Dust in the Varnish Can Be Sanded Down
QUESTION: We are refinishing some of our furniture and we’re having problems with dust particles settling into the varnished surface. What is the best way to deal with this?
ANSWER: Obviously, the best solution is to try to maintain a dust-free environment for your working area. But minor imperfections and particles of dust stuck to the varnished surface can be rubbed down with fine abrasive paper between coats. If your top coat is to be a high-gloss finish, take even more care to ensure that your brush is perfectly clean.
If you are not satisfied with your final finish, dip very fine steel wool in wax polish and rub the varnish with parallel strokes in the direction of the grain. Buff the surface with a soft cloth. This will remove the high gloss, but it leaves a pleasant sheen on the surface with no obvious imperfections.
Flat Roofs Should Be Inspected Once a Year
Q: I am trying to save money by doing home maintenance and preventive maintenance myself. My home has a flat roof, and one of my big concerns is preventing roof leaks. What should I look for when I inspect my roof?
A: Flat roofs should be inspected once a year. Do the job in two stages: once on a dry day and again just after a rain so you can observe standing pools of water. Wear soft-soled shoes and walk gently. One of the chief causes of leaks is breakdown caused by careless walking in heavy work boots. If the roof is visited frequently, install a wooden walkway supported by 2x4s laid horizontally to spread weight and distribute pressure over a large area. This prevents damage.
Leaks are generally located directly over their evidence on the ceiling below. Chief causes of leaks are moisture trapped between layers of roofing because of incorrect application, drying out or cracking of the layers because of deterioration caused by ultraviolet radiation and inadequate flashing of roof edges and openings. Most leaks, in fact, appear where the roof meets the edges of the building.
Clean away debris--especially areas of damp silt--from the roof and gutters. Look for blisters or ripples in the roof surface, as well as slits, cracks, areas of torn roofing and places where flashing has come loose or deteriorated. Do not tamper with untorn blisters or loose flashing until you are ready to make repairs. Blisters that not located near ceiling damage and that do not expel water when pressure is applied should not be disturbed or repaired.
Metal Termite Shields Work as a Deterrent
Q: Is there a way to guard against termites without pumping insecticide into the ground around our home?
A: Yes. If you’re constructing a new home, install metal termite shields between foundation walls and wood sills and around pipes entering the soil from the house structure above. In addition, foundation walls should extend at least six inches above ground level, and the distance between joists and soil in crawl spaces should be a minimum of 18 inches.
Tips to Save Time in the Workshop
Here are some timesaving tips and hints that can make life easier for you in the workshop:
* If you’re tackling a job that doesn’t come with instructions, take a few minutes to think about the project and write your own before you begin. You’ll be less likely to mess up and do the steps out of sequence.
* Avoid eyestrain. Enlarge fine print and small details of assembly instructions on a photocopier.
* Protect plans, drawings and instructions with the clear self-sticking plastic sold for lining shelves. Papers stay clean, dry and intact. And you can make notes on the plastic with a grease pencil.
* Create a holder for plans and notes by mounting a spring-type mousetrap on your workshop wall. Pry off the bait holder with a screwdriver before you mount the trap.
* Store instructions, owner’s manuals and warranty information for all appliances, tools and equipment in one place in a three-ring binder or a magazine storage file.
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To submit a question, write to Popular Mechanics, Reader Service Bureau, 224 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019. The most interesting questions will be answered in a future column.