Wires for Speakers Are Safe
Q. I’d like to install wiring through my house for stereo speakers, but in planning it, I was concerned about fishing the wiring behind walls and through the attic. Is there any fire danger from speaker wire?
S.B., Placentia
A. Speaker wire is very low voltage and is safe, says Mike McCoy of Current Supply in Westminster. That’s why it tends to have a thin plastic sleeve, because it doesn’t have dangerous current traveling through it. At some hardware and electrical supply stores you can find speaker wire with an indoor/outdoor insulation that is thicker and is great for use with patio speakers. You can always use this type if you don’t want to use the standard wire behind your walls.
****
Q. I have solid hardwood kitchen cabinets with a varnish finish. Around the cooking area, the cabinets have become coated with grease. I’ve tried removing the grease with the usual kitchen cleaners but haven’t been successful. What else should I try?
D.L., Buena Park
A. Try putting some paint thinner on a rag and rubbing it out, says Bob Espeland of Espeland Furniture Repair and Antique Restoration in Orange. First, though, you should try a little of the paint thinner in an inconspicuous area to make sure the surface doesn’t get “tacky” or start coming off. Don’t soak the greasy areas with the thinner--Wipe it quickly with the rag so the thinner isn’t in contact with the wood very long. After cleaning, the surface might seem cloudy or white. You could then restore the finish using a household spray wax.
****
Q. We have an old house with sash-style wood windows, and in one of our bedrooms the window won’t stay up. We’ve resorted to putting a stick in the channel to prop it up, but how can this be permanently fixed?
L.L., Santa Ana
A. It’s probably that the sash balance, which holds the window in place, is in need of replacement, says Dee Watt of College Glass & Mirror in Fullerton. Most window and glass and mirror shops carry the weights needed for the job. These older windows always seem to have a problem with either opening or closing, but there are still enough houses with them so that you shouldn’t have a problem finding parts.
****
Q. Our stucco-and-wood house was painted three years ago, but in places it’s gotten dirty. Would I get a better job of cleaning if I rented a pressure washer to do the job, or should I just use my garden hose and spray nozzle?
F.R., San Juan Capistrano
A. Pressure washers are often used in preparation for painting, because they remove loose paint from a surface, says Pete Gorman of Rancho Lumber in Westminster. Using a common spray nozzle, you’re probably less likely to do any damage if your intent is just to clean. Pressure washers typically blast water at a target at 1,500 pounds per square foot, while spray nozzles force water out at far less pressure.
****
Q. The water pressure in my 35-year-old house is fine except in the master bathroom. The shower and toilet seem to have low pressure, but the faucet in the sink appears to be OK. I’ve tried replacing the shower head, but that hasn’t made a difference--any other suggestions?
P.S., Orange
A. Assuming that the water lines to the toilet and shower haven’t been replaced, it could be that they’re plugged with sediment, says Ron Albright of Albright Plumbing & Heating Supply in Los Alamitos. On the toilet, you may find that the shut-off valve is clogged, or there could be a problem with sediment in the valve inside the tank. With the shower, remember that new shower heads restrict the flow to save water, which will make it appear that the pressure is low. If the shower valve is old, it too could have a buildup of sediment that keeps water from flowing.