Add insulation; find a leak in HVAC system; clogged dryer vent
Get tips on making fixes around the house.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Q:Β I had a new air conditioning system installed recently, partly because we had way too much dust in our house all the time. The AC people told me that I had only one intake for the HVAC system, and I needed two of them. But after they added another one, the dust got even worse in the house than it was before. So what do I do now?
A:Β You need to have a pressure test done on your entire HVAC system to see whatβs wrong. Itβs possible that you have a leak somewhere in your duct system that is taking in dust from the attic and then blowing it into the rest of the house. Ask the people who did your AC installation to do the test. They may tell you that you have to pay for it. Thatβs OK; just tell them that you will pay, but that if they find a leak, they need to fix it because they should have done it when installing the new system. If they canβt find the leak, they can still blow something called Aeroseal into your ducts that can seal small, hard-to-find leaks from the inside out.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Q:Β I live in a two-story home and Iβm having problems with a clogged dryer vent. I had someone out to unclog it, and they didnβt get it done. The problem is that the current vent has to run up the wall and then up and outside to the top of the house. Iβd like to run the vent into the garage and then outside the house. Can I do that?
A:Β If you try to run the vent through the garage, youβd have to cut a hole in the wall that would violate the fire rating of the wall. Youβd have to put in some kind of soffit to take the vent out the house through the garage. Before doing all that, you should probably try to call some dryer vent company that has really strong duct-cleaning equipment. They should be able to get the debris out of your vent.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Q: What kind of additional insulation can I put into the attic in my 1,550 square-foot condo? There was lots of cellulose installed when the unit was built, but now itβs deteriorating. I am starting to see through the insulation to the wood underneath and I think it needs more insulation. What type of insulation should I use?
A:Β Adding more cellulose should work just fine. You might want to have a whole-house energy audit done first to get some more information about your condo. Just be sure that someone doesnβt talk you into putting more than R-38 level of insulation in the attic. Adding any more than that into the attic will not benefit you enough in savings on your utility bills to make it worth your while financially.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona homebuilding and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning “Rosie on the House” radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Q: I leave my dogs at home in my yard when I go to work. I leave a kiddie pool partly filled with water for them to drink. I generally dump the water out and replace it every three days. Would standing water like this become a breeding area for mosquitoes? Iβm worried because of all the recent publicity about diseases spread by mosquitoes.
A:Β Mosquitoes need more time than that to breed in standing water. If youβre changing the water that regularly, there shouldnβt be a problem. Water left for horses to drink also has to be changed every three days, too. If youβre interested in having a pond as part of your landscape, you can keep it free of mosquitoes as well by stocking it with mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis), which feed on mosquito larvae.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home-building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Q: You recently told a homeowner that colored plaster could be applied using a brush to decorate slump block, instead of trying to paint these blocks. Is this something a homeowner could do by himself or is it too complicated? I have slump block on the front of my house and the rest is stucco, and this technique sounded interesting.
A:Β This process is called βmortar washβ; it was very popular back in the 1980s when slump block was a trend as well. You can see some photos online by googling βmortar washing.β Builders would lay up a terra-cotta colored slump block wall and put on a mortar wash in a contrasting color. It didnβt need to be a βwashβ that completely covered the block; hit or miss coverage with the base color showing through was very popular; it may be about time for it to become popular again. Quality masonry contractors and painters do this kind of work if you donβt want to do it yourself.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home-building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Q: My 18-year-old home has 12-inch floor tiles throughout. However, about 50 tiles are loose. Iβve gotten bids on lifting the tiles, cleaning them and regluing them in place. But there is the possibility that the tiles could crack during the process. Then we couldnβt replace them because theyβre so old. But one company insists that they can do the job without cracking the tiles? Is that possible?
A:Β Itβs difficult to believe that anyone could make that promise. Youβd better ask for references and do some thorough research before moving ahead. Iβd also recommend that you have a moisture test of the slab under the tiles because thatβs most likely the reason why the tiles have come loose. You have to eliminate the source of the moisture and then dry it out before you put the tiles down again.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home-building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Q: Iβm interested in installing a water harvesting system in my yard. Iβm going to have two 1,000-gallon tanks to hold water that I harvest off the roof of my house. But Iβm trying to decide whether to place those tanks on top of a bed of pavers or a concrete pad. Would sand-set, interlocking concrete pavers be sufficiently strong to hold that weight? Or do I need something more substantial under the tanks.
A:Β Pavers should work just fine; after all they actually use them on the taxiways at large airports. Youβll need to do about 6 inches of excavation, of course, and then put down a two-inch layer of crushed rock on undisturbed soil to provide part of the foundation for the pavers (itβs called the ABC layer for aggregate base course) and then sand on top of that. But you donβt need to put down concrete at all. Talk to a paver manufacturer about the product you are going to use as well getting tips on construction. To have it done right, consider hiring a licensed paver installer. The advantage of pavers, of course, is that if some crack or break, you can replace them without redoing the entire paved area.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Q: I have a south-facing covered patio that Iβm thinking of covering with screens. Iβm wondering if that might improve the value of my house when I sell it. How much value would it add?
A:Β Thereβs no real formula for estimating what that might do to the sales price of your home. But generally speaking, it would seem that a home with a screened patio would be more desirable than an unscreened patio because it would keep out insects, snakes and lizards. You should check as well with a Realtor about the possibilities.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Q: I have a wrought iron view fence that gets full sun. Iβd like to cover the iron slats with a flowering vine, but I donβt want a lot of litter from whatever I plant there. What would you suggest?
A:Β Tangerine beauty crossvine is one beautiful possibility that is reportedly low in litter. One vine we definitely would not plant is catβs claw. We get many, many calls from homeowners who want to get rid of it and are very frustrated. Once you plant catβs claw, you may have it forever. We had catβs claw at our house, in fact, and I wanted to remove it because it kept us from checking for termites on our wall. It took years and years before we were rid of it. We kept tearing it out and tearing it out until it finally croaked.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Q: My electric company in Tucson is planning to raise the fees it charges to net metering customers, those of us who have solar electric panels and βsellβ our surplus electricity to the utility. If I installed solar panels before they do this, will I be grandfathered in by the Arizona Corporation Commission or will I have to pay the new rates?
A:Β The commission has generally agreed to grandfather in solar-powered homes in the past so that they are not subject to the rate changes, but they canβt stop future commission members from raising the rates for you in future. You canβt be 100 percent sure what might happen later on.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Q: There are 20 windows in my house, but four of them are not dual-pane windows, and Iβm now debating whether to replace the four or not. Theyβre all aluminum frame with single panes of glass; they donβt get direct sunlight so they donβt seem to heat up very much. How can I tell whether it would be economically efficient to replace them? Will installing dual-pane windows be worthwhile and save me money on my utility bill?
A:Β If youβre interested in checking this out yourself, you can buy a thermal imaging gun for about $40 at a hardware or auto parts store. Then, on a really hot day when the sun is shining on the house, aim your gun at one of your double-pane windows to measure its temperature. Then do the same test on the single-pane windows. If thereβs not much difference in temperature, it might not be worthwhile replacing the windows. If the windows are not on the west side of the house and donβt get much direct sun, your home may not benefit that much.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Q:Β I have a crack that runs all the way across my whole Saltillo tile patio. Itβs been there for a long time, but now Iβve fixed some other things in the backyard and Iβm ready to fix the crack. How do I do that? And could I pave over the tiles?
A:Β Itβs going to be very difficult to simply fix that crack by itself because as soon as you repair it, youβll develop another crack somewhere else on that patio. If it was just a crack in a concrete pad, you could fill it and cover the patio with concrete pavers. But in this case the Saltillo tiles are probably too thick to allow you to pave over them. Youβre probably going to have to remove the tiles or skim off the top of the tiles, before you can use pavers.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Q I have seen mice from time to time in the area around my backyard patio. I think that theyβre attracted to the water in my fountain and also to my barbecue grill. I havenβt seen them at all in my house, which is only 5 years old. I want to get rid of the mice, but putting out poison frightens me because I have a dog. So what do I do about them?
A:Β Theyβre probably inside your house, as well as outside. You need to put out traps to catch them because they can multiply very quickly. You can use tamper-resistant bait stations that will avoid problems with your pets. Hiring an exterminator may be an option to be sure the job is done safely.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Q: If I have a concrete block home, as opposed to a wood-framed house, am I safe from having termite problems?
A:Β Many homeowners with block homes think that termites wonβt invade their property. But thatβs not true. There is still a lot of wood and cellulose in your block home that will attract termites, including the door jambs, the drywall, and the furring strips, pieces of wood that were put on top of the blocks and then used to hang the drywall. Termites can often travel up into an attic as well to feast on the wooden trusses above your ceilings.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Q: I did something stupid in my backyard. The water in my swimming pool was very cloudy, and a pool company told me that it needed to be pumped out and replaced with fresh water. So I decided to pump it out a little at a time using a sump pump. Then I drained the water over some shrubs and plants in the yard and now some of the leaves are falling off. What do I do now?
A:Β Itβs unlikely that you have severely damaged your plants. Some of the foliage may have been slightly burned due to contact with the chlorine in the water. Larger plants like mesquites and oleanders shouldnβt suffer any serious damage. You wouldnβt want to run the water into flower beds or vegetable gardens, however. You can probably bring back the damaged plants by giving them a long, slow watering using the regular water from your outdoor irrigation system.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Q: We have a ton of tiny black bugs in the house ever since we brought some potted plants into the house to get them out of the summer heat.
A:Β Those insects are often called βnuisance gnats.β Theyβre not hurting the plants, but they are annoying to have around. You might cut back on the water you put in the plants; the soil may be overly moist. You can also sprinkle a little diatomaceous earth over the soil to deter the bugs.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Q: Can I put a coat of some kind of cool decking over the concrete pavers in my backyard? Theyβre dark-colored pavers, and they get too hot in the summertime. Would a coating of some kind stick to the pavers or not?
A:Β Covering the pavers this way would be a very difficult and time-intensive project. The coating would also be difficult to maintain as well. Interlocking pavers now come in lighter colors; so in the end, you might consider replacing them.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
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:Β Itβs 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.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Q: Iβm 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:Β Painting over tiles is not something that achieves good, lasting results. Itβs a temporary solution at best because the paint seems to peel off. If youβre 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. Itβs not the same as repainting your bedroom. You have to provide a lot of ventilation during the βpaintingβ process and lots of time to cure the finish.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Q: Iβve 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:Β 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 theyβre 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 youβre doing a job like this. However, you may want to call in an exterminator to get professional help.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
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:Β Generally speaking, most termite problems are treated on the outside of the house. If thereβs drilling of any kind, it can be done so that the holes are filled in a way thatβs hardly noticeable.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Q: My house was built about 16 years ago; it was one of the last years that they didnβt do post-tension slabs. Itβs a one-story, 2,600 square foot house. Recently, it seems as if the slab of the house has been heaving up. For example, you have to step up two or three inches more than before to walk into the house from outside. The floor in the dining room seems to be raised up as well. What can foundation experts do for my house and will it be very costly?
A:Β From the way youβve described your problem, it does seem as if you have a heaving problem in your slab due to expansive clay soils under the house. Those soils have become water-logged and are raising up your floors. Due to new technology, fixing a problem like this can be much less expensive than it used to be. A foundation expert can run a pipe from the soil foundation up to the top of the house using an area in a closet, for example. A fan at the top of the pipe will help draw out the moisture in the soil so that it will aerate and dry out. Then the slab will begin to resettle. Itβs a much less invasive process than jackhammering out the slab in order to correct the problem. It can probably be done for less than $5,000.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Q: I live in an older concrete block home. But the face of the blocks on the front of the house are slump block in an orange color thatβs supposed to give the house an adobe-style look. I donβt like the color, but if I should paint those blocks a different color, would that process be reversible if someone wanted to get rid of it later?
A:Β If you paint those blocks a different color, youβre going to be turning whatβs basically a maintenance-free product into something that requires heavy maintenance. You could not easily remove the paint later on if you donβt like it. Just to get the paint on the blocks, youβd have to put some fill on the surface before you paint and then youβd have to apply a couple of layers of paint over that. It would be a very expensive job. A better process that might make more sense would be to put a different colored plaster over the blocks instead; that would make them look even more like adobe. Then the blocks would be more maintenance free.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Q: I have a toilet that seems to run constantly so I think that we need to replace the rubber flap or some of the other equipment inside the tank of the toilet. What would that cost if I do the job myself and is it difficult to do?
A:Β Many homeowners are capable to replace equipment like that if they get a few instructions on how to do it. Youβd have to buy about $40 in parts if you do it yourself. Itβs the type of job for which a plumber would charge about $100 for a service call that could probably take an hour or less to fix.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero
- Updated
Q: Iβm repairing a 1920s-era house in Southern Arizona. It has rock walls that are covered on the exterior with poured concrete and then covered with plaster on the inside of the house. There are a lot of hairline cracks in those plaster walls, but some of the cracks are 3/8ths of an inch wide. What should I use to fill the cracks and then what should I use as a top coat on the interior walls?
A:Β You can start by just troweling on elastomeric caulk into the cracks to fill them up. Then there are lots of other options for a topcoat. Two good possibilities are drywall mud or possibly acrylic stucco.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com
- By Rosie Romero
- Updated
Q: I have a four-car garage where Iβd like to provide a cooling system because I use part of it as a woodworking area. Would it work if I installed one of those mini-split air conditioner units?
A:Β You can do that, but youβll have to clean the filter out every day after using it for woodworking. Thatβs because mini-split systems donβt pick up the dust and purify the air in the way that conventional air conditioners do. People who have a lot of problems with allergies might also have more difficulty with mini-splits than with a regular air conditioning system.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com
- By Rosie Romero
- Updated
Q: I have an iron security door on my custom-built home, and the door has really started to fade to the point that it looks almost gray. Itβs only 3 years old so what should I do about it?
A:Β You could have it painted, but first Iβd contact the installer of the door to see if they will make good on their product. You can also call a painter, but most likely theyβll recommend powder-coating the door rather than painting.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com
- By Rosie Romero
- Updated
Q: I recently replaced all the old flooring in my home with tile and carpeting and then I had the house painted. During that renovation, I kept an eye out for evidence of termites, and I saw nothing. But later, I went out to the garage to do some cleanup of cardboard boxes and other debris and found a wooden table with evidence of termite damage. A few days later I found a mud tube in the garage. Now Iβm wondering if I should have the whole house treated for termites or just the garage.
A:Β To begin with, get rid of those cardboard boxes; theyβre like candy for termites. Yes, you may need to treat other parts of your home for termites. The problem is that even if you find a mud tube in one place on your house, there might be termites elsewhere. Have a thorough inspection done for any other signs of termites. Then you can decide on the amount of treatment to do.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Q: I have just finished redoing my patio using concrete pavers. Now Iβm going to build a barbecue, and Iβm wondering if I should use concrete blocks or metal studs in building it. What would you suggest?
A:Β Iβd favor using concrete blocks because they will last longer. You should also put some drain holes into the bottom of the barbecue so that you can hose the whole area down once in a while to keep it clean and get rid of any dust and insects.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com
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- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Q: I recently moved into a newly remodeled house that has brand new toilets in the two bathrooms. The problem is that when you flush the toilets, the water comes back up to the normal level in the bowls, but then in a few minutes, it starts to seep away again to a much lower level.
A:Β We have seen this problem occur before in newly built homes or homes where remodeling was done in the bathrooms. Itβs often the case that the workers who did the tile work in the bathrooms have rinsed their tools off in the toilets rather than outside the house. As a result the thin set and grout on their tools has accumulated in drain lines and causes this problem. You need to have a plumber pull the toilets and check the drain lines; possibly your plumber should also run a camera into the line to see whatβs going on.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
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Q: I have a 4-year-old, high-quality air conditioner, and itβs almost impossible to cool down my home to 74 degrees. It seems to take forever. What could be wrong?
A:Β You probably should have a company other than the one that installed your original unit come out to verify that everything was sized correctly for the square footage of your home. In most situations, we find that air-conditioning units are oversized. But in your case, it could be that your unit is too small.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
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Q: Iβm living in a rental home where there is very poor air-conditioning. Is it possible for me to install a mini-split air-conditioner, the kind that can cool one room, and then take it apart and take it with me when I move to a new location?
A:Β You can do that, but it would be a very expensive fix. The real problem with installing a mini-split is that it costs a lot more to do the installation or the removal than it does for the unit itself.
You would be better off financially to go to a home store and buy a portable air-conditioner to use temporarily in your rental house until you leave.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
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Q: I bought my 1995 house about six years ago. Initially, there was a hairline crack in the hallway, but now weβve seen it expand all the way through the house. Weβve also seen some hairline cracks growing in the walls. Is this evidence that we have a foundation problem?
A:Β Thereβs no way of telling without having a foundation expert look at your home and perhaps do manometer readings. There could be settling or heaving going on with your slab, or there could be a moisture problem with your soil.
But there are methods available to repair your home if you have one of these problems.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
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Q: There are French doors leading to my patio, and one door that we use all the time has started creaking loudly when we open or close it. It started doing this last summer and then it stopped during winter, and now itβs back again. There is a loud squeaking noise even though Iβve oiled the three hinges. Iβve put graphite powder in the hinges, too, and that helped for a little while but now the squeaking is back again. What should I do?
A:Β You can start by taking out the middle hinge pin to see if the squeaking stops; if it doesnβt, put the pin back and try removing each of the other hinge pins one at a time. Once you isolate the problem, you may have to take a problem hinge off and replace it; or maybe youβll have to replace all three hinges. Another possible fix might be spraying silicone on the hinge pins.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
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Click the photo below to check out more home improvement tips. This includes βStrip roof to wood; building code violations; tile or laminate?
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q:Β I had a new air conditioning system installed recently, partly because we had way too much dust in our house all the time. The AC people told me that I had only one intake for the HVAC system, and I needed two of them. But after they added another one, the dust got even worse in the house than it was before. So what do I do now?
A:Β You need to have a pressure test done on your entire HVAC system to see whatβs wrong. Itβs possible that you have a leak somewhere in your duct system that is taking in dust from the attic and then blowing it into the rest of the house. Ask the people who did your AC installation to do the test. They may tell you that you have to pay for it. Thatβs OK; just tell them that you will pay, but that if they find a leak, they need to fix it because they should have done it when installing the new system. If they canβt find the leak, they can still blow something called Aeroseal into your ducts that can seal small, hard-to-find leaks from the inside out.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q:Β I live in a two-story home and Iβm having problems with a clogged dryer vent. I had someone out to unclog it, and they didnβt get it done. The problem is that the current vent has to run up the wall and then up and outside to the top of the house. Iβd like to run the vent into the garage and then outside the house. Can I do that?
A:Β If you try to run the vent through the garage, youβd have to cut a hole in the wall that would violate the fire rating of the wall. Youβd have to put in some kind of soffit to take the vent out the house through the garage. Before doing all that, you should probably try to call some dryer vent company that has really strong duct-cleaning equipment. They should be able to get the debris out of your vent.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q: What kind of additional insulation can I put into the attic in my 1,550 square-foot condo? There was lots of cellulose installed when the unit was built, but now itβs deteriorating. I am starting to see through the insulation to the wood underneath and I think it needs more insulation. What type of insulation should I use?
A:Β Adding more cellulose should work just fine. You might want to have a whole-house energy audit done first to get some more information about your condo. Just be sure that someone doesnβt talk you into putting more than R-38 level of insulation in the attic. Adding any more than that into the attic will not benefit you enough in savings on your utility bills to make it worth your while financially.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona homebuilding and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning “Rosie on the House” radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q: I leave my dogs at home in my yard when I go to work. I leave a kiddie pool partly filled with water for them to drink. I generally dump the water out and replace it every three days. Would standing water like this become a breeding area for mosquitoes? Iβm worried because of all the recent publicity about diseases spread by mosquitoes.
A:Β Mosquitoes need more time than that to breed in standing water. If youβre changing the water that regularly, there shouldnβt be a problem. Water left for horses to drink also has to be changed every three days, too. If youβre interested in having a pond as part of your landscape, you can keep it free of mosquitoes as well by stocking it with mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis), which feed on mosquito larvae.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home-building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q: You recently told a homeowner that colored plaster could be applied using a brush to decorate slump block, instead of trying to paint these blocks. Is this something a homeowner could do by himself or is it too complicated? I have slump block on the front of my house and the rest is stucco, and this technique sounded interesting.
A:Β This process is called βmortar washβ; it was very popular back in the 1980s when slump block was a trend as well. You can see some photos online by googling βmortar washing.β Builders would lay up a terra-cotta colored slump block wall and put on a mortar wash in a contrasting color. It didnβt need to be a βwashβ that completely covered the block; hit or miss coverage with the base color showing through was very popular; it may be about time for it to become popular again. Quality masonry contractors and painters do this kind of work if you donβt want to do it yourself.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home-building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q: My 18-year-old home has 12-inch floor tiles throughout. However, about 50 tiles are loose. Iβve gotten bids on lifting the tiles, cleaning them and regluing them in place. But there is the possibility that the tiles could crack during the process. Then we couldnβt replace them because theyβre so old. But one company insists that they can do the job without cracking the tiles? Is that possible?
A:Β Itβs difficult to believe that anyone could make that promise. Youβd better ask for references and do some thorough research before moving ahead. Iβd also recommend that you have a moisture test of the slab under the tiles because thatβs most likely the reason why the tiles have come loose. You have to eliminate the source of the moisture and then dry it out before you put the tiles down again.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home-building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q: Iβm interested in installing a water harvesting system in my yard. Iβm going to have two 1,000-gallon tanks to hold water that I harvest off the roof of my house. But Iβm trying to decide whether to place those tanks on top of a bed of pavers or a concrete pad. Would sand-set, interlocking concrete pavers be sufficiently strong to hold that weight? Or do I need something more substantial under the tanks.
A:Β Pavers should work just fine; after all they actually use them on the taxiways at large airports. Youβll need to do about 6 inches of excavation, of course, and then put down a two-inch layer of crushed rock on undisturbed soil to provide part of the foundation for the pavers (itβs called the ABC layer for aggregate base course) and then sand on top of that. But you donβt need to put down concrete at all. Talk to a paver manufacturer about the product you are going to use as well getting tips on construction. To have it done right, consider hiring a licensed paver installer. The advantage of pavers, of course, is that if some crack or break, you can replace them without redoing the entire paved area.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q: I have a south-facing covered patio that Iβm thinking of covering with screens. Iβm wondering if that might improve the value of my house when I sell it. How much value would it add?
A:Β Thereβs no real formula for estimating what that might do to the sales price of your home. But generally speaking, it would seem that a home with a screened patio would be more desirable than an unscreened patio because it would keep out insects, snakes and lizards. You should check as well with a Realtor about the possibilities.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q: I have a wrought iron view fence that gets full sun. Iβd like to cover the iron slats with a flowering vine, but I donβt want a lot of litter from whatever I plant there. What would you suggest?
A:Β Tangerine beauty crossvine is one beautiful possibility that is reportedly low in litter. One vine we definitely would not plant is catβs claw. We get many, many calls from homeowners who want to get rid of it and are very frustrated. Once you plant catβs claw, you may have it forever. We had catβs claw at our house, in fact, and I wanted to remove it because it kept us from checking for termites on our wall. It took years and years before we were rid of it. We kept tearing it out and tearing it out until it finally croaked.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q: My electric company in Tucson is planning to raise the fees it charges to net metering customers, those of us who have solar electric panels and βsellβ our surplus electricity to the utility. If I installed solar panels before they do this, will I be grandfathered in by the Arizona Corporation Commission or will I have to pay the new rates?
A:Β The commission has generally agreed to grandfather in solar-powered homes in the past so that they are not subject to the rate changes, but they canβt stop future commission members from raising the rates for you in future. You canβt be 100 percent sure what might happen later on.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q: There are 20 windows in my house, but four of them are not dual-pane windows, and Iβm now debating whether to replace the four or not. Theyβre all aluminum frame with single panes of glass; they donβt get direct sunlight so they donβt seem to heat up very much. How can I tell whether it would be economically efficient to replace them? Will installing dual-pane windows be worthwhile and save me money on my utility bill?
A:Β If youβre interested in checking this out yourself, you can buy a thermal imaging gun for about $40 at a hardware or auto parts store. Then, on a really hot day when the sun is shining on the house, aim your gun at one of your double-pane windows to measure its temperature. Then do the same test on the single-pane windows. If thereβs not much difference in temperature, it might not be worthwhile replacing the windows. If the windows are not on the west side of the house and donβt get much direct sun, your home may not benefit that much.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q:Β I have a crack that runs all the way across my whole Saltillo tile patio. Itβs been there for a long time, but now Iβve fixed some other things in the backyard and Iβm ready to fix the crack. How do I do that? And could I pave over the tiles?
A:Β Itβs going to be very difficult to simply fix that crack by itself because as soon as you repair it, youβll develop another crack somewhere else on that patio. If it was just a crack in a concrete pad, you could fill it and cover the patio with concrete pavers. But in this case the Saltillo tiles are probably too thick to allow you to pave over them. Youβre probably going to have to remove the tiles or skim off the top of the tiles, before you can use pavers.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q I have seen mice from time to time in the area around my backyard patio. I think that theyβre attracted to the water in my fountain and also to my barbecue grill. I havenβt seen them at all in my house, which is only 5 years old. I want to get rid of the mice, but putting out poison frightens me because I have a dog. So what do I do about them?
A:Β Theyβre probably inside your house, as well as outside. You need to put out traps to catch them because they can multiply very quickly. You can use tamper-resistant bait stations that will avoid problems with your pets. Hiring an exterminator may be an option to be sure the job is done safely.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q: If I have a concrete block home, as opposed to a wood-framed house, am I safe from having termite problems?
A:Β Many homeowners with block homes think that termites wonβt invade their property. But thatβs not true. There is still a lot of wood and cellulose in your block home that will attract termites, including the door jambs, the drywall, and the furring strips, pieces of wood that were put on top of the blocks and then used to hang the drywall. Termites can often travel up into an attic as well to feast on the wooden trusses above your ceilings.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q: I did something stupid in my backyard. The water in my swimming pool was very cloudy, and a pool company told me that it needed to be pumped out and replaced with fresh water. So I decided to pump it out a little at a time using a sump pump. Then I drained the water over some shrubs and plants in the yard and now some of the leaves are falling off. What do I do now?
A:Β Itβs unlikely that you have severely damaged your plants. Some of the foliage may have been slightly burned due to contact with the chlorine in the water. Larger plants like mesquites and oleanders shouldnβt suffer any serious damage. You wouldnβt want to run the water into flower beds or vegetable gardens, however. You can probably bring back the damaged plants by giving them a long, slow watering using the regular water from your outdoor irrigation system.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q: We have a ton of tiny black bugs in the house ever since we brought some potted plants into the house to get them out of the summer heat.
A:Β Those insects are often called βnuisance gnats.β Theyβre not hurting the plants, but they are annoying to have around. You might cut back on the water you put in the plants; the soil may be overly moist. You can also sprinkle a little diatomaceous earth over the soil to deter the bugs.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q: Can I put a coat of some kind of cool decking over the concrete pavers in my backyard? Theyβre dark-colored pavers, and they get too hot in the summertime. Would a coating of some kind stick to the pavers or not?
A:Β Covering the pavers this way would be a very difficult and time-intensive project. The coating would also be difficult to maintain as well. Interlocking pavers now come in lighter colors; so in the end, you might consider replacing them.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
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:Β Itβs 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.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q: Iβm 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:Β Painting over tiles is not something that achieves good, lasting results. Itβs a temporary solution at best because the paint seems to peel off. If youβre 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. Itβs not the same as repainting your bedroom. You have to provide a lot of ventilation during the βpaintingβ process and lots of time to cure the finish.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q: Iβve 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:Β 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 theyβre 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 youβre doing a job like this. However, you may want to call in an exterminator to get professional help.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
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:Β Generally speaking, most termite problems are treated on the outside of the house. If thereβs drilling of any kind, it can be done so that the holes are filled in a way thatβs hardly noticeable.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q: My house was built about 16 years ago; it was one of the last years that they didnβt do post-tension slabs. Itβs a one-story, 2,600 square foot house. Recently, it seems as if the slab of the house has been heaving up. For example, you have to step up two or three inches more than before to walk into the house from outside. The floor in the dining room seems to be raised up as well. What can foundation experts do for my house and will it be very costly?
A:Β From the way youβve described your problem, it does seem as if you have a heaving problem in your slab due to expansive clay soils under the house. Those soils have become water-logged and are raising up your floors. Due to new technology, fixing a problem like this can be much less expensive than it used to be. A foundation expert can run a pipe from the soil foundation up to the top of the house using an area in a closet, for example. A fan at the top of the pipe will help draw out the moisture in the soil so that it will aerate and dry out. Then the slab will begin to resettle. Itβs a much less invasive process than jackhammering out the slab in order to correct the problem. It can probably be done for less than $5,000.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q: I live in an older concrete block home. But the face of the blocks on the front of the house are slump block in an orange color thatβs supposed to give the house an adobe-style look. I donβt like the color, but if I should paint those blocks a different color, would that process be reversible if someone wanted to get rid of it later?
A:Β If you paint those blocks a different color, youβre going to be turning whatβs basically a maintenance-free product into something that requires heavy maintenance. You could not easily remove the paint later on if you donβt like it. Just to get the paint on the blocks, youβd have to put some fill on the surface before you paint and then youβd have to apply a couple of layers of paint over that. It would be a very expensive job. A better process that might make more sense would be to put a different colored plaster over the blocks instead; that would make them look even more like adobe. Then the blocks would be more maintenance free.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q: I have a toilet that seems to run constantly so I think that we need to replace the rubber flap or some of the other equipment inside the tank of the toilet. What would that cost if I do the job myself and is it difficult to do?
A:Β Many homeowners are capable to replace equipment like that if they get a few instructions on how to do it. Youβd have to buy about $40 in parts if you do it yourself. Itβs the type of job for which a plumber would charge about $100 for a service call that could probably take an hour or less to fix.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call
888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero
Q: Iβm repairing a 1920s-era house in Southern Arizona. It has rock walls that are covered on the exterior with poured concrete and then covered with plaster on the inside of the house. There are a lot of hairline cracks in those plaster walls, but some of the cracks are 3/8ths of an inch wide. What should I use to fill the cracks and then what should I use as a top coat on the interior walls?
A:Β You can start by just troweling on elastomeric caulk into the cracks to fill them up. Then there are lots of other options for a topcoat. Two good possibilities are drywall mud or possibly acrylic stucco.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com
- By Rosie Romero
Q: I have a four-car garage where Iβd like to provide a cooling system because I use part of it as a woodworking area. Would it work if I installed one of those mini-split air conditioner units?
A:Β You can do that, but youβll have to clean the filter out every day after using it for woodworking. Thatβs because mini-split systems donβt pick up the dust and purify the air in the way that conventional air conditioners do. People who have a lot of problems with allergies might also have more difficulty with mini-splits than with a regular air conditioning system.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com
- By Rosie Romero
Q: I have an iron security door on my custom-built home, and the door has really started to fade to the point that it looks almost gray. Itβs only 3 years old so what should I do about it?
A:Β You could have it painted, but first Iβd contact the installer of the door to see if they will make good on their product. You can also call a painter, but most likely theyβll recommend powder-coating the door rather than painting.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com
- By Rosie Romero
Q: I recently replaced all the old flooring in my home with tile and carpeting and then I had the house painted. During that renovation, I kept an eye out for evidence of termites, and I saw nothing. But later, I went out to the garage to do some cleanup of cardboard boxes and other debris and found a wooden table with evidence of termite damage. A few days later I found a mud tube in the garage. Now Iβm wondering if I should have the whole house treated for termites or just the garage.
A:Β To begin with, get rid of those cardboard boxes; theyβre like candy for termites. Yes, you may need to treat other parts of your home for termites. The problem is that even if you find a mud tube in one place on your house, there might be termites elsewhere. Have a thorough inspection done for any other signs of termites. Then you can decide on the amount of treatment to do.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q: I have just finished redoing my patio using concrete pavers. Now Iβm going to build a barbecue, and Iβm wondering if I should use concrete blocks or metal studs in building it. What would you suggest?
A:Β Iβd favor using concrete blocks because they will last longer. You should also put some drain holes into the bottom of the barbecue so that you can hose the whole area down once in a while to keep it clean and get rid of any dust and insects.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com
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- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q: I recently moved into a newly remodeled house that has brand new toilets in the two bathrooms. The problem is that when you flush the toilets, the water comes back up to the normal level in the bowls, but then in a few minutes, it starts to seep away again to a much lower level.
A:Β We have seen this problem occur before in newly built homes or homes where remodeling was done in the bathrooms. Itβs often the case that the workers who did the tile work in the bathrooms have rinsed their tools off in the toilets rather than outside the house. As a result the thin set and grout on their tools has accumulated in drain lines and causes this problem. You need to have a plumber pull the toilets and check the drain lines; possibly your plumber should also run a camera into the line to see whatβs going on.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q: I have a 4-year-old, high-quality air conditioner, and itβs almost impossible to cool down my home to 74 degrees. It seems to take forever. What could be wrong?
A:Β You probably should have a company other than the one that installed your original unit come out to verify that everything was sized correctly for the square footage of your home. In most situations, we find that air-conditioning units are oversized. But in your case, it could be that your unit is too small.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q: Iβm living in a rental home where there is very poor air-conditioning. Is it possible for me to install a mini-split air-conditioner, the kind that can cool one room, and then take it apart and take it with me when I move to a new location?
A:Β You can do that, but it would be a very expensive fix. The real problem with installing a mini-split is that it costs a lot more to do the installation or the removal than it does for the unit itself.
You would be better off financially to go to a home store and buy a portable air-conditioner to use temporarily in your rental house until you leave.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q: I bought my 1995 house about six years ago. Initially, there was a hairline crack in the hallway, but now weβve seen it expand all the way through the house. Weβve also seen some hairline cracks growing in the walls. Is this evidence that we have a foundation problem?
A:Β Thereβs no way of telling without having a foundation expert look at your home and perhaps do manometer readings. There could be settling or heaving going on with your slab, or there could be a moisture problem with your soil.
But there are methods available to repair your home if you have one of these problems.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
- By Rosie Romero Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Q: There are French doors leading to my patio, and one door that we use all the time has started creaking loudly when we open or close it. It started doing this last summer and then it stopped during winter, and now itβs back again. There is a loud squeaking noise even though Iβve oiled the three hinges. Iβve put graphite powder in the hinges, too, and that helped for a little while but now the squeaking is back again. What should I do?
A:Β You can start by taking out the middle hinge pin to see if the squeaking stops; if it doesnβt, put the pin back and try removing each of the other hinge pins one at a time. Once you isolate the problem, you may have to take a problem hinge off and replace it; or maybe youβll have to replace all three hinges. Another possible fix might be spraying silicone on the hinge pins.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
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