Varnish Would Extend Deck Life --but Price Is Nothing to Scuff At

Q. The redwood deck in my backyard gets a new coat of sealer-stain about once a year. Is there something I can use that will make it last longer?

H.T.

Seal Beach

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A. Most deck stains on the market have a six-month to two-year life span, says Steve Willsey of the Orange Paint Store. That’s why decks tend to be high-maintenance items, especially when they’re made of redwood or cedar.

One type of coating that may give you longer life is a UVA spar varnish, which provides great protection from weathering but, at around $36 per quart, is very expensive--and even that would only stretch the life to about two years.

If you’re willing to change the look of the deck, you could try using a deck enamel over a good quality exterior wood primer, which would add a few years.

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Q. We’ll soon be having a relative live with us for a while, and this means we need a replacement for the office and sewing room we had used our spare bedroom for.

We have a laundry room adjacent to the garage, and there’s enough room to move a desk in there. However, the space is cold in winter and hot in summer. Besides routing a heating/air-conditioning vent down there, is there anything else we can do to make it livable?

N.C.

Anaheim

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A. You may want to cut a window into the wall, which would give you some light and ventilation, says Jim Gorman of Rancho Lumber in Westminster.

You’ll want to have a fan or two in there and a space heater, although take care to follow the directions and make sure the room’s electrical circuitry can handle the extra load.

Another option when it comes to cooling is to install a wall air conditioner. This can make the room comfortable without costing a great deal. Obviously, you’ll need to alter your washing schedule because quiet offices don’t usually include a noisy washer and dryer.

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Q. We’re having a continuing problem with a water leak from an upstairs shower-bath. We can’t seem to locate the leak. The shower door and sides have been replaced. We’ve filled the shower then pulled the plug on the drain but haven’t felt any wet spots in the ceiling below the bathroom. We’ve also pulled off fittings and fixtures to see if water is leaking, but those areas are dry. Any other ideas?

S.M.

Huntington Beach

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A. If the leaking isn’t obvious, and it sounds as though you’ve checked all the right things, the only other option is to cut the ceiling open to see what’s going on, says Scott Blanke of Central Plumbing & Heating Supply in La Habra.

It could be such a small leak that it’s hard to detect by other means. Opening the ceiling is an inconvenience, but it’s commonly done. And once properly patched and painted, it’s hard to tell the area was even touched.

If you have a question about your home or garden, A Helping Hand will help you find the answer. Send questions to John Morell, Home Design, The Times Orange County, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626.