Smoothest Operators Spackle, Sand and Repeat
Question: In one corner where we have a bedroom window, we removed wood blinds in order to paint. A large piece of drywall inside the window frame came off with the blinds. The problem was traced to a leak in the roof, which has been fixed. What’s the best way to repair the drywall?
W.E.
Huntington Beach
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Answer: What’s often used around windows is corner beading for rigidity and strength, says Frank Eckert of Arrow True Value Hardware in Orange. A layer of drywall is used on top of that to give it a smooth surface. With the leak fixed, you can probably use a good spackling compound and smooth it out. You’ll probably need several thin coats of spackle; sand between coats to get a smooth surface. Be sure to use a good primer before painting over it.
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Q The heat this summer seems to be relentless. Air-conditioning is out of our budget. Will getting insulated glass or window film help?
P.H.
Fullerton
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A With the right kind of performance glass, you’re likely to see a difference, says Dave Seegrist of Progressive Glass & Mirror in Orange. The best-known types are low-E, solar-cooled bronze and heat-mirrored. But these are going to cost $20 to $30 per square foot, or double what you would pay for standard window glass. Glass film tints don’t last very long, but they’re inexpensive, and you can see if they work for you.
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Q I’m trying to save on our utility bills. It seems like we run a gallon of water from some faucets before getting hot water. Will I see a savings if I use a recirculating pump for hot water?
D.D.
Brea
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A On some connections where the hot-water line is quite a distance from the water heater, and where you use that fixture often, you probably won’t be wasting as much water, says Ron Albright of Albright Plumbing & Heating Supply in Los Alamitos. Recirculating pumps keep hot water moving so that it’s always available when you turn on a faucet. It also uses more gas, because you’re heating more water. So, what you save on one utility may be what you pay on the other.
If you have a question about your home or garden, 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.
