Q Is it too early to rake the yard?
A It depends. Once the snow melts, lawn-care experts say that it's safe to rake grass as soon as soil is firm and dry enough to walk on without squishing and sinking into it.
If you have matting from snowmold, however, you want to rake as soon as the snow melts to break it up.
Power washing Q Is it a good idea to use a power washer to clean siding and deck?
A. Carefully done, power washing can do an excellent job of general cleaning around the outside of the house, including the siding and deck. Power washers are for sale at home and hardware stores, but before buying, it's a good idea to rent one first to see if it's right for you. Look under "Rentals" in yellow-page directories or online.
It's important to remember that these powerful machines must be used with care for safe and effective results. Before doing anything, carefully read and understand the directions. The water jetting out of the nozzle is dangerous and can inflict serious injury. Home maintenance expert Don Houlding recommends wearing safety goggles, gloves, long sleeves and pants.
To clear dirt and cobwebs off most siding and decks, you need only a low-pressure hose with a wide-angle spray pattern. Spray tips with narrow patterns can pack a punch strong enough to strip paint.
Send your questions to Fixit in care of the Star Tribune, 425 Portland Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 55488, or call 612-673-9033, or e-mail fixit@startribune.com. Past columns are available at www.startribune.com/fixit. Sorry, Fixit cannot supply individual replies. Fixit appears daily in Source except on Friday.
