Odor from fuel spill remains despite clean up
Q. Several weeks ago, fuel oil was spilled in my basement. I have cleaned it up, but the odor remains. The basement, which is damp and musty, has a concrete floor. I have been advised to mop the floor with white vinegar. Do you know if it will work? Do you have any other suggestions?
Waterbury, Vt.
A. I don't know whether white vinegar will get rid of the odor, but it's worth a try. If it does not work, try Knock Out distributed by PTB Enterprises of Southfield, Mich., PTB's Web site is www.ptbent.com. The product is completely biodegradable and harmless to people, pets, fabrics, etc. It is all-natural, containing laboratory-designed enzymes that seek out and destroy the molecules that cause odors. You can order Knock Out on their Web site or by calling PTB Enterprises' toll-free number, (866) 478-2368.
Another product that I and other readers have had very good luck with is Nok-Out, manufactured by Amazing Concepts, LLC. It is available only from the distributor Neo Products at P.O. Box 190, Holly, MI 48442. Their toll-free number is (888) 977-4848. You can also order it online at www.nokout.com. Nok-Out works differently than Knock Out and seems to have a chlorine-base.
Q. We own a condo on the second floor, and there is a condo on the third floor above us. We can hear noise from the people above us, such as walking and chairs and the kitchen table moving whenever they sit down for meals. We do not hear any talking, their television or radio.
The builder claims the condos were soundproofed between floors, as they used insulation plus a certain layer of material called Acousti-Mat II. If we have foam insulation blown between the ceiling joists, will it muffle some of the noise from the condo above? Or is there another solution?
Mt. Arlington, N.J.
A. Sound is transmitted in two ways: It is either sent through the air or heard through impact. What you are hearing is impact-transmitted sound. It seems as if the Acousti-Mat II installation was successful in controlling air-borne sounds but not so in controlling impact-transmitted sounds.
The Maxxon Web site shows a detailed drawing of the installation recommended for sound transmission reduction. It clearly shows batt insulation between the floor joists, but it also shows resilient channels fastened to the underside of the joists and ª-inch gypsum board attached to the channels. It also shows a GYP-CRETE underlayment and a tile floor. It is possible that no resilient channels were used, that ½-inch gypsum board was used instead of ª, and that the wood floor was applied directly over a wood sheathing. Any of these changes may alter the impact-sound transmission effectiveness of the system.
Resilient channels isolate the ceiling material from the floor system and absorb impact sounds. Blowing foam insulation would not improve the sound transmission. It would just compress the existing fiberglass, an unneeded expense. If these sounds are not bearable, you may want to consider having an acoustical engineer go over the construction and make suggestions for improvement.
Q. I have a problem that has been bugging me for a couple of years. Ants with long wings appear two days before Memorial Day in my house. They are in all stages of growth from small to large. Enclosed, please find a large specimen. I would like to handle the problem on my own. Any advice you can give me to encourage them never to return will be appreciated.
Linden, N.J.
A. Maybe the ants want to help you celebrate Memorial Day. How thoughtful! The specimen you sent me was completely smashed beyond recognition by the automated USPS sorting machinery. The visitors may be carpenter ants, and the fact that they have wings indicates that they are looking to set up a satellite colony, as their present nest is getting too small.
You can get a can of ant spray from a hardware store to kill those you see, but that is not taking care of the hidden problem. You need the services of a pest-management professional who will locate the nest and take care of the infestation. As always, my advice is to call a local, family-owned-and-operated firm, as opposed to national franchises that try to sell you expensive contracts.
Q. We have two leather club chairs in our living room. My husband's favorite chair has developed a disgusting oily stain where his head rests. We haven't found anything to help us get it off. I'm ready to get rid of the chair, but I thought I'd ask you if you knew of any solutions before I do.
Burlington, Vt.
A. Removing oil stains from leather is tricky. I'm hoping that you haven't thrown the chair out by now. Pay a visit to Hides Pride in Essex Junction. They have several products that you can try, but the most valuable help will come from their experience working with leather.
© 2007, United Feature Syndicate, Inc.