Egress windows good for underground basements

Q. I have renovated my basement for living space and have installed nice furniture, rugs, lamps and so forth. The problem is that the basement is almost all underground and the windows are very small and close to the ceiling. Is there anything I can do to improve the windows? Curtains don’t help much.

A. There are large basement windows called egress window systems. They are large enough to provide an escape route from the basement in an emergency. Retrofit installations are possible in some cases, but they require digging large window wells and making changes to the foundation. The finished project can be quite attractive. Translucent or transparent well covers let light into the well and basement. If you consider such a project, make sure the contractor is thoroughly experienced and fully insured.

For more information, use a search engine with the words “Basement Egress Window Systems.” A site that has some illustrations of the windows is www.boman-kemp.com.

If an egress system seems impractical, it is also possible to deepen your window wells enough to allow somewhat larger windows to be installed. Again, an expert contractor will be needed to safely make changes to the foundation.

Q. The concrete floor in our older house has suddenly developed seepage in just one spot. The seepage does not seem to be related to rain. Is it worth bringing in an expert to check?

A. I suspect there is a plumbing pipe under the concrete that has sprung a leak. If this is the case, it will probably get worse over time and pose a more serious problem. I would have a plumber check it out.

Q. Our outdoor limestone steps are badly stained. What cleaner can I use without damaging them?

You are correct in thinking that limestone needs special cleaners. Like marble, limestone is a natural stone that can be damaged by strong cleaners. Several special cleaners are available, and one that should do the job is Sure Klean Limestone & Marble Cleaner by Prosoco (www.prosoco.com). For more information, visit the Web site and enter the item number, 20096, in the search space. The Web site includes a dealer finder.

Before using any cleaner on your limestone, test it first in an inconspicuous place to make sure there is no damage to the stone.

Gutter feedback

A number of readers described their experience with gutter covers in response to a recent item on that subject. All but one of the user comments I received about solid gutter covers were basically negative. These covers generally have narrow slots in the front edge to admit water; leaves and debris are supposed to wash off the covers and fall to the ground. Some makers of this type of gutter claim they never need to be cleaned, that only water will enter the slots.

One reader said she and her husband were so disappointed with their solid gutter covers that they had them removed after a few years. She said the gutters clogged badly with small debris and were “harder than ever to clean.”

Another also had gutter covers removed after they kept clogging. One said that in heavy rains water ran over the edge of the gutters and caused indoor water problems.

Two readers said they also had regular clogging that required cleaning, and that birds built nests in the gutters, somehow squeezing through the narrow slots.