INSIDE & OUT : Take Those Flickering Lights as a Warning Sign
Q. Lately, we’ve noticed that while our washer and dryer are on, the lights in our house seem to flicker a lot. There’s always been a slight flicker in them, but in the past few weeks, the flickering is greater. Could this be a problem in the washer or dryer?
K.O., Tustin
A. There are a lot of possibilities, says Kathy McNally of McNally Electric Supply in La Mirada. The circuit that the washer and dryer operate on could be overloaded, which creates a surge in the circuit. Flickering can also be caused by a loose connection somewhere in the electrical system. In any case, problems like flickering or surging should be checked out by an electrician, since these are warning signs of a possible fire hazard.
*
Q. We’re going to be getting a bare wood pine dresser soon and I’d like to give it that Southwestern whitewashed look. Are there kits available that will create that finish?
B.Y., Irvine
A. There are stains available to create a whitewashed finish, and they’re relatively easy for the homeowner to apply, says Jim Grant of Dutch Boy Home Decorating Center in Santa Ana. They’re translucent, and they give the wood an aged look. The problem you may experience is that pine isn’t especially receptive to these types of stains. Pine is known as a closed-grain wood, which means it doesn’t absorb stains as well as woods like oak or walnut. For pine, you need to be careful about spreading the stain very evenly.
*
Q. While putting new, expensive hinges on my cabinet doors, I made a mistake and broke off one of the screws that held one of the old hinges. I’m now having problems removing the broken screw. Any ideas on getting it out?
C.H., Los Alamitos
A. If you’re not able to grip onto the broken head with a pair of pliers and get it to turn, you may need a screw extractor, says contractor Jerry Olsten of Anaheim. It is like a small nail with a hexagonal head. You tap it into the broken screw with a hammer and then turn it counterclockwise with a small wrench to remove it. For a small screw like that, however, it may be easier to cut around the embedded screw with a keyhole saw or by drilling holes around it and just pull it out and patch the holes, most of which will probably be covered by the new hinge anyway.
*
Q. We have an armoire entertainment center with doors that have magnetic latches. They close very well; however, I’m concerned that in an earthquake, they probably won’t hold and that the TV, stereo, and other things will fly out. Is there another latch I can use that will be safe and aesthetically pleasing?
S.D.,,Santa Ana
A. There are latches designed to child proof cupboards that may work well for you, says Gary Lillge of Crown Hardware in Corona del Mar. They’re just small plastic sleeves that fit on the inside of the door. The door opens about an inch, large enough for you to get a finger in there to push the sleeve down and free it from the cabinet to open the door fully. If your doors have knobs, you could also use a decorative cord or chain to connect them.
*
Q. We bought a house with marble tile in the entryway that has what appears to be some cigarette burn marks. What can we use to remove them?
T.E., Anaheim Hills
A. You could try a poultice that draws the stain up to the surface, says Stacy Jane of Marble Unlimited in Irvine. These are available at most marble dealers, and they’re effective if you’re dealing mostly with stains just below the surface. For deeper stains, you may need to have a professional use a stronger poultice and buff and polish the stain out.
