Line Must Be Capped to Prevent Dampness
Q. About four years ago, we remodeled our bathroom and in the process moved the toilet. We installed a new vinyl floor, and we’ve now noticed that in the spot where the toilet was, a stain has appeared on the floor. We need to replace the floor, but what can we do to prevent this from happening again?
J.D.
Costa Mesa
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A. It sounds as though the line wasn’t properly capped, says Rich Haagsma of Faucets ‘n’ Fixtures in Orange.
Whenever you have a plumbing outlet like that and it’s not going to be used anymore, it should be capped off. If it has just been plugged up, you can get water backing up through the pipe if there’s trouble down the line.
There’s also no trap on that piece of pipe, which means that sewer gas, which is dangerous, could back up and discolor the floor. After the floor has been pulled up, make sure that line is taken out of service and sealed.
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Q. We have a chrome faucet in our wet bar, and over time it has developed a white residue and has become pitted. What can be done about this?
R.B.
Laguna Hills
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A. If it’s a cheap chrome fixture, stains like water deposits are probably permanent, says Gary Lillge of Crown Ace Hardware in Corona del Mar. Your only choice is to replace the faucet.
You can try a product such as Wenol, which comes from Germany and is a popular metal polisher. Flitz is a non-petroleum-based metal polish that also gives good results.
You may also want to apply a wax to the finish after it has been cleaned to keep it in good shape and protect it from moisture.
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Q. I need to paint my kitchen cabinets, and in preparation I removed large strips of old paint from the wood. I sanded these areas and primed them. However, when I applied my finish coat, I saw that there are “layers” where the old paint is built up and is higher than the areas where it has been stripped. Is there a way to even this out without stripping the cabinets to bare wood?
T.Y.
Irvine
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A. After sanding and cleaning the areas well, there are two types of products you can use, says Rich Zelle of Fullerton Paint and Flooring.
You could try an extra-fine Bondo filler. This is found in many hardware and auto supply stores and is commonly used in making auto body repairs. The texture works well in areas that just barely need coverage to smooth them out.
You can also use a good-quality wood filler. Apply the first coat, sand it carefully down; apply the second coat and sand again. At that point you should be able to run your hand across the wood and not feel any difference in the elevation. From there you can prime and paint the cabinets.
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Q. We have a light fixture above our kitchen table, and when the weather is warm, we’d like to have a fan running in its place. I’ve seen some great deals on fans, but they don’t include installation.
Would it be very difficult to put one in myself, considering that the wiring is right there?
B.B.
Los Alamitos
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A. Because the wiring is in place, it isn’t that difficult to put up a fan, says Mike McCoy of Current Supply in Westminster.
The hardest part is in removing the existing electrical box, which is probably nailed into a stud in the ceiling. If you have attic access, it’s not that difficult to get up there and pull the box off with a claw hammer, after, of course, turning off power to the circuit.
If you can’t get access to the attic, you may need to cut a hole in the ceiling to get to it and then patch the drywall when you’re done. After getting the old box out, install the reinforced box designed for fans, which provides a better brace for the fan.