Fixing wrought-iron railings
Q. My parents have wrought-iron railings on the outside steps and one of them has broken off (they are about 35 years old). The folks are wondering if there is any way to fix the broken railing, or if they have to replace them all. The railings were mounted right into the cement of the stairs.
KATHY
A. One of the posts has rusted out where it enters the concrete stairs. That is not bad after 35 years of weather. If one of them rusted out, the other posts may follow soon. But that does not mean you have to replace the entire railing. Call an iron worker (in the Yellow Pages under Iron Works). He might be able to remove the faulty post, drill out the rusted end embedded in the concrete, and insert a new one.
If that is done, your parents should make sure other embedded posts are treated to resist rust, and be very well caulked where they go into the concrete. That will allow them to last a lot longer than even 35 years.
Q. Is using a laminate floor in the basement a good idea? If not, what can you recommend?
IGOR, in Hotton's chat room
A. A laminate floor (plastic, not wood) is probably good on a basement floor, but check with the dealer to make sure the one you buy is, indeed, for use below grade (on a basement floor). What would I recommend? After hearing sobs of woe over soaked carpeting and pads, good for throwing away, and difficult treatment for mold, I suggest ceramic tile, applied with a thin-set mortar. Waterproof, durable and indestructible. Make the grout lines as thin as possible ( 1/8-inch is not too wide, and 1/16 -inch is better.
Q. The water pipe that comes into my house from my well goes through the foundation below grade, and when it rains, water seeps in between the foundation and the pipe, sometimes quite a bit. What can I seal it with? Everyone has told me something different.
P.S., in Hotton's chat room
A. If the gap between pipe and foundation is more than half an inch or so, fill it inside and out with hydraulic cement, which expands as it sets. On the outside, you will have to dig down and expose the pipe where it enters the foundation. Then seal around the pipe with roofing cement, on both sides.
If the joint is already tight, then seal it with roofing cement or an adhesive caulk. It must be an adhesive caulk, not ordinary caulking.
Q. A planter was left on a slate floor, creating a white ring. How can I remove it?
BIG MISTAKE
A. That white ring is the same as a water or heat stain on wood. For the slate, rub lightly with emery cloth, a very fine cloth-backed sandpaper, or fine steel wool. If the cloth or wood marks the slate, wipe a little oil on it. Very little oil.
Q. How can I repair cracks in a newly installed, stamped concrete basement floor?
EGROL, in Hotton's chat room
A. If the cracks are not leaking water, forget about them. Filling them with mortar will make them stand out more than they do now. Cracks will appear in concrete slabs no matter what. It is normal and should be lived with.
Q. Sanding did not remove the water stains (from Hurricane Katrina) off my terrazzo floors. What else can I try?
NEW ORLEANS
A. For small areas, dip steel wool in paint thinner and rub. For larger areas, likelier if it is Katrina flood water, have a terrazzo grinder repolish the floor.
Globe Handyman on Call Peter Hotton also appears in Sunday Real Estate. He is available 1-6 p.m. Tuesdays to answer questions on house repair. Call 617-929-2930. Hotton also chats online about house matters 2-3 p.m. Thursdays. To participate, go to Boston.com. Hotton's e-mail is photton@Globe.com.
