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Home Improvement Library
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General Construction & Repairs, Home Improvement Library, Remodeling
The long term approach is that re-plastering will last many more years, and is commensurate with the cost. We’re skeptical of the paint lasting 8 years; it would be more like 3-4 years if the plaster has begun to deteriorate. Painting is treating the symptom,...
Brick & Masonry, Concrete, Home Improvement Library
Paver bricks are substantially more attractive and more costly than standard white concrete. Brick pavers are considered a premium surface. Pavers also offer the ability to repair, re-grade, remove & replace the pavers in shifting soil condition without having to...
General Construction & Repairs, Home Improvement Library
Whom do you trust the most? This is about choosing people and very much like a job interview. At Mosby Building Arts we review hundreds of firms for our team. We choose people who really know their business, enjoy the work, have a strong reputation and the ability to...
Home Improvement Library, Windows
The interior storm panels do cut noise a little. Some sound transmits through the window weight sash pockets in the old double hung windows so the storm panels may be of limited effect for cutting sound. The panels will help cut the sound but maybe not as much as you...
Home Improvement Library, Venting & Circulation
I recommend a range of 30% to 50% of relative humidity for comfort and health. Below 30% relative humidity begins to dry out the nasal passages and our sinuses which can lead to more colds and flu susceptibility. If you are COPD, have allergies or have respiratory...
Home Improvement Library, Roofing, Venting & Circulation
Asphalt shingles can last from 12 – 30 years, depending on the conditions around your home. But when only a portion of the shingles have failed prematurely, it suggests that the problem is not with the roofing material but with your attic ventilation. The roof...
Flooring, Home Improvement Library
The liquid in your radiant heat system is circulated by a pump or pumps from your boiler. The flow of hot water or liquid to each room must be balanced according to the heat-loss from insulation or lack of it, amount of glass or doors in the room, sunlight, etc., in...
Home Improvement Library, Water & Moisture
These masonry leaks that deteriorate plaster and paint are sometimes very difficult to eliminate. They usually require an on-site visit to see all that is happening. Sometimes these “leaks” are condensation from cold spots on the brick that...
Flooring, Home Improvement Library, HVAC
Electric heat for floors are still custom laid into the thin set mortar bed prior to the ceramic tile installation, or in a liquid-set under layment material under carpet floors. There is no economical mat that is any less costly than the laid up custom material....
Cleaning, Electrical, Home Improvement Library
Built in vacs are great, especially for allergy or asthma sufferers because they suck up dust mites, dust etc. and blow the “exhaust” outside the house. Regular cannister vacuums just recycle the dust into the same rooms. A central system exhausts outside...
Electrical, Home Improvement Library
Whole house surge protectors are costly to buy and then to install. They are wise investments when located in a high elevation or other locations of higher incidence of lightning strikes. They also only protect from the source, upline surge charges (intake through the...
General Construction & Repairs, Home Improvement Library, Painting, Remodeling
One part Downy to 3 parts warm water for hard to work wall coverings. For regular covers, one part Downy to 4 parts water.
Flooring, General Construction & Repairs, Home Improvement Library, Remodeling
We at Mosby Building Arts typically remove the sink, vanity and toilet to install ceramic tile on a bathroom floor. A potential water leak or water spill under the vanity will therefore not affect the wood of the vanity cabinet and the appearance is more crisp and...
Flooring, General Construction & Repairs, Home Improvement Library
Squeaky hardwood floors in the winter are often made worse from very dry air amongst other things. Check the relative moisture in your home with a digital meter to assure the indoor humidity is between 30% – 50% relative humidity. Indoor air dryer than 30%...
Home Improvement Library, Remodeling, Windows
Your choices for installation are to leave the aluminum frame in the wall and downsize the new windows for fit within that existing frame. Then brake metal (pre-finished aluminum) cover the perimeter to finish. The second choice involves either cutting the flange of...
