Advertisement

Suitcase need fixing? Zip to it!

February 19, 2008 at 12:05AM

Q Can the zipper on my suitcase be fixed? Where?

A Depending on the type of bag and what's wrong with the zipper, you might be able to fix it yourself easily and inexpensively with a zipper repair kit. Check at an outdoors store such as REI.

Sometimes it takes special equipment and skills to fix zippers on luggage. Some stores that sell luggage can do this, such as Luggage World, 5727 W. 36th St., Minneapolis, 952-929-7888.

More on window condensation Readers responded to a recent column on window condensation with their own ideas such as adding plastic, buying new windows or operating a dehumidifier. All will help, because anything you can do to warm the inside window glass or lower humidity levels indoors will inhibit condensation.

Generally, to warm window glass, one can:

Add plastic. 3M's Window Insulation Kit is a popular choice. It uses tape and plastic to cover windows and a hand-held hair dryer to shrink it for a tight fit.

Install new window. Generally, the double-paned, gas-filled type of windows with insulated spacers are better. Window quality is measured by its U-rating. Windows with a U-rating of .3 or less perform the best.

To lower humidity, one can:

Advertisement
Advertisement

Turn down or turn off humidifiers. But if windows aren't efficient, lowering humidity enough to eliminate window condensation can make air uncomfortably dry for occupants. In addition, wood furniture and floors can shrink and separate at joints.

Operate a dehumidifier. The devices tend to consume lots of electricity and may not dehumidify throughout the house.

Increase ventilation. Replace stale, overly moist indoor air with fresh outdoor air. Simply opening windows will do this, because cold air is very dry. But the cold air may be uncomfortable, may not be evenly distributed throughout the house and will make your furnace work harder to warm the indoor air.

Operate kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans. As air is moved out, dry outdoor air moves in through cracks, gaps and spaces in the home. Be sure, however, that fans exhaust to the outdoors rather than recirculate or empty into the attic. Again, this method can be an energy issue because the furnace or boiler will need to work harder to warm the frigid air coming in. And, depending on the house, this type of air exchange can interfere with the operation of your water heater or furnace.

Install an HRV (heat recovery ventilator). Sometimes called an air-to-air exchanger, or energy-recovery ventilator, it provides separate ports for air to come into and out of the house, effectively changing air over in the house. But it does it in a way that captures the heat so that you aren't wasting energy heating frigid winter air. Typically, it's added to the furnace distribution system when a home is constructed, but existing homes can be retrofitted with an HRV. Prices vary widely depending on the situation, but a price of $1,500 and higher is likely.

Information describing progressive steps you can take to combat condensation -- and what to look for when buying new windows -- is available in a free publication from the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Go to: www.commerce.state.mn.us. Type "windows and doors" into search box. Or call 651-296-5175 to request that a copy be mailed to you.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement
about the writer

about the writer

KAREN YOUSO, Star Tribune

More from No Section

See More
Advertisement
Advertisement

To leave a comment, .

Advertisement