Super ways to cut down on mold and mildew in the bathroom

You would expect that the bathroom is the most humid room in the house, but it doesn't mean you want mildew and mold growing on the walls. If you don't have a ventilator in the room, you should consider adding one. If you do have one, here are some tips to make sure you get the full benefit from it.

If you want to add a fan, you can do so as long as you have access to the ceiling so you can vent it outdoors or through the roof. Most require minimum wiring, and you can do it yourself if you can wire a light fixture. Look for a fan that will exhaust a lot of air, and one that will be reasonably quiet.

The timers that are available for wall switches are a great add-on to a ventilator fan, so install one when you install your fan, or add one to an existing fan. You want the fan to run for at least 15 minutes after the shower has been cut off. That should be enough time to clear the majority of the humidity from the room. A lot of people, naturally, turn it off when they leave the room, and this usually doesn't allow enough time to do the job.

Switching to compact fluorescent bulbs also can cut down on the heat, which can help prevent some of the humidity in the bathroom, in addition to saving energy.

Leave bathroom doors open when privacy isn't an issue. If you need to keep the door closed, then consider installing a vent in the door itself. This will give you privacy but will increase the air flow to the room. Just cut a hole in the door and install a metal vent cover on both sides. Paint it to match the door, and it will be barely noticeable.

A room fan also can be helpful. Use it to help move the air out into the adjoining room.

The next time you paint, add a mildew inhibitor to your paint, or buy paint with one included.

The versatile bungee cord

There is a clamp for just about every project. But if you don't have a large variety of clamps, you might have to make do with what you have in order to get the job done. In fact, you might have to use something that is not a clamp to get the job done. A bungee cord can be used as a very versatile clamping system. Just put it around things that you want to hold together as you work. It's a great way to clamp a project that is odd-shaped. There seems to be no end to the uses for bungee cords!

Create extra storage space

Basements are great areas for storing household items, but do you ever really have enough storage space? And does it have to look like a storage space? If you have an open stairway, then you can store items in the area under the steps. Design your own shelf or cabinet to fit right under the staircase. If you need it to be portable, put wheels on the bottom of it so you can roll it out when you need to. It's a super way to store things in an otherwise wasted area.

Super hints

• To seal up plumbing joints without Teflon tape, try a little ChapStick. The waxy kind in the roll-up tube will help lubricate and seal threaded plumbing joints.

• If your windshield wipers don't work as well as they used to, try a light sanding with a fine-grit sandpaper, followed by a light coating of petroleum jelly to soften and condition them.

• If you get a lot of heat through your glass front door but don't want to hide it, install a curtain on it to help block some of the light. If you have a metal door, as many do, you can buy a magnetic curtain rod. Some others work on a tension principal, and still others can be hung with suction cups or removable adhesive tabs. This way, you can take it down when guests are expected or when the weather allows and still have your beautiful glass, or you can leave it up year-round if you like.

Q. I have a question about a water leak outside the house. It's been dripping for several years, but I'm not able to replace it myself. I was told that I could put a hose end cap on it to keep it from losing water. Is this OK to keep in place, or do I have to replace the faucet?

A. If the faucet is dripping, it's probably just a washer that needs to be replaced. This is a pretty easy fix. Just shut off the water, remove the faucet stem and replace the worn washer. You will have to turn the water off first, and it might take some muscle - but not a lot of time or cash - to do the repair. You can leave the end cap on as long as it doesn't start leaking. Replace the washer in it every year.

Q. We need to help block some of the sun's heat that comes into our game room. We've heard good and bad things about window film. What is your opinion?

A. The window films today are better than they used to be. It's fairly easy to put up, and the manufacturers make a spray that makes removing it much easier. It's not as good as a new window would be, but it will help block some of the sun. Insulated drapes or shades will help, too.

Q. I'm almost ready to take on my gutters, or lack of gutters. I have just a few feet to do on both sides of the house, and I think I can do it on my own. My question to you is, How much drop do I need in a 25-foot run?

A. The general suggestion is about 1 inch for every 16 feet, so around 1.5 inches for you. If you have any trees overhead, install gutter guards to keep the leaves out, or you'll be cleaning them several times a year, which isn't much fun. If they get clogged and you don't clean them, then you'll have leaks, and mold and moisture damage. It's easier to do it while you are installing them, too.

Reader tips

• My daughter learned about water-saving devices in school and brought home a faucet aerator for our sink. I didn't think much of it, but installed it to give her school credit. It made a big difference. She tells me it saves half the water, but I notice the increase in pressure. I always thought they would decrease the pressure. Boy, was I wrong!

• My thermostat was a little off. It's an older model, not the programmable type, but I wasn't ready to replace it yet. I decided to try to adjust it, so I opened it up to take it look. It was full of dust. I blew on it and some of the dust came out, but I couldn't get it all. I got a small paintbrush and lightly dusted it and got the rest of the dust out. Turns out that was the only problem. It worked just fine after cleaning it.

• At our last party, we accidentally dropped a brisket on the carpeted floor. What a mess it was to clean up! The red stain was the least of the problem - the grease was the worst. I blotted the stain up and then covered the whole thing with cornmeal and left it on overnight. Most of the grease came up with the vacuum. The rest came up with more cleaner. I think the only reason it came up at all was because we got to it right away. Be careful with your briskets, and keep some cornmeal handy for greasy messes!

• When I'm working on a project that needs to be sanded, I load my sanding block with three grades or grits of paper. I put the finest grit on first, then the medium grit, and the coarsest grit goes in last. I start off with the coarsest sanding first, and when I've done enough, I pull that sheet off and keep working with the medium grit until I'm finished with it. The last piece is the fine grit, and then I'm finished. It really will save you time to load them all at once, and it won't interfere with most sanding blocks.

• Our metal gazebo tent was falling apart. One crosspiece broke, and another was starting to. I bought some metal conduit in 10-foot lengths and cut it down to fit in place of the broken metal rod and the other one that was almost broken. I used nuts and bolts to hold it in place, and it works just fine. In fact, I think the structure is stronger now than it was before. Now, maybe it will last another season.

Shoptalk

• Mildew is a common problem in bathrooms, but MildewFree Sealant from Sashco comes with a seven-year guarantee against mildew growth on the sealant. It resists damage from abrasive cleaners and maintains a watertight seal. It's easy to apply and even has a low VOC content. Designed to last seven to 10 years, it's practically foolproof. It comes in white and linen, and can be installed in bathrooms and kitchens. To find out more about this product or its availability, visit the company's Web site at sashcosealants.com.

• Radiant barriers are a great way to prevent heat from penetrating your home's exterior, and can be added to an existing attic to help save money on your energy bills. UltraTouch Natural Cotton Radiant Barrier is a lightweight, foil-faced barrier made from natural recycled fibers. It offers excellent thermal and acoustical performance, and even has fire-retardant qualities. If you've considered adding a radiant barrier but wanted to try doing it yourself to save money, this is a great option. Check it out at your Home Depot or visit bondedlogic.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.