Each year, thousands of Arizona residents email or call Rosie Romeroâs radio show with questions about everything from preventing fires in their chimneys to getting rid of tree roots invading their sewer system. His goal is to provide answers that suit the specific lifestyle wherever someone lives in Arizona.
Q: I have an undermounted cast-iron sink in my kitchen; I want to take it out and replace it with another undermounted stainless steel sink. But is that possible to do? Can they get the old sink out and a new one installed without damaging the granite countertop?
A: Itâs possible for a plumber to make that switch with the sinks without too much trouble, although your sink will have to be out of service for a day or two. The only real problem could arise if there is some kind of a divider in the cabinet under the sink, something that is more likely in older homes. In that case, there might be a tight squeeze to make the switch, and you might need a skilled remodeler to modify the cabinet or the granite counter in some way.
Undermounted sinks are generally held tight against the countertop with mounting clips that are installed beneath the counters. These sinks work best with solid surface counters made of marble, concrete, quartz or granite. Undermounts are not well suited to laminate or tile counters; they are also generally more expensive than drop-in sinks. Proper installation is essential to avoid problems.
Q: Iâm helping my mother-in-law renovate her house. One thing that particularly bothers me is the pink tile that she has in the bathroom. Can you paint over tiles like that and make the process work?
A: Painting over tiles is not something that achieves good, lasting results. Itâs a temporary solution at best because the paint seems to peel off. If youâre interested in doing it yourself, there are kits you can buy. But it will require a lot of sanding and the use of a spray gun to put on the new epoxy finish. Itâs not the same as repainting your bedroom. You have to provide a lot of ventilation during the âpaintingâ process and lots of time to cure the finish.
Q: Iâve recently seen a lot of black widow spiders around my outdoor barbecue and the foundation of my house. Is this a common problem in Arizona?
A: You do see a lot of black widows in the summer time in Arizona. Their populations sometimes seem to explode in warm weather. You generally find their webs near the ground and in dark places. The webs are irregular in shape and theyâre stronger than the average spider web. If you break one, you can hear a crackling noise. You can vacuum up the spiders and the webs; then dispose of vacuum bags in the garbage and treat the affected areas with pesticide. Always wear gloves when youâre doing a job like this. However, you may want to call in an exterminator to get professional help.
Q: If I have termites in my house, can they be treated on the outside of the house without anyone having to drill holes into my travertine floors on the inside?
A: Generally speaking, most termite problems are treated on the outside of the house. If thereâs drilling of any kind, it can be done so that the holes are filled in a way thatâs hardly noticeable.
