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Home Improvement Library, Siding, Windows
This situation is an unfortunate side effect caused by the following factors: Rather than insert a charge of inert gas (like argon) between the panes of glass, some manufacturers choose to draw a vacuum inside the window panes. This will sometimes cause the glass to...
Cleaning, Home Improvement Library, Plumbing
FOR FLUSHING ISSUES Turn off the water to the toilet, flush the toilet to minimize the water in the bowl, and pour in a gallon of vinegar to remove scale and mineral deposits. Leave the vinegar in the toilet for 24-48 hours. This may improve the flushing. The goal is...
Home Improvement Library, Insulation
I would automatically assume that there is probably not any insulation in the walls. If there is, it is probably vermiculite granules which settle over time, leaving a large void at the top of the walls. This was somewhat common in that era. The easiest way to see...
Concrete, Home Improvement Library, HVAC
First, use expanding foam to fill the ductwork below the floor at each register. Just foam block the area near the floor hole with foam. Then mix up some pre-mix concrete and dump it into the hole in the floor into the ductwork. Fill the duct register hole with the...
Home Improvement Library, Plumbing
Q: Is Muriatic Acid safe to use regularly to clean pipes? A: We at Mosby Building Arts work hard to share our knowledge so misguided advice like this can not cause damage to you or your home. Unfortunately, orange vest experts seldom call on the Mosby Blue experts for...
Home Improvement Library, Water & Moisture
From what you describe, I suspect you have already answered your question. One possible fix – other than replacement – would be an underground drainage system in the yard. I say this because of the possibility that water is intruding from under the slab....
Carpentry, Doors, Home Improvement Library, Windows
There is no need to change the new drywall. Your wall surface process is intact, just not yet finished in regard to the window trims and jamb extensions. You need to add jamb extensions to your window and door jambs to make them thicker. This is standard trim...
Flooring, Home Improvement Library, Water & Moisture
Condensation, or moisture out of the air, causes the wet concrete garage floor. A combination of warm air with relatively high humidity coming into contact with the cold concrete garage floor is what causes the “wetness”. This is the same situation as cold...
Brick & Masonry, Cleaning, Home Improvement Library, Painting
Cleaning Paint Streaks Off Brick I believe this is the white pigment from the powder coating on the metal siding that is washing down onto your brick. Yes, you can remove the streaks yourself but this will continue to be a persistent problem until the siding above is...
Gutters & Downspout, Home Improvement Library
We tend to shy away from products like this. They work well for about 30% of the water situations in the Midwest. I visited their website and I saw in their video that much of the water is diffused out on the lawn near the foundation. The purpose of rain gutters is...
Home Improvement Library, Plumbing
This standpipe is in the yard for maintenance purposes and supplying air into the sewer pipes for free flowing reasons, and with modern plumbing practices it is normal for it to be made from PVC. Its use is for having the pipe cleaned or snaked from outside the home...
Home Improvement Library, Venting & Circulation
When used properly, running your ceiling fans in conjunction with your heating or cooling system can optimize your comfort level while saving a little bit of money on energy bills. This method is best only while people are in the room; there’s no added benefit to...
Electrical, Home Improvement Library
It’s time to change that panel. I suggest you find a licensed electrician and replace your electric panel with a larger size. The 200 amp size is now the standard for circuit panels. Federal Pacific breakers have been identified as a fire risk and are recognized...
Drywall, General Construction & Repairs, Home Improvement Library
The brown paper you are seeing is probably the backing that held the sheets of tile together. This is common for the smaller tiles that are around an inch square. It aided in the speed of the installation. The mastic that holds the tile to the wall will be the next...
Home Improvement Library, HVAC
Geothermal is an efficient type of electric heat pump for heating and cooling that has enormous advantages. Geothermal actually moves heat in or out of a home just like a regular heat pump to both heat and cool the interior space. However the huge advantage of...
