Clearing Up Problems in the Dishwasher
Q: Our 10-year-old portable dishwasher worked fine until lately. After everything’s dry, the glasses look like they have a milky film. What could be causing this?
S.R.
Tustin
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A: Your dishwasher probably is succumbing to hard-water deposits, says Kate Rahm of Appliance Parts Supply in Fullerton.
Over time, minerals collect in the pumps and water lines and make it difficult for the dishwasher to work as efficiently as it once did. You can try using a deposit-removing agent, such as Lime-A-Way, and follow the directions on the bottle showing how much to use for dishwashers.
You can also keep it flowing regularly by pouring in a cup of vinegar and turning it on while it’s empty.
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Q: I plan to repaint my master bedroom. I’ve noticed that some of the existing paint is chipping off. What kind of prep work should I expect to do before getting out the rollers?
D.C.
Orange
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A: First, find out why the paint is chipping, says Penny Kitner of Dunn-Edwards Paint & Wallcovering in Laguna Hills.
If the chipping is occurring all around the room, it may be that walls were inadequately prepared before the last paint job. If it’s centered around one area or one wall, you may have a problem with moisture getting inside the wall from a water line or a leaky roof. Because of all the rain recently, many homeowners are complaining of this.
Once the cause has been determined and repaired, sand away the chipped paint and apply a latex-based primer before the finish coat of paint.
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Q: I have an old pine table, about 6 feet long, that I’m going to be using as a desk. I’d like to protect the top with a piece of glass, but should I be looking for a special type of glass that’s used for tabletops?
R.R.
Yorba Linda
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A: Look for standard glass, at least one-quarter-inch thick, says Julie Oxford of College Glass & Mirror in Anaheim.
You can choose many types of tints, and for a little extra you can have the sides and corners polished off to give it a professional look, or you go with a thicker piece.
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.