Washer Won’t Put Spin on Clothes

Question: We have a 5-year-old Kenmore washer that stops when it gets to the spin cycle. A switch operated by the door of the washer appears broken. Can this be repaired or replaced easily?

R.Y.

La Mirada

Answer: The switch in this and other models is designed for safety, says Tom Houlihan of Orange County Appliance Parts in Garden Grove.

As the door opens, it turns off the spin cycle so you or a child won’t get hurt by the spinning tub.

It’s usually attached with two screws to the top of the washer, and it’s a fairly inexpensive part.

The hard part is that the top needs to be removed for access to the switch.

This can be involved for the do-it-yourselfer and may not be worth your time.

Don’t, even as a temporary fix, jimmy the switch to make it operate continually, even with the door open; that would be a safety hazard.

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Q: In one of our recent rains, I noticed that water poured over the sides of our gutters. Is it time to replace them?

H.H.

Anaheim

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A: You may just need to clean them out, says contractor Ray Silva of Santa Ana.

Gutters tend to collect lots of sand, dirt and leaves, and when they fill up to a certain point, they lose their capacity for water.

Take a trowel and get up on a ladder to look.

Pick up as much of the dirt and sand as possible.

Check for any bending in the gutter or rotting where water could also get through.

A good gutter system will probably last 15 to 20 years.

If cleaning them doesn’t solve the problem, consider a replacement.

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Q: I can’t find Z-Brick or any similar product. Is this type of wallcovering still made?

L.M.

Huntington Beach

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A: Z-Brick is a molded ceramic type material measuring about 3/8-inch thick. It’s applied with a mastic to an interior wall, giving it the appearance of real brick.

This type of facing was popular for a while but may be difficult to find nowadays, says Rich Zelle of Fullerton Paint & Floor Covering.

The problem is that it’s extremely hard to remove. The fastest, most economical way is to remove the wallboard to the studs, then recover the wall with new gypsum board.

A better alternative might be to use a brick-style wallpaper or have the wall painted in a brick pattern, which would probably cost as much as using real brick.

If you have a question about your home or garden, A Helping Hand will help you find the answer. Send questions to John Morell, Home Design, The Times Orange County, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626.