How much is enough when it comes to insulation?

Most everyone knows that you need insulation in your attic to keep your home warm during the winter, but how much is enough? That depends upon where you live.

First of all, check with your local codes to see what "R" value is suggested for your area of the country. The R value is a rating given to different types of insulating material. You need to determine what your current R value is and then see if you need to add to it.

What you add to it usually is up to you, and can depend on your budget as well. You can mix materials also. If you just need to add a little bit more, maybe a blown-in type would be the best way to go. But if you need to add more than that but have little room, perhaps a high-density batting product might be your best choice. There are some middle-of-the-road choices as well.

If you are adding batt insulation over other insulation, make sure you use a barrier-free type, or makes lots of small slits in the paper, foil or plastic wrapping on it. You don't want to trap moisture between the layers of insulation.

Foam panels offer another way to add to existing insulation, although these make more sense to add to attic walls.

Make sure you don't cover can lights, which need extra clearance to avoid heat buildup.

It's also important to allow adequate ventilation, so make sure soffit vents remain free either by working around them or by installing baffles for sufficient airflow.

Don't forget to add insulation to an attic stairway. There are some pretty great products for that, or just install foam and/or batts to your attic doorway as well as weatherstripping.

Rubber band trick

There are some pretty amazing devices that you can buy to open a stuck jar lid. We saw another new one just the other day, and it wasn't inexpensive! But putting a rubber band around the metal jar lid to help you get a better grip works almost every time. Maybe it's not as much fun, but it's a heck of a lot cheaper than the fancy, new, electric models!

Cutting metal

Recently we were making a repair and working with sheets of aluminum. To get smooth edges, we used a saw, but we sandwiched the metal sheet between two sheets of plywood. Then we made our cut. The plywood kept the metal from bending with each cut, and we got the smooth edges we needed. This is a super way to get the job done to perfection. Try it yourself.

Super hints

•Old cassette cases and VHS cases are great for storing all sorts of hardware, bits and other small tools. Clear cases even let you easily see what's inside. Others can be labeled and stacked on a shelf for neat storage.

•To save money on replacing your carpet, remove the old carpet yourself. Cut it into smaller pieces, maybe 3 feet by 3 feet, and take the smaller pieces outside. Your garbagemen will appreciate your actions as well.

•I've seen some really nice (and expensive) ways to store ribbon for wrapping packages in my local craft store. But I created my own that works quite well. I used a plastic storage holder for CDs (100 discs). I placed the ribbon reels on the center spindle and then carefully made slits along the side of the plastic case to feed the ribbons through. The holes line up with the ribbon on the spindle, and the end sticks out of the container, which I keep closed to keep the ribbon under control. When I need a particular color, I just grab the end, pull out what I need and snip it off, leaving the end ready for my next project. This would work great for sewing trim, too.

Reader tips

•My wife insists that I use a coaster on our coffee table. So the last time she was painting, I asked her to use one for the paint can. After all, it could leave a paint ring on the floor if any dripped down the side. She found a rolling coaster. It was really a plant tray on wheels for one of our larger plants. The can easily fits into the tray and catches all of the drips. The fact that it was on wheels was really clever. I think I might have to try that one myself the next time I am painting.

•I had to build a shed just to house all of our outdoor furniture. We love the new deck we built, but now we have more outdoor furniture to store in the winter. Another thing I do to protect it when it's stored is spray it all down with car wax. The wax doesn't look that great, but it keeps the metal from rusting while in storage. In the springtime, I just get it all out and clean the wax away. We spent a lot of money on the furniture, so protecting it with a little wax just seemed like the smart thing to do.

•I have thrown out more plasticware than I should have through the years, but when it starts looking dirty after it's been used, I'm afraid to use it any longer. Tomato sauce is one of the worst things to nuke in plasticware, but I found out that if you spray it with cooking spray before putting the tomato sauce in the plastic container, it won't be as likely to get ruined. It also works on chili and other greasy/acidic liquids that ruin plasticware.

•I tried something last year that really worked, and I wanted to share it with your readers. We have had problems with icy steps in front of our condo and have tried a lot of things, but they still remain treacherous. If you mix a little dishwashing liquid into some hot water and pour this over the steps, it will melt the ice and won't refreeze. I don't know why it works, but we had pretty good results last year. - J.R.

•We needed to add a handrail to our back steps. We didn't have any way to install it directly into the concrete, but had a post at the bottom of the steps and the side of the house at the top. We installed a large eye bolt and ran a thick nylon cord between the two. It's great to hold on to, and it does the job that we need it to do. Maybe one day we can afford to hire someone to install a permanent metal rail, but this one works fine for now.

Q. I have a thickly textured wall in my dining room. It looks like stucco, but it's not. I can't get the old stuff off. What can I do to minimize the texture?

A. Sanding can bring it down somewhat. You also might put another layer of drywall compound over that to help smooth out the surface. Paneling is the next step, but it could get costly and may not give you the results you are looking for. I might try doing both of the first ideas to try to get a better finish.

Q. We have a lot of hanging baskets that are full of plants we are bringing into our house for the winter. What's the best way to water these without making a huge mess?

A. Some people take them down and set them in a tub of water and then let them drain before hanging them back up, but that could be really time-consuming if you have a lot. They make some plastic drip trays that hang on these pots. You should be able to find them at your garden center. Also, a plastic shower cap might work, as long as it doesn't have too much water in it.

Q. Our rec room has knotty-pine paneling on the walls. Some of the knots are loose and falling out. What can be done about this?

A. We suggest just gluing them back into their holes. If there are any that are missing, you can put a scrap of wood into the hole and putty over it, then stain it to match.

Q. I'm confused when looking at wallpaper for my kitchen. What or why would anyone use "strippable wallpaper"?

A. Strippable wallpaper is made to come off easily when you decide to take it down. It isn't any less permanent than the rest, so don't think it is going to peel off your wall after only a week or two. It just means that when you do decide to remove it to redecorate or paint, it won't be a major production, like it can be for some papers.

Shoptalk

•How many times have you wished for a portable handle? The Handle On Demand is a temporary handle that easily attaches to all kinds of surfaces and can hold up to 220 pounds. Put it on a cabinet or a countertop to make carrying these items a one-man job again. It can make moving day much easier to handle, too. It's easy to use and won't leave a mark when removed. You easily will find a dozen uses for this handy handle. To see it and order one for yourself, visit the "New Products" page at duluthtrading.com.

•Safety glasses are required for so many DIY jobs, but a lot of people find they are a hassle because they tend to fog up when you are working in average DIY conditions, like hot, cold or humid. Clarity Defog It Dry Cloths should be in every shop and toolbox. The reusable cloth will prevent fogging on many surfaces, and the results last for a long time. It's amazing to think that one tiny cloth can make such a difference, but it can. Look for it at discount stores, auto-supply stores and many other outlets. To learn more about this product, as well as the rest of the line, visit nanofilmproducts.com.

• Write to Al and Kelly Carrell in care of the Daily Herald, P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006 or visit the Carrells' Web site at thesuperhandyman.com.

© 2009, Cowles Syndicate Inc.