Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2005

 

Home briefs

Chiming in on proper string

Q: Where can I get string to restring wind chimes?

A: Since you didn’t leave a phone number, I wasn’t able to get a description of the string that was used previously. However, many wind chimes are strung with transparent monofilament fishing line. You can find it at sporting-goods stores and discount stores with sporting-goods departments. Depending on how heavy the elements of the wind chime are, you might also be able to use invisible nylon thread, available at sewing stores.

 

Hoist a banner

In today’s competitive world, everyone wants a home that’s unique and personal. No more cookie-cutter living rooms. We want to reflect our artistic taste.

So consider this wow-inspiring idea for your walls. Put up a poster fresh off, uh, a lamppost.

The New York Times reports that a Denver company, Better Wall, is rescuing and recycling vinyl posters used to advertise museum exhibitions. It cleans them and adds a simple hanging system.

The selection includes a variety from Old Masters and impressionists to Andy Warhol and Chuck Close. Warhol’s famous Campbell Soup art from an exhibit at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is available for $549. Others cost $295 to $1,735 at www.betterwall.com. Shipping is included.

 

Choose new material for a noisy pipe

Q: We have a 3-inch schedule 40 PVC drain from a bathroom that runs about 8 feet down through the basement. When hot water is draining from the bath, there is a loud cracking sound generated in the drainpipe. What can I do to the drainpipe to reduce the noise?

A: The “cracking” noise is the result of expansion and contraction of the PVC pipe as it heats up and cools down when hot water is run through it. While there is a host of means to deal with this problem, we believe that the best solution is to replace the PVC with a section of no-hub cast iron. Use no-hub couplings to connect the cast iron to the PVC.

You will not only be rid of your cracking noise, you will hardly be able to hear water running through the new pipe.

 

Martha keeps busy at Kmart

Martha Stewart is expanding her Kmart line with Everyday Rooms, a furniture collection with the same high-style, low-price combination that marks the rest of her merchandise for the discount retailer.

Everyday Rooms comprises 20 furniture pieces for the bedroom, kitchen and living room. The kitchen pieces have a white finish and a country look, while the other pieces have a dark cherry finish and sleek lines.

The furniture is meant to be assembled easily, using three or fewer tools.

Prices range from $29.99 for a kitchen stool to $299.99 for a sofa, entertainment center, armoire or queen-size bed.

 

Cure for cold feet: wood

Is your floor at home tile or linoleum over concrete? That’s a built-in formula for cold feet. But there’s nothing like the feel of wood plank underfoot. So, deep-six that concrete chill and replace it with the beauty and warmth of hardwood flooring.

The easiest method is to install factory-finished parquet or laminated hardwood directly over the concrete. Just make sure it’s clean. Then glue it down.

Another option is a floating floor. With this choice, individual laminated planks are glued together, but not “anchored” to the floor. They float on a layer of foam. Both floating floors and traditional solid wood planks on plywood need plastic-sheet vapor barriers because moisture creeps up through concrete slabs. Without this barrier, wood floors twist, cup, split and come loose.

Done right, there’s nothing like the beauty and warmth of hardwood.

— Wire Services