Ironically, duct tape isn't the best product to seal duct leaks
We have talked a lot about how important it is to make sure your AC/heating ductwork doesn't leak. There are lots of places to check, and most leaks are easy to fix.
You can have a professional come out and test your ductwork for leaks. Some companies will even do it for free.
If you do it yourself, check all joints for leaks. Turn the blower on and "feel" for leaks with your hands.
Check where ductwork hooks up to the AC/heater unit.
Check where ductwork hooks up to registers.
Check where ductwork hooks up to return vents.
Seal all edges of the AC/heating unit itself.
Make sure you don't have furniture blocking a vent or return.
Another common problem with flexible ductwork is that it can become crimped when suspended by hangers. It also can become constricted when going around corners.
Use additional strapping to add support and remove crimps and kinks.
Use aluminum peel-and-stick tape to seal around leaks and seams.
Mastic is a thick, sticky material that can be applied to seams to seal them permanently together. It is spread on with a putty knife. For large leaks, use stick-on mess tape with the mastic.
Don't use duct tape, as it will not last very long. It's good for lots of things, but not ductwork.
These are all simple things you can do to make sure your system isn't leaking into your unconditioned spaces or pulling dust into your system from these areas. Most of these things cost very little and will usually pay for themselves in one month or less! So, start saving money on your utility bills and be more comfortable in your home again!
Pop top picture hanger
Wouldn't it be nice if you could just drive a nail into the wall and hang a picture? Sometimes, it's just that simple. But sometimes it isn't. If the frame doesn't have a hook or wire, you must install that first. The easiest hanger can be made from a pop top. That's right - a pop top. Just open a can of soda, pull the pull-ring off and then you can attach it to the back of the frame. Find the center of the frame by measuring and then use a small tack to attach the ring to the top back of the frame. Now you can hang the frame on the wall with a nail. It's simple, and it's free! (Except for the price of the soda.)
Keep cords plugged in
With electric power tools, extension cords usually are a must. You should always use an extension cord that is built to handle the tool's electrical needs. Don't scrimp on a cord that is too lightweight. Heavy-duty power cords are great to have around, and come in handy for most power needs. The only thing you have to worry about is pulling on the tool too much and disconnecting it from the extension cord. That's super-easy to fix. Just hold the two cords together in your hand with the ends sticking out together on one side. Then tie a loose knot in the cords. Now connect the two ends together as you would before knotting them. The knot will keep the cords together until you are finished and untie them.
Super hints
• The old way of sticking a long nail into an open tube of caulk to keep it from clogging up still works, but there's a better way. Insert a long screw instead. The screw seems to seal better and is easily turned back out when you are ready to use more of the caulk.
• One way to get into a too-full drawer that won't open all the way is to slip a metal yardstick in on top of the stuff and run it as far back as you can. It will press down on whatever is sticking up and blocking the drawer from opening, and will allow you to get in. Now, remove some of that stuff so it won't happen again!
• You can make a bird feeder from just about anything, and I've tried quite a few odd items. One of my favorites is a ladle. I like to drill a hole in the bottom of the spoon so the water can drain out when it rains. But most have a hole in the handle, so you can just hang one up on any fence post or tree and fill the spoon up with birdseed or fruit. They are great for holding nesting material, too.
Q. My husband tells me not to use so much hair spray, but I can't help it. I now have a buildup of the stuff on my bathroom walls. What can I use to remove it? The walls are painted, not papered.
A. Try using an all-purpose cleaner like 409 or Fantastic and a soft cloth. Test these in a small, out-of-the-way area to make sure they don't mess up your paint job. If your hair spray is alcohol-based, you might try using some rubbing alcohol to remove it. Again, test the painted surface in an out-of-the-way spot first to make sure the alcohol doesn't remove the paint or discolor the surface. Don't scrub too hard, as this also could damage the painted surface.
Q. I have an electrical outlet that a plug has broken off in. One of the prongs is stuck in the receptacle. How can I get it out?
A. Turn off the electrical supply to the outlet at your circuit-breaker box. See if you can pull it out with some needle-nose pliers. If you can't find a tool to pull it out, you should replace the receptacle.
Q. I was wondering if you know if it is OK to use sawdust in my garden as mulch. What do you think?
A. As long as the wood was not treated with chemicals that would be harmful to your plants, it should be OK. Never use wood that was pressure-treated or that was laminated, such as plywood or OSB. Such mulch might serve a better purpose when combined with other materials in a compost pile.
Reader tips
• When I washed my car after our last camp out, it took forever to get all of the bugs off the front grille. After I had finished scraping and cleaning, I sprayed on some oily cooking spray. My wife tells me it will keep the bugs from sticking to the grille and the license plate. Well, so far, I've not seen any stuck bugs, and I'm thrilled about that.
• My wife wanted to install a very long curtain rod in our den. I went with her to shop for one, and they cost a fortune. I said I could do better, and brought her home a long rod from the home center. It was a thin piece of metal conduit, and it only cost a few bucks. Of course, we had to install some expensive finials on the ends, but I still came out way ahead on the price. It really looks nice, and nobody can tell the difference.
• I have to admit that I hate to throw anything away. I have come up with some pretty creative ways to store things, and my favorite is to use an old chain as a hanger. I use hooks to stretch it horizontally along the wall. Then I hang things by means of some simple "S" hooks that I purchased at the hardware store. You actually can hang quite a bit of stuff on a long length of chain, and it's very easy to get to all of it since you can see where it all is. Just don't hang it too high on the wall. I have a couple of chains in my garage for this. Actually, the chains were discards from another project that I didn't want to throw away. See, I did find a way to use them!
• I painted my patio covering. The roof is canvas but the slat sides are wood, and I wanted to protect them and make my patio look a little better. I dripped some paint on the tiled floor and was trying to get it up before it dried but missed some spots. I used a little oil and my barbecue spatula to scrape the rest off. The oil seemed to loosen the paint, and the spatula popped the dried dots right off the tiles.
• I saved some money by replacing the rotting wheels on my garden cart with some new ones. I bought some inexpensive bicycle tires for a kids' bike. They are much taller and are made for mountain bikes, so they are great on muddy ground and other areas that used to be tough with the original, smaller tires.
Shop talk
• The Flip Knife is a patented, double-ended utility knife that is a real timesaver. Since two different blades can be used, you can take care of two chores at once, or have a backup blade ready if the first one fails. The one-touch system makes blade changes super-quick and simple, and the soft grip offers more control and safety. Check it out at your hardware store or home center, or online at www.chhanson.com.
• Bugband Wristbands are a super way to keep bugs off you while working in the yard without putting repellents on yourself. The plastic bands come in a variety of colors and are worn like a bracelet. DEET-free vapors help protect you from mosquitoes, flies, ticks, fleas, roaches and other pests, and keep on working for up to 120 hours. They are great for yard work, camping, ballgames, cookouts and all other outdoor family fun. Look for Bugbands at discount stores, hardware dealers and lots of other places. To learn more, visit the company's Web site at www.bugband.net.
• Write to Al and Kelly Carrell in care of the Daily Herald, P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006, or visit the Carrell's Web site at www.thesuperhandyman.com.
© 2008, Cowles Syndicate Inc.