Best hot water pump

Q. At your suggestion, I plan to install a Laing AutoCirc pump in my bathroom. Having provided the GFIC outlet, I went online to find the pump, but got overwhelmed by the wide variety available. Can you please do a column that sorts through some of the criteria in choosing one? Maybe even give model numbers?

A. The answer to your question is simple and does not require a lengthy discussion about different models.

There are indeed several models that will provide instant hot water at any faucet in the house. Some models come with a thermostat and a timer and some models without either, but, in my own research, the most appropriate one for most home users is the model mentioned below.

The recirculating pump we installed in our kitchen in order to get instant hot water at all faucets instead of waiting forever for hot water if the faucets had not been used for a while is the "Laing LHB08100092 AutoCirc Recirculation Pump with Timer." The timer allows you to shut off the pump during any lengthy periods when hot water is not needed - while you are asleep and if you are away most of the day - thus saving power.

If bought online directly from Laing or Amazon, it is listed at a price of $249.59 with free shipping.

Any plumbing-supply house should be able to get it for you and any licensed plumbing contractor can also supply and install it.

Here are some of the specifications from the Laing website: "The auto circ pump is installed under the sink or faucet farthest from the water heater. Requires only 14 watts of power. Does not require a return line. Packaged complete with a 6-foot-long power cord. Has a built-in 24-hour timer that allows the selection of system operating periods to suit family usage. Saves the average family of four up to 17,000 gallons of water annually."

Q. In one of your articles I recall you recommended "mouse-proof insulation." What is it and where can I find some?

A. You must be referring to Xcluder Rodent Control Fill Fabric. You can buy it online at buyxcluder.com. Click on "Products" and on "Xcluder Fill Fabric" on the drop menu.

Xcluder comes in a variety of forms, including a large DIY kit for $27 and a small one for $20, as well as rolls of wrap, door sweeps, etc.

Check out which product best fills your needs. I found the kits to be very helpful.

Q. In my former house, I replaced the broken window sash cords with plastic, spring-loaded tracks I bought in a hardware store. They were easy to cut to size and slip in on both sides of the sashes and did a decent job of sealing drafts as well (and cheaper than replacing the sashes). I think they were called "cpw" or "crw?"

I can't find them anywhere now. Do you know where I can buy them?

A. Go to www.blainewindow.com, click on "Search for a Part" and enter "Jamb Liners" in the Keyword box.

Select from a variety of replacement jamb liners. They all can be carefully cut to fit the size of your windows.

Blaine Window Hardware Inc, whose main store is located in Hagerstown, Maryland, (800) 678-1919, stocks hundreds of window and door parts among many other items. When I was active in construction in the D.C. area, we dealt with them frequently, and if they didn't have a part we needed, they would search for it or even make it.

Their service was very welcome and I hope they still carry on the tradition.

Q. What sealer product do you recommend for a brick chimney and where would I buy it?

A. Any clear siloxane-based sealer will seal the bricks and mortar if the surface is sound. Any mortar joint in need of tuck-pointing should be repaired first.

You should be able to find these products in masonry-supply stores, such as A.H. Harris, which has offices in a number of states. Find them at www.ahharris.com. There is one in Williston, Vermont.

If you cannot find the proper sealer locally, you can order it from any A.H. Harris store.

Q. I am inquiring about cat urine smell. I had two cats and they lived upstairs in the attic. I have not located the source of where the cat urinated. I think it's coming from the crawl spaces. I was wondering if there is a cleaning solution to use to clean the area and remove the smell. Or am I stuck with having to replace the floors?

A. If you have access to the attic's crawl spaces, spray Nok-Out Odor Eliminator on any surfaces you suspect have been affected. Nok-Out needs to be in contact with the source of the odors to eliminate it. The odor should disappear in a short time.

You can get all the information you need on its website: www.nokout.com. If you cannot find Nok-Out in your local hardware store, you can buy it on Amazon.

An interesting comment from a reader: "In your column that appeared in the Daily Herald on Oct. 22, you provided information on removing mold from a Trex deck. We, too, have been battling this issue from the installation of our deck and thought your readers might be interested in another option. For several years, we had been using Olympic Premium Deck Cleaner. This worked well enough, but the mold quickly began to return, and, by the end of the season, the deck was as bad as at the beginning.

This year, based on an article's suggestion, we tried a copper sulfate solution with great results. Using a soft bristle brush and allowing a bit of soak time, the mold was nicely removed. As of this writing (mid-November) the mold has not returned. Unfortunately, I had no indication of mixture strength to use, so I took a guess. We are anxious to see just how long this application continues to work.

Copper sulfate is inexpensive and can be found in box stores in the plumbing area. It is labeled and sold as a root remover for septic systems. It is also available online.

• Henri de Marne, a former remodeling contractor turned columnist and consultant, is the author of "About the House with Henri de Marne" (Upper Access Publishing). He continues to take questions from readers for this column and his website, www.henridemarne.com. Email questions to aboutthehouse@gmavt.net.