This week on the Today’s Homeowner Radio Show, learn our tips for cleaning outdoor furniture, what to do about a noisy toilet, and much more!
Hour 1
Cleaning a Composite Deck
Chris Primus, a homeowner in Washington, finds it difficult to clean his composite deck.
“We’ve used laundry or dish soap and a stiff brush but we just can’t get to the dirt and moss in the deck’s textured surface,” he says. “What do you suggest?”
High-pressure water can effectively remove dirt and moss, but the last thing you want to do is damage the deck. Use a pressure washer, gently, as directed, and only on materials recommended for its application. Trex provides specific cleaning directions for its composite decks.
In addition, here are some other best practices:
- Try a deck-specific detergent and a gentle brush to avoid scratching the composite material.
- Create a paste of baking soda and water to eliminate stains and mildew. Scrub gently, and rinse thoroughly.
- Spray a mixture of white vinegar and water, let it sit, scrub, and rinse.
- Ensure proper drainage, trim nearby vegetation, and regularly clean the deck to prevent future buildup.
- Don’t use chlorine bleach or pressure-treated cleaners as they can cause damage.
Test any method on a small area first to avoid discoloration or damage. Regular maintenance will keep the composite deck looking great for years.
The Best Fix for a Worn-Out Basketball Court
A homeowner loves having backyard amenities, but one in particular is giving them trouble.
“Years ago, we had a basketball court done using treated 2-by-4’s,” they say. “They are now decaying. Should we use concrete to fill gaps?”
Filling the gaps between treated 2-by-4’s on a basketball court with concrete is not the best solution for addressing the decaying wood.
Concrete is a rigid material, and it may not be well-suited for this purpose as it can crack and shift due to the movement and expansion of the wood.
Additionally, it might create an uneven and potentially hazardous surface for playing basketball.
Instead, here are some recommended steps to address the decaying wood on the basketball court:
- Replace the damaged wood with new, pressure-treated lumber.
- Keep the surface clean and apply a protective sealant to extend the wood’s lifespan.
- Address any drainage issues to prevent water buildup.
- Use gravel or sand, not concrete, to fill gaps between wood.
- If needed, seek advice from a professional contractor or landscaping expert.
Hour 2
Protecting Outdoor Furniture from the Elements
A homeowner has some oak outdoor furniture that needs maintenance and protection from the elements.
“I have some oak outdoor furniture and I want to know what I should do to protect it because I leave it out all year round,” they say.
Regardless of the furniture’s material, if it’s exposed to the elements, it requires regular maintenance and protection.
For your oak furniture, here are some solutions:
- Clean it with a soft brush, mild soap, and water. Then, use wood oil or sealant rated for outdoor use to guard against moisture and UV rays.
- Buy covers to shield the furniture from rain and sunlight, and raise it off the ground by applying pads or blocks underneath.
- If you can place it under a covered porch, shade sail or a patio umbrella, that can help prevent it from fading.
- Regularly check the furniture for damage and make prompt repairs, and remember to renew the protective finish as needed. Some folks think you can apply it once and that’s it. Actually, you’ll need to apply it once a year — or at least on some regular schedule.
- Finally, store the outdoor furniture indoors during extreme weather.
Good luck (and good weather)!
Solutions for Gutteral-Sounding Toilets
A homeowner has a new toilet, but it certainly doesn’t sound very new!
“Every time you flush it, as the new water comes in I hear a guttural sound,” they say. “I was just wondering if there was something wrong with the toilet or something else.”
A guttural sound when flushing a new toilet could be due to:
- Water hammer: in other words, sudden pressure shocks in the plumbing system as water flow stops or is redirected.
- Trapped air in the plumbing that causes gurgling noises during flushing.
- A malfunctioning fill valve or flapper causing water turbulence.
- Excessively high water supply pressure leading to noise.
- Issues with components inside the toilet tank like the flapper or fill valve.
Here’s what you can do about these issues:
- Make sure the supply valve is fully open, and consider adding a pressure regulator.
- Inspect the fill valve and flapper for damage or malfunction. Replace them if necessary.
- Run the faucets to purge air from the plumbing system.
- Consider adding water hammer arrestors to reduce pressure shocks.
If you keep hearing these noises, despite trying to fix them, consult a professional plumber for further inspection.
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Simple Solutions
How to Remove Rust from Garden Tools — It’s nearly impossible to keep garden tools, such as shovels, hoes and rakes, from rusting.
And removing rust can be difficult, unless you know this trick: Start by soaking two or three terrycloth rags in distilled white vinegar.
Next, wrap the rags around the rusty blade of the gardening tool. Place the tool in a plastic garbage bag, and let it soak for at least 18 hours.
Unwrap the tool and sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda onto the rusty blade. Then, scrub it with a wire brush to remove any remaining rust.
Finally, wipe the tool dry and then spray it with some lubricant to ensure it stays rust-free for longer.
Watch: How to Easily Remove Rust From Gardening Tools
Carriage Bolt Tip — Carriage bolts will often begin to turn when pressure is applied to the hex nut, making it difficult to tighten the bolt.
Here’s how to prevent this problem: As you set the bolt into the hole, slip two or three small, galvanized finishing nails between the bolt and side of the hole.
Then tap the bolt into the hole with a hammer. The nails will act as shims to lock the bolt in place as you tighten the nut.
