Experience Is Just 1st Step to Safety on Roof

Q: A few months ago I tried getting on my roof to clean the gutters and nearly fell off. I’d like to go up and finish the job, and I’ve seen roofers get around pretty easily on roofs. What’s the trick to getting around up there?

S.T.

Fountain Valley

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A: There’s no real trick, just experience, says contractor Steve Larson of Santa Ana.

But, regardless of whether you’ve never been up on the roof before or if you’ve spent 20 years on rooftops, it’s dangerous.

First, make sure you have a ladder that’s stable and that takes you completely to the top. Don’t go up first thing in the morning or after a rain, because damp shingles or tiles can be slippery.

Have someone hand your tools to you once you’re on the roof; don’t try to climb up with them. Once you’re up there, always watch where you’re going. There are countless things to trip on and cables and wires to fall on.

Larson warns that if you’re the slightest bit uncomfortable about getting up on the roof, get someone else to do the work.

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Q: I learned of an easy way to clean silver, which is to put a piece of aluminum foil at the bottom of a tub, fill it with water and mix in and dissolve some granulated laundry detergent. I dipped my silver pieces in the tub, and they were quickly cleaned. But will this process harm the silver?

M.R.

Anaheim

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A: It’s not very likely that you could harm the silver by cleaning it that way, says Dick Britelle of Allan Adler Silversmiths in Corona del Mar.

This formula sounds similar to a method used by professionals to clean sterling silver, which involves boiling water in an aluminum pot with soap, salt and baking soda and immersing the silver for a few minutes in the solution.

Handy note: In response to a recent question on increasing the light from recessed lighting canisters, C.H.M. of Huntington Beach writes that the “spread of light is determined by the size and shape of the fixture and its proximity to the ceiling opening. A white enamel or highly reflective aluminum finish kit will allow more light to leave the canister. Replace the black light kits with one of these, or buy a sheet of acrylic lens panel, cut four pieces to fit just above the ceiling line and install them prism-side down. Halogen bulbs can be extremely efficient in terms of light output and energy use, but they produce a great deal of heat. The Illuminating Society of North America and many government agencies are requesting a ban on the sale of these bulbs for residential use.”

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.