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Plants

Waterline Leak Is Easy, Inexpensive to Repair

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Question In one of my bathrooms I noticed a leak coming from the waterline that leads from the wall to the toilet tank. I tried tightening the bolts, but that hasn’t stopped the dripping. Is this an expensive thing to have fixed?

L.L.

Fountain Valley

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Answer This shouldn’t be an expensive repair; it’s actually pretty common, says plumber Alan Cora of Anaheim.

These waterlines collect deposits and eventually rust out, which leads to leaks. Most home centers have replacement lines. Many people are choosing the newer, white flexible lines over traditional copper or galvanized because they’re easier to install and they look nicer.

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Q We’re doing some painting inside our house, and we’re running into a little detail problem with the furnace grilles. We’ve tried painting them with a brush, but the finish isn’t very smooth. How do the pros do it?

H.W.

Garden Grove

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A If you’re just trying to paint them bright white or an off-white, you might consider getting a simple spray paint, says Rich Zelle of Fullerton Paint & Flooring.

You just clean them off and spray-paint them, applying thin coats and waiting until they’re completely dry before putting on the second and third coats. If it’s a unique color, you could choose an oil-based paint, and some paint stores are capable of putting that paint in a spray form for you.

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Q My front door sticks as it’s closed, and it seems to be swollen slightly near the top. I assume this needs to be planed. What’s the best way to go about it?

B.C.

Brea

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A If you don’t have a plane, you can probably rent it from a rental yard, says carpenter Dave Corist of Lake Forest.

Carefully shave away the swollen part of the door edge, then check the jamb area to make sure it’s even. Make sure you also apply a sealant to the top of the door and jamb to prevent more swelling during the rainy season.

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Today’s Tip: You can wash doll clothes, handkerchiefs and other small textiles in a kitchen salad washer. Put the water, soap and textiles in the washer and spin the handle. Empty, rinse and spin again.

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