Roller Gives Chain-Link Better Finish

Q. This summer we bought a house that has a 4-foot-high chain-link fence along the perimeter of the front yard. We’d like to paint the fence white to make it more appealing. What’s the best way to do the job--spraying or rolling?

E.E.

Anaheim

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A. You’ll probably get a more even job using a roller, says Gene Teramura of Dutch Boy Home Decorating Center in Santa Ana. Make sure it’s clean by first going over it with soapy water and a brush and rinsing it.

Assuming that the fence is galvanized and has been up for a while, the finish on the metal should be worn enough to allow you to coat it with a good latex semigloss enamel. Newer fences might have a light coat of oil on them that you’d need to remove with a rag and paint thinner.

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Q. Our 3-year-old carpeting needs to be cleaned for the first time. In certain places there are “hills,” or places where the carpeting is loose. Is it better to have it restretched before cleaning? Also, what’s the best cleaning process?

M.R.

Orange

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A. It’s definitely better to have the carpeting fixed before cleaning, says installer Greg Oliver of Placentia. Cleaning machines are designed for carpeting that fits properly. If it’s not properly stretched, the carpet may not get as clean as it should in those areas.

As for finding a cleaner, it’s probably best to talk to your carpet dealer first to find out what process works best on your carpet style, and get the opinions of friends and neighbors to see whom they’ve used.

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Q. In recent high winds, a good-size tree in our backyard tipped over and pulled up a 4-foot segment of our concrete walkway. The concrete wasn’t broken; is it possible to set the segment back in place?

A.Y.

Anaheim Hills

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A. As long as the concrete hasn’t cracked, it’s possible to tamp the soil down after the roots have been removed and set the slab back where it was, says Pete Gorman of Rancho Lumber in Westminster.

A piece of concrete that big is extremely heavy, and you’d need a great deal of strong help to get it into place. It might be easier to break the concrete up and discard it, then lay a new slab, considering that the materials are pretty inexpensive.

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Q. I have a white, dolomite rock fireplace with a black slate hearth. How can I clean the dolomite? Are there businesses that do this?

L.K.

Irvine

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A. Dolomite is difficult to clean because it’s a porous rock, says George Moelter of Anaheim Patio and Fireside in Brea. Soot gets into it and can be hard to remove. Professionals use special cleaning brushes and solutions. You may want to call some chimney sweeps to see if they clean this kind of stone, or you may have to contact a professional stone cleaner.

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.