Replacing Clothesline Leaves 'Em Hanging

Q: How does one replace a clothesline? Please don't laugh at me. We live in a third-floor flat, and the clothesline is one of those pulley arrangements running from the back porch to a tall pole in the back yard.

My landlady can't be bothered about replacing the existing, nearly worn-out rope, so I went out and got a new polyester clothesline. But then I realized that any knot I know how to tie will hang up on the pulleys. There is no way I am going to go out and climb up that pole.

The hardware store where I bought the rope couldn't help, and I've looked in a number of home repair/maintenance books, but have found nothing.

A: Well, I did laugh a bit reading your letter, not because I think you are helpless or witless, but rather because I once found myself in the same dilemma.

Here's a trick I learned when replacing the sash ropes in double-hung windows a few years ago.

All you need is a one-foot strip of duct tape and scissors or clippers to cut the old rope. With the new rope in hand, carefully cut the old rope, making sure not to drop it.

Then put the new and old ropes together end to end. Attach the duct tape to the two of them lengthwise so about 6 inches is on one rope and 6 inches is on the other, and gently roll the tape around the ropes, pressing it firmly onto both ropes.

Then very gently pull the other end of the old rope through the distant pulley, which will pull the new rope through it and back to

you, and you're home free.

If the old rope breaks but is still running through the pulley on the pole, you can probably use this technique, too, though it will involve a little more running up and down steps.

Mark Hetts' home repair column runs as space allows in the Home/Real Estate section. Send questions and comments to: Mr. HandyPerson, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111.