Reader Questions Answered - Miscellaneous

Over the last several years, the HIR staff has been asked and has answered a multitude of questions regarding home improvement, maintenance and around-the-house repairs. Here’s a look back at many of the different topics and the tips we’ve covered for our readers.

How can I bend drywall?

The thinner the drywall panel (AKA gypsum board), the more it flexes. One option is to use flexible drywall, which is 1/4-in. drywall designed for more bendability than standard drywall. For this application, two panels are installed (one at a time with staggered seams) to achieve the normal 1/2-in. thickness. If the flexible drywall won’t bend to a tight enough radius, you can dampen it with a sponge or spray bottle to give it greater pliability. Bend as needed but be careful, because wet drywall is easy to damage. Fasten the drywall in place over solid framing and allow it to stiffen into shape as it dries. (Note: When wetting the drywall, use plenty of airflow to dry the boards completely after installation, or else mildew and mold can develop.)

An alternative approach is to create bendable drywall by using a circular saw to score the back of 1/2-in. thick drywall from edge to edge with parallel cuts every 1/2 or 1 in. Avoid cutting all the way to the front-side paper facing. The removal of the gypsum material will enable the panel to bend backward along the same axis as the kerf cuts. Note that any curved outside corners of drywall will need to be protected by a flexible corner bead designed to bend along a radius.

We moved into a home that came with a dishwasher, but the dishwasher needs cleaning. What is the best way to clean the inside of a dishwasher?

Start by removing the racks, utensil baskets, strainer, and the filter, which is located on the floor of your dishwasher. Filters often twist off, but some types require removal with a screwdriver. Use a toothbrush to clean any residue off the dishwasher filter. Scoop out any collected food from the corners and around the strainer. Using gloves will help protect your hands from any sharp glass particles. Wipe down the walls, floor and ceiling of your dishwasher with a damp microfiber cloth. Don’t forget to clean around the rim of the door, as well as the spray arms. A toothpick or wire can be used as a tool to unclog the spray-arm holes. After cleaning, replace the racks, strainer, filter and utensil holder, then pour one or two cups of white vinegar into the dishwasher-safe bowl, set it in the center of the top rack, and run the wash cycle on hot. After the vinegar cycle is complete, sprinkle a cup of baking soda on the floor of the dishwasher and run a hot water express cycle to provide extra freshness. (Warning: Do not combine the vinegar and baking-soda cycles.)

Does Coca-Cola work to clean a toilet?

Coca-Cola contains phosphoric acid, so it can indeed be used to get rid of mineral-deposit stains like limescale due to buildup of magnesium and calcium carbonate from hard water. The acid eats away at the limescale and even rust to make it easier to clean. You will need to turn off the water supply, then flush and remove as much water as possible from the bowl. Pour a two-liter bottle of cola into the toilet, covering the stained portion of the bowl. Allow it to sit for a few hours (overnight for heavier buildup), then add more cola and scrub at the stains with an abrasive brush. Turn the water on and refill the toilet, then flush away the remaining Coke and stain residue.

How do I bend PVC pipe?

One trick to bending PVC pipe is to use heated sand. The amount of sand required depends on the size of the pipe. You can use the oven in your kitchen to heat a couple of packages of playground sand in casserole dishes until the sand reaches about 200 degrees. Plug one end of the PVC pipe and funnel the hot sand into the other end to fill it up. The internal heat of the sand should soften the PVC and make the pipe flexible, at which point you can hold its desired shape in position using a jig until the sand cools, and the pipe retains its new shape.

Can I fix a bubble in wallpaper without replacing it?

Try cutting a slit through the bubble with a sharp utility knife. Insert the tip of a syringe-style glue applicator through the slit and apply adhesive sparingly around the bubble beneath the paper. Press down the wallpaper and use a clean, damp sponge to smooth out the flap and re-bond it. Wipe away excess glue.

What is the easiest way to hang a drying rack in a laundry room?

There are many different designs of drying rack, but if you plan to "hang" one, it sounds like you're opting for a wall- or ceiling-mounted version. Much of your decision should be based on your room layout, i.e. if you're short on wall space, maybe a ceiling-mount model is the best solution. Some of these racks hang from wires and feature closet rods or clothespins. Some wire-mount hanging racks are held by pulleys and can be pulled up neatly out of

the way. Also available are retractable clothes lines, fold-down wall racks, and "collapsible" racks that extend from the wall accordion-style. Make sure the ceiling or wall is capable of supporting the weight of a clothes rack full of wet laundry. For the most holding power, mount the rack into solid wall or ceiling framing.

How do I control the spillover at the roof line where rainwater flows down a roof valley with such velocity that it ramps over the gutter?

A Gutter Splash Guard is an aluminum accessory that screws onto to the upper edge of a gutter to keep water from shooting over the gutter in a heavy rain. Typically measuring about 3 inches tall and 16 inches wide, they’re designed to deflect water back into the gutter. These attachments are sold in straight or 90-degree corner configurations. Check your local hardware store for availability or search online for “gutter splash guard.”

How do heated gutters work?

A home’s gutter system can be heated through the addition of heat cables and heated gutter helmets. Heat cable can be installed directly in the gutter, usually in a zig-zag pattern, as well as at the roof's eave and routed through the gutter for extra protection. A heat cable helps reduce but not prevent accumulation of ice by melting a portion of the ice formation. This creates a pathway beneath the ice where water can drain off the roof. Some products come with thermostats that let you control the temperature. Heated gutter helmets are often designed to work in tandem with heat cable. These gutter helmets are installed directly on the gutter to reduce debris accumulation and they heat up to keep the gutter temperature above freezing, thus helping to prevent ice buildup.

Can reflection from Low-E glass damage my home’s surrounding building materials?

Reflection of sunlight from energy-efficient window products is capable of producing excessive heat on the surface of building materials. Low-emissivity (Low-E) glass is designed to prevent passive heat gain within a structure but can cause unusual heat buildup on exterior surfaces. The reflection of more longwave infrared (IR) energy and shortwave ultraviolet (UV) light can cause damage to plastic surfaces nearby such as vinyl siding, composite decking, patio furniture, and even plastic automotive trim. As a result, these products may melt, sag, warp, discolor and accelerate weathering. Lawns, turf, shrubs, and other landscaping are also susceptible to damage. It may be possible to reduce intensity of the reflected heat with the application of window film, which can absorb part of the sun’s longwave IR before it hits the Low-E coating to be reflected outside.

What are the site requirements for a prefabricated tiny home?

The site requirements for a tiny home depend on how small the home is and the nature of its construction. Many prefabricated “tiny homes” are designated as Traveler Trailer RVs. Federal regulations provide that an RV is a vehicle or vehicle structure not certified as a manufactured home. These types of tiny homes are primarily designed as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel or seasonable use, and not as a permanent dwelling.

To prepare for delivery, the site must be level and firm. The foundation can be constructed of concrete, asphalt, or even compacted gravel. In addition, you need an approach to the site that is wide enough and firm enough for the delivery vehicle. If the approach to your site is straight, it should be a minimum of 10 to 12 feet wide with 15 feet of overhead clearance for delivery. Curves will require more width, and steep approaches can pose a problem for delivery.

As for utilities, prefab tiny homes are often connected like an RV, with single drops for power, water and sewer in a simple location to access and hook up. In many cases, no

permits are required, but this varies by location, so call your local zoning office for more information.

I’m considering adding a spiral staircase from our upper level to the basement. What measurements should I take before ordering the kit?

The most important measurement that you’ll need to know for how to build a spiral staircase is your finished floor to finished floor height. Your finished floor-to-floor height will determine how many steps, or treads, are in your staircase and the rotation of your spiral stair. To determine the height, measure from the bottom floor to the finished floor and

include any subflooring or carpeting for the most accurate measurement. You will also

need to determine the size of your well opening (the hole in the floor), which needs to be

at least two inches larger than the stair’s diameter. Refer to the dimensions of the available staircase kits to determine the minimum size of the well opening.

What is the easiest way to repair damaged peel-and-stick flooring?

If peel-and-stick vinyl tile or planks have been damaged or are coming unattached from the subfloor, the best way to repair is to remove the individual tiles and replace them. For stubborn tiles that are difficult to remove, try applying heat to soften the adhesive backing. Use a heat gun or hairdryer on a low setting to warm the tile, making it more pliable and easier to pry away. Replace the tile with new peel-and-stick tile, following manufacturer suggestions for installation. Peel-and-stick tile always adheres best if pressed down with

a hard rubber roller after installation.