Posted on: Friday, November 22, 2002

HOME HANDYMAN
Kit can help you eliminate squeaky floors in your home

By Glenn Haege

Q. I am trying to determine the best way to repair floor squeaks in my two-story home.

The squeaks occur primarily in the traffic areas. It appears that if we pulled back all the carpet and carpet pad, we could get to the subfloor. Then, we could screw each panel back down to the joists to eliminate the squeaks. Are you aware of any better method(s)?

A. It sounds like you already have solved the problem, but I do have an easier solution. You can get rid of the squeaks without tearing up your carpet. Get the O'Berry Squeak No More Tool kit, (800) 459-8428. The kit contains screws that snap off so that you can screw right through the carpet.

Q. How can I find and apply the same materials and techniques to my pre-finished floors that the factory used? I have light color maple hardwood floors. Because of misuse, I need to sand down below the factory finish. Even with a waterborne sealer, I find it slightly darkens the wood. I want to get it right the first time. I would appreciate the truth. I can take it.

A. You don't want the truth. It is impossible to get the same finish. The materials put on your pre-finished hardwood floor were applied under perfect atmospheric conditions and are more than 20 times thicker than anything you could ever apply outside of a factory. For this reason, the color won't be the same.

Make certain that your refinisher has a good track record with refinishing pre-finished hardwoods. The actual hardwood is very thin, so an inexperienced person easily can sand through the top layer of hardwood, exposing the lower materials.

My suggestion would be that you use a waterborne urethane. The more money you pay for the product, the more urethane it will have.

Q. With a new fully insulated and sealed house, will a programmable thermostat really give me any savings? I have Pellathermal wood windows, a two-stage blower, 90-percent efficient gas furnace and insulated and sealed walls and basement. Why waste money on anything else?

A. It sounds like you are doing everything right. Nevertheless, a programmable thermostat will give you savings by optimizing the effectiveness of the insulation and the 90-percent efficient furnace. You will save money every time the thermostat automatically turns the temperature setting down three degrees when you go to sleep at night and turns the temperature down when you leave for work in the morning.

During the summer, it can save you money on air conditioning by turning the temperature up slightly when you sleep or go out.

Q. A friend of mine told me about your article recommending professional cleaning of home heating systems. I have a child with breathing problems and was wondering if you could recommend someone that I could call to clean our home's ductwork.

A. Call the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, (202) 737-2926, for a referral.

If you have a child with breathing problems, consider upgrading the air quality in your home. To learn more, type "air quality" in the newspaper article browser on my Help Site, www.masterhandyman.com. Also check out the Amaircare HEPA By Pass filter, www.indoorairquality.com.

Glenn Haege writes for the Detroit News. Reach him at editor@flashcom.net, or visit www.masterhandyman.com.