musty attic milky stain on wood floor or furniture

household help wanted
There are some very real explanations—and
musty attic
milky stain on wood
floor or furniture
the Cause: Moisture has penetrated
the top layer of the wood’s finish,
creating a ghostly looking blotch.
The Fix: Lay a white cotton cloth
(like a T-shirt or napkin) over the stain,
then run a warm iron over it to draw
out the moisture. Test the method in
an inconspicuous spot first, says Don
Vandervort, founder of Hometips.com,
to be sure you won’t damage the finish.
the Cause: “You probably have a leak or a
ventilation issue,” says Lou Manfredini, host of the
“Mr. Fix-It” call-in show on WGN Radio.
The Fix: It could be as simple as keeping the attic
vents clear of furniture and other objects, and
diffusing the smell with an odor-absorbing gel
(Manfredini likes Natural Magic; naturalmagic
.com). But the more thorough option is to have a
pro check for leaks and other issues. “Sometimes
insulation is incorrectly installed over soffit vents,”
says Scott McGillivray, host of Income Property. You
need one mushroom-style turbine roof vent for
every 100 square feet of attic, and at least one fan.
yellow ice cubes
the Cause: Minerals in your
water, such as magnesium and
calcium, give them that tint.
The Fix: “If you have a
refrigerator with an ice
maker, you probably need
to change the water filter’s
cartridge, often located
in the top right of the
refrigerator compartment,”
says Manfredini. But if you’re
making the ice in trays with
water from the faucet, you
should have your water tested
and possibly treated. To find
a certified lab in your area, go
to epa.gov/safewater/labs.
illustration by
peter mac/eye candy Written by amanda lecky
gurgling kitchen drain
The Cause: Water can’t flow easily through the
pipes. It’s bubbling loudly because the sewer line
is clogged or improperly vented.
The Fix: “Start with a liquid drain cleaner,” says
Vandervort. No luck? Clear any debris, normally in
the sewer line’s first few feet, with a drain snake. If
gurgling persists, “have a plumber check if your vent
is blocked or improperly installed,” says McGillivray.
The plumber can add an air-admittance valve or
vent to the drainpipe to improve the flow.
rotten egg smell
in a bathroom
the Cause: “This usually happens in little-used
bathrooms,” says Vandervort. “Since you’re not
flushing the toilet often, the drainage trap dries out
and sewer gases rise through it.”
The Fix: Flush the toilet and run water into the sink,
shower, and tub to refill the traps. Next, suggests
Manfredini, pour a tablespoon of vegetable oil down
each drain. It will form a thin layer over the water
you’ve added, protecting it from exposure to air and
preventing evaporation—and sealing out the gases.
Flush the toilet and run the water in each fixture
once a week to keep the smell from returning.
mysteries solved!
surprisingly easy fixes—for the weirdest problems around the house.
spontaneously
flushing toilet
the Cause: Water is leaking
from the tank into the bowl.
When the level gets too low,
it triggers an automatic flush.
The Fix: The culprit is likely
the flapper, says Tom Feiza,
author of the How to Operate
Your Home series. If it’s
damaged, replace it ($3, at
hardware stores). If not, wipe
its touching surfaces with a
paper towel. Dirt can prevent
a tight seal.
green stain in a bathtub
the Cause: Corrosive water is likely causing
your copper piping to deteriorate, leaving
copper and brass particles in the water.
When it drips, it forms a blue-green stain
under the faucet head and/or by the drain.
The Fix: Douse a cloth with a stain remover
such as Lime-A-Way; let it soak into the stain
for at least eight hours. If the stain is on the
tub wall, duct-tape the cloth in place. To
address the corrosive water problem, have
a water test done (see “yellow ice cubes”),
and consider having a pro install a softening
system, which costs between $400 and
$1,200, depending on the size of the system.
creaking floorboards
The Cause: Fluctuations in humidity
make wood shrink, pulling it away from
the subfloor. Pressure from walking forces
the boards to rub against one another and
against the loosened nails, causing creaks.
The Fix: Sprinkle talcum powder over the
spot(s) and, using a small piece of wood,
pound lightly, forcing talc into the cracks.
If you use a hammer, first cushion the floor
with a towel folded a few times to prevent
divots. “The powder lubricates the joints,
eliminating the creaking,” says Manfredini.
whistling gas fireplace
thumping water heater
The Cause: Burner ports clogged with dirt
or rust can prevent gas from flowing freely.
The Cause: Sediment builds up in the tank,
The Fix: Turn off the gas connection and
making the water heat unevenly. Steam bubbles
rise to a cooler part of the tank, then pop and
make a thumping sound.
The Fix: “Drain and flush the tank,” says
Vandervort. Turn off the power and/or gas to the
tank, then attach a hose to the faucet at the unit’s
base. Run the hose outside or to a drain, and open
the faucet so the tank empties. Refill and repeat.
A water softening system, which removes minerals
that cause sediment, can help prevent this.
remove the logs and embers from inside
the fireplace. Using a wire brush, scrub
the surface of the burner (the mechanism
under the logs that the gas travels through),
being sure to clean around the burner ports,
where the flames escape. If the holes are
clogged, insert a fine wire into the port to
dislodge any remaining debris.
hgtv magazine 2