Safety concerns surround vent-free fireplace

GLENN HAEGE, GANNETT NEWS SERVICE

Originally published Saturday, February 9, 2002

Q: We are in the process of remodeling our basement. We have considered installing a vent-free fireplace since it would be rather difficult to vent it. There seems to be a difference of opinion as to how safe a vent-free fireplace is. Do you think they are safe?

A: They have oxygen depletion sensors and are technically safe, but I had the best vent-free gas logs money could buy and removed them because I didn't like the smell. Make certain your vent-free fireplace fits the exact room size, then make no changes.

Q: I want to remove old wallpaper from the bathroom (no shower installed) and paint the walls. What is the best way to remove wallpaper and to prepare the walls to be painted?

A: Go to the hardware or paint store and get DIF GEL Wallpaper Stripper and a Paper Tiger Scoring Tool. Wm. Zinsser, 732-469-4367, makes both. The Paper Tiger tears small holes into the wallpaper without gouging the plaster or drywall.

This permits the enzyme-based DIF to penetrate behind the paper and release the bond. You also get a Zinsser Paper Scraper. It is shaped so you don't gouge the wall when scraping off the paper.

When you have removed the wallpaper, wash down the walls with a solution of 3 ounces dry measure of trisodium phosphate (TSP) per gallon of warm water. Wash the walls and rinse copiously. Do not stop cleaning until you have removed all the wallpaper paste.

Repair the nicks in the wall with spackling compound. Sand smooth. Prime with an oil base stain kill such as Zinsser Cover Stain and paint with two coats of Muralo Ultra. This is a very expensive, flat paint. Muralo's dead matte finish makes surface irregularities almost invisible.

Glenn Haege, who writes this column for the Detroit News, also hosts "Ask the Handyman," a syndicated radio show heard on 195 stations nationwide. You can contact him via e-mail: editor@flashcom.net. Visit his Web site at www.masterhandyman.com. Volume prohibits personal answers.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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