First of all, check with your local codes to see what "R" value is suggested for your area of the country. The R value is a rating given to different types of insulating material. You need to determine what your current R value is and then see if you need to add to it.

What you add to it usually is up to you, and can depend on your budget as well. You can mix materials also. If you just need to add a little bit more, maybe a blown-in type would be the best way to go. But if you need to add more than that but have little room, perhaps a high-density batting product might be your best choice. There are some middle-of-the-road choices as well.

If you are adding batt insulation over other insulation, make sure you use a barrier-free type, or makes lots of small slits in the paper, foil or plastic wrapping on it. You don't want to trap moisture between the layers of insulation.

Foam panels offer another way to add to existing insulation, although these make more sense to add to attic walls.

Make sure you don't cover can lights, which need extra clearance to avoid heat buildup.

It's also important to allow adequate ventilation, so make sure soffet vents remain free either by working around them or by installing baffles for sufficient airflow.

Don't forget to add insulation to an attic stairway. There are some pretty great products for that, or just install foam and/or batts to your attic doorway as well as weatherstripping.

Q: We have a lot of hanging baskets that are full of plants we are bringing into our house for the winter. What's the best way to water these without making a huge mess? — J.P.

A: Some people take them down and set them in a tub of water and then let them drain before hanging them back up, but that could be really time-consuming if you have a lot. They make some plastic drip trays that hang on these pots. You should be able to find them at your garden center. Also, a plastic shower cap might work, as long as it doesn't have too much water in it.

Q: Our rec room has knotty-pine paneling on the walls. Some of the knots are loose and falling out. What can be done about this? — J.R.

A: We suggest just gluing them back into their holes. If there are any that are missing, you can put a scrap of wood into the hole and putty over it, then stain it to match.

Petroleum jelly is an incredibly useful concoction. It's perfect in the shop and super in the home. We bet you would love a list that we have put together of some of the many uses we have found for this stuff in and around the house. Some you may have tried, but hopefully, others will be new to you. Heck, you may have some clever uses that we didn't list. If so, let us know, and we will add them to our list. If you would like a copy, just send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to us at the newspaper, and we will get it out to you ASAP. We also will have it posted on our Web site at www.thesuperhandyman.com.