HOME REPAIR in DIY
Toilet troubles
Q: I have replaced our toilet with a new one, but after bolting it down to the floor ring I find that the new bolts stick up too far above the rim of the toilet. As a result I cannot replace the decorative cap that fits on the top end of each bolt. I am reluctant to go through the job of removing the new toilet and then shopping around for new bolts that will be of the right length. For now, I have let the bare bolts stick up around the base of the toilet, but my wife is unhappy. She claims this could injure someone. Any suggestion you can offer?
A: Cut off the upper end of each bolt with a hacksaw. You can buy a little hacksaw that has a small handle that will enable you to use it while working in tight quarters, or you use can use an ordinary hacksaw blade after wrapping one end with several layers of heavy rubber tape to form a reasonably comfortable handle for the bare blade. Cut off the top end of each bolt, but leave about half an inch sticking up so that the decorative end cap can be properly installed. Remember to fill this cap with putty before pressing it into place on top of the bolt end.
Q: My bedroom has a small ceiling light and I want to take this out and install a ceiling fan. I plan to put up a fan that has a small lighting fixture under the bottom. But, I have been warned that the metal outlet box in the ceiling may not be mounted strongly enough to support the weight of the fan. How can I check this?
A: After disconnecting and removing the lighting fixture look inside the opening in the ceiling to see how the outlet box that supported the fixture is mounted. If the box is merely nailed or screwed against the side of a joist or if it is just resting on top of the ceiling, then it is not strong enough to support a ceiling fan. You would have to replace the original box with a special version that is made to support the weight of a fan. You may also need to call in an electrician to add some extra wiring to this outlet for the lighting fixture.
Q: I installed new ceramic knobs on my kitchen cabinet doors. Each is held by a screw that goes through its centre then into the wood door. Now the screws are loose and can no longer be tightened with a screwdriver. I don’t want to use glue as this would make it impossible to remove them. What can you suggest?
A: If the long screws go through the knobs and into the wood, then you can fill in the holes with short pieces of wood toothpick until each hole is almost full. Break or cut the toothpicks off at the surface, then drive the screws into the hole that remains. This will enable you to tighten each one so that it will grip firmly once again.
Q: I have old double-hung wood windows that really need to be replaced. They have no weather stripping around the sash units and are very drafty. Some time ago, I read that there are replacement sash channels made for installing in old double-hung window frames, without having to replace the entire window. These include built-in permanent weather stripping that will keep out drafts.
Where can such replacement window channels be purchased?
A: They are sold in larger lumber yards and home centres, and even through some large hardware stores, although they have to be specially ordered. They are manufactured and distributed by several different companies.
Send questions to Bernard Gladstone,
c/o New York Times Syndicate, 609 Greenwich St., 6th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10014-3610