Home | Thursday, June 8,2006

Getting rid of odors

The first thing to do: get a moisture meter

Dear Gene: I own a condominium that has a musty mold or mildew odor and also gets sticky residue on some surfaces. What can I do about this? — N.M. These symptoms, which

Home | Thursday, June 1,2006

Fixing squeaky floors

If you can get underneath, you have an advantage

By Gene Austin

Dear Gene: Our house has beat-up hardwood floors covered by wall-to-wall carpet. The floors squeak badly. Is there any way to fix this problem from the basement, without removing the carpeti

Home | Thursday, May 25,2006

Painting vinyl siding

Some basic rules for freshening up the surface of your home

By Gene Austin

Dear Gene: Is it possible to paint vinyl siding? Will the paint eventually wash off? — A.L. Vinyl siding can be successfully painted if some basic rules are followed. An

Home | Thursday, May 18,2006

Repairing plaster walls

Nobody should have too many cracks

By Gene Austin

Dear Gene: How can we make lasting repairs to cracks in our plaster walls? Also, should plaster be primed before it is painted, and what primer should be used? — K.L.