BLOG   | Q & A | Page 2

BLOG CATEGORY
Q & A

Click on a title to read the full-story.

Q&A: Moldy Paint & Respiratory Ailments

Q & A, Repairs & Advice

Question Three weeks ago I repainted our bedroom walls using paint that was about 7 years old. It mixed well so I assumed it was fine to use. After applying the paint I noticed an odor unlike any smell I had ever experienced before. It was so strong that we...

Q&A: Silence Banging Water Pipes

Q & A, Repairs & Advice, Water Management

QUESTION Recently, the pipes in our house bang when we turn on the water. It feels like hammering. What causes this? And to get rid of the noise, do we need to call a plumber or is there something we can do to fix it? ANSWER Your banging pipes – also known as...

Q&A: The Best Way to Clean Vinyl Siding

Q & A, Repairs & Advice, Siding

Question I have vinyl siding with black mold on it. Should I power wash it, or is there a simpler solution? Answer Without seeing your home, we suspect the moldy sections of your vinyl siding are on a part of the house that gets little or no direct sunlight, and the...

Q&A: How Do I Stop Roof Shingles From Blowing Off?

Q & A, Repairs & Advice, Roofing

Question We live in rural Illinois in a north-facing home. I’m having a hard time keeping ridge cap 3-tab shingles on the roof because of high winds. The wind pulls them off 6 to 8 at a time while leaving the nails intact. I have layered the tabs in a north-south...

Q&A: What is the Best Ice Melt for Concrete

Garages & Driveways, Q & A, Repairs & Advice

Question I have a 15 year old concrete driveway that is beginning to show little divots that look like pock marks. What sort of ice melting product is least damaging to my concrete? Answer The pock marks are likely from rock salt deterioration on your concrete drive....

Q&A: Who Should Do Window Replacement – An Installer or General Contractor?

Q & A, Repairs & Advice, Windows & Doors

Question I am thinking about replacing the aluminum framed windows in our 45 year old brick veneer house. Should I look at window companies and have them do the job, or is it better to have a contractor replace the windows? I’m concerned about compromising the...

Q&A: Drying Out a Water Damaged Basement

Basements, Q & A, Repairs & Advice

Question We just repaired a bad water leak that completely covered one wall in the finished basement. It’s dry wall with a vapor barrier and insulation behind it. The only moisture I can feel is in the corners of the drywall at the base but I know the insulation is...

Q&A: Dealing with a Beeping Hardwire Smoke Detector

Q & A, Repairs & Advice

Question We had to switch to hardwire smoke detectors a few years ago. Lately, the unit in the basement continually beeps in about 2 minute intervals. There’s no smoke or fire threat, and I’ve reset the breaker box to silence it, but it goes back to beeping. How do we...

Q&A: How Often Should I Clean My Ductwork?

Q & A, Repairs & Advice

QUESTION How often do you advise to have my ductwork cleaned? When I removed the cold air returns recently, the ducts seemed to be pretty clean. I change the filter on a regular basis, have no pets, and the house is about 36 years. Are there guidelines for this?...

Q&A: Water Pipe Calcium Build Up Cause and Solutions

Q & A, Repairs & Advice

Question We’re in the middle of a kitchen remodel and when the sink water valves were cut off there were calcium pellets inside the hot water pipe, only (photo above). We always had issues with the hot water pressure being weaker than the cold, and it takes forever to...

Q&A: How to Stop an Atrium Window Leak

Q & A, Repairs & Advice, Water Management, Windows & Doors

We frequently hear from homeowners seeking answers to repair and maintenance problems. Many of these questions and answers are compiled in our Home Improvement Library. Here is a recent question. Question I have a 9-year old house with a tall wall of atrium windows,...

Q&A: How Do You Remove Black Streaks on the Roof?

Q & A, Roofing

We frequently hear from homeowners seeking answers to repair and maintenance problems. Many of these questions and answers are compiled in our Home Improvement Library. Here is a recent question. Question I have black streaks on the north side of my roof. What causes...

Q&A: Is Our Drain Tile Blocked?

Q & A, Repairs & Advice, Water Management

We frequently hear from homeowners seeking answers to repair and maintenance problems. Many of these questions and answers are compiled in our Home Improvement Library. Here is a recent question. Question My husband suspects our drain tile is blocked. Short of digging...

Q&A: Should I Add Another Downspout to My Gutters?

Q & A, Repairs & Advice, Water Management

We frequently hear from homeowners seeking answers to repair and maintenance problems. Many of these questions and answers are compiled in our Home Improvement Library. Here is a recent question. Question I have a 41 foot span of guttering across the back of my villa...

Q&A: What Causes the Fireplace Smell in Our House?

Q & A, Repairs & Advice

We frequently hear from homeowners seeking answers to repair and maintenance problems. Many of these questions and answers are compiled in our Home Improvement Library. Here is a recent question. Question On certain days, our first floor fireplace causes a smell to...