INSIDE & OUT : Defective Valves Will Get You in Hot Water

Q. When I am washing a load in the washing machine, I find that when I turn on the cold water side of my kitchen faucet, I get warm or hot water. What’s going on?

S.F., Tustin

A. This can occur when a valve with a single-handled control is used, says Manny Gwartz of B.J. Discount Plumbing & Heating Supply in Garden Grove. If it’s old or defective, hot water can “bypass” and travel up into the cold water system. Showers with single-handled controls are often responsible, allowing the hot water to travel into the cold water side, and many people find that the water in their toilet bowls is warm or hot. Check to see if you have a single-handled shut-off valve at the washer. If not, check the faucet at the kitchen sink.

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Q. My wrought-iron garden fence isn’t rusty, but it’s very dirty. A strong water spray has failed to clean it. What can I use to do the job before repainting?

J.U., Mission Viejo

A. After washing it with soap and water, you should probably go over it with a fine metal sandpaper, says Joe Ragsdale of Color Center in La Mirada. It’s a lot of work, especially if you have some intricate designs in the iron. This will remove any leftover grime or loose paint. Anything less and you’ll probably find that the new paint won’t last. Because most solvents are de-glossing agents, they won’t remove the grime.

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Q. I’ve seen some new houses that have smooth exterior walls. I like this look, especially because my stucco needs repainting. Can this type of finish be applied to stucco walls?

C.B., San Clemente

A. What you’ve seen is basically “smooth” stucco, a variation of the cottage cheese-style you usually see, says Pete Gorman of Rancho Lumber in Westminster. There are several manufacturers of it, and it’s easily applied over existing stucco, as long as your walls are clean. With smooth trowels, it is evened out over the walls until you get the texture you want. It’s relatively easy to do yourself, or you can have someone apply it for you.

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Q. We have an olive tree that continually sheds its purple olives onto our concrete driveway, staining it. Are there any ways of getting stains of olives or other fruit from concrete?

S.R., Costa Mesa

A. The problem is that unsealed concrete is porous, and stains tend to become very deep over time, says Gary Lillge of Crown Hardware in Corona del Mar. For that reason, you need to get to the stain as quickly as possible. There are several concrete cleaning products on the market, such as those solvents used to remove oil stains, and you may want to start out with one of those. If these don’t work, you may want to bring in a professional. Muriatic acid solutions are effective concrete cleaners, but they can be dangerous to use.

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Q. I’m planning to repaint my kitchen cabinets. The previous owner applied a hard, oil-based enamel to them, and I’d like to change the color from white to blue. I know I need to take some of the shine off before using a primer. Can I take a shortcut and use a belt sander for the job?

P.P., Fullerton

A. It may seem like a shortcut, but it’s not a good idea, says Jim Grant of Dutch Boy Home Decorating Center in Santa Ana. You’re going to take too much off with an electric sander. You just want to scuff the surface to allow the paint to adhere, not rip off the old paint.

A professional may have a light enough touch to do the job, but for most homeowners, I’d recommend old-fashioned sandpaper. If you hate the idea of sanding, you may want to try a sanding sponge. These are small rectangles of sponge that have grit glued into them. The advantage to using them is that they can conform to whatever shape you’re trying to work on.