The Galveston Daily News from Galveston, Texas • Page 38

cio lid WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1999 GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS HOME Jailing and removing trees might not be safe job for homeowner By POPULAR MECHANICS When Joyce Kilmer that he'd "never see a poem lovely as a tree," he didn't have in mind a tall pine raining sappy needles all over his car, raking mountains of leaves in the fall or listening to a snow-laden elm creak in a high wind as it threatens to crash through the roof of his house. Your own yard might have problem trees that present a hazard to property and personal safety and would be better off removed. Should you attempt the job yourself? Felling a tree in your yard is not the same as it is in the forest. A tall tree might have to be removed in sections and felled in a precise manner to avoid crashing down on power lines, roadways and nearby homes. Once the tree is down, you'll have to contend with cutting up the trunk and branches and disposing of all the waste wood not to mention removing the stump.

Of course, you can rent the equipment that a pro would use to handle the job. However, it's likely that you'll find the rental costs, specialized knowledge and hard work required make hiring an expert a real bargain. Getting the right people for the job also takes some know- Keep paint from wearing By POPULAR MECHANICS Question: How can I get paint to stick to the high- traffic areas on our concrete front porch? Answer: Today's epoxy, jolyurethane and acrylic paints Tfesr much better than oil and alkyd paints on concrete. Before applying a water-resistant paint, clean and roughen the surface. Use a trisodium phosphate solution or strong detergent to scrub the floor.

Sanding with coarse emery paper might be required to give the old surface a rough texture for good paint bonding. Test-paint a small area to make sure the new paint will adhere. Question: Our wood floor makes all IrS-nds of annoying squeaks wlien we walk across it. Is there some way the floor can be tightened up with shims to quiet it down? Answer: Many times, what we call floor squeaks are only noises, and have nothing to do with squeaking floors. Plumbing pipes and heating ducts can pop and crackle, even "squeak" as we walk across the floor.

The easiest way to find any noise source is to have someone walk across the floor while you listen carefully below. Noises that seems to come from heating duct locations can be traced down and eliminated by loosening brackets that connect the heating ducts to the underside of floor joists to provide a sort of shock absorber between the two units. Check pipe locations where V-shaped pipe hangers support water or gas pipes hung beneath the floor joists. Joists that flex when they're walked on can rub against pipes or ducts and create a noise, or ducts that are tied tightly to joists can make a clunking noise or "tin-can" when they bend. Adjust pipe hangers to relieve the noise.

Pipes also can make noises when they expand from hot water, contract from cold water or vibrate or hammer from high water pressure. Foam pipe insulation can be used to cushion the pipe and muzzle expansion or pressure noises. The. insulation also will help prevent condensation from forming on the pipes which can cause puddles on basement floors. Or, use insulation to separate pipes from each other to avoid noise from pipes rubbing against each ether.

Distributed by The Associated Press. how. First, make sure the company carries liability insurance. Without this, personal injury to anyone (including those hired to do the work), or damage to nearby property, can open you up to a serious personal lawsuit. And, don't just take the company's word on insurance ask to see a copy of their in- surance certificate.

While costs can vary depending on location, you're better off paying a flat rate for the entire job rather than paying on a time-and-materials basis. This way, you know the total cost before you start and can shop around to find the best deal As a rule, you can expect to pay about $500 to $600 per 8- hour day, which includes the crew and equipment. You shouldn't have to pay anything before the work starts, and if a good idea to look for a company that's been in business for a while and has references you can check. Where a tall tree can't easily be felled due to potential damage to property, if removed in sections. The first step is to remove the branches working from the bottom up to avoid getting the upper branches entangled in the lower ones.

A cherry picker and a chain saw are standard tools for this work. Alternatively, some pros use a rope and climbing saddle, and cut the branches with a handsaw. Large branches are best lowered to the ground with a rope rather than letting them fall. Once the trunk is cleared, sections are cut off starting at the top. 5 Distributed by The Associated Press.

Come to the Grand Opening of Katy Mills. With 200 places for people to get together and have a great time, Katy Mills is an experience you'll want to repeat, time and again. Don't miss the fun at Katy Mills. Joifrthe Celebration Thursday, October 28th; Doors open at ribbon cutting ceremony at stores open at 9 The first 5,000 shoppers will have a chance to win one of ten $1,000 shopping sprees plus other great prizes. Meet Miss Texas, Tina Thompson and Ray Childress.

Day Food Court, sponsored by KODA. Watch the Aggie Wranglers perform on the Katy Field Day Food Court Stage beginning at The Houston Firefighters, "Men of the Millennium" fashion show. Register to win a 1999 Chrysler Sebring Convertible. Joyce Cooling concert at in the Katy Field ills. Rhett Akins in concert October 30 High Impact Squad Performance October 30 Ski trip giveaways to Steamboat, Colorado Kevin and Brian Black in concert October 31 Paul Taylor in concert November 4 Ron Brown in conceit November 11 Win a trip for two to the Dallas Green Bay Packers game November 13 Craig Chaquico in concert November 18 Meet Tornmie and Chuckie from the Rugrats November 20 and 21 sftop together www.katymills.com THE MILLS CORPORATION Shop Together: OFF 5th-Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet, Brooks Brothers Factory Store, Mikasa Factory Store, Charlotte Russe Outlet, Bose Factory Store, Kenneth Cole New York, Harold Powell Outlet, Old West Warehouse and more.

Eat Together: Rainforest Cafe, Jillian's, Johnny Rockets, Moe's Restaurant, Katy Field Day Food Court and more. Play Together: Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Sun Ski Sports, F.Y.E., AMC Katy Mills 20 Theatres, NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway and more. I-1 0 AT PIN OAK ROAD, 25 MILES W. OF DOWNTOWN HOUSTON OPEN MON SAT IOAM IOPM, SUN 11 AM 7PM For more information, call GRAND OPE 1 0 0 0.