Q. My bathroom ceiling is peeling. How do I remove the mildew after scraping? Applying wet solutions and then washing everything will create a big mess. Is there an easier method, such as brushing on a mildew remover then using a good primer and paint?
IGLAZER
A. I like to scrape and sand a bit first. I would scrub the mildew with a solution of trisodium phosphate (TSP) and bleach. The solution can be applied with a sponge, which will make less of a mess. Be sure to wear the recommended eye protection and gloves.
1. Wash the area with a solution of TSP detergent and warm water. Mild-soap detergent will work, too. Reapply.
2. Scrub and rinse the area a couple of times.
3. Let the area dry.
4. Mix one-quarter cup bleach with one quart of water and apply the solution.
5. Wait for 20 minutes and then apply again.
After washing and getting the surface dust free and dry (overnight), use an oil-based primer. You can add M1, a mildewcide. Do any patching after that. Spot prime the patches, and then paint.
Q. We are new to this home and have a single shower-control lever I assume has an antiscald valve. Some of the us love to take baths, and we are unable to get it really hot. I’ve heard that three-handle shower/bath controls are illegal in this state. Is that true, and if so, how can we get hotter tub water? We have warm enough water for the shower and the sink, and the tankless hot-water boiler is less than 10 years old.
JEANNE
A. My suggestion is that you have a professional plumbing contractor do a diagnosis of the shower valve and boiler. Based on your description, it sounds as if your shower/tub valve needs to be rebuilt.
Q. My radios (doesn’t matter which ones) when on AM stations, are all static whenever the heat turns on. I have a three-year-old gas heat furnace, but this also happened when I had an oil burner. It does not happen in the summer when I put on the air conditioner. I have asked many workmen, but no one has come up with a solution. The man who inspected and cleaned my furnace suggested I have an electrician ground one section. The electrician said he never heard of the problem. He grounded that suggested section, but it did nothing to solve the problem. He looked at the furnace and said all looked good. I had the thermostat replaced when I switched from oil to gas. It is a Honeywell. When I turn the heat down to 65, the radios work fine. As soon as I turn the thermostat up to 70, there’s static. Hope you can solve the mystery.
SHARON FROM NEWBURYPORT
A. I suggest putting in a call to the manufacturer; the interference could be a known problem. The company also could have suppression kits. Depending on the exact source and cause of the problem, you might be able to install a noise filter. You didn’t say what exactly was grounded. Make sure that the thermostat wire is either shielded or grounded at the furnace.
Ham radio operators sometimes deal with these issues, so you may want to reach out to such an organization, like the American Radio Relay League (www.arrl.org), the national association for amateur radio in the United States.
Rob Robillard is a general contractor, carpenter, editor of AConcordCarpenter.com, and principal of a carpentry and renovation business. Send your questions to homerepair@globe.com or tweet them to @robertrobillard.
