BY GENE AUSTIN

Knight Ridder Newspapers

Q My wood deck is 25 years old and has been painted many times. It has deteriorated so much that I want to replace it. Should I replace it with a good grade of treated wood or the new plastic materials?

For the decking or floor of the deck and the railings, an excellent choice is one of the low-maintenance wood composites sold under such brand names as ChoiceDeck, TimberTech, Trex and Boardwalk. These products are made of ground-up wood and recycled plastic, pressed into the shape of boards.

Wood-composite decking requires little maintenance except occasional cleaning. Paint, stain or even water-repellent sealers are not needed, although paint or stain can be used. Composites will not rot, splinter or split.

They are also free of wood preservatives, which have become controversial in recent months. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and companies have agreed to phase out wood treated with chromated copper arsenate because the arsenic might pose a health hazard. This wood will no longer be available for residential use by the end of the year.

Composites typically cost about twice as much as CCA-treated wood, but the low maintenance and safety can make it well worth the extra cost.

You will still need to use pressure-treated wood for the supporting structure of the deck (posts and joists) because of its high structural strength and resistance to rot and insect attack. I recommend wood treated with an arsenic-free preservative sold under such brand names as Natural Select, NatureWood, and Preserve. This wood generally costs 10 to 30 percent more than CCA-treated wood and is not yet stocked by some lumberyards and home centers. However, it can be ordered through many dealers.



Q Where can I buy

rubber

stair treads?

Rubber stair treads are available from Vermont Country Store, 802-362-8460 or

http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/

These 24-inch-wide treads are a good safety feature for slippery stairs. They can be installed with staples, adhesive or tacks. Available in black only, they cost about $4 each. Ask for Item Number 17984.



Q My roof is leaking at the joint where it meets the chimney. How can I fix this?

Leaks around chimneys can sometimes be patched with silicone caulk or a special roof-gutter caulk, sold at some home centers and hardware stores. Using caulking compound is generally less messy than some other repairs.

Another good patching material is plastic roof cement, a black, puttylike product. Roofing cement is usually applied with a putty knife or small trowel. Some stores also sell an asphalt tape that can be used to repair minor cracks and gaps around chimneys.

But if the leaking is due to defective flashing around the chimney (the metal strips that are supposed to seal the joint between chimney and shingles), patching might not be adequate. Flashing repairs are best done by an experienced roofer.



Q Our two-story house has an attic

crawl space about four feet high. There is some insulation on the floor of the crawl space, but the second floor gets cold in winter and hot in summer. Any suggestions to improve our comfort?

You probably need to beef up the insulation on the floor of the attic crawl space. Adequate insulation will help keep heat from escaping through the roof in winter and help keep attic heat from penetrating to the living area in summer.

A simple test to determine whether you have enough insulation is to measure its depth with a ruler. One inch of typical attic insulation is equivalent to about R-3.

Many attics have about six inches of insulation (R-18 or R-19), which was once considered adequate, but the recommended level for most cold-climate areas has risen to R-30 to R-38 (at least 10 inches). To learn the exact amount of insulation recommended for your area, classified by zip code, call the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse at 1-800-363-3732 and ask for a copy of “Insulation” (Publication FS-142).

The best bet to add insulation in your low-ceiling attic is to have it blown in by a contractor. Either fiberglass or cellulose insulation can be used.

That should not only improve your comfort, but you should have a significant decrease in heating and air-conditioning costs.