HOME HANDYMAN
Veneer can replace wooden windows
By Glenn Haege
Q. I need to replace my wood double-hung windows. I like the wood trim on the inside of the window frames. Do I have to use a wood window for replacement if I want to keep the wood trim, or can I use a vinyl replacement?
A. Weatherguard (www.weatherguardtn.com) can give you a wood-veneer look. Renewal with Andersen composite replacement windows can give you paintable and stainable wood veneers.
Q. About a year ago, you explained how a caller could solve a problem with a toilet that would flush only every second or third time. I didn't pay close attention then, but now my toilets only flush every second or third time.
I've had a plumber out to snake them out, and he even went onto the roof and ran his snake down the vent pipe. It didn't fix the problem. Can you guide me to the solution? If there's an archive search system to your Web site, please advise, and I'll be glad to let my own fingers do the walking, so to speak.
A. Toilet multiflush problems are one of the most common problems in the industry. If you have a 1.6-gallon flush toilet that has a flushing problem because of improper glazing in the trap, the only solution is replacement.
Newer (and usually more expensive) models have fewer problems. If it really bugs you, replacement with a Toto GMax or Ultimate, an American Standard Champion or Dual Flush, Mansfield Alto, Crane Economiser RF, Gerber Ultra Flush or a Kohler Cimarron is probably your best bet. These toilets are available direct from plumbing wholesalers.
Q. I would like to replace the windows in my parents' 53-year old house with Thermopane windows. My contractor would much rather replace just the window sashes to preserve the look of the house. We know about Marvin Windows sash kits, but there must be some other companies out there that offer custom window sash replacements — especially in the New England area, where there is great interest in retaining the historical aesthetics of older homes. Can you tell us of some companies we can contact?
A. Marvin Windows (www.marvin.com) has an excellent reputation for quality sash kits. Weather Shield (www.weathershield.com) is a leader in the historic window repair and replacement field. Also check Crestline Windows (www.crestlinewindows.com). These companies have very complete measurement and installation directions on their Web sites.
Q. What cleaning agent do you recommend to clean a composite deck?
A. The beauty of a composite deck is that it requires little maintenance. If you are just cleaning it, Simple Green and water (one part Simple Green to 10 parts water) will do fine. If it is very dirty, use a more concentrated solution.
Q. Help! We are building a home, and it turns out the front of the house now has water coming down the slope to the front step. The builder keeps packing more soil and saying once it hardens it'll be fine, but it doesn't feel like it will be. Even the dog sank in up to his hips. We don't want to walk away from the house, but we don't want to "drown" in it either. Help us say in the right way what has to be said.
A: Why not ask your builder to guarantee in writing that his solution will solve the problem or he will buy back the house? If he doesn't have faith in his solution, you shouldn't either.
Glenn Haege writes for the Detroit News. Reach him at editor@flashcom.net, or see www.masterhandyman.com.
