Cold Attic

An unfinished attic should be keep as close to the outside temperature as is possible, both summer and winter. It seems contrary to try and keep an attic cold in the winter but here is what can happen if you don't. When there is snow on the roof and the attic is warm, the snow will melt. The melted snow will run down the roof and freeze when it hits the cold overhang, creating an ice dam. This repeated thawing and freezing causes ice and water to back up under the shingles and leak into the house. If you are having ice dam problems, first aid is to get the roof surface cold. The underlying cause is heat leaking into the attic from the house.

- Stephen Corwin

Fat Stuff

Hand tools are getting fatter. One line of tools is even called FatMax. You can even find nice kitchen utensils with fat handles. Have you figured it out yet? The baby-boomers are getting old!

When remodeling or just updating stuff, think in terms of accessibility. A bedroom on the first floor is nice. So is a bathroom. Wide doorways and halls are also good. Lever handles on doors instead of knobs are easier for everybody. Make your place to live an easier place to live -- for today as well as for tomorrow.

-- Anonymous, February 01, 2002

Answers

Keeping Cheese Mold-Free Pour white household vinegar onto a paper towel and wrap around the cheese. Cover cheese with plastic wrap and put into zipper-lock plastic bag.

Broken Tiles

If you have a bunch of leftover odds and ends of ceramic tiles, a broken tile table, or countertop, then here is a fun project when you are looking for something to do. Take the tiles and break them up by striking their backs with an old hammer. Be sure to wear safety glasses! Spread thinset or a tile mastic over the surface to be tiled and piece the broken tiles in at random. After the adhesive has set, grout with a sanded grout.

- Stephen Corwin

-- Anonymous, February 01, 2002

I have a six foot deep ice shield, instead of the more customary three feet, to guard against ice dams.

-- Anonymous, February 01, 2002