Do It Yourself

Q: We have a shaky end post on our stairway. How do we tighten it up?

A: Loose end posts or newel posts on stairs are common and, if the post is loose enough, can pose a serious safety hazard. The simplest repair is to buy a couple of metal right-angle brackets at a home center or hardware store and screw them to the stair tread and the sides of the post. If the stair is carpeted, pull back the carpet so the tread legs of the brackets can be placed under the carpet. This is not the best-looking repair, but is by far the easiest.

A tricky but better-looking repair is to drive one or two long lag screws through the base of the post and into the stair framing. One carefully placed lag screw may do the job, so study the post and framing carefully to determine where it will do the most good. Drill a one-inch or 3/4 -inch starter hole for the screw near the base of the post, angling the hole toward the framing that supports the stairs. Drill this hole only an inch or so deep, using a spade bit in a power drill. Switch to a 1/4 -inch or 5/16 -inch bit to drill the rest of the hole through the post and into the framing. Use a lag screw with a diameter that matches the smaller hole you drilled and a length that will extend into the framing (usually 4- 1/2 or five inches). Put a washer under the head of the lag screw (the washer should sink into the starter hole).

Drive the screw into the post and framing with a socket wrench so the head is sunk into the starter hole. Fill the starter hole with a piece of wood cut from a dowel, sanding the protruding end flush with the post. If necessary, repeat the procedure and install a second lag screw.

Q: Our house has cedar siding, and for the past few years woodpeckers have been pecking holes in it and stealing the insulation underneath. We have repaired a lot of holes but would like a better solution. Any ideas?

A: Woodpeckers have a special fondness for cedar siding and can attack it for a number of reasons. In your case, it sounds as if they might be seeking material to line their nests. Try putting exposed insulation in a sheltered place and see if the birds take that and quit drilling.

Other possibilities: The birds might be attracted to your siding because it is infested with insects. This is usually the case if the birds drill small holes. If so, consult a pest-control expert, who can spray an insecticide.

Large holes might mean the birds are attempting to nest in the wall.

Hanging temporary pieces of metal, screen, foil or cloth over these holes will sometimes stop nesting attempts.

Electronic devices and repellents are sometimes used to get rid of birds. For more information on these, check the Web sites http://www.bird-x.com, http://www.birdcontrolsupplies.com and http://www.pestcontrol-products.com.

Another method that sometimes works is to put wind chimes or other noisemakers near the infested area.

You need to be careful in selecting control measures because woodpeckers are a protected species and, aside from their attacks on houses, are valuable insect eaters and beautiful birds to have around.

Q: My floor is covered with glued-down wood-veneer flooring that is 3/8 -inch thick. One piece has come loose. Can I glue it down using a glue injector?

A: It would be better if you could remove the entire piece without damaging it, scrape off the old glue, and re-glue it. If that is not possible, you can use a glue injector, but you will need to drill several small holes to inject the glue. Glue injectors are available at http://www.woodcraft.com. After injecting the glue, put a heavy weight on the board and let the glue dry thoroughly. Fill the holes with wood putty that matches the floor finish.

Questions and comments should be sent to Gene Austin, 1730 Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, Pa. 19422. Send e-mail to doit861@aol.com. Questions cannot be answered personally.