Quick Tip
Do the rain gutters around your house get blocked up with falling tree leaves and other debris? You can prevent that by placing chicken wire over the top of the gutters. Problem solved.

Pipe Dreams
Dear Andy, I always read your column which gives useful advice. Our 10-year-old house has one or two water pipes to the bathrooms that seem to bring water at less pressure than before. We have checked the water pump and that is OK . It seems to be that there may be rust or dirt in the pipes. How can this be easily removed without replacing the entire pipe?
Richard

It probably can’t, Richard, except in your dreams. In older homes water pipes often clog with mineral and others deposits, including rust, thereby causing a drop in water pressure and water volume. But your home is only 10-years old, and it would be unusual for water pipes to have deteriorated so much that they must be replaced. Unusual, but not unheard of. It comes down to the composition and quality of the pipes installed by the builder and the constituency of the water (what detrimental or corrosive elements pass through the water pipes). First of all, forget about cleaning out the existing water lines yourself. It is impractical and you may well ruin the piping as you take it apart. The threaded joints may actually be near the point of rust-through and rotating them with a pipe wrench may break the pipe. It would be better to begin by requesting that your water supplier come out and check your system; they may discover that a supply valve is partially closed. You indicate that the problem is only in two bathrooms. Might it be due to clogged aerators? Dislodged or deteriorated washers? Have you removed showerheads and disassembled faucets to ensure there are no restrictors from mineral build-up or rubber or brass disks or washers? As a last resort, Richard, have a plumber check for obstructions. If he finds none, he might solve the problem by adjusting your home’s pressure regulator, if there is one, installing a water-pressure booster pump, or—your most feared nightmare–replacing the affected pipes.

Dust Bunnies
In a recent column you discussed the best way to clean a computer monitor, Andy. But isn’t it also a good idea to clean the computer itself (the CPU)? If so, do you have any tips for the best way to do that. I’ve had my computer three years and have never cleaned it except for wiping down the exterior surfaces.
George

Excellent point, George. Three years is far too long to have allowed dirt, dust, hair, etc. to accumulate around the inner workings of your computer. That standard maintenance practice should be done every three to six months, particularly here where dust is often a major problem (open windows) in this climate–clogging filters, reducing air circulation, and eventually causing overheating. Most people fear they may damage sensitive electrical components if they open their computers for proper cleaning. So, cutting to the chase: Start by buying a can of compressed air. Then, with your computer shut down, disconnect all wires and cables—everything in the back of your computer. If you’re unfamiliar with those connections, take some photos or make some notes to remind you where everything goes when reconnecting. Now, how do you open the metal case? Most newer computers have one large screw that you can easily twist off manually. Older models generally have two to four smaller screws that must be removed with a screwdriver. Once the screw(s) is out, one panel should easily slide off the computer case revealing your three-year collection of dust bunnies. When you have an inkling of where the unwanted matter is, grab the can of compressed air and take aim. (Do not shake the can.) Hold the can at least 10 cm (4 inches) from your targets, and direct the dust and stuff toward openings in the computer case. Be careful not to allow the can or your hands to touch any of the internal apparatus. Finally, don’t forget to spray out any fans you see, including the power supply fan next to the electrical input. Do not use any cleaning solvents, cloth or paper towels inside the computer.

Waxed Out
Andy, some candle wax spilled onto my tablecloth and I’d like to know how to get it out.
Rita

No problem, Rita. Cover the wax with a paper towel, then press over it with the hot iron. The wax will absorb into the towel.

Stripper Talk
I’m following your column in Pattaya Today since I’m here and must commend you very much. Your posts are full of valuable experiences. This year my partner came to Thailand as well with a container full of cherished things from Switzerland. He is a very handy man and knows a lot about Western technoLogics. But that doesn’t help always, does it? So I’m wondering if you could give us your advice. The problem is: There are some pieces of furniture made of steel covered with a laque-protection (shoe and key box and some chairs) and the moisture starts to ruin it. We knew in the tropics the climate is very different from the one at home. We must consider: Gringing would ruin the pattern. Everything would be smudged with thinner. Stripping (pickling) might be the thing, right? Could you help? Because we settled down in Thailand and are very happy to be here, it would be nice if we could keep these furniture in good condition for another couple of years.
JoRico and JJ our Jack Russel

I am not quite clear on all you’re trying to say, JoRico, but I’ll take a stab at answering your ultimate question with a qualified “yes.” That is, to remove a lacquer finish from metal, you should use a stripper—preferably one designed for metal. The easiest solution is a commercial lacquer remover available at paint stores and home improvement centers. Follow the instructions on the label and repeat the process until all lacquer is removed. Pay particular attention to small crevices. Strippers come in liquid and gel forms; they take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, and they can be nasty on your skin. (So always use latex gloves to protect your hands.)  You may want to follow the stripping process by applying a layer of rust killer to protect the metal from Pattaya’s humidity. You can find some anti-rust products that also act as a primer; this will save you the step of priming the metal.

–Handy Andy