Ask Our Expert Archives

A - Good questions.  First make sure that you inspect all cables and hardware for use.  I would make sure that the tension is at the correct level to move door safely.  Make sure all screws or nuts/bolts are tightened securely.  Oil the wheels and other parts requiring periodic lubrication.  Finally make sure door panels are clean and paint if necessary to extend life.  I suggest you also make sure the safety features are working properly to protect small children and pets form harm.  If you cannot do this maintenance yourself, companies that install garage doors also provide maintenance contracts. 

A - Good questions.  First make sure that the attic has proper ventilation, make sure the openings on the side of the house of open and free of debris.  Next make sure that the insulation in the attic is thick enough an carrier a proper R ratio for your part of the U.S.  Next periodically clear any ice and snow that can be safely removed from around the gutters.  Monitor situation and look for leaks in the roof of each room in the house to ensure leaking not occurring.    

Q - What do you do to control mold and moldy smells under my house?  M. Witford, Canton, GA.

A - Good questions.  First make sure that the house has proper ventilation, make sure the openings on the side of the house of open and free of debris.  Next look for any sources of moisture.  Make sure all gutters are draining away from the house.  Also make sure the Air conditioner has a way to drain condensation from it.  If all this does not work and mold still seems to be on the floor joist, do the following.  First scrap the moldy area off and vacuum away with a wetvac or such.  Next mist a mixture of 1 part bleach to 1 part of water directly to the affected area.  This should do wonders to help you and your family avoid mold and the many harmful problems that go with it..    

Q - Any suggestions at making a living room little better without breaking the bank?  D. Nixon, Washington, D.C.

A - Inexpensive additions can do wonders for a room.  I like to start with candles of different colors.  Also you could add some decorative glass holders to brighten up a table.  Changing lampshades or adding a colorful sash on a window can do the trick as well.  Another addition might include a inexpensive accent pillow to add some color to a couch or chair.    

Q - Any ideas on good plants to use for the summer lawn beautification?  W. Reeve, Cary, NC

A - After trying them all over time, I would suggest flowering Vinca.  It is very drought resistant, it provides good cover and has a nice flower in bloom.  Additionally, it stays really green and comes in numerous flowering colors.  It does not grow to high or require much upkeep.  I would suggest once a week watering of 20 minutes to encourage good root growth.  I also spread a pine bark mulch around the plant bed to encourage water retention and provide additional off-setting color.

Q - I need a suggestion on keeping my stove clean?  J. Bridges, St. Louis, MO

A - First, a bit of maintenance can go a long way.  A simple wipe down with a soft sponge with warm water and a mild detergent on a weekly basis will keep your stove top looking good and grime-free.  If you need a little help you can use a formula such as 409 to cut the grease.  Do not use a sponge that could scratch the finish.  Most important is keeping the fan above the stove clean.  The fan should have a cover on it that should be cleaned at least twice a year depending on stove use.  This will prevent the treat of a stove fire igniting grease caught in the fan area that could cause a big problem.

Q - Any ideas on controlling insects around my house?  D. Brideau, New Orleans, LA

A - First, make sure that there is no water sitting around your property that could be used as a breading ground for mosquitoes, flies, etc.  I would then make sure you caulk around all window and door openings in your house.  With that done I would spray the perimeter of your house with a general insecticide to control insects around your house.  I would also consider putting a treatment on your lawn to control insects over your entire property.  As always if you are planning an outdoor activity, consider citronella candles and or insect repellant with DEET. 

A - First, take a look at what you already have on hand.  Changing a room may just include changing the flow of the room by placing furniture in a different manner.  Since that is a no cost alternative, do that first.  If the current furniture or layout works fine, look to accessories next.  A different color rug or new end table may be just the thing to add or change the look of a room.  You might also add a few low cost pictures or prints on the walls.  Don't forget that matching accent pillow on the various pieces of furniture can give the room a new look as well.  If you really want to mix things up consider a different paint color on either the walls or ceiling.  Changing from a traditional white to cream, gray, yellow, etc. can give the room a new feel. 

Q - How do I keep weeds from forming on my year during the spring growing season?  S. Henry, Indianapolis, IN

A - First, take the time now to put down a pre-emergent on the lawn.  This will stunt or inhibit the growth of weeds during the time when they are germinating.  Follow that up with some weed and feed fertilizer to help encourage growth of grass that you want and control weed growth at the same time.  Follow steps outlined on the package of lime, fertilizer and weed control products for the remainder of the growing season.  You local home improvement store should be able to supply you with the time tables and products to make your yard look good all year long.  If you don't have the time, you can also hire a lawn service that applies the products as needed on a 6 week cycle from February to September.  They usually cost $35 - $50 per application.

Q - How do I get the grout in my bathroom floor clean?  M. Davis, Minneapolis, MN

A - First, make sure all surfaces are clean of extra dirt and grime.  Then with a warm water and dish soap, give it a through wipe down.  Allow this to dry.  Next purchase a professional cleaner sold in most home improvement stores.  Apply the cleaner following directions.  If this does not get your floor clean to desired level, go to the final step.  Purchase a small hand held grout crapper and scrape off the top layer of old grout and dirt.  Follow by sealing the grout with a grout sealer to protect it from future build-up.

Q - How do I protect my outdoor furniture during the winter?  C. Williams, Reading, PA 

A - First, make sure all outdoor furniture is clean before storage.  You should use warm water and small amount of dishwashing liquid along with a old towel to give the furniture a good scrubbing.  Make sure furniture is dry before storage.  Place in a dry location, i.e. garage, unfinished basement or outdoor shed.  If you have no room in those locations, consider buying plastic covers to protect from the outdoor elements.  If you have cushions on your furniture, make sure you store that inside, as that is most susceptible to damage from rain, snow, etc.   

Q - Any ideas on removing the streaking on my driveway?  S. Holmes, NY, NY 

A - Streaking is mostly from rust or algae build-up.  Rent a pressure washer from your local home improvement retailer.  Start with the highest point in the driveway and go down hill to the rest of the driveway, spraying in a back and forth motion.  Depending on the nozzle size you get, you can make as big or small a sweeping motion with the sprayer as needed to quicken up the pace.  If the water pressure alone is not working get some detergent additive from your local paint store or use a small amount of bleach.  

Q - How do I get maximum efficiency from my air conditioner system?  H. Gilner, Richmond, VA 

A - Make sure to get your system inspected twice a year by a professional.  Make sure you have your house insulated as best as possible.  This includes windows, doors, insulation in the attic, etc.  Make sure you replace the air filter in your system as often as recommended.  Finally, make sure their is no debris such and leaves or other yard material that if near your outside the house compressor.  You should make sure no bushes or trees are within 3 feet of the side of it and 6 feet above the top of it.  Anything closer keeps the air from circulating and decreases efficiency.  

Q - How do I ensure I can get a good deal on home security monitoring? D. Greene, Montgomery, AL 

A - You need to first ask three questions for each company you consider.  First, do you require a contract? if not, then move to question two.  Second, do you have a UL approved monitoring station?  If yes, them move to third question.  Third, what is your monthly monitoring cost?  It should be in the low to mid teens with a maximum of $20 per month.  If all these criteria are met, consider going with that company.  As always, monitoring for smoke and fire are just as important, if not more that monitoring for break-ins, so make sure that they are included in the cost of monitoring.  Finally, make sure that you purchase and never lease monitoring equipment.  It cost more up front, but ensures you ease in moving from one company to the next, should you not get the service you require.

Q - How do I help pay down my mortgage/credit cards bills faster? C. Elle, Seattle, WA  

A - First make sure that the balance on your mortgage is properly crediting your payments.  A recent study stated that 30% of all mortgage balances were incorrect.  This is due to mergers, selling of loans multiple times and clerical errors by employees.  With that being said here is a no cost way to pay down a mortgage faster.  Pay a little bit of principle extra each month.  A good rule of thumb to take 5-7 years off a 30 year loan is to pre-pay 1/12 of your mortgage payment each month as extra principle.  Credit cards can also be pre-paid.  Since the average daily card balance is the basis for interest, if you pay two payments to the credit card each month rather than one it will decrease the balance faster.  So when you have $2,000 on account and the minimum payment due is $250, do the following.  Pay $150 immediately after receiving bill, then pay the other $100 (or more) off in the next 20 days.  Interest and principle will be paid off faster resulting in shorter time to end of the balance.  

Q - How do I get that 'musty smell' out of my basement? S. Jones, Orange County, CA  

A - Start with the easy stuff.  Check to see if their are any leaks from pipes or the water heater.  Check ventilation between your basement and the outdoors.  If you cannot find a cause of the water, which causes the 'musty smell', move in a different direction.  If this is a closed area, place a de-humidifier down there and have it run about 4 hours a day.  Dust, clean and periodically vacuum to get up dirt and dust.  Additionally, you may need to treat your carpet with an anti-fungal/bacteria application.  If all else fails, call a heating/air condition firm to check on ways to increase the ventilation.

Q - Any suggestions of organizing a closet? D. Craig, Tampa, FL  

A - Start with the easy stuff.  I subscribe to the one year rule.  If you have something in the closet that you have not worn in a year, donate it.  Then look to see if you can do easy fixes.  A cheap shoe rack would tidy up the floor.  You can also investigate a hanging bar that allows you to hang two layers of clothes in one space.  Additionally, purchase some inexpensive, air tight storage bin.  Keep different seasons in a different bin.  This will make for an easy transition into each season.  If a major reconfiguration needs to be done, go to your local home improvement retailer to investigate the different products they sell.

Q - Any tips on saving money on utilities? S. Wells, Birmingham, AL 

A - Start with the easy stuff.  Make sure you use low wattage lights or florescent bulbs when able.  Lower the temperature of your water heater to save wasted energy.  Make sure your chimney damper is properly closed to decrease cold drafts.  Most of all wear a light jacket and keep the house at 68 degrees rather than 72 degrees like most of us set our thermostats.  Also get a programmable thermostat so you can lower the temperature when no one is in the house.

Q - Any suggestions on winterizing my house to save money?  D. Hanes, Austin, TX 

A - There are several things that can be helpful in saving energy during the winter.  First, make sure you cover you hot water pipes, in your crawl space with 1/2" insulation.  Make sure you wrap your water heater with at flame retardant fiberglass.  This will help insulate it to keep the water hot without need for constant heating.  If able, put a plastic film on windows to seal them form air drafts.  Make sure your outside doors are properly sealed.  If not purchase some door insulation to stop air drafts.

Q - What do I need to do to my yard to prepare it for the change to the Fall season? T. Bruce, Cincinnati, OH  

A - There are several things that will make a big difference next spring for just a little effort now.  First, you may want to put some lime on the yard.  This will help balance the pH of the ground and help encourage root growth.  Aeration is also important to give your ground a breath of air and allow water and other nutrients to reach deeper in the soil.  If you have a turf grass like Bermuda, it is also a good idea to put a pre-emergent on it to help control weed growth for next spring.  If you have a broadleaf grass like Fescue it is a good time to thatch and overseed to give the grass a chance to get some root growth before the cold hits.

Q - What part of your house gets the most money back when remodeling? V. Christian, Green Bay, MI  

A - Keep in mind any home improvement project or addition should be done for the enjoyment of the owner.  With that said, as far as payback on investment goes, bathrooms and kitchens provide the most and pools provide the least.  Most projects however don't break even so when I say the most, I mean you increase the value of your house by a little less then the cost of the project.  If you are looking for easy projects to get your house looking good for sale, look at a fresh coat of paint in white or earth tones, new carpets, and other easy fixes.  A home warranty is also a inexpensive insurance plan that helps buyers feel more comfortable committing to older homes. 

Q - How often should I get my chimney cleaned? D. Adams, New Orleans, LA 

A - It is important to get your chimney cleaned every year.  This is not only to inspect the chimney for possible soot buildup, but to make sure it is free of debris, animals, and to make sure the masonry is still in good condition.  Make sure your inspector has been professionally trained, is certified by CSIA (preferred), and is properly insured and bonded.  If you don't have one already, consider installing a chimney cap.  A little preventative maintenance now can help protect you family when they are enjoying a fire this fall or winter. 

Q - How do I clean off old soot stains from my fireplace masonry? S. Thomas, Boston, MA  

A - Put from one to eight teaspoon(s) depending on need of TSP (Tri Sodium Phosphate) into one gallon of warm water in a clean container.  Scrub on mixture with steel wool and wipe off thoroughly.  Make sure to use proper protective clothing and open window to allow for proper ventilation.  Repeat if necessary.   Also effective as a window cleaner at one tsp. per gallon of water.   

Q - What's the best way to get rid of the dirty streaks in my stucco house? O. James, Odgen, UT

A - Pressure washing is the fastest and best.  Hire a professional or if you are doing it yourself practice on an inconspicuous place to get a feel for the best distance and angle from which to work.  Always remember to wear goggles, gloves and other protective clothing.

Q - When is the best time of day to water my yard? D. Henry, Macon, GA  

A - Very early in the morning is ideal.  Mid-day watering when weather hot and dry can waste most of the water to evaporation.  Evening watering tends to promote disease problems.  Your lawn should receive  1" - 1 1/2" of water per week during the hottest, driest months of the year.