Q: After my basement flooded, I ripped up my carpeting, (which) had a rubber backing. Some of it stuck to the concrete floor. How can I remove it? — Foam All Over
A: The rubber probably got stuck to the floor when someone walked on it or compressed it against the floor. So it is not glued, which will make it easier to remove. Soak the rubber with paint thinner, and use a steel scraper to remove it.
Q: I have four dormer windows on the second floor. I could fix them myself, but would replacement windows be feasible for just four windows? — Anonymous
A: Frankly yes, and with a certain amount of luck, and skill, you can install them yourself, if indeed the manufacturer lets you. A good vinyl window should cost $300 to $375 each, with a little extra for installation.
And, in most cases, you can keep the storms. Some manufacturers say you don’t need the storms, but an added layer of glass is extra insulation. You may not be able to take out the storm sash to wash, but you can always wash them in position, then on the outside.
Q: My contractor said my flue-liner is too short, and I need a stainless- steel chimney cap to stop the leaking into my fireplace. Do I? Also, my son asked me if those big beams in my house (bare wood, 8 by 13 inches) need some kind of finishing. Do they? — Janet from Cotuit, Mass.
A: Yes and no. Yes, a chimney cap (a cagelike structure on the chimney) will keep out water and critters. And no, those (probably hand-hewn) beams need no treatment. They are handsome by themselves, and any rough surface (and those beams are rough) will look worse painted. No paint, stain or varnish!
Q: I have a 10-year-old window air conditioner. The plastic front panel (with vents), metal surrounding it, and electrical cord are a dated beige/yellow color. I would like to paint them the same as the wall. So, do I just paint the metal, front, and cord directly? Do I need to prime? Will painting affect the performance of the A/C? — Anonymous
A: Yes, you can paint the metal and plastic, but do not paint the cord. Instead, wrap it with black, or any color tape, that will at least get rid of that yellow look. For the metal, sand the finish and apply an oil-based spray paint. A metal primer would be helpful. Paint the plastic with a Krylon spray paint called Fusion, which bonds well with most plastics. The paint will not affect the A/C performance, but you might smell the paint when it comes on.
Q: It was so nice out that I decided to rake leaves off my lawn and garden areas. As I raked one area, I saw dozens of small holes, then tiny bees popping out of them. What are they? — Libby
A: Beats the heck out of the Handyman, but I do have some ideas. There is little you can do except keep an eye on them and do not provoke them. If they come out near an entryway, then it is time to deal with them. They may be wasps, instead of bees. Almost all wasps and bees are beneficial to nature. Ground wasps (you can see them in midsummer coming and going out of their holes) are aggressive and will attack without provocation.
Q: I have a brand-new awning window that seems to be installed and sealed OK. However, during heavy rains the water rolls down the side of the house and through the top seal into our house. How can I fix this? — Brian in Hotton, Mass.
A: I assume the window is closed. I also assume you mean the top board of the casing (frame) around the window. You may be missing window flashing over that top board. Without it, leaking is inevitable. The flashing is a piece of aluminum or vinyl folded into an “L” shape; one leg of the “L” goes under the siding and the other leg over the top of the board. I think you should contact the installers.
