Basement humidity OK at 30 percent
Q. When I converted from oil to gas, I found the boiler gives off very little heat in the basement, which is good because the basement is not lived in. I have a gauge to measure the temp and humidity in the house, and the temp is good during most of each day, and the relative humidity is 30 percent. Is that good?
JOHN SULLIVAN, Wellesley
A. You're in good shape. The ideal relative humidity is 40 percent, but it is difficult to reach in cold weather. So you can be content with 30 percent.
Q. The little louvers on my gutter guards seemed to be blocked in some way so rainwater runs over them and over the gutters and down the face of the house, where it is messing up my windows. The louvers are also so small that they are hard to clean. I read about a new guard called Rain Tube, that fits into the gutter and is slotted to allow water to go in the gutter and debris to run right off. What are your thoughts on the Rain Tube?
LOOKING FOR MR. RIGHT
A. There have been so many gutter guards developed and hyped over the last 40 years that I'm not sure any of them works that well. First came perforations, then the little louvers, all of which made sense in theory, and many worked well in fact. This new one is called Rain Tube and makes sense as well, so it may be the one you can succeed with. The dealer is Expert Gutter Solutions of Orleans, 508-364-2127.
Before switching, check the position of your present gutters and guards. Gutters too high or too low can affect how water enters the louvers. Also, where the water drips into the gutter is critical. Water must drip into the center of the gutter all along its length. If water drips close to the front of the gutter (and the guard), it will run over the front edge, as in your case. If water drips close to the back of the gutter, it will flow over the back, creating more problems.
One more solution. Take off the gutters and see what happens. If you don't get water in the basement, you have eliminated a big headache that homeowners have endured for centuries.
Q. Why do you seem so grumpy sometimes?
KFDHJG, in Hotton's chat room
A. Me, grumpy? I am the best natured guy you can ever find. I do get a bit impatient with questions that don't have enough information for a proper answer. I like people, which means I like you all, and cannot understand where you got the idea that I am a grumpy old man. Old, maybe, but not grumpy.
Q. My aluminum windows are heavily coated with hair spray and dust. How can I clean it?
RICK DEFENBAUGH, New Orleans
A. Alcohol is the solvent for hair spray, so wet a cloth with rubbing or denatured alcohol and the stuff will disappear.
Q. I am handicapped, so I need to convert my tub to a shower stall. I know there are companies that will cut an opening in the tub so I can walk into it, but I need a door in the opening because my wife likes baths. I can have an opening cut for about $1,000, which is a sight less than one of those doorway tub/showers ($5,000 and up). Do you know of any company that can put a water-tight door in that opening? We have only one bathroom.
FRANK CORSO, Franklin
A. I do not know if there are companies that would build a door for the tub opening. The Handyman would like to know if anyone "out there" knows of such a company.
Here is an idea for Frank. If you find the space for a small bathroom with shower stall, you could build one for maybe $10,000. The point is, you might get a little more for the house when you sell it.
Q. I have a steel door in a steel frame that has developed a gap at the right side near the top and I have to lift the door in order to open it. The hinges are tight, and we even replaced the screws for good measure. What is wrong and how can I fix it?
JERRY, Natick
A. The frame or door is out of square. Check the door edge with a spirit level, preferably one 4 feet long, to see if it is plumb (vertical). Then check the door for levelness (horizontal). Check the corners, too, with a large square. If the door is out of square, converting itself from a rectangle to a parallelogram, it will need replacing. If the door is OK, then check the frame for plumb, level, and square. A frame can get out of square if the floor under one side drops a little. There are all kinds of reasons, and in most cases the frame can be brought back into square. You, Jerry, being reasonably handy, can do it. A carpenter can do it faster.
Q. Thank you for the article about the oil leak in my wringer washer, but the problem was misstated. The leak is not in the motor, as stated, but in the transmission.
BOB STRONG, Lexington
A. As a matter of fact, two other people noted that your problem is with the transmission. Ralph Harriman is director of education at the Bay State School of Technology in Canton, who pointed out that the use of high efficiency detergent can damage bearings in some washers.
And Ancelori Tassinari of Melrose said he is 92 years old and has been working on washers since he was 15. He said for Bob's washer, put a mat under it to collect the oil and he will be all set.
Good point, you two, and your information is much appreciated. Working for 77 years? Could be a record. Call the Guinness Book of Records. The Handyman thinks he has been working for 58 years. He'll never make it.
Q. I have a tub with a three-piece shower surround that works very well except for one thing: The surround has vertical and horizontal seams where the pieces fit together, and water constantly runs along a horizontal seam and runs right over the tub and soaks a narrow plasterboard wall so badly that the plasterboard has to be replaced. I tried caulking the seam but the water just runs right over the caulking and continues to the plasterboard. Will anything work?
DOUG ROBERTS, Portsmouth, N.H.
A. I think so. Water does amazing things that defy all logic and seem to defy the laws of physics. So, instead of trying to stop the water, accommodate it. Take that plasterboard off and nail on a piece of exterior grade plywood, then put a piece of white Formica laminated plastic in place of the plasterboard. Caulk it well, and let it run down to the floor. Let's hope there is not enough water on the floor to be a problem, except to wipe up with a towel.
Q. My window screens are aluminum framed, and set in U-shaped channels nailed to the sides of the window opening. The plastic is breaking up. Where can I find new channels?
FALLING APART
A. I doubt if you can find them ready-made. But you can have new ones made of aluminum. Pry off one of the plastic ones carefully, and take it to an aluminum fabricator, or one who makes aluminum-framed storms. Or, take it to a hardware store that specializes in repairing aluminum windows and screens. You could buy sheet aluminum and make your own but a pro has the right equipment to make them quickly and inexpensively.
Globe Handyman on Call Peter Hotton is also in g on Thursdays. 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 www.boston.com. Hotton's e-mail is photton@globe.com. 