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Ask the handyman

By John O’Rourke

Q: I have some double-hung windows that will not stay up when opened. They have aluminum tracks on the sides and are not easily removed. How can I correct this problem?

A: These types of windows usually have spring balances connected to the bottom corner of each sash and the top of the aluminum jamb liner at each side of the window opening. It is not unusual for the balance to break at the top or bottom of the spring. Usually the spring can be reattached at either end or the attaching clips replaced. Replacement parts are also available. To repair or replace the jamb liner and balance, you will need to remove the interior wood stops on each side of the sash opening in order to get the complete pair of sash and jamb liners out of the window opening. The aluminum track is usually fastened at the bottom and top with small nails or staples. With the sash and jamb liners removed, you can now repair or replace the broken components.

Q: A number of years ago, I had a mural painted on all four walls of a bedroom. Now I’m getting tired of it. I’m wondering if there’s a way of covering it without ruining it.

A: Strippable wallpaper comes to mind. I would first apply a non-yellowing clear sealer to the surface of the wall mural. Do not use polyurethane, as this will yellow. The sealer will help to protect the painted mural surface. Select a strippable wallpaper. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for preparing the wall surface, which will most likely include applying sizing to the walls before applying the pasted wallpaper. Check with a reputable paint and wallcovering supplier to make sure all of the products you will be using are compatible.

Q: My deck of pressure-treated wood has algae on it. How do I remove the algae?

A: There are a couple of ways to tackle this project. Get out the handy scrub brush, garden hose and a bucket of water. Purchase a commercial cleanser such as TSP (Tri Sodium Phosphate) or a product specifically formulated for cleaning decks such as JOMAX by Zinsser. You will need to use bleach with either product to kill the algae. Rinse, apply cleanser, let soak, scrub and rinse. Repeat again, if needed. A second option for removing the algae from your deck would be to rent a power washer to cleanse all of your deck surfaces. Be careful not to be too aggressive, as the powerful spray may damage the deck surface. You could also hire an experienced contractor to do this type of work for you. While you have the power washer on site, this may be a good opportunity to wash down some of those other areas on your home that are in need of cleansing.

Q: I have a ridge vent and mushroom vents on my 1969 ranch. Can I eliminate the mushroom vents?

A: The ideal scenario is to have ventilation along the peak of the roof, as well as along each length of the lower roof area. Your attic space will need more than just the ridge vent as a source of ventilation. The attic will breathe better if you have ventilation installed in the soffit area before you remove the mushroom vents. An improperly vented attic area will cause roof shingles to fail prematurely and will allow excess moisture to build up in the attic, causing mold growth and reducing the efficiency of the insulation materials. You would be better off keeping those not-so-fashionable mushroom vents than having too little ventilation.

Q: I have moisture-resistant drywall in my bathroom. Do I need a vapor barrier?

A: A wall constructed of gypsum products, such as standard or moisture-resistant drywall, is designed to provide a smooth, somewhat durable and fire-resistant wall finish. It is not designed to be a vapor barrier. A vapor barrier, such as the foil or Kraft facing on fiberglass insulation, or a continuous sheet of plastic film applied across the face of the stud wall, will help prevent moisture vapor from seeping into the wall and ceiling cavities. Once moisture gets trapped in these cavities, it can cause mold growth and/or decay to the wood structure. Trapped moisture in insulation products will decrease their insulating values. If the walls are already in place and there is no vapor barrier present, an alternative would be to prime all surfaces in alkyd oil-based primer. This will create a vapor barrier on the inside surface of the wall.

Q: We had an opening in the concrete foundation for an exterior basement entry; this opening was closed in with cement blocks. During heavy rainstorms, water gets into the basement from this area. What can we do?

A: A few potential conditions could be causing this problem. The exterior surface of the cement block wall, which is fairly porous, was most likely not coated with a waterproof sealer such as a black tar-like substance, typically found on poured concrete foundations. Secondly, the mortar joints between each block and between the block and the existing foundation may not be completely sealed, allowing water to penetrate easily between these spaces. It is also important to keep excess water away from the foundation to minimize the potential of water getting in. The proper way to correct this problem is from the exterior. You will need to remove the soil and expose the cement block work and nearby concrete wall surfaces. Be sure to expose some of the concrete footing below the block work as well. Wash as much soil off of the exposed surfaces as is practical and let dry. Apply a generous amount of “foundation coating” to the exposed surfaces. Be sure to go extra heavy along the bottom joint and side seams where the block meets the poured concrete. Overlap onto the original concrete wall and footing as well. For aesthetic reasons, if you are using a black tar-like substance, you may want to use a different product above the surface of the soil where the foundation is exposed. Since the block wall seems to be the weaker link in the foundation system it may be prudent to apply a layer of waterproofing membrane also. If you are unable to find a product specifically designed for this purpose, a piece of rubber roofing applied to the sticky foundation surface should work great. When backfilling, be sure to slope the soil away from the foundation to help get any excess water away from the building.

John O’Rourke is the owner/operator of Case Handyman Services of Cape Cod. He has been maintaining, repairing and improving homes for more than 25 years. You can reach him at jorourke@casehandyman.com.