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Professional Tests Can Uncover Exposure to Lead
Lead paint poses a real threat to your family's health, especially if you have children. Older homes are particularly at risk for lead exposure. If you live in a house more than 30 years old and haven't yet tested for lead, it's not too hard or costly to do -- and it may be well worth it.



Failed Concrete Can Often Be Fixed
Q DEAR TIM: Some of the concrete walkways in our association's 100-acre island development are disintegrating. The surface is crumbling. Other adjacent concrete, poured at the same time, is in great shape. What is the problem, and can a thin concrete overlay be added?



Seeking Shelter in Your Garden
Gardens existed before gardeners, but gardeners can claim credit for the idea of shelters and trellises, structures that allow us to come closer to and enjoy our plants more in their natural setting.



Do-It-Yourself
Q Our older house has beautiful wood floors that we want to sand and refinish, but we are looking for a solution to the gaps between many of the floor boards. Any suggestions? -- D. Penn



Going Solar Goes Mainstream
Nancy Elam and Dave Levinson didn't intend to become human guinea pigs. They just needed a new roof.



Where Have the Butterflies Gone?
Here are answers to some of your summer gardening questions.



Use Care in Replacing a Ceramic Soap Dish
Q: DEAR TIM: You helped me recently when I decided to replace my showerhead. Believe it or not, the showerhead slipped from my hand and broke the shower soap dish. This small weekend project has turned into a nightmare. How do I replace the ceramic soap dish? What else can go wrong?



Choose the Best Saw for the Job
There are handsaws for almost every purpose. So, with help from Irwin, Shark and Woodcraft, among other makers and sellers, here are some things to think about before buying.



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Q: I have renovated my basement and have put in nice furniture, rugs, lamps and so forth. However, the basement is almost all underground, and the windows are small and close to the ceiling. Is there anything I can do to improve the windows? Curtains don't help much. -- Dandra



The Sump Pump's Fault, or Yours?
Rob Traister of Front Royal, Va., recently renovated and moved into his childhood home, a 1940s Cape Cod with an underground basement and a sump pit.



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