Making New Windows More Energy Efficient

Q. I recently installed a couple of thermal replacement windows and plan to install more. I found that there is a space at the top of each window, about -inch deep, that is filled by a hollow "expander." How can I prevent heat leakage through this space?

When my wife and I installed our vinyl replacement windows, we filled the spaces under the expanders with strips of fiberglass insulation cut from a piece of water-heater insulation.

The water-heater insulation is like a blanket, about an inch thick. We also pulled off tufts of fiberglass from the blanket and stuffed them into any small gaps at the sides of the windows.

Finally, we caulked the joints of the replacement windows and the original windows on both the inside and outside. Insulating the windows this way took a little extra time, but I think it significantly improved the energy efficiency.

Expanding foam insulation, sold in injector-type cans at many home centers and hardware stores, is sometimes used to insulate gaps around windows and doors. Be sure to choose foam that specifies it is for window-door use. Some foam insulation can continue to expand even after it appears to be cured, putting stress on the window or door frames. The stress can bend the frames slightly and cause binding.

Q. One of our toilets rocks slightly when sat on. I tried tightening the bolts that hold it to the floor, but it didn't help. What next?

If tightening the bolts doesn't help, the best option is to remove the toilet from the floor and replace the wax ring that seals the toilet to the floor drainpipe. The seal is apparently already deteriorated, and if you haven't seen any water leaking at the base of the toilet yet, you probably will soon unless the ring is replaced. You can get a plumber to do the ring replacement or do it yourself if you have some plumbing aptitude and tools.

To do it yourself, obtain a new wax ring and floor bolts at a home center or hardware store. Turn off the water supply to the toilet, and flush it to remove water from the tank and bowl. Swab out remaining water with rags.

Disconnect the water supply line and remove the tank. Remove the toilet from the floor, replace the ring and bolts, and reinstall the toilet and tank.

Be careful when tightening the toilet bolts overtightening could crack the base of the toilet.

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Write to Gene Austin at doit861@aol.com or 1730 Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422.

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