Sand to Below the Stained Surface to Get Butcher Block in Tip-Top Shape

Question: Our kitchen has an island with a butcher block top. Over the years, the wood has become stained, and I no longer use it as a cutting surface. I’d like to restore it to its original condition if possible. Any suggestions?

B.B.

Placentia

Answer: “Probably the best thing to do is sand it down to get it even,” says Rich Haagsma of Faucets n’ Fixtures in Orange. “This will remove stains on the surface; with deeper stains you probably won’t have as much luck. After it’s been sanded and cleaned, it can be sealed with salad bowl oil, which is found in many houseware stores. Apply it with a rag and rub it in. Be careful not to use any kind of paint or solvent on the block since food is going to be prepared on it.”

Q: We’ve got a large clock we’d like to hang on a particular wall in our den, but when we hit nails into the wall at the place we want it, the nail bends at an angle. This occurs all along the wall at the level that’s perfect for the clock. Could we be hitting some kind of conduit? How are we going to get a fastener into the wall?

S.D.

Santa Ana

A: “Unfortunately, many people don’t know what’s behind their walls, especially in older homes,” says Mike Delany of Fullerton Hardware. “I know of some older tracts that used cement blocks rather than studs, which means using some creative anchors to attach large items to the wall. You could be hitting a conduit or possibly a steel framing strap. I wouldn’t get a drill out and try to drill through the wall since if it’s electrical wiring you could be putting yourself in danger. It’s probably best to have a contractor look at it to identify the problem.”

Q: I recently received an antique mirror that has some blackened spots on the bottom that resulted from a fire. Can this be fixed?

S.N.

San Juan Capistrano

A: “If the glass didn’t get so hot that it became bubbled or distorted, it can probably be re-silvered, which would restore it,” says Eric Mead of College Glass and Mirror in Anaheim. “Many old mirrors were naturally a little wavy, so a little residual distortion might be fine. When glass or mirrors get too hot, they crack. As long as the glass is in good condition except for the discoloration, it can be fixed.”

Q: We lost a couple of those metal garbage bag ties down the garbage disposal. The disposal works fine, but now it makes a rattling sound. I’ve tried getting them out from the top, but haven’t had any luck. Is there some kind of trap at the bottom where I can reach them?

F.U.

Huntington Beach

A: “When those ties get into a disposal, they tend to wind around on the shaft and stay there,” says Joel Gwartz of B.J. Discount Plumbing and Heating Supply in Garden Grove. “If you can’t reach them from the top, you’ve got to hope that they’ll eventually go down the drain. If they’re causing a problem, the only way to remove them is to take the disposal out and disassemble it, which is a big job. If the disposal is old, and the ties are affecting its performance, it may be worth just replacing the entire unit.”

Q: The vinyl floor in our kitchen is 5 years old and has an intricate pattern. Dirt and grime have found their way into the cracks of the design and don’t come out when I wash it. Is there anything I can use to get it cleaner?

W.R.

Westminster

A: “It’s a tricky situation, since you have to be careful not to use something too harsh that will strip and damage the floor,” says Steve Hix of Aarron Anthony Floor Coverings in Buena Park. “Most floor and janitorial supply stores carry mild floor detergents that can clean without bleaching. To get a good cleaning, remember you’ll also have to use a bucket, sponge, and get on your hands and knees and scrub. A simple mop won’t give you the job you need.”