Home Repairs Site Has Answers

By: Charles Bowen Isn't it flattering how readers think there's probably at least someone in your newsroom who can answer any conceivable question?

Did Seabiscuit ever run in the Kentucky Derby? Why do they call it a black hole? What's the capital of Argentina? Who was Philo Farnsworth?

Generally speaking, we are the most accessible eggheads on the block, or at least the ones with the most prominently published phone numbers. And it is amazing how many of these questions we can field without running to the library. Until, perhaps, the subject turns to, oh, say, how do you install a bathroom faucet or what's the best way to calculate how much wallpaper you'll need for a room.

Now, I don't mean to stereotype our journalistic brothers and sisters, but personally I don't know many reporters and editors who are home repairs experts and do-it-yourselfers. I'm sure there are some out there, but I don't seem to cross paths with them. It's something about the hours we keep and kinds of stories we like to cover.

But that doesn't mean we can't help the caller who wants to talk about caulk. The Internet's got your back. A site from the Ace hardware store people called "Answers @ Ace" has help files and even interactive online movies on everything from installing and repairing gutters to calculating grass seed, as well as repair projects such as painting a room, waterproofing basements, and conserving energy. Not only is it a great little cheat sheet for those how-do-I-do calls to the city desk, but it also might provide ideas for your feature pages.

Visit the site at http://www.acehardware.com/infohome where you can click on the "Project How-To's" link to get right down to business. Scroll the resulting page to browse scores of online movies in its "Interactive Projects Library." Listed alphabetically, the subjects range from "About Building Inspection" and "About Drywall" to "When to Repair Cracks in Concrete" and "Why Lumber Dimensions Sometimes Vary." Listed with each file is an indicator of its length, generally from 100 to 400KB.

Below the interactive library is a collection of dozens of more text articles on subjects like doors and windows, electrical projects, floors, walls and ceilings, painting, plumbing, storage, waterproofing, and more. Click on a link, such as "Removing Old Paint and Varnish," and the site then displays a detailed step-by-step procedure, with bullet lists and projects and even a checklist of the tools and materials recommended for that specific job.

Other considerations for using the Ace Hardware site in your work:

1. The site's "Frequently Asked Questions" section gives tips in a half dozen broad categories, including electrical, plumbing, lawn and garden, hardware, paint, and hand and power tools. 2.

A seasonal feature of interest is the "What's Bugging You?" section, also reached from the left column. This is an encyclopedic approach to insects, insecticides, and other outdoors topics from lawn care to gardening supplies.

3. The "Solution Source" area on the left column is a guide to specific tools and products, from electric housewares and hand tools to plumbing supplies.
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