Strong foundation needed for a sound project

They say that a building is only as sound as its foundation.

It's true! If you are getting ready to build a deck, install an outdoor building or design a gazebo or some other structure, here are some tips you can use to get a solid foundation for your next project.

Check your local building codes. They are designed to ensure your success. Make sure you comply with the requirements for the best results.

If you plan to set support posts in concrete, dig your holes at an angle so that the base of the hole is deeper than the frost line in your part of the country. The hole also should be wider at the base than at the top, for more stability. You should slope concrete away from the post at the surface to prevent improper drainage. Use pressure-treated lumber to avoid rot or insect damage.

You also can opt to sink metal support brackets into the concrete and then attach posts to these. By doing so, you can prevent wooden posts from coming into direct contact with moisture, which can eventually cause rot.

Another option is to use prefab foundation blocks called Dek-Blocks. These are particularly helpful when building a deck. These prefab blocks are set on level ground at the proper height. They are very easy to set and inexpensive to use. They are made to accept several sizes of lumber, including two-by and four-by stock.

Take the time to build your foundation right, and your project will last a long time.

Add a nut

Here's a nutty idea you'll like! Sometimes a standard screwdriver is still your best choice. You can get more power from yours by adding a nut to the shaft. Weld or glue it firmly in place. Once the nut is on the shaft of the screwdriver, you will be able to use pliers or a wrench to turn the screwdriver much more than with your bare hands. Some of the newer screwdrivers already have this in place on the shaft, but if yours doesn't, it's easy to add.

Back to clothespins

To save money on your dryer costs, why not go back to the old clothesline? Your clothes will smell fresh, and you won't have to pay a dime for drying them. One thing we know is a drawback is the creasing caused by clothespins. You can avoid this by taking an old garden hose, cutting short sections about 2 inches long and sliding them all on the line. When you hang something up on the line, just place the hose under the cloth and put the pin over the whole thing. The clothespin will hold the item without leaving a crease on the cloth. You'll love the fresh smell to your clothes, too!

Super hints

• If you need to remove rust and don't have a real rust remover, you can make one from lemon juice and salt. Make a paste and cover the rust for a while. Then rinse it -- and the rust -- away.

• A large, heavy picnic table is a super spot for a family get-together. But if you have to move it to a new location every time you use it, why not add some training wheels from a kid's bike to two of the legs and roll it to the designated picnic area?

• A dirty food disposal will give off a really bad odor. You can buy a special cleaner for these units -- and they work pretty well -- but you could do a good job of freshening up a disposal by just dropping in a few ice cubes and orange or lemon peels and flipping the switch on, along with some water. Run it for a few minutes and voila -- a nice smell will come from the food disposal.

Q. I have a leak in part of my automatic sprinkler system. How can I repair it?

N.T.

A. You can use a probe to help locate the problem and then start digging. Once you locate the problem, shut off the water and cut the damaged area out. Install couplings and pipe to replace the damaged part. If the leak is small, you might be able to use a slip joint. Use PVC primer and adhesive on joints.

Q. I have noticed that my wooden porch columns are rotting. I need to replace them but don't know how to hold the porch up while removing them. Got any ideas?

F.L.

A. Rent a post jack or two. These will raise the roof enough for you to pull the column out and replace it.

Q. I have a couple of sprinkler heads that seem to be stuck. I've tried to pull them up, but when they come on, they won't pop up on their own. Should I replace them?

N.M.

A. You can try using waterproof lubricant. If you have trouble finding it, check a pool-supply store. If that doesn't work, you can replace the heads. They won't cost very much.

Q. We have your standard pull-down staircase to our attic. I think we need to seal it up more. What would be the best way to do this?

L.P.

A. Lots of folks will build a simple box that is hinged to cover the entire unit when the ladder is up. Glue or staple batt insulation over the box. When you need the stairs, pull them down and then flip the box up and out of the way. You can also add weatherstripping around the door edges.

Q. Our home has vinyl exterior shutters. I think I want to paint them a new color, unless it's very hard to do. Can you tell me what must be done to prep them, and what type of paint to use?

M.R.

A. You should scuff-sand them before applying the paint. This will help the paint adhere to the surface. Use a paint made for vinyl. If you don't find it at your hardware store, see a paint dealer. We also would recommend using a primer, and the paint can will tell you what brand to use. Follow all of the steps as directed, and you should get good, long-lasting results.

Reader tips

• My wife kept telling me that the toilet was leaking on the bathroom floor. I looked it over very carefully, and I could see water damage on the floor, but I never could find any leak. I did, however, discover that the toilet tank was sweating from the condensation, especially in the summertime, when it is humid in that room. I did a little investigation at my hardware store and found some foam liners that would fit down inside the tank to insulate it. They were easy to install and solved the problem.

S.B.

• I have always used a chamois to clean my car. They cost a bit more than a towel, but they work better in many ways. To keep mine clean and soft, I clean it after every use and then soak it in some olive oil for a few minutes. I then wring it out and clean the excess oil out with some soapy, warm water. After rinsing it clean and ringing it out, it's like a brand-new chamois.

T.N.

• I am a single mom and have to do all of the household chores by myself, for the most part. To keep the grass from clogging my lawn mower's blades, I remove the spark-plug wire from the plug and turn it on its side to clean under the deck. I use a long screwdriver to pry the packed grass off the underside of the deck. I have started spraying the underside with Pam cooking spray. I figured if it keeps cookies from sticking to the cookie sheet, it might work on grass, too. It really does seem to help.

H.S.

• I spent a pretty penny hiring two different plumbers to locate a banging pipe and finally found it myself. I just happened to be in the basement when my wife was doing dishes upstairs, and I saw the two pipes hitting against each other. I simply wrapped a section of leftover foam pipe weatherstripping around one of the pipes and the noise stopped immediately. I have not heard it again, either.

V.T.

• I have older aluminum window screens. Every year I take them down and clean them. Then I spray them with WD-40. It protects them from rust for a whole year. I have also discovered that the smell of the WD-40 seems to keep the bugs away. I can't smell it, but the bugs that used to always try to get in through the screens quit trying about the same time I started spraying the screens with the stuff.

C.R.

Shop talk

• John Deere offers a Ready to Mow mobile maintenance service. Now your outdoor equipment can be serviced by a factory-trained technician who will come to your house and perform a 14-point maintenance inspection and repair on any brand of riding lawn mower, snow blower, walk-behind mower and portable equipment. Included are oil changes, air-filter cleaning or change, replacing spark plugs, fuel filters, sharpening mower blades and checking belts, tires, battery and lots more. To learn more about the service, visit www.deere.com.

• The Dremel Rotary Tool is a super tool, and the latest 75-Piece Accessory Kit makes it even more useful. It takes the guesswork out of picking the right accessories by combining them in one affordable kit -- a huge savings over the cost of each individual piece. You get a good assortment of cutting, cleaning, polishing, grinding, sharpening, sanding, carving and engraving accessories, all in a very nicely organized tin. Look for the kit at your local Dremel dealer. For additional information, visit the company online at www.dremel.com.

© 2008, Cowles Syndicate Inc.