Fancy Locks, Fitting Open Door to Higher Bill
Question: We have a 33-year-old home and we’re looking to replace the original front door. In shopping for one, we’ve found many of the doors we’ve looked at are cheaper than the cost of installing them. Why are they so expensive to install and can a reasonably handy homeowner do the job?
F.C.
Buena Park
Answer: “There are many factors that affect your front door,” says Mary Barner of Glass Eye Door Creations in Orange. “If you use expensive hardware and locks, that can add up to $125 to the final cost. Also, for a house that old, a new jamb may have to be installed before the door is fitted. Installing a door correctly is time-consuming, and if you don’t have the right tools or you don’t know what you’re doing, you could easily end up with a door that doesn’t fit. A good door hanger is going to charge more for his services, but he can do the job more quickly and easily than you can.”
Q: I’ve been shopping for new carpeting in my home, and I’ve been told by some people that the quality of carpeting I select isn’t as important as the quality of the padding. Is that the case?
D.D.
Newport Beach
A: “A high-quality pad will make an inexpensive carpeting feel and wear better,” says Mike Palombo of Mooney Carpets in Anaheim. “You’ll want to ask for the highest density pad you can afford; generally a five-pound or higher works best. The density of the pad is usually more important than the thickness, so don’t be fooled into thinking a thicker, cheaper pad may be the better choice.”
Q: About three years ago we installed new toilets in both our bathrooms, and while they work fine we’re having an annoying problem with the caps that cover the bolts at the bases. They’ve become loose and fall off during cleaning, and the bolts themselves have became dirty and rusty. What will keep them in place?
E.Y.
Fullerton
A: “You might try picking up some plumber’s putty at the hardware store,” says Steve Johnson of Familian Pipe & Supply in Costa Mesa. “Fill the caps with putty then press them into place over the nuts. The putty won’t harden but it will keep the caps from moving around. The putty will also prevent rust and dirt from damaging the nuts and bolts. You could also use a silicone putty, but you may have some problems removing the caps when you need to get to the nuts.”
Q: We have installed a water softener to treat the water in our house, but I’m wondering about our lawn and garden. Is soft water beneficial for plants?
A.B.
Los Alamitos
A: “You’ll have to check with the manufacturer, but most water softening systems produce water that isn’t good for plants,” says Dennis Huddleston of Loma Vista Nursery in Fullerton. “The problem is that the water is often treated with salts, which aren’t good for your plants. The best water for your garden comes right from the tap.”
Q: I have an old wall clock from the early 1900s that’s missing the key that’s needed to turn the spring and make it work. I’ve been cranking it instead with a pair of needle-nose locking pliers, fitting them over the stub, locking them and turning it. Is it OK to continue using these or am I doing any damage?
R.O.
Fountain Valley
A: “I’d suggest taking the clock to an antique dealer to see about getting the right key,” says clock repairman Art Bilonki of Santa Ana. “You may not think you’re doing any damage, but you could be breaking away the stub with your pliers. One day it may be completely rounded off so you won’t be able to use the pliers or a key. You also could be getting too much leverage and may be winding the spring too tight.”