DIY Network

Ed DelGrande Interview: Joist Repair, Plumbing Augers and more From "Ask DIY Home Improvement" episode DADH-108

Ed DelGrande Interview: Patching Joists, Cleaning Pipes, Stain-Killer Paint and more

Janette Smith: It makes no difference whether your home repair issue is from floor or ceiling. Our team of experts can give you the help you need. Today, our home-improvement expert Ed DelGrande has done his homework and has the answers to your email questions.

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Question (Luke from Watertown, South Dakota) : I have a cracked floor joist and would like some advice on how I can repair this myself.

Ed DelGrande: The good news is that, if the damage isn't too bad, you usually can repair a cracked joist rather than replacing it. All you need is a little know-how. If the joist isn't cracked all the way through, simply cut two pieces of lumber of the same size to use as "scabs" that will be fastened to either side of the cracked piece. Attach one on either side of the joist -- creating a "joist sandwich." Apply wood glue, and secure the pieces together by drilling holes all the way through and fastening wood pieces together with nuts and bolts.

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

Question (from Paul in Meridian, Mississippi): I have a clogged drain and a buddy of mine told me I could rent an auger and remove it myself. How do I use an auger?

Ed: Using a hand-auger is nothing to be intimidated by. (Powered augers are a little more tricky to use, and should generally be left to the pros.) Most drain-pipes have an access port called a clean-out (figure A). Be aware that when you open the clean-out, water may spill out. Use caution, and have a bucket handy to catch the water that drains out.

Once you've removed the cover to the clean-out, and drained off any water, simply feed the flexible arm into the clean-out port until you feel the clog. One you've encountered the clog, lock the arm in place and turn the handle (figure B). The arm will grab the obstruction, and you should be able to remove it. This is a messy job, so wear old clothes.

Question (from Courtney in Johnson City, Tennessee): I have a stain on my ceiling from when my daughter flooded the upstairs bathroom by leaving the tub running. I re-painted the ceiling, but you can still see the stain. How can I get rid of it?

Ed: Ordinary paint won't cover up a stain. You need to use a stain-sealing primer (figure C) in order to get rid of the stain. Allow the stain to dry thoroughly, then apply this specialty primer. You may need two coats of primer. Once the primer has dried, you can paint over it. Stain-sealing or "stain-killing" primers like this are available in the can or in special spray-cans that have a nozzle that directs the spray upward -- making it easier to spray onto a ceiling.

Figure D

Ed's Insider Tip: Modified Paint-Stirring Stick

Stirring paint is more effective if there are holes in your paint stirrer. You can buy one from the paint store, or you can make one simply by drilling holes in an ordinary wooden stirrer (figure D). Just clamp it to a scrap piece of wood so that you don't split the thin wood of the stirrer. Then stir you paint easier and more effectively.

RESOURCES :
Do-It-Yourself Plumbing
Model: 0060101229
Author: Max Alth
Sterling Publishing, 1987 Out of Print

Plumbing for Dummies
Model: 0764551744
Author: Gene and Katie Hamilton
1999; Out of Print
IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. (An International Data Group Company)
Foster City, CA 94404