Q. My fireplace has glass doors. I would like to change it to a gas log. Is that possible? I was told that I would need an entirely new firebox for about $3,000 to accommodate a gas log. What should I do?

A. That might be required for a gas log exhausting up the chimney, but it may not if you use a gas log with a power exhaust venting through a wall instead of up the chimney. And, instead of a free-standing gas log, use a little stove containing the gas log; such stoves are called gas log fireplaces. That will preclude the need for rebuilding the firebox and you will enjoy the dancing flames anyway. All this is possible and practical if you have gas in the house.

Q. My outside window sills are getting quite spongy from decay. I asked several people what I should do. Some said to cover the sills with aluminum, some said to replace the sills, and some said fill with a filler material. What should I do?

A. I’m with the filler people. Dig out decay with hammer and chisel, reaching bare (sound) wood. Treat the space with bleach, to kill any decay-causing fungi, rinse, and let dry. Then fill with Minwax’s epoxy wood rot filler. It is a two-part system that is tricky to use but works wonders. If the decay goes all the way through the sill, chances are you have to replace the entire sill. If the decay is in the front of the sill, you can saw it off and screw on a filler piece of new wood (pressure-treated).

Covering decay with aluminum guarantees more decay.

Q. My toilet drains are very slow. I checked the label of a drain cleaner that said do not use in a toilet. Why, especially since the toilet drains are the slow ones?

A. I think it is because the lye type drain openers are caustic, and spilling any of this caustic substance into water, as in a toilet, would cause dangerous splashing. Drains with no water showing can be treated with the caustic opener. So, instead of the caustic drain openers, use the enzyme types. They may be slower but they can work wonders. Alternatively, clear the toilet drain with a snake, a wire augur that can remove some of the gunk that is narrowing the drains.

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