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Question: Glasses Stuck Together. I have two glasses that are stuck together. I would like to separate them. Any tips on how to do this? E-mail answer to this address Tjocoop@aol.com Thanks. -- Tommie Cooper tommiecooper@texashealth.org (Ref:0420)
Answer: Using hot and cold water heat the outer glass and cool the inner one, they will soon pop apart. -- Dave Ed.
Question: PTFE Tape. I have seen numerous references to using PTFE tape on plumbing joints, including which direction to wrap. How many wraps is sufficient or recommended for a) PVC to PVC, b) PVC into steel, c) steel into PVC, d) brass into PVC and finally e) steel into steel? -- "Lisa Frank" FLisa@osmonics.com (Ref:0421)
Question: Yellowed no wax floor...HELP! Does anyone have any suggestions to restore my no wax floor? It has yellowed and it doesn't get direct sun, is there a way to restore it or make it look better or brighter? Thanks -- Ttwinma@aol.com (Ref:0422)
Question: Steep Driveways. I live in Wisconsin and have had a real problem in the winter with having a steep driveway. Not only do I have to shovel but it seems the slightest amount of snow makes the driveway almost impossible to get up. Does anyone have any ideas or know of any products that can make it less of a chore? Thanks greatly: Mike in Madison -- John Michael Ryan SammyT@facstaff.wisc.edu (Ref:0423)
Answer: Can you get a contractor to put electric heating cable in the concrete. You can cut slits with a grinder. Do not do it yourself unless you are confident about the safety aspect -- Dave Klystron
Question: Slugs in the home. How do I get rid of slugs out of the house? Every night they come in and leave trails on one particular part of the carpet and kitchen!!!....Any ideas! -- Aaron kiwiinoztralia@netpro.net.au (Ref:0424)Answer: Eggshells, salt???
Question: Snails in the House. I was told by the pesticide man at OSH aka he use to work with a pest control company that you need to draw the slugs away from the area that they come in to the kitchen – I noticed that you said eggshells and salt. Where do you apply that in the house where they come thru or outside? Thanks, - Telles Family' tellesfamily@comcast.net. Nov 6 2006-(Ref:1319)
Question: Pine needles. Does anyone know a way to vacuum pine needles, so that they do not clog the hose? It's pretty tough to clean the hose out!! -- Msydor3@cs.com (Ref:0425)
Question: Water Hammer. I have bought a kit for fixing water hammer but am unsure at what point in the system I should attach it. The salesman told me to connect it to the highest point I could access. Where in the system is this most likely to be as I live in a three-storey house. -- Ron Howatt ron.howatt@ns.sympatico.ca (Ref:0426)
Answer: You should have a tank in your loft or garage. We think he means as close to the tank as possible -- qznazAnswer: Water Hammer Hello - water hammer is caused when steam eventually condenses in a pipe and pools as water in the pipe. The velocity of the steam travelling through the pipe carries the water through the pipe at a high rate of speed. When the water meets an angled piece of piping it is "slammed" into the pipe. In some sever cases the water at such high velocity can burst through the pipe and cause it to fragment and explode - but thats at pretty high steam pressure. If you install "steam trap" - or figure on another way of removing the condensation from the pipes - you will eliminate the water hammer.
I work in a refinery where we use high pressure steam (250lb. - 600lb.) - we power all sorts of pumps with it - but the principals remain the same - bleed off or drain the water if possible - but I think installing a simple Steam Trap is probably your best option.
good luck! -- mark.nsplane@optimacsnospam.com 24 Mar 2004Subject: Water Hammer. Having read one of your tips on preventing water hammer of which the cause is usually a worn ball valve in cold water storage tank, the resultant hammering is caused by unsupported pipe work (cold feed) next to the storage tank. Usually the plumber can’t be bothered to do the job properly but a couple of 15mm pipe clips attached to suitable battens placed near the tank will stop the hammer. Additionally a new ball valve assy, make sure the rising main to tank is turned off first before changing ball valve. Regards peter wells13@ntlnspworld.com 29 Oct 2005
Subject: Waterhammer. The advice offered concerning the 'turning down the stoptap' to stop water hammer is incorrect. Modern water supply pressures are usually greater than that of yesteryear and chattering of ballvalves etc is normally due to high inlet pressures acting on shut off valves, which can lead to excessive resonance in pipework.
Contrary to the advice given, stoptaps are isolation valves only - not regulating valves! Only the water flow is affected by regulating the stoptap. The pressure in the outside water main is variable but once any taps or outlets are shut off in a property, water pressure will increase to the water mains standing pressure. It is this increase in pressure which can lead to water hammer (banging in the pipes).
The obvious answer is firstly to make sure that all mains service pipework is properly clipped and secured and secondly, an in line pressure reducing valve will cure the problem in a flash.
If all else fails, contact a properly qualified plumber who will give you proper and professional advice.
Hope this helps and you can have this advice on me for free! -- Kevin Humphries kevnospam.humphries@btnspinternet.com 18 Jan 2005
Question: Gasoline stains. I spilled gasoline on some clothing and other fabric materials. I would like suggestions on how to get the smell out. -- Redabaw@aol.com (Ref:0427)
Answer: Gasoline Smell . If the clothes are able to be dry cleaned, the OMS used in dry cleaning should take it out. Check with you r dry cleaners. -- Knotts, David, Civilian" David.A.Knotts. Mon 21/04/08
Question: Ballpoint ink. HELP! A pen went for a ride in my dryer it exploded and now the whole inside of the dryer is cover in cooked on ink. Can anybody help me to clean up this mess. (oh by the way did I mention its a brand new dryer.) Please help. Thanks Joanne -- "Joanne Wilson" jlw512000@yahoo.com (Ref:0428)
Question: Shrunken Sweaters. Help!! I shrank my all time favorite wool sweaters and I need a fix. I love these shirts and I am almost sure there is something you can use to help them stretch. Can you help? -- "BrandiKay" Blueeyedguttersohn@hotmail.com (Ref:0429)
Question: Re: Shrunken Wool sweater Hi, I found the following query on your site: Question: Shrunk Sweater I accidentally shrunk a lambs wool sweater by washing it and drying it. The label says "dry clean only." Does anyone know if their is any way to undo the shrinkage and return the sweater to its original shape? I would appreciate any help. JULY2383@aol.com (Ref:0359) ---- Did anyone reply to this query with an answer? I would be greatly interested in the results, but was unable to locate any answers on the web site. There are actually three or four of these same questions on the site. Thanks, Gail -- Gail Saitow gailkenyon@hotmail.com 8 Jan 2003
Question: Help for shrunken wool. Hi! I need help in returning a slightly shrunken wool sweater to its former shape. I remember a tip once given that suggested soaking the garment in a solution of cold water and vinegar(?). This would restore the original shape. Is this correct? Do you have any tips? Please advise -- "Vera" jnahornyj@neo.rr.com (Ref:0074)
Answer: How to Un-shrink a wool sweater ... Hi – I was trying to figure out how to make a sweater smaller and came across this article on un-shrinking…http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Un-shrink-A-Wool-Sweater&id=9105 -- Michelle. 'Dave & Michelle' Sep 24 2006
Answer: Shrunken Sweater. Sometimes it happens to us all, in a careless moment we throw our brand new Aran sweater in the washing machine or dryer, shrinking them down about eight sizes and rendering it un-wearable to all but our children’s action man or Barbie Doll.
Luckily I have a contact with some inside knowledge on this matter so I asked my friend Mark Shenton owner of www.woolovers.com if there was a way to un-shrink a wool sweater, he started laughing even before I could finish my question.
Well people, today’s your lucky day, I have used the information this Shenton character gave me and I have now mastered the black art of wool un-shrinking and am here to share it with you.
Here we go….
When wool gets wet and warm, the fibres in the wool lock themselves together and don't want to let go, resulting in shrinkage (you can get wool warm or wet, but not both), which kind of makes washing wool garments a dangerous business.
To un-shrink the wool, soak the garment in warm water with a mild wool friendly soap for about 10 minutes. This unlocks the fibres in the wool. Then lay the garment out on some towels in a cool place. Stretch the garment out to its original dimensions. The stretching pulls the unlocked wool fibres away from each other. Once this is done relax and allow your wool garment to dry. The absence of heat from the drying process allows the wool fibres to set in place without locking together and shrinking the garment again.That it, long story short: you will have a good as brand new, fully functional sweater again. Take Care, Al -- Scannospamlan22@anosppol.com. Nov 18 2006
