Q. What is the best and easiest way to remove old caulking around my windows and doors? The caulking is very old, cracked and moldy, and I would like to redo it before painting my house. I’ve heard that the best way is to use a soldering iron to soften it and a putty knife to remove it. This sounds pretty labor intensive to me. â€" M. V. A. The method you describe is an old standby for removing putty on windows. You may want to try a new product called rrOWN CENTRE REALTY INC. What’s the best way to remove old caulking? Countrywide *Sales Representative “Assodatqï¬roker "*Broker | $319,900 Q: What is the best way to insulate a basement that I want to finish into an activities room? I intend to panel the walls. - D.J. It comEs in an eight-ounce bottle and is available in hardware stores and home centers. Painted caulk may need two appli- cations, and the remover must not be used near plastic tiles or reï¬nished bathtubs. 3M Caulk Remover. It’s a cream that the manufacturer claims will loosen all old caulks, regardless of type, in several hours. DONUT TIMI 280 North Service Road West Oakville Ontario L6M 252 (905)338-6550 our or TOWN TOLL FREE 1 -800-480-2982 A A. In my opinion, the best way for your purpose is to build stud walls with 2-byâ€"3s kept one inch away from the foundation walls. Use a pressure treated bottom plate and regular lumber above the plate. Cut strips of fiberglass insulation 2 inches wide and peel them in half. Insert a strip behind each stud as you insulate between them. Staple a 6 mil plaster vapor retarder to the studs and nail plywood paneling to them. If you prefer to use board paneling, Countrywide Town Centre Realty Inc. 905-338-6550 FAIRWAY HILLS (905) 338-6550 Gofdebhs exec. home, heredlble upgodes, 3 baths on the uppe! level, for me dlsr cflmhothg buyer! I36] GALLERY HILL you are thinking 01F Read! Estate I $599,000 you should place horizontal blocking between the studs at midpoint so you’ll have a solid surface onto which to nail the boards that will not have a stud backing. Do keep in mind the warning I often repeat in this space. You should not insu- late underground foundation walls below a point two feet below the outside grade unless you know (a) that there is a func- tioning footing drain on the outside perimeter of the foundation, (b) that the backï¬ll is coarse granular material, and (c) that you are certain that the ï¬nish grade all around the house is sloping away to drain water properly. If these conditions are not present, there is the risk of frost pressure on the walls, which may result in severe cracks and structural problems. There is. W Excu‘ement Countrywide Town Centre Italy Inc. 280 North Service Road West Oakville, Ontario 1.6M 252 Business: 338â€"6550 Fax: 3384482 There is. New Exatement Coumrywide Town Centre Realty Inc. 280 North Service Road West Oakville. Ontario “SM 252 Business: 3384550 fax: 338-1482 2 ' Sales Representative' ThestaffandownersofCunhywideTownCertre ReattylncwelmeymO’Gadytowofï¬ce She'saqualiï¬edl'ï¬ghSdmoolTeacherandforflme ï¬wmï¬mï¬mAmy Again,wewekaneLymtowofï¬ceandaskflut I‘erfriendsandacquajntanoescallherat(905)33 gigoflownï¬adscancmolmeeiw [mjsapatm'demoanlMfleandattaded Sales Representative nestaffandownetsofCourMywideTmNnCmtre RedtylmwekmmeDaveCorcotanmouofï¬ca Daveisalorgtinereddemacï¬velyinvolvedm CmmmitySeMcesandnï¬mrmts Hebn‘ngsZSyeasofsmmï¬ï¬‚Salï¬and Marlm‘rxgapenence' nohisnewcareer. Davealsfluth’smanyï¬iaxtarflacquaintams feelfreemcormhinbr“goodo|dfashioned Again,wewelcaneDavetoomoflioeandask Mhiscmmersfriendsandacquaintarmm feelfreemcallwiï¬mflrRealEstatemaisaHQOS) 33846550. OutofTown friems can call Toll Free 1-800480â€"2987. atCoumuywldeTownCmtnwidl ducalmmcemeltof TownCenuewldl dIeannamcunuItof Lynn 9’??de Dave Corcoran