The aluminum windows on my house have an almost concrete-like substance (or very hard putty) on the exterior, which presumably holds the windows in place. This substance is cracking and whole chunks are falling out of the window. What should I do? – James
The hard stuff to which you refer is well-aged glazier’s putty. This compound is used to hold glass panels in place in old-fashioned aluminum window frames. Very soft and pliable when installed, the material naturally hardens until (after many years) it finally reaches the extremely brittle state you described.
The large chunks falling to the ground is your cue to scrape the remaining putty from each pane. Be careful the glass putty is all that holds the glass in. Then apply a new bead.
The trick to applying putty is its softness. Remove a palm-full from the can, knead it into a bead about the size of your small finger, force into where the glass and frame meet, and then use a glazier’s knife or small putty knife to shape the putty at a 30 to 45 degree angle between the glass and the frame.
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Today, new security gadgets increase the “scare-the-crooks” quotient while lowering the cost to homeowners. For example, electronic barking-dog alarms now come in many shapes and sizes, from hard-wired motion-sensor-controlled Doberman guard dogs to yappy little battery-controlled barkers that let you know an intruder might be around. They’re inexpensive and portable, making them great for travel. Other low-cost alternatives are small battery-operated wedge alarms that sound 110 decibels when a door opens against it. Also, the cost of monitor systems has come way down.
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In the kitchen, copper pots are ideal for cooking because copper is a good conductor of heat. But copper tarnishes, and it’s not easy to clean unless you know the secret.
First, sprinkle a thin layer of salt onto the copper, then apply a small amount of white vinegar with a spray bottle. The copper will brighten before your eyes. Don’t use too much vinegar or it won’t work.
For rust stains on porcelain sinks and tubs, dip a pumice stick in turpentine (not paint thinner) and gently rub the rusty stain.
The Carey Brothers
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