Bearings Repair Can Mower the Merrier
Question: I have a lawn mower that’s more than 25 years old. Shortly after a tuneup I noticed a rattle, and the repairman fastened down a loose part called a bearing holder. Now it doesn’t run at all. I can’t reach the manufacturer, King O’ Lawn, or find anyone who can get this part fixed. Any ideas?
C.C.
Fountain Valley
Answer: Any experienced lawn mower or small engine repair shop should be able to diagnose this for you, says Sean Lee of Lee Lawnmowers in Santa Ana.
King O’Lawn is out of business, which is why you haven’t been able to reach them. However, their engines were made by Briggs & Stratton, which is still a major small-engine manufacturer.
There’s no such thing as a bearing holder, but if there’s a problem with the bearings, that might be an expensive repair. If there is a major problem, it may be more cost-effective to replace your old lawn mower.
Q: I want to remove the wall-to-wall carpeting in several of my rooms and just use small area rugs on the bare concrete floors. What’s the best way to fix the cracks in the concrete and seal it?
B.C.
San Clemente
A: There are many kinds of concrete patches, and most are easy to prepare and apply, says Frank Eckert of Arrow True Value Hardware in Orange.
The problem you may run into is that you’ll never find a patch that will blend in perfectly with the rest of the concrete surface.
A better idea might be to fix the cracks and smooth the surface, then paint the surface with a flooring paint. It will probably give you a better look than plain concrete by hiding the concrete patches, and it will last longer than applying a sealer.
Q: I have a vinyl floor in my kitchen. Near the sliding glass door to the patio, there’s a small cluster of rust-colored, pin-sized dots I’ve not been able to clean up.
C.L.C.
Santa Ana
A Gidon Adlon of Bob’s Shades & Linoleum in Orange suspects the stain is coming from underneath the floor.
Sometimes floors are laid over uncovered nail heads. If moisture gets in there, rust develops, contaminating and discoloring the floor.
The floor needs to be pulled up and the nailheads covered with a caulk or cover-all. If you have a remnant of the floor, you could cut away the stained portion and insert a patch with the new floor.
If the stains are within an inch or two of the door, you might be able to lay a new, wider threshold across the doorway to cover the stained portion.
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.
