Odor from a gas dryer; stains below windows

Q. I have an intriguing problem I hope you can help me with. I have a 6-year-old Frigidaire stackable clothes dryer, located in my main bathroom. Recently the smell of gas could be detected in the bathroom. Unfortunately there is no rhyme or reason as to when this event occurs: window open or closed, dryer being used or not, time of day, etc. The clothes are drying fine. I have had the gas company and two appliance men out; of course there was no detectable scent when they arrived and nothing showed on their meters. Shutting the gas off in the cellar alleviates the problem. I'm at my wits' end and out $150 thus far. I hope you have an idea/suggestion.

S.F., by e-mail

A. Does the gas dryer have a vent for exhausting the dryer when the dryer is working? If not, it is illegal and one must be installed. I am guessing that there is an exhaust vent, because they are required with gas dryers, and I can't believe the appliance men and gas man would miss it. If it does, I am not sure what is wrong, except this: Sometimes the gaskets in the gas pipes leading to the dryer get saturated with gas and have an odor. This odor may be stronger when the dryer is working, which may account for no odor when the gas is shut off in the cellar. Other than that, I have no answer. One cure is to dump the gas dryer and put in an electric one.

Q. In the house I bought, there is a chalky-looking stain on the bricks below the windows. It looks like something ran down from the windows. I tried a scrub brush and detergent to remove the stain, with no effect. Could you suggest something?

STU BASSLER, by e-mail

A. The white stain is from water running down the windows and taking enough paint or stain off to deposit on the brick. Try power-washing the stains. Short of that, heavy washing with a strong detergent may do it. As a last resort, try treating the stain with chemical paint remover, such as Citristrip, which can be hosed off with water.

Q. My husband built a walnut floor and hackberry paneling in a vaulted ceiling bedroom, 10 by 15 feet. He used outdoor stain on the wood. It has been 3 months and the odor is still strong. I have tried white vinegar in bowls, baking soda in bowls, and activated charcoal in bowls. Will this stain odor ever go away?

P.T., by e-mail

A. It will go away, in time, as long as you ventilate. If in six months there is little improvement, the only cure is to sand off all exterior stains to the bare wood, and apply an indoor stain instead. A rule to remember is never to use a product for anything different than its intended or instructed (on the label) use. Here's a chauvinistic remark: Men never ask for directions or read the instructions, let alone follow them. The handyman is among the violators, but he now asks for directions under the TLC of the handyman's wife. You'd think after 51 years of marriage, he might learn a thing or two.

Globe Handyman on Call Peter Hotton also appears in the Sunday Homes Section. He's 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: Go to Boston.com. Hotton's e-mail is photton@Globe.com