How to replace your old wooden threshold

Wooden thresholds usually last a long time. But when they wear down or become damaged by water or some other issue, you really should replace them. Even a metal threshold may need to be replaced from time to time.

A lightweight aluminum threshold is a good choice for a replacement. These are fairly inexpensive, lightweight and easy to install. Here are the basics. You can figure out if you want to take it on, or hire someone else to do it.

First, you need to remove the old threshold. If it's wooden, you probably will do well to just cut it in half with a back saw or circular saw. If parts of the door frame interfere with the removal, carefully remove them so you can replace them once the new threshold is in place. Remove any hardware holding the threshold in place and then pry it up and out. Sometimes, the hardware can be hidden by a covering of some type.

You need to clean up the area next. Scrape off any old caulk and/or damaged screws or nails.

Buy a new threshold that is at least as long as the old one. It also should be the same height in order for a good fit under your door. You can cut it down to size if you need to with a hacksaw or a circular saw. Grind down any sharp edges.

The aluminum threshold usually will be pre-drilled for the screws, but you will need to mark your wood or concrete sill as well.

Apply at least one solid bead of caulk to the opening before installing the threshold. Then, install the screws and any other pieces that come with it. If you had to remove part of the door frame, replace that as well.

While you are at it, you also might consider adding a door sweep and/or replacing the weatherstripping around the door frame. The new threshold, as well as these things, can give you more protection and energy efficiency.

Simple storage solution

Storing similar items together usually can allow you to store more in less space, not to mention making these items easier to find. Plasticware is especially easy to store this way. Just nest and stack the containers. The lids can all be put into one box. Set them on their sides, and it will be easy to pick the right one when you need to match it with a bowl.

Create a trellis

I've seen some nice trellises, but if all you really need is a good support for a heavy vine, consider using re-mesh. This heavy-duty metal mesh is primarily used for reinforcing concrete projects, and is pretty inexpensive and easy to work with. You can use it next to a wall by installing some hooks or screws that will hold it in place, or standing it upright supported by a rod of rebar on each side. You even can cut it into a shape with shears. Connect two panels at the top and create a simple arbor.

Super hints

• If you want to know if you have a water leak in your home, turn off anything that uses water, including your ice maker. Then check your water meter and write down the readings. Check it again in about 20 minutes to see if the reading has changed. If it has, you have a leak to investigate.

• Want to get your paint for half the price? Shop for your paint in the "oops" or "boo-boo" paint shelf. Most paint stores will have a shelf or two where they keep incorrectly mixed or returned paints. You can mix two or three cans if you are painting a large area. Your colors will depend on what they have, but you can usually get something very close to what you had in mind from the start.

• Clear-coat car polishes go on easily, wipe off easily and they also make your car super shiny. Well, they do the same thing when wiped on metal around your home. Put it on faucets and door handles, too, and protect them from corrosion and rust at the same time.

Q. I have a dishwasher that is about 5 years old. It seems to have stopped draining. Everything else works, though. What should I check first?

A. The first thing I would check is the drain hose. Make sure it's not kinked. You also can check around the base inside the dishwasher to make sure food isn't blocking the drain. The obvious next step would be to replace the pump. If you know what you are doing, it's not that tough, but be sure to get some help if it's your first time, or you can hire a professional to do it.

Q. We have a fluorescent ceiling fixture in our master closet. It only works about half the time. When it does, it buzzes. I've tried replacing the bulbs but it still buzzes. What causes this, and what can I do to fix it?

A. It's probably the ballast, and you usually can find a replacement at most home centers or at a lighting dealer. To replace it, turn the breaker off to the light and remove the cover under the bulbs. Locate a heavy, rectangular box and disconnect the wires going to it. Take it to the store in order to get the right replacement. Hook everything back up, and you should be back in business, without the buzz!

Q. I have an old light fixture, which could be an antique, that has glass globes, one of which is missing. I would like to see if I can find a matching globe. Got any ideas?

A. Take a photo of the lamp and remove one of the globes. Take both to a local antique store or appraiser and see what you have. Depending upon the age and style, you can start looking for a new globe. If the globes are not antique, then you can replace them with anything you like. Don't forget to do some searching on the Internet. I am always amazed at some of the stuff you can find online.

Reader tips

• We started saving water in 5-gallon buckets from the shower and kitchen sink. When we turn on the hot water, we start running it into the bucket. It's usually almost full by the time the water gets hot. Go ahead and take your shower or wash those dishes, and set the bucket aside. I keep them on the back patio and use them to water my plants every couple of days. I haven't had to use the hose even once this whole summer, and we have had a heat wave and a drought to deal with.

• I learned a trick from my mom. She used to paint our rooms about once a year. She really enjoyed it. She taught me to clean my brushes really well after using them in order to help them last longer. She would also dip them into liquid fabric softener, smooth the bristles out and then let them dry like that. It would keep them straight and stiff until it was time to wash them and use them again. It only takes a second or two, and it does help them last.

• I like to work on painting projects, but I hate to wear gloves. I just feel like they never fit right. I do, however, coat my hands with a thin layer of petroleum jelly. This protects my hands from most of the messes I get into. It resists paint perfectly. In fact, you need to be careful not to get it on the wood before you paint. It also is easy to clean off when you are finished working on your project. Remember this the next time you have kiddos helping you, too!

• I stumbled onto a great way to organize your refrigerator. I bought a lazy Susan for my pantry. My sister also bought two more for me, knowing that I was looking for one. I put them in the fridge to hold condiments and some other items. Wow! No more digging or knocking things over trying to get to the mustard or pickles. These are perfect, and refrigerators ought to come with them from now on. They are great.

• I installed new cabinets on the wall over my washing machine and dryer. I painted the whole room a calm gray, and then I decided to paint the washer and dryer. I found some spray enamel paint and painted them both a blue gray. It was so easy, and the room looks great. I am shopping for a rug today, and that will just about finish it off.

Shoptalk

• Vinegar is one of those everyday household products that we all have in our homes. It has tons of uses there, as well as in the shop and even outdoors. It's really inexpensive and can save you money in many cases. We have put together a list of some of our favorite, tried-and-true uses for the stuff. You also can get this information, as well as a lot of other interesting tips, on our website at www.thesuperhandyman.com.

• DAP makes a neat Wood Finish Repair Kit that will resolve a lot of your furniture boo-boos. The kit includes two stain pens (one dark and one light), and four colored sticks, along with the application tools you need to do most touch-ups. The instructions will give you step-by-step directions that make the repairs easy and foolproof. The kits are available at most hardware stores, as well as home centers and many discount stores. To find out more about this and other DAP products, go to www.dap.com.

• An asphalt driveway should last a long time. Rustoleum's RockSolid Polycuramine Coating is a two-layer system that bonds with the asphalt on a molecular level, and will prove to be an impenetrable barrier against wear and tear, oils, gas, salts, UV rays, chemicals and even weather damage. It's like a sealer on steroids. To find out more, visit www.rustoleum.com or your home center or hardware store.

• Write to Kelly Carrell in care of the Daily Herald, P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006 or visit online at thesuperhandyman.com.

© 2015, Cowles Syndicate Inc.