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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...
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...
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...
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...
Brick & Masonry, Cleaning, Home Improvement Library
White Stuff on Brick is Efflorescence Q: What is the white stuff developing on the bricks of my home?A: What you are experiencing is efflorescence. Efflorescence is a white crystalline or powdery, often fluffy/fuzzy deposit on the surface of masonry materials like...
Flooring, General Construction & Repairs, Home Improvement Library
A: Personally I prefer to have the tile installed before the cabinets when possible. Reasons:1. This method is safer for the cabinets, less chance of damage or scratches on the cabinets from moving tile around.2. Makes for a clean transition from the tile to cabinets,...
Home Improvement Library, Insulation
We are not believers in this method of insulation. It has been done for decades in various forms (it began as a foil-like material) and always delivers poor results. You will get far better performance from a blown cellulose material and doing an energy audit to...
Drywall, Home Improvement Library
Sagging ceiling drywall is usually caused by using 1/2” thick drywall that is too thin for the 24” spacing typical in most roof truss installations. Our Mosby Building Arts standard for roof trusses that are framed 24” on-center is to use 5/8” thick drywall or 5/8”...
Home Improvement Library, Insulation
I highly suspect that the substantial humidity created with your unvented gas fireplace log may be contributing to the problem. Your marks on the walls & ceiling are partially caused by moisture condensation at these slightly less insulated points in your building...
Home Improvement Library, Plumbing
I suspect your water heater and nice shower valves are functioning correctly. It is possible that you just don’t have enough hot water capacity for the high-flow shower head and valves, even with a 50 gallon water heater. Please follow me through this thought...
Home Improvement Library, Plumbing
Q: Why are my cold water pipes sweating?A: Your cold water pipes are a classic, summer humidity occurrence. Fear not, a minor issue when corrected! The cold pipes are sweating, or condensing the moisture out of the very “wet” air in the basement. This is just like a...
