Questions & Answers

This month we received four questions on our e-mail site, more than we have in any month since this column began over a year ago.

Question: What is the best way to eliminate green moss growing on the inside of the steel window-well liners?

Answer: I am surprised you are having a problem with moss in your window well. I could not find a single Woodchuck with that problem. The moss can be killed by soaking it with a 50:50 solution of bleach and water. On roofs where moss is a problem, a zinc strip is placed along the peak of the roof to kill and prevent moss for many years. You might try adding a zinc strip to the top inside edge of your well liner.

Question: I noticed there is a gap (1/4″) between the garage floor and the foundation on the front (away from overhead door) and sides of the garage. Should I use caulk to seal the gap?

Answer: Since this area is protected inside the garage, you do not need to worry about rain getting into the gap and washing out the base like you do on the driveway. I would not do anything with it.

Question: DJ wrote: “When we first moved in, we noticed a large gap under the front door and utility door where you could see daylight. My husband was able to adjust it to rise it up.”

Answer: Thanks for this tip. With winter approaching, this is a good time to check the gaps under outside doors and adjust them when needed. Open your front door and look down at the sill. If you see four screws along the length of the sill, those are the adjustment screws. Kneel down so that while looking from the outside, your eyes are at the level of the bottom of the door. Close the door slowly, and watch the rubber sweeper at the bottom of the door. It should overlap the sill by about one-eighth of an inch. If you see a gap, turn the adjustment screw closest to the gap counter-clockwise about one-half a turn and check again. Repeat this procedure along the entire bottom of the door.

If the rubber sweeper at the bottom of the door is damaged, it can be replaced. It is held onto the door bottom with screws. Unless you are extremely flexible and have an offset screwdriver, you will have to remove the door to get at these screws. To remove the door, take the pins out of the door hinges. The door is heavy, so be sure to have someone assist you. It is best to take the old sweeper to the hardware store or home center to get the right one. It goes back on just like the old one came off.

Question: Could you recommend good, reliable maintenance companies to do repairs? (We actually had a couple of versions of this question lately.)

Answer: The Woodchucks are not in a good position to do this. Most of our members are good at home repairs and share solutions to problems at the shop; therefore, not many use contractors for home maintenance.

Life Long Learning Lecture (LLL): The author of this column will be giving a LLL lecture on colonial gravestones and what they tell us about life expectancy and attitudes toward death in colonial America. The lecture will be at the Meadow View lodge on Friday, October 21 at 10 a.m. I think you will be surprised at the findings. You can sign up for this lecture at the CAM desk. See your Lifestyles magazine for LLL lecture #3710-08.

Reminder: The Woodchucks will be holding their Ask the Woodchucks day at the Millgrove Woodshop on October 19. This is an opportunity for Sun City residents to bring a broken or damaged chair, table, or other wooden object to the shop for repair. It is necessary to reserve a spot for this service. Look for the flyer in the October Lifestyles magazine and sign up early.

If you have suggestions for future tips or have questions about maintenance around your home, submit them to ask.the.woodchucks@gmail.com.

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