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July 06, 2008 | 69°F mist

The Leonard Lopate Show

The Gurus of How-To, Al and Larry Ubell

The gurus of how-to, Al and Larry Ubell, answer your questions on home repair! Give us a call at 212-433-9692, or leave a comment.


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[1]
Posted by: Chris
May 07, 2008 - 10:08AM
NJ

Is there a good way to prevent deer from eating flowers. Is there a flower that deer won't eat?

[2]
Posted by: Avivah
May 07, 2008 - 12:26PM
Brooklyn

Somehow my backyard garden has become "infested" with a bamboo type grass. If allowed it will grow to six feet in height. I has even tried to come up through the concrete. I have cut it down and dug up a many roots and runners as I could. How do I get rid of it once and for all?

[3]
Posted by: Randy
May 07, 2008 - 01:19PM
New York City

In a newly remodeled studio apt, I ended up with a 110v A/C instead of a 220v. The building is wired for 220v. Would it be hassle to change the A/C outlet to 220v. What might an electrician have to do to change the voltage?

Thanks!

[4]
Posted by: Kevin Goodman
May 07, 2008 - 01:33PM

We have developed some cracks in our granite countertop in our kitchen. Is there anything we can do to repair or seal them? Replacement is very expensive and I'd like to avoid it if possible.

[5]
Posted by: Neal
May 07, 2008 - 01:37PM
Port Washington

What is the best way to take care of my cedar deck? Should I powerwash and put sealer on it or just let it age? What about areas where the wood is getting green--algae?

Thanks

[6]
Posted by: Greg
May 07, 2008 - 01:38PM
NJ

WD stands for "water displacement"

If you want a simple and cheap way to vibration isolate a clothes dryer, try http://www.genuineideas.com/HallofInventions/freeinventions.html

[7]
Posted by: Demetri
May 07, 2008 - 01:38PM
NYC

WD stands for "Water Displacement", 40th formula in the series.

[8]
Posted by: caroline
May 07, 2008 - 01:39PM
new york city

“WD-40” literally stands for Water Displacement, 40th attempt. That’s the

name straight out of the lab book used by the chemist Norm Larsen when

he developed WD-40 back in 1953. Norm was attempting to concoct a

formula to prevent corrosion, a task which is done by displacing water.

Norm’s persistence paid off when he perfected the formula on his 40th try."

[9]
Posted by: Erica
May 07, 2008 - 01:40PM
10024

WD-40. Confirmation: WD-40 was the 40th version of (whichever manufacturer's) formulation for a _W_ater _D_isplacing product.

[10]
Posted by: Rob
May 07, 2008 - 01:40PM
NYC

I have to agree with Greg. The WD does stand for Water displacement. The product was desinged to protect metallic parts from moisture. They went through 39 formulations before they were successful with the 40th.

[11]
Posted by: paul wolcott
May 07, 2008 - 01:40PM
NJ

Youor crack staff is right. WD-40 stands for Water zdisplacement - the 40 derives from the fact that the successful formula was the 40th one tested.

[12]
Posted by: cornelius
May 07, 2008 - 01:40PM
Stony Brook

According to Wekipedia: WD-40 stands for Water Displacement.

[13]
Posted by: david schneider
May 07, 2008 - 01:41PM

Hi the WD does stand for water displacer. It was developed to be used by NASA to displace water in certain early solid rocket fuel rockets, and it was the 40th attempt to get the correct formula.

[14]
Posted by: shindig
May 07, 2008 - 01:42PM
brooklyn

Awhile ago you gave a tip for repairing door hinges using woodglue and toothpicks. It worked great on my drop front desk.

Any tips for keeping the neighbors' pitbull from pooping in my flowers?

[15]
Posted by: John Celardo
May 07, 2008 - 01:43PM
Fanwood, NJ

Wikipedia says WD does stand for Water Displacement. Here's the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WD-40

[16]
Posted by: Isaac
May 07, 2008 - 01:44PM
Jersey City

You are all wrong!!

WD-40 was invented by a Turk in 1940 and stands for Whirling Dervish as a tribute to his ancestors...

[17]
Posted by: dave downs
May 07, 2008 - 01:45PM
new york city LES

Is it possible to vent out a NYC Apt from a Vent hood? and if not does the air circulating in these hood really work?

thanks,

dave

[18]
Posted by: Ali
May 07, 2008 - 01:45PM
manhattan

we are trying to buy an apt in a 1929 building in manhattan and have heard conflicting reports about the code vis-a-vis the electric circuit box. it is currently located above the sink in the kitchen and we have been told that it may or may not be a code violation.

also they said the apt has 60 amps - is this enough to run through wall a/c heat combo in one room and a/c in three other rooms? we also want to get a washer / dryer (gas dryer) and have heard conflicting reports on whether 60 amps is enough.

thank you

[19]
Posted by: John Celardo
May 07, 2008 - 01:46PM
Fanwood, NJ

Al and Larry, what do you think of gutter guards? I've had the slotted type for a couple of years, and they seem to work well.

[20]
Posted by: Henry
May 07, 2008 - 01:47PM
Rahway NJ

WD in "WD-40"

does mean 'water displacement'.

In fact the whole thing means:

water displacement on the 40th try.

see link.

http://www.wd40.com/about-us/history/

[21]
Posted by: Jennifer H
May 07, 2008 - 01:47PM
NYC

Hi guys! - I have a 6 month old baby and live in a loft building - a former factory that we have converted ourselves. There is still some very old paint that remains in some parts of our home. I am concerned about lead - is there a way that I can test for it?

Thanks,

Jennifer

[22]
Posted by: Erica
May 07, 2008 - 01:47PM
10024

Isaac- Woopsie-daisy! A real wing-ding.

[23]
Posted by: j
May 07, 2008 - 01:48PM
nyc

re: ants

i heard that instead of using boric acid, that you can use peppermint oil around the boundries of your living space [doorways, other entrances for ants]. Supposedly, it's too strong for their antlers/sensors, repelling them.

[24]
Posted by: Jemal
May 07, 2008 - 01:51PM
Queens

We are thinking about changing to a tankless water heater. Any opinions about which is the best?

[25]
Posted by: sanjay k
May 07, 2008 - 01:55PM
Mine Hill, NJ

Is the answer : friction pedulum base isolator? SFO airport and several other buildings have been built using this concept to protect from earthquakes

Learnt it while helping my sixth grader!

[26]
Posted by: Robert Sumanis
May 07, 2008 - 04:24PM
East Rutherford, New Jersey

answer to todays question on the Leonard Lopate show is INERTIA BLOCK (OR PAD) :)

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