Dealing with sticky railroad ties
Q I have a brick sidewalk with big railroad ties as steps leading to a porch. A man put new ties on at least one step, and now the step is oozing creosote. I tried scraping it up but it was too sticky, and the step is very sticky on the feet. How can I get rid of it and keep it away?
BETTY THORNDIKE, Gloucester
A For starters, I am not sure it is creosote, because I don't think it's been used as a preservative for many years. If it is dark brown, it is indeed creosote and you can douse it with paint thinner to try to thin it down so it can be scraped off. This will remove it but will not prevent it from coming back.
If it is light yellow in color, or possibly clear, it is resin, actually sap oozing from the wood. It can be sticky and it can also be hard. If it is sticky, wash it with rubbing or denatured alcohol to dissolve it, then wipe it off.
Whether it is sap or creosote, it may keep coming back. If it does, nail a 3/4-inch-thick pressure-treated board to the step to cover it.
So far so good. Then Al Cicchetti of Dedham called to say he simply poured cat litter on his spilled detergent, which worked for him.
Still good. Then came this e-mail from Sally: "You missed the boat. . . . Remember your basic chemistry -- soap is a base. You neutralize it with an acid -- vinegar. Washing it with straight vinegar will take care of the problem with a single washing."
Thank you, Sally. Your gentle admonition is going into my file to make sure I remember if the occasion ever arises again.
Q My son has a sump and pump pumping basement floodwater onto the lawn. Can he save that water and use it to water the grass and other plants?
MARY ANDERSON, Clifton Park, N.Y.
A Yes. It is groundwater from under the house, where it invaded the basement, and can be used for grass, flowers, and other plants. It is not potable, and if it is contaminated from a nearby septic system or other means, it is not good for vegetables. You could have it tested, which would put your mind at ease.
Q My 1955 raised ranch is slightly off level. It is built of concrete blocks with a stuccoed exterior. The sides (foundations) have sunk a bit. The center beam in the basement has remained at the proper level, and the worst slant is in the center hall, with a hump in the center of the hall over the main beam, and a slant on each side of about 3/4 inch. Can I put in shims and relay another floor, level? The home inspector said the slant is cosmetic.
SLIGHTLY OFF LEVEL in Needham
A The slant from the middle to the edges is unusual; it is usually the other way around, when the center beam drops a bit. But let us say that the foundation is unlikely to drop any further. If the hall is about 5 feet wide, the span from center beam to the edges (2 1/2 feet) with a 3/4-inch drop is pretty severe. But you can put in shims. Here is how: Put a long level on top of the hump to determine the exact drop, one at the wall and the other halfway between hump and wall. Then cut a shim to go the full length of the hall, one the thickness of the drop at the wall, the other at the midway point.
Do the same on the opposite side. Now, nail oak hardwood tongued-and-grooved boards across these shims and the hump. If you did it right, the boards will be level. The span from shim to shim and from shim to hump is 15 inches, probably OK for nailing on the oak boards without excessive bounce.
It would be nice if you could use the original oak boards, but that is not practical because those boards go under the walls. Actually, if you cut those boards at the border you could re-use them, but this is a lot of hard work.
The new floor will be higher than the floor at doorways, but this unevenness can be relieved by the use of thresholds.
Q Years ago I put some duct tape on a driveway to designate parking spaces. Recently I was able to take up most of it by pulling, but a few feet just won't budge. Any easy way to get it up? There is no tape residue left after I pulled up the tape.
PARKING SPACES
A Keep trying. Tap a chisel under one edge of the tape to pull up that edge, and pull up enough so you can use a big ol' pliers to pull without tearing it to shreds.
Q A cast-iron sewer pipe let go in my crawl space, spilling sewage on the earthen floor. How can I reduce the smell? Will putting lime on it help?
ODIFEROUS
A If the earth is dry, put lime on it. If it is wet, dig out 6 or more inches of it, then put on the lime.
The Globe Handyman on Call also appears in the Sunday Real Estate Section. Peter Hotton is available 1-6 p.m. Tuesdays to answer questions on house repair. Call 617-929-2930. Hotton also chats on line about house matters 2-3 p.m. Thursdays. To participate, go to Boston.com. Hotton's e-mail is photton@globe.com. 
