they soak into the…
How can I get rid of moisture build up and mold in my 20×40-foot, window-free cottage garage? The structure is built quite tightly, and boats, cars and trailers all show signs of moisture and corrosion, especially after being stored all…
How should I choose a contractor to replace a residential heating boiler? The boiler in place is working fine, but it’s 60-years-old and not very efficient. Many homeowners assume that installing a more efficient furnace makes economic sense, but that’s not…