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IN THIS ISSUE:

1) When listening is understanding... a message from the Natural Handyman

2) Our appreciation to sites and publications that have recently linked to,
listed or featured NH!

3) Sweepstakes Central... win great home repair stuff!!

4) News from the Basement Annex!!

5) Q&A with our readers

6) Linkmaster's Corner

7) Pass the hammer, would ya?"... NH's readers speak out!

8) Featured in the Natural Handyman Bookshop...
"The Contractor's Guide To The Building Code" by Jack Hageman

1) WHEN LISTENING IS UNDERSTANDING… a message from the Natural Handyman

I suppose it would come as no surprise to anyone that… yes… I have an ongoing project, albeit small, at my abode. "Ongoing" is such a nice word. It implies progress without applying any pressure.

My little project became the topic of discussion at a dinner date with friends, where we were sharing a progress report. To make a too-long story short, I had installed a new Andersen double-casement window to replace a set of sliding patio doors leading to a second-story deck. Luckily, I finished closing in the outside wall just before our first ice storm in November… and haven't seen the ground till just last week!

Anyway, the remaining work involved installing pine trim around the window, along the floor and, of course, painting everything including the ceiling. This was not a typical trim installation, though, since the window frame needed to be custom-widened a few inches.

The couple we were dining with suggested we paint the walls before installing the mouldings. I balked at the idea. I preferred to have the dusty carpentry work done before doing any painting so I wouldn't have to clean up multiple times. I also explained that there is sometimes "collateral damage" when installing trim that would force me to retouch the walls. Interestingly enough, my wife gently lent support to "their" side. Our discussion moved on to other less fatiguing topics, but I did not forget.

Days later I revisited the discussion as I walked by the still unfinished room. I knew that in the midst of winter I would not be doing the trim around the window, at least till things warmed up a little outside. I don't have a large workshop and the weather has been so damp and snowy (we've had one heck of a winter here in Connecticut) that I would make a royal mess tracking all sorts of interesting debris into the house!

Okay, you caught me! Winter is always a good excuse to procrastinate! But, as I still hesitated in the doorway, I realized that there was more going on here than just my excuses and my opinions. I realized that this unfinished "scar" in our house was affecting both our moods. Not only was the room in disarray, but also furniture and other odds-n-ends had bled into the hallway and even into another bedroom, making the entire second floor a psychic downer! Through my insistence that I was doing things "the right way" came a swell of feeling that told me there was more here than simply being right or wrong.

The next day I purchased the baseboards only and installed them. A few days later I bought the trim and wall paint. Within a week the room was done… except for the dreaded window trim!

Though it was a faux finale to this project, I was struck by the tremendous relief this simple act of moving the furniture back against the walls gave us. Most of all, though, I was pleased because I was able to overcome my own stubbornness and add a little personal peace to the difficult last months of winter.

NH

1) OUR APPRECIATION TO THE FOLLOWING SITES AND MEDIA FOR A MENTION OR LINK...

SWORDS HARDWARE STORES is a fully Irish-owned company in business since 1956. They are the largest independent hardware store in North Dublin County. Thanks for the link on your website… and may the wind be always at your back!
http://www.swordshardware.ie 

HOME WARRANTY.COM offers annual home repair contracts to residents of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada and Washington.
http://www.homewarranty.com 

ELECTRICAL-ONLINE.COM provides expert electrical advice on a variety of home electrical projects such as wiring ceiling fans, 3-way switches, planning electrical circuits and more. The owner/author, Terry Peterman, has over 20 years of experience and has been featured on Canadian Learning Television!
http://www.electrical-online.com 

AIR-N-WATER.COM offers portable home and commercial space heaters, air purifiers, air conditioners, swamp coolers, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, programmable thermostats, fans and more.
http://www.air-n-water.com 

SOLOMON'S WHOLESALE TOOLS is a "true wholesale" company... not a retail site pretending to be a wholesaler! They offer top quality tools at affordable prices to help keep you within your tool budget. They guarantee better prices, higher quality products, and the best service anywhere!
http://www.solomonswholesaletools.com 

WATERBED PARTS ONLINE has replacement parts for hardside and softside waterbeds including mattresses, heaters, liners, bedding, rails, and water treatments shipped freight free, nationwide!
http://www.e-waterbeds.com 

LINK YOUR SITE TO OURS!
We REALLY appreciate links to our site… you might even get your site mentioned here! Click below for more information…
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/linkmeister.html 

3) SWEEPSTAKES CENTRAL

NEW CONTESTS!
Gene Trumbull, the owner of CUSTOM BUILT SPAS, has put together the definitive CD-books on building your own spa or hot tub... and saving thousands of dollars in the process! We have 4 SETS to give away… plus special discounts on spa parts!!

BARKEEPERS FRIEND is giving away 4 GIFT BASKETS to our readers! We welcome them back to our sweepstakes page!

CONTEST ENDED!
APRIL 1 was the closing date for our giveaway of the popular DARE TO REPAIR by Julie Sussman and Stephanie Glakas-Tenet! Thanks to all who entered, and the 7 lucky winners will be contacted via e-mail soon.

OTHER CURRENT CONTESTS…

(1) Win a copy of the videotape FIX YOUR OLD WINDOWS by Andrew Coviello
(2) Win a DELTA UNISAW from Rocker Woodworking
(3) Win a COOL TOOL at the JHL TOOL SUPPLY monthly giveaway
(4) Win a copy of THE PRACTICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF FENG SHUI by Gill Hale

To enter any of our contests follow this link to SWEEPSTAKES CENTRAL:
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/contest 

2) NEWS FROM THE BASEMENT ANNEX

FIX YOU OWN FLUORESCENT FIXTURES
It's not all that hard… really! So let NH help you get started before the flickering (or the darkness) makes you totally insane!
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infxtra/inffluor.html 

WELCOME THE SHADES OF SPRING AND SUMMER
The latest installment of our "decorating with color" series from Gail McCauley of the Paint Quality Institute, featuring ideas for using both simple and daring colors to bring spring into your home!
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infpai/pqi-0303color.html 

ENERGY-EFFICIENT WATER HEATING
According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy, you can take simple steps to radically lower your energy bills. Focus on efficient use of hot water and see real savings every month!
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infwaterheater/infwhefficient.html 

RATE OUR NEWSLETTER!

A few times a year, we ask our readers to rate our newsletter at the CUMULI EZINE FINDER. A good rating helps us attract more subscribers… important for a "niche" newsletter such as ours. The more the merrier… and your help is of course appreciated!
http://www.cumuli.com/ezines/ra20523.rate 

HELP OUR WEBSITE STAY STRONG… AND FREE!!

There are a few ways you can "give back" to our site for the help we offer 24/7 to do-it-yourselfers like you!

####### 1) Make your online book purchases THROUGH US!

We are affiliates of AMAZON.COM, the great online bookstore. Every time a book is purchased through our BOOKSHOP, we receive a small commission. Whether you buy through us or direct through their site, YOU PAY THE SAME PRICE for your books!

So if you are an AMAZON.COM shopper, take a moment and bookmark their site by clicking on the link below! (You will get full instructions when you get there.) Then, every time you visit and shop at AMAZON.COM, you will be making a small but significant contribution to our site! It's painless and essentially free… but it will mean a lot to us! Thanks!
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/amazon 

######## 2) Make a DIRECT CONTRIBUTION to our site…

If we have given you a valuable tip (even saved you a little money), love our newsletter or don't want NH to be eating dog food (just kidding), consider making a donation of "any size" to our site. You may be surprised to learn that many donors give a few dollars! Every cent goes a long way, covering our overhead and helping to expand our growing library of home repair help and encouragement!

Please visit our donation page at http://www.naturalhandyman.com/friends 
You can also mail your donation to us at:

THE NATURAL HANDYMAN
16 Hilltop Drive
Canton, CT 06019

Please make your check payable to "The Natural Handyman". And thanks!

5) Q&A WITH OUR READERS...

Dear NH,

We had a builder finish our basement and he used pressure treated wood during the framing process anyplace where the frame hit the basement floor. On your site, you mentioned that PT wood should not be used indoors. Is this safe? Thanks

TR from Burlington, MA

TR,

Pressure-treated wood (PTW) using arsenic-based preservatives (CCA) is not supposed to be used in living spaces, so technically he shouldn't have used that product in your home. In some circumstances, it has been used atop foundations, but only if approved by the local building code.

Everything I have read leads me to believe that arsenic will not migrate into the air in your basement. It is also generally accepted that the most risk from PT wood is in the construction phase, where fine arsenic-laced saw dust is easily inhaled or comes in contact with the skin.

Actually, the logic of using PTW in a "finished" basement is flawed and I find it amazing that so many contractors use it. The only purpose of the preservative is to prevent rot and insect infestation. If there is enough moisture leaking into your basement to rot wood, it stands to reason that wallboard, paneling, furniture, carpeting and other items will become moldy and smelly over time, too!

Moisture abatement must be accomplished before any basement renovation. This includes elimination of active water leaks and a combination of wall coatings, floor coatings and heavy plastic sheeting to slow the migration of water from the outside to the inside. Sometimes, repairs outside the home are helpful, such as regrading, exterior foundation repair or even something as simple as cleaning the gutters or redirecting downspouts. Below-grade basements typically have a little extra moisture than the rest of the home, regardless of the amount of preparation. The trick is to control it as much as possible and use mechanical dehumidification as seasonally necessary.

Frankly, if a basement has severe moisture problems and the cost of proper repair is too high, renovating may lead to a smelly and unhealthy environment. I have been in enough mildewy basements over the years to have strong feelings on this issue. When I tell people that the only way to remove the odors is to completely tear out all existing framing, walls and carpets and throw away the furniture, I am met with stunned silence, anger or both. Anger not directed at me, of course, but at the former owner who didn't do his homework!

Perhaps you didn't know, but sale of arsenic-based PTW for residential use will be banned through voluntary agreement with the PT industry after Dec 31, 2003. Fortunately, there are alternative products that will be arriving at your lumberyard soon... if not already. Here is a link to the information on the EPA website:

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/chemicals/residential_use_cancellation.htm 

Of course, the alternatives may or may not be banned years from now as they are more widely used. (It's happened before!) We'll have to wait and see.

………………………………………………….

Dear NH,

I just had my toilet tank insulated and was wondering can I still use toilet tank cleaner tablets with bleach?

KDB from Fort Wayne, IN

KDB,

No, it would be unwise. The high concentration of bleach in tank-type chemical cleaners may wreak havoc with the insulating material. Over time it will become brittle and eventually begin to fall apart. The bleach may even cause the adhesive to loosen!

I am no fan of using any sort of bleach in the toilet tank since it will also degrade both the flapper and the seal between the tank and bowl. The flapper will begin to curl and stop sealing properly. Not a difficult repair but nevertheless annoying.

The seal, however, is another matter. First, it will become hard and brittle. The damage is silent… but one day you'll put some pressure on the tank, causing it to move slightly. Instead of the seal allowing this little movement, it will crack. And… oh boy… the next time you flush and you feel a chill around your ankles!

I can understand the fascination with blue water in the toilet. I think it's rather pretty... sort of like sailing the South Seas! But... really... it offers little in the way of improved hygiene. After all, when you clean the toilet, what part do you think matters most... the inside of the bowl that no one touches or the rim/seat? Case closed.

…………………………………………

Dear NH,

I read your suggestion to replace a shower pan with a custom-made Fiberglas one. I have a shower pan that needs to be replaced, and I am interested in exploring this suggestion. If I look through the phone book, what types of businesses do you think would be able to sell me one of these? Can I install it myself?

LS from Portland, OR

LS,

You can order custom shower pans from most plumbing supply houses and home stores. You'll hopefully receive installation instructions with the new pan. Generally speaking, the pans do not need anything other than a sound plywood floor underneath them for support, so you will have to remove any special framing that was installed to form the masonry pan.

Is this a do-it-yourself project? Well, it depends on your tolerance for pain (Ha Ha) and your handyman skill level. You will need tile skills to install tileboard around the top of the pan and the new tiles, plumbing skills to relocate the drain to match the new pan, and possibly carpentry skills, too.

If you have no experience in these it doesn't mean you can't do it... it just means that you will have to be patient, take your time and get a few good books to help you get started! You can lighten your load by subcontracting part of the work, such as the relocation of the drainpipe.

NH

6) LINKMEISTER'S CORNER

FIBER CEMENT SIDING by James Hardie Building Products.
If wood siding just doesn't cut the mustard in your seaside neighborhood, or your climate makes mincemeat of cedar, consider replacing it with cement siding. Fiber cement siding is hard, durable and virtually impervious to humidity, rain, snow, salt air and even termites! Worth a look if you are considering residing your home!
http://www.jameshardie.com 

CRACKED, DRY SKIN from this winter's worst? ZIMS' CRACK CRÈME is the only skin care product NH has found that actually works! And it doesn't leave your hands slimy like lanolin-based products… important for working guys and gals! This stuff is even better than Cornhusker's Lotion, and that's saying something!
http://www.crackcreme.com 

KLENKS EPOXY FINISHES manufactures epoxy refinishing kits can make your old sinks and tubs look like new. The kits include everything you need, right down to the gloves. The illustrated instructions are also a nice touch!
http://www.klenks.com 

CARADCO offers a full line of windows for the home, but what will most interest do-it-yourselfers is their "ZapPack" replacement double-hung window system. They claim you can replace an old double-hung window in 20 minutes with their insulated tilt-in window set. Gentlemen, start your timers!
http://www.caradco.com 

1WINDOWQUILTS.COM features the original "Window Quilt", the only truly insulating shade. Both attractive and functional, the Window Quilt has an R-value of 4.9, which translates into a 67% energy saving over insulated glass alone! If you have conventional windows the savings are even more dramatic. Each shade is custom made for your home.
http://www.1windowquilts.com 

CELLULARWINDOWSHADES.COM, located in sunny Northern Vermont, manufactures and sells their own "Symphony" line of honeycomb, energy-efficient window shades. The energy savings compared with conventional shades are phenomenal and the prices very reasonable. Their line includes light filtering, room darkening, motorized, skylight shades and more to suit most every window!
http://www.cellularwindowshades.com 

HAVE A LINK YOU WANT MENTIONED HERE?
Click the link below and let our "Linkmeister" know what you think!! http://www.naturalhandyman.com/linkmeister.html 

7) PASS THE HAMMER, WOULD YA? ... NH'S READERS SPEAK OUT

Dear NH,

I was searching the web to solve a water heater problem and came across your site. I have a home repair/handyman business. Unfortunately, the high cost of liability insurance stopped me as an independent building contractor.

It's sad that most things new are not built to last. Build it quick and in 5,10, or 20 years replace it. Give me the old houses of the 19th century. I want quality, not quantity!

Thanks for being here, NH. Some new things do have value. There's hope after all.

DC

DC,

Thanks for writing and for your kind words. We're not exactly new (we're rapidly approaching our 6th anniversary online), but I understand and appreciate your sentiments!

Being a builder/contractor is not the easiest business to run. As you know, there is much more to it than just being a great carpenter. You need to be a manager first, worker second if you want to succeed in the contracting business. It's a hard transition for some of us "doers" to make.

Being an independent handyman isn't a walk in the park either, but there are definite advantages. You do have more control over your day-to-day destiny and those "little jobs" are always... repeat ALWAYS… going to be there.

That is, as long as you are reliable, competent, and available!

NH

……………………………………..

Dear NH,

Just wanted to share this info that I learned about… too late for my kitchen, though! We decided to use a bright red paint on the walls and were NEVER told to use a dark gray colored primer at the home improvement store where the Behr paint was purchased. The coverage was horrible over the white primer, necessitating the purchase of more red paint to get a smooth color.

When I went to another branch of this home improvement store to make this additional purchase, the paint salesman told me to call Behr and lodge a complaint. I did so, and received a full refund from Behr. Nowhere on the can or at the store was the info posted about tinting the primer for better depth of color. Heads up for all the novice painters like me!

MR

MR,

Your experience is common for novice painters. Gray is better than white as an undercoat for a rich color, but not as good as actually tinting the primer to a close color match.

Paint store clerks should ALWAYS suggest tinting the primer when selling rich colors to their customers. Alas, none of us are perfect!

There is a wealth of information at the PAINT QUALITY INSTITUTE on what makes a good paint great. They also have an informative pictorial on interior and exterior paint failure that is enlightening (and frightening)!
http://www.paintquality.com 

NH

8) FEATURED IN THE NATURAL HANDYMAN BOOKSHOP...

THE CONTRACTOR'S GUIDE TO THE BUILDING CODE by Jack Hageman
Written in an understandable and lighthearted style, Contractor's Guide to the Building Code is a great primer for both contractors and home handymen

See this and other fine books in our BOOKSHOP at:
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/bookshop 

PURCHASE ALL YOUR BOOKS ONLINE THROUGH US!

By making a special AMAZON.COM bookmark through our site, you not only get the finest books available but also help our site with a small, essentially free donation with each purchase! Click below for more information…
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/amazon 

COPYRIGHT 2003 G. George Ventures, Inc., All rights reserved.

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