Newly stained and sealed wood floors
Use mineral spirits to remove adhesive residue from wood subfloors you want to revive.
  • [skipto time=1:27][1:27][/skipto] How to remove mineral spirits from hardwood floors
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  • [skipto time=24:55][24:55][/skipto] Simple Solution: Using a bungee cord as a tool holder
  • [skipto time=27:44][27:44][/skipto] Question of the Week: What to do about a sweating carport

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Mineral spirits are a chemical compound often used as a paint thinner and solvent. They have no additives, consisting of 100% petroleum distillates.

Mineral spirits are commonly used to clean tools and machine parts. Because they tend to be less flammable and less toxic, artists favor mineral spirits over turpentine.

They also are effective in removing adhesive residue from subfloors you may want to revive.


Removing Mineral Spirits from Wood Floors

When removing tile from hardwood floors, many people notice adhesive residue on the subfloor. They may turn to mineral spirits to take care of this adhesive.

Mineral spirits can help remove floor adhesive, but they can also can soak down into the grain of the wood, which you don’t want if you plan to use the wood floor as the actual floor.

In most cases, the combination of sanding and evaporation will pull the mineral spirits out of the wood floors. You can also use a fan to accelerate this process.

You can also neutralize mineral spirits with a damp towel. Take the towel and scrub the floor with it. You may have to repeat this process several times to do the job.


After Removing Mineral Spirits

After removing mineral spirits from your wood floors, you should still take extra steps before staining or applying a topcoat.

Bona’s Power Plus Hardwood Floor Cleaner and Rejuvenate Shine Refresher are effective products.

And keep in mind, after removing mineral spirits from hardwood floors, there may still be darker and lighter areas throughout. But staining should even everything out.

Listen to the Today’s Homeowner Podcast for more home improvement tips!


Simple Solutions

Shop-Vac Leaf Blower — Here’s how to convert your wet/dry vacuum into a portable leaf blower. First, unlatch and remove the upper motor unit from the lower vacuum canister. Then, attach the vacuum hose and wand to the port on the blower side of the motor. Now you’re ready to blow leaves and debris out of your garage and off decks, steps and patios. Watch: How to Use a Shop Vac as a Leaf Blower

Bungee Cord Tool Storage — Here’s a tip for using bungee cords to store and organize hand tools in the workshop. First, twist off the hooks from the cord, then attach one end of the cord to the wall with a cable staple. Stretch the cord tightly across the wall and secure the opposite end with another staple. Now hammer in two or three more staples across the cord, spacing them 4–6 inches apart. Then, simply slip the hand tool behind the taut cord. Watch: Using Bungee Cords for Organizing and Storing Tools


Question of the Week

Q:  We have a two-stall carport attached to our home. The stall next to the house sweats terribly when we have damp humid weather. The other side does not.

The one that does sweat was built in 1978 when the house was, and the other was added later. Is there a product that we can put on it to alleviate this problem?

A: Many times, the condensation that occurs on concrete is caused by the absence of a paper barrier under the concrete slab. Because the two stalls were added at different times, it’s likely that one side might have a paper barrier and one might not.

While this will contribute to the condensation, it’s not the only thing that can cause this problem. High humidity might call for the need to add ventilation.

Some weather conditions will be hard to protect against, but you can use products like Quikrete Concrete and Masonry Waterproofing Sealer. You might need a couple of coats, but it will help prevent the condensation problem.

Another solution would be to use TracSafe by Daich Coatings. Although it won’t prevent condensation, it might help to keep the surface from becoming slippery.




Editorial Contributors
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Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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