INSIDE & OUT : Wood Drawers Stick in Ocean Air After Drying Out in Desert Climate
Q: We’ve recently moved from the desert to the beach, and we’ve found that the wood drawers in our furniture are starting to stick. Waxing the runners hasn’t made opening or closing them any easier. What else can we use?
R. M.
San Clemente
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A: This is a common problem for people who move from a dry climate into a wet one, says Bob Espeland of Espeland Furniture Refinishing and Repair in Orange.
The wood has dried out during its time in the desert, then when it’s taken to an area with moist air, the wood takes in the moisture and swells.
You might want to try using a silicone spray lubricant on the drawer runners, then wait for six months to see if the swelling is reduced. If you’re still having a problem, the runners could be shaved down to allow more room for the drawers to work properly.
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Q: We have a bathroom vanity and sink made of marble. There are scratches in the sink that we’d like to get rid of. Is there a product available to remove scratches?
A. L.
Seal Beach
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A: There are some polishing and finishing compounds you can get in stores that carry marble that will help remove light scratches and preserve a finish, says Gloria Richey of Tile Importers in Anaheim. However, with deep scratches, you’re probably better off contacting a professional.
Deep scratches or blemishes will have to be polished out, and if the polishing is done incorrectly, you could damage the surface.
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Q: Despite keeping my dogs and my yard clean, flies are constantly harassing my dogs. I’ve tried using a bug zapper but haven’t had much luck with it, and I don’t want to use insecticides in the yard. Any other ideas?
F. P.
Fullerton
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A: It doesn’t matter how clean the dog is: Flies tend to be attracted to the dog’s hind quarters and ears, says Amber Clifford of Barney’s Pet Center in Yorba Linda.
There are a cream and a spray available at most pet supply stores that can be applied on the dog to keep flies away. Also, you may want to continue using the bug zapper, since that will help keep the flies away from the patio.
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Q: I’m going to be renting out a room in my house, and before I do, I’d like to secure my bedroom door. It’s the typical hollow interior door found in most tract homes. Is there a solid-wood door available for this kind of use?
C. S.
Irvine
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A: Solid core doors are available in sizes to fit most interior doorways, says Pete Gorman of Rancho Lumber in Westminster. Should the door open out, you’ll want to specify that you need a non-removable pin hinge, which prevents the door from being removed at the hinge.
You could add a night latch on the inside, which is a set of three rings that connect when the door is closed, then you insert a pin through the middle.
You’ll also want to add a deadbolt lock to the door, which should make it fairly secure. If you use a double-cylinder deadbolt, which requires a key to open it from the inside, make sure the key is inserted on the inside when you lock it so that you can get out of the room quickly in an emergency.
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Q: Our dishwasher works fine, but it has lots of water deposits on the inside walls. How can these be removed, and how can they be prevented?
T. C.
Villa Park
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A: There are household scale removers on the market that you can run through a cycle or two to help remove the deposits, says Kate Rahn of Appliance Parts Supply in Fullerton. You can also try clear vinegar or some type of citric acid wash.
These types of hard-water deposits are very common in our area. Water softeners can help, but they won’t prevent all of the deposits. You’ll need to periodically clean the unit.
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If you have a question about your home or garden, A Helping Hand will help you find the answer. Send questions to: John Morell, Home Design, The Times Orange County, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626.
