Henri de Marne
-
Crayon marks on tile floor may require grout repairsOct 17, 2009 11:00 pm - Q. Our 31/2-year-old granddaughter decorated the grout lines on our porcelain floor with crayon. If the color wasn't on the opposite side of the color wheel from our til...
-
Readers often ask about best bathroom caulkOct 10, 2009 11:00 pm - Q. A few months ago or longer, someone asked about the best bathroom tile grout, which I purchased and really liked. My husband cleaned off the shelf I thought I put it ...
-
When finishing a basement, properly prepare exterior wallsOct 03, 2009 11:00 pm - Q. Our house is about 60 years old with a cinder block foundation. We are beginning the process of finishing our basement and need to address some water issues. Our base...
-
There are two alternatives to repair an aging enamel tubSep 26, 2009 11:00 pm - Q. Could you give me your input concerning my bathtub? It's a white enamel metal tub in a 1970s house. The bottom enamel is getting very thin, and there are gray areas w...
-
It's best to dig new post holes to repair fenceSep 19, 2009 11:00 pm - Q. My daughter is replacing her backyard fence. The installer claims that he cannot use the same post holes and has to move the new fence several inches away. Is he corr...
-
Dust, rather than mold, likely cause of stained cathedral ceilingsSep 12, 2009 11:00 pm - Q. I hope you can shed some light on the source of black lines on my cathedral ceilings. I have been told that it's from condensation built up in the attic. All the room...
-
Thermostat location can be an issueSep 05, 2009 11:00 pm - Q. We recently had an energy audit performed on our home. Among other recommendations, the auditor suggested that we move our thermostat from our living room, which face...
-
What comes first? The siding or the windows?Aug 29, 2009 11:00 pm - Q. What comes first, new windows or new siding? I have contracted for new vinyl siding and Marvin fiberglass windows and sliding patio door. The window contractor thinks...
-
Enhance, don't replace quality windowsAug 22, 2009 11:00 pm - Q. Ran across two ads in the Daily Herald here in Palatine, and am wondering if you might have some thoughts on the subject. Both seem to be franchises of a company in t...
-
You want a watertight seal with a patio deck over a garageAug 15, 2009 11:00 pm - Q. We have a side patio (measuring 24-by-15 feet) over our garage. It was originally covered in concrete, which the previous owners painted. It had two stress cracks the...