Here are tips for completing do-it-yourself maintenance and repair projects at your communities, from syndicated columnist Gene Austin.
Q: My roof gutters froze, causing the roof to leak. Could I have prevented this?
A: This problem is fairly common in cold-climate areas. Ice in the gutters and the eaves of the roof forms dams that cause melting snow to back up under the shingles and leak through the roof. One solution is to install thermostatically controlled heating cables along the roof eaves and in the gutters to keep water flowing. Cables are sold at hardware stores and can be purchased online.
Frozen gutters indicate that the attic might not have been adequately insulated. This causes heat from the house to escape through the roof, melting snow soon after it falls. The escaping heat doesn’t warm the eaves, so the gutters freeze, causing water to back up under the shingles. Check the attic’s insulation and take steps to “keep a cold roof” so snow melts naturally.
Q: I have a stamped concrete patio that originally had a glossy coating. The patio is now dull. How can I renew the gloss?
A: Masonry sealers that give a glossy or wet look are available at some home centers. The best bet is to first test the sealer on a small area to check for adhesion and appearance. Be sure to clean the patio thoroughly before applying the sealer.
Quick Tip: Smokeless, odorless lamp oil can remove tape residue, labels and other “grimy, greasy” residue from any non-porous surface. It also removes soot from the inside of a glass wood-stove door when the stove is cold. Use disposable gloves when applying the oil.
Questions and comments should be e-mailed to Gene Austin at doit861@aol.com.