Question: Reply from a reader: “This is so easy to remove that I can’t imagine why so many residents ignore this really simple project.” Well I’ll tell you why. I have a half-gallon of Wet and Forget left plus the gallon sprayer but being 5 foot 1-inch tall I just can’t get high enough to remove it and only doing the bottom 1/4 looks awful. Ladder? No way. Guess this year I’m going to have to get it power washed even though our book says not to but Deanna Loughren says to do it.
Answer: My sprayer is a 2-gallon sprayer with a 4-foot hose and wand. When I pump the sprayer 20 times it will spray straight up five feet. When I hold the wand one foot over my head the spray reaches twelve feet up the wall. The average house in Sun City has siding up eleven feet to the soffit, so this sprayer configuration should work to spray all of the siding for most houses.
My house is taller in the back. It is 16 feet to the soffit. I duct tape the wand to a broom stick so I can raise it high enough for the spray to reach the soffit. To do this I reduce the Wet and Forget liquid in the tank to one-half a gallon (4 pounds) to make it easier to lift. I also tape the trigger on the wand in the spray position. I think if you follow these little changes you will be able to spray all the affected areas. I sprayed my house once two years ago and an inspection today showed the siding to be completely clear of algae.
Question: The numbers on my address display were badly faded. I purchased a new set of numbers, removed the address display, replace the numbers, but when I replaced the display, the light did not work. Not knowing how the light is wired, I don’t know where to start in order to find and fix the problem.
Answer: I was not aware of how this address display worked so I took mine apart. Here is what I learned. The bulbs are wire in series so if one burns out they both go out. They run on low voltage so there is a transformer mounted somewhere. I did not find mine but I didn’t look long because I was getting enough voltage to light the lights. It is probably in the attic and I don’t go up there anymore. The sockets that the bulbs plug into are very flimsy and are easily bent. I had to bend mine to get them to contact the bulb to make it light. Your problem is either that or more likely one of the bulbs is burned out.
The bulbs are rather difficult to remove. If you have fat fingers or poor hand strength you may have to get someone with without these characteristics to remove the bulbs.
Question: One of my address incandescent 5-watt bulbs burnt out. I know that Ace Hardware carries replacements, but I noticed in my neighborhood numerous homes have “blue looking” lights instead. These are much brighter than the regular bulbs. I have been told that these are automotive type LED. I can’t find out any other info other than a guy installs them for about $20 a pair. Have you any info on this subject?
Answer: I don’t know the answer. If anyone knows please email me and I will share the answer in a future column.
Ask the Woodchucks day: This will be held in the Millgrove Wood Shop on May 22. We will have about 40 woodchucks in the shop to repair wooden furniture belonging to residents. We have been doing this for about fifteen years and have done some amazing repairs (words from a resident thank you note). Sign up for this annual event will start at 8 a.m. on May 1 at the Meadow View Lodge. There are 24 spots that are usually filled in a couple of hours on May 1.
If you have suggestions for future tips or have questions about maintenance around your home submit them to ask.the.woodchucks@gmail.com
