Q–I am planning to paint or wallpaper the walls in the central hall of my two-story house. The wall alongside the stairs going up to the second floor is very tall and looks almost impossible to reach without some type of scaffolding.
The ceiling in that area–just above the stairs–is also out of reach with any stepladder. Short of buying or renting some expensive scaffolding, can you suggest how I can reach up there to paint and paper?
A–You can reach up to paint the walls with a long extension pole and roller. However, this won’t do for papering. For that you can use a tall stepladder and a sturdy 2-by-10 wood plank. Using a stair on the staircase to support one end of the plank, place the other end on the ladder so it’s level.
Make sure the plank is either tied or clamped to the ladder. Also, make certain all doors that can be opened against or near the ladder are either locked shut or propped in the open position.
Q– We have patio furniture that has plastic strips wrapped around the metal frame to form the seats and backs of each chair.
These plastic strips look fine, but several of them have become sticky, although nothing comes off when you sit on them. I have tried to clean off this sticky finish with detergents and various cleaners, but nothing seems to work. What can you recommend?
A–One solvent that may work is acetone or lacquer thinner, but this may also affect the color so test it first on a small corner. This sticky coating usually means the plastic is deteriorating, so it is likely that even if the acetone works the stickiness will return in time. The only sure cure is to replace the webbing strips.
Q–Our unfinished basement has overhead heating pipes that are covered with asbestos insulation. Should this be removed and, if so, how can this be done safely?
A–Removing asbestos is dangerous and should only be done by qualified contractors using special equipment. However, if the asbestos is sound and not powdering or flaking off, removal may not be necessary.
Since the asbestos is only a hazard if the fibers get into the air where they can be inhaled, it is often safer to leave it alone and simply cover it.
You can paint over it with two coats of latex paint if the asbestos is still sound, or you can cover it permanently by completely wrapping all the asbestos with wettable fiberglass cloth (sold in plumbing supply outlets and some marine supply stores).
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Have a question about home repair problems? Write to Bernard Gladstone in care of Your Place, Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60611. Questions of general interest will be answered in future columns. Sorry, letters cannot be answered personally.
