Handy Mac, aka Don MacAlister, is our expert on household DIY issues

Q: I know you recently wrote about the correct disposal of asbestos material, but I can’t recall where to take items.

We have gutters that came off the roof of our garage lying in the garden and Des doesn’t know what to do with them. Where do we correctly dispose of them?

A:

It is good that you want to be pro-active with the disposal of your old asbestos gutters. Some waste facilities accept domestic asbestos waste. Vissershok landfill does, but that is quite a long way out. If the City website is to be believed, you can take them to Athlone Refuse Transfer Station, off Bunga Avenue, Settlers Way, Athlone.

The web page reads:

Materials accepted at our hazardous waste facility: Asbestos waste material (limited to plant containers, gutters or old cement heaters). Please wear gloves when handling and wrap in plastic or put into bags. Clean up any loose bits when you are finished.

Q: I am looking at redoing my wooden cottage windows and removing the putty and replacing with beading. Is this a good idea for outside windows? You mentioned on radio that silicone should be used instead of putty and thereafter a sealer. Am I on the right track?

A:

I have never been a great fan of putty, mainly because it is something I battle to use. Unless you have the right type and mix and look after it correctly, it is not really a longterm solution.

If possible, I would always use glazing beads, but these are not always easy to fit into existing windows as they are best manufactured and fitted in a factory environment. You need to be a half-decent carpenter to cut the mitres and fit them into place. If they are small cottage panes it can be a long and tedious process, but they are a good longterm solution.

I also believe bedding them in a clear silicone, or tinted if you prefer, is preferable to putty as not only is the silicone a better sealant, it also helps secure the beading in place.

Like all timber, it needs to be nurtured and continually oiled or sealed and not allowed to start drying out as it will crack and let in water. Also, you need to use the correct type of timber which will last longer externally and not warp. So, you need to use something like meranti and not pine. You will also probably need to use panel pins. Ensure these are good quality and that you seal over them to prevent rusting.

Don recommends glazing beads instead of putty when redoing cottage windows.