Deck Attachment

Decks are most often built next to or attached to the house. Because of this, there are two issues to address here -- safety and maintenance. Safety first.

If the deck is attached to the house and depends on it for support, the attachment method is important. A deck must be securely fastened to the house framing -- joist hangers fastened to a skirt board or to siding alone will not carry the weight of a deck. When fastening a deck to the house, make sure that the ledger board or deck joist doesn't butt up tightly against the house. This will trap moisture and cause the siding and eventually the house framing to rot, creating a maintenance issue.

To avoid all the above pitfalls, support the deck with posts set near the house. This method will provide the best support and also provide drainage and air circulation between the deck and the house.

- Stephen Corwin

Hate Looking into Dirty Coffee Cups? Don't let dirty cups ruin your morning cup of java. To get rid of those brown-stuff stains, sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and then scrub. Rinse and enjoy a cup.

Deck Posts

The most typical way to anchor a deck post is to dig a hole, put the post in it and fill the hole with concrete. This method guarantees that the post will eventually rot. How long the post lasts depends on several factors, but rot is inevitable. To avoid this problem, try digging the hole, filling it with concrete and then installing a post anchor in the concrete. The anchor should be kept above grade (ground level). This method will keep the post out of the ground and less subject to rot.

- Stephen Corwin

Deodorizing the Microwave To refresh the inside of the microwave, put 1 cup water, 6 whole cloves and one-half lemon into a large microwave-safe bowl. Cook on high for three to five minutes. Let sit for 15 minutes, then wipe the walls.

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

Answers

"Hate Looking into Dirty Coffee Cups? Don't let dirty cups ruin your morning cup of java. To get rid of those brown-stuff stains, sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and then scrub. Rinse and enjoy a cup."

I just squirt a little Clorox Clean-up in the cup, fill with water, and let sit for a couple hours. Also clears the cloudy look in clear glass that you get from milk.

Less work for the same result. Something I aim for.

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

I use a brillo pad on those coffee cups. Works for me. After all, I'm not the one in the household drinking the coffee!

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

I personally use bleach, and sometimes just for giggles, get a plastic dish pan, with hotsoapywater and drops of bleach and it works great, then a rince with white vinager, it is like I bought new dinnerware. (Always "Suzy-Homemaker")

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

y'all go to more work for the same result I get with just leting them sit there.

LOL

Anyone see the irony in this?

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001