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Dear Heloise: My husband and I decided to remodel our basement and use it as a hobby/crafts/half-bath/extra TV room, where our teenagers and their friends can enjoy themselves or where we can gather as a family to watch movies. Since my dad had been a builder all his life and knew what to look for and how to do things, we asked him how we should test for dampness. There are kits that you can buy, but he likes an old-fashioned method where we save plastic dry cleaning bags, cut them into 14-inch squares, and tape them to the walls. We taped all around the edges so that air couldn’t get in or out.
After six days, we reached in to test for moisture on the plastic and the wall surface. We found dampness in only one part of the basement and took steps to seal off the wall to avoid any problems. This was 10 years ago, and we still have a dry basement. -- Charlotte W., in Delaware
VACATION PLANNING
Dear Heloise: My husband and I used to argue over where we would vacation every year. In fact, it was the only thing that we argued about. We sat down and figured out a system, and it's since stopped the annual fight. One year, he picks the place we'll go, and the next year, I pick the place.
I told him that I had three stipulations: First, no camping trips; I refuse to live in a tent. I want a hot shower and a comfy bed. A second no-go was that we wouldn't keep going to the same place every year. Four years had to pass before we went to a place that we had already been to. The third stipulation was that we wouldn't complain about the other's choice; instead, we'd keep an open mind and make an effort to enjoy the place.
We've been to many exciting places and made friends all over the world. It was the best decision we’ve ever made. -- Paula and Chad G., in Tulsa, Oklahoma
USING STARCH TO APPLY FABRIC
Dear Heloise: I was told that starch could be used to apply fabric to the wall. If so, how's it done? -- Cathy E., in Warwick, Massachusetts
Cathy, yes, and it's actually easy to do:
-- Clean the wall(s) where you want apply the fabric. Make sure that the fabric is lightweight and smooth. Remove all outlets that are covered by a switch plate. This isn't an ideal project for velvet or other heavy fabrics.
-- Wash and iron your fabric panels, leaving a 1- to 2-inch excess on all sides. Temporarily pin or tack panels to the wall at the top. Then coat the wall by using a roller and putting liquid starch in a paint tray. Use a heavy coating of the starch, working in 3-foot sections.
-- Smooth out the fabric by using your hand or a squeegee to get rid of bumps and air bubbles. Once the entire panel is on the wall, roll the liquid starch onto the surface of the panel. After the fabric is saturated with starch, trim off the excess. -- Heloise
Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.