Handyman on Call chat - October 5, 2006

chris: Hi Peter. We have 2 large skylights ( 3ft X 3ft) in our family room that seem VERY drafty in the winter. Is there anything we can do to them to reduce the draft? (they are too expensive to replace at this time)
Peter_Hotton: Hi Chris and all the ships at sea. I am so damned late there is no time for zoo stuff so let's go to work. To Chris, the skylights are probably not drafty in the sense we know it, bbut rather the glasss is so coldl that it is cdreating its own interior draft. To fix it, you can attach a storm window on the woodwork around the skylight. You can make yuour own of glass and aluminum frame or acrylic and some kind of frame. To make a tempoary storm on the inside, to see if anytjhingi will work, tape 4 mil ppoly on the woodwork. You may be surprised at how well it works.

CrazyModerate: My house is on a slab with an unfinished first floor. Last year I got rid of all the mold on the first floor and replaced the insulation, using fiberglass rolls. I want to cover the insulation. What do you recommend as the covering? A friend told me about the Owens Corning Room Finishing System. Would that be a good option?
Peter_Hotton: Crazymod: I presume you are talking about a basement, with fiberglass insulaion between the studs of a stud wall. The owens corning finishing system is for a basement foundaiton that has nothiung on it. you cfan cover the insulateed wall with wood paneling or plasterboard.

jonah: Hi Peter enjoy your advice. how do i get rid of a cigarette stain on my bathroom vanity?
Peter_Hotton: jonah: cigarette stainm: is it a charred mark or a nicotine looking mark. If it is cdharred, yu cn try sdcraping off the char, and if yu get some of it off, paint tha mark with something to match the laminate. If it is nicotine looking mark, treat it with straight bleach.

1940: Insulating windows with plastic (& hairdryer) in the winter: how much does this really help retain heat? Do you have a prefered brand? Thanks!!
Peter_Hotton: 1940: just get any polyethylene that is available. Or get a clearer, better looking cler vinyl sheet. Either of these treatments will save as much sheet as any single-glazed window or good storm window.

miechy: Peter, we've been told that our flue needs a liner. Can you provide any tips? Is Steel necessary or will alum. do? Thanks!
Peter_Hotton: miechy: If there is a flue liner in the chimney already, and it is intact, you may not need a new liner. If there is no liner, yhou cfdan put in a stainless steel one or a special aluminum alloy liner. Either is acceptable, and if yu burn gas, they are necessary.

jkbubba: Occassionaly one the drain connections under my kitchen sink slips apart, which is why I keep a bucket under where this occurs. What is the best way to keep this from slipping?
Peter_Hotton: jkbubba: You could wrap that drain with duct tape or glue it on with any waterproof glue. Or have a plumber make a proper connection.

Andrea: Hi Peter. I have two questions. First, the other morning, when I turned on the lights in my otherwise immaculate bathroom, I saw tiny little bugs running towards the overflow drain holes in my sink. How can I clean that drain? Second, the single-handle, pullout-sprayer kitchen faucet seems to be leaking at its base, where it meets the countertop. Is this something I can fix or do I need to call the plumber?
Peter_Hotton: andrea: The bugs sound like drain flies, which ar3e harmless but should be taken care of. pour a cup of bleach in the overflow drain jhole, and let the bleach stay in the trap ogvernight. Repeat as necessary.

bill: In redoing our kitchen, we're moving the dishwaher location further away from the sink. The hot water used to be piped in w/ coper tubing. Is it possible for my to replace the copper w/ some type of flexible hoseso I can easily go around a corner?
Peter_Hotton: bill: Have plumber check it out. The flexible tubingi may be OK to use, but check with the plumber first.

new_owner: I have a basement furnace room (unfinished) that the insulation was removed from to do other work. I am going to put insulation up. The insulation with paper backing. Does it make sense to cover the insulation with something else? We don't plan on finishing this room for some time.
Peter_Hotton: Put up the insualtion and then put up 5/8 inch plasterboard. This is essential and required in a furnace room when the ceiling is above a furnace room or boiler.

new_owner: We had our gutters cleaned a few weeks ago and I am noticing birds that are going into the gutter (I am guessing looking for food). We also have large pine trees that drop needles everywhere? Do you recommend gutter covers? If so, any particular brand or company for the install?
Peter_Hotton: new owner: Gutter helmt is a good one and does not require you buy new gutters. I am not shilling. Andrea: Thanks, Peter, for the advice about cleaning the drain holes. I have another question: My single-handle, pullout-sprayer kitchen faucet seems to be leaking at its base, where it meets the countertop. Is this something I can fix or do I need to call the plumber?
Peter_Hotton: andrea: Have a plumber check it out.

WestMassGene: We have moss growing on our north-facing roof. I'm told copper or zinc strips on the roof will fix this. Is one better than the other for this (copper or zinc)?
Peter_Hotton: You cxan ascrape off the moss with a wide putty knife. Copper or zincc strips will work equally well. Copper is easier to get and yu ca slip a strp of copper under the topo row of shingles ner the ridge, with 3 or 4 inches of copper showing.

new_owner: Followup to the insulation question: The insulation was only going to be put on the wall? Should it also be put on the ceiling and the covered with plasterboard?
Peter_Hotton: new owner: If you insulate the ceiling you do not have to insulate the walls. If you insulate the entire ceiling in the basement, yu will save a bundle, and you do not have to insulate anyh of the walls.

Joe: I have been reading your column for quite some time and find your articles very helpful. Thank You.
Peter_Hotton: joe: Thanks for the kudos. Compiments are always walcum, like a bit of talcum.
Peter_Hotton: How 'bout some question, girls and boys.

doyboy: I need to put something on a partially exposed threshold. I think a semi-transparent stain is best but I'm not sure about tint/color. Can I just put a clear coat on for protection over the winter and then sand off in the spring and put a tinted coat on?
Peter_Hotton: doyboy: Do not use a clear coat (varnish or sealer)on the threshold. You can use a semitransparent stain right now. Choose a color such as dark brown or dark red color, or ny other earth color you like. Only oneo coat is needeed, it will seal the wood and make it water resistant, and will lasst 5 to 7 years.
Peter_Hotton: Thanks for participating in trhe hotton zoo, and i am sorry i was late, which might have knocked you off your schedule. Won't happen again. See you next week. My email is photton@globe.com