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Determine the tightness of the curve by bending your veneer stock to test the amount of curvature it will take easily. Since wood does not always bend evenly, make the actual cutting lines for your form from an easily made compass ruler rather than from a bent piece of stock. Once you have determined the radius of the modern garage doors, simply drive a nail through one end of a thin strip of wood, and make a notch in the other end at the radial distance from the nail. Lay out the form on a flat surface and project the midpoint of the arch down from the center of the form to the point where the center of the circle that the arch is a segment of would be. Now swing the notched end of the stick across the form with a pencil tip held in the notch so that the circumference of the circle is drawn on the form. Cut the line with a band or jigsaw to make the form. The ends of the form should be square, and cut to the same length as the inside of the jamb (the width of the door), plus twice the depth of the rabbet, which you will cut on the top of each side-jamb piece.

You need to closely inspect nearby vents, roof flashing, decks, window wells and anywhere wood may be rotting in search of mold and mildew. Warm air seeks gaps in the insulation, and when it hits colder surfaces as it flows out of or into the house, then the water condenses which then feeds mold. A simple test to determine if you have mold is to mix up a solution of diluted bleach using one part bleach and sixteen parts of water; then apply it to the suspected area. If it quickly lightens you can assume its mold. Mold feeds off of moisture therefore you should keep and eye on water pipes, waste lines, ice-maker lines or plumbing fixtures.

In order to control mold and mildew you have to try to control the dampness inside the home. You would be surprised just how water is being dispensed into your home when you are cooking, laundering and bathing, without adequate ventilation. Dampness is caused by condensation of moisture from humid air onto cooler surfaces, therefore you want to use a dehumidifiers in areas that are not air conditioned.

The most effective removal of mold removal walls should be sprayed with an antimicrobial treatment. This should also be used in areas where mold might grow, such as basement walls, garages, or any place where there might be moisture. If you are repainting walls, use a mildew-resistant primer.

Squeaking cheap hardwood floors are almost always caused by the plywood subfloor rubbing against one of the nails that fasten it to the joists. If the basement ceiling under the living room is unfinished you can locate the exact spot where this is happening by having someone step on the noisy spot while you watch from below to see where the subfloor is moving. Mark the spot, then drive the thin edge of a shingle-wedge (most building stores carry these) between the joist and the plywood to keep the floor from moving. If your discount hardwood floors continue to squeak, you may have to replace those boards in that area with new wood. Your best bet will be to visit a cheap wood flooring store to find some inexpensive wood.

The carport attached to our house has a pitched roof covered with plywood and black roll roofing. In the summer we often use the carport as a shaded patio, but on a hot, sunny day the heat from the roof makes the “patio” uncomfortable. I was thinking of putting insulation between the 2×10 rafters under the roof. Is this a good idea? Do I need a vapor barrier there, too?

There is no need for a vapor barrier in a roof over an open carport. And before you go to the trouble and expense of installing fibreglass batts or other insulation between the rafters, I suggest you try a much simpler and cheaper way to keep the roof cooler and reduce downward heat radiation – apply two coats of a reflective aluminum roof paint.

I think you will find that this is all you need to make the carport a more comfortable shaded patio. But if that’s not enough, cut 2-inch thick (50mm) sheets of the common white polystyrene foamboard into strips as wide as the space between the rafters, then glue them there with a few dabs of a compatible mastic adhesive. Or do it the other way around, if you prefer; try the foamboard first and add the aluminum paint if necessary. Either of them will make a significant difference in the heat you feel under the carport roof.

I would like to repaint the 24-year-old hardboard siding on our house this spring. It has stood up quite well but there has been some peeling and there are a few small bare areas. Can you tell me what preparation is required and what type of paint I should use?

Although it is often overlooked, for a long-lasting paint job the siding should really be washed first to remove dirt, chalked paint and mildew. Use a solution of one part chlorine laundry bleach to three parts water, plus a handful of TSP (any paint or hardware store) per pail. Apply with a long-handled brush and rinse off thoroughly with a garden hose. To avoid streaking, start from the bottom of the wall and work up – believe me, it works!

Use #120 sandpaper to remove loose paint and bevel the edges of the remaining paint around bare areas. Either a latex or an alkyd (“oil-based”) paint can be used. Prime bare areas first with a latex or alkyd primer. If you are changing the color, two coats will probably be necessary.

I have self-adhesive vinyl tiles in my kitchen. What is the best way to remove these and the adhesive that will be left on the plywood subfloor? Also, what are the pros and cons of using tiles or sheet vinyl?

Peel-off, self-stick vinyl tiles do not leave any adhesive on the floor. They can be peeled up quite easily, but heating the first one with a hair dryer or a hot air gun until it curls slightly will help. New tile or sheet vinyl flooring can then be applied to the subfloor.

The main advantages of self- stick tiles is that they are inexpensive and very easy to apply. Sheet vinyl, on the other hand, is easier to clean and doesn’t have the checkerboard look, but is more expensive to lay. I do not recommend this as a do-it- yourself job. One mistake in measuring and cutting and you can ruin an expensive floor.