Articles - Pro Tips To Pacify Your House Problems

		HomePro Systems, Inc.

HomePro
Systems, Inc.
2841 Hartland Rd
Suite 201
Falls Church, VA 22043
(703) 560-4663
(800) HOMEPRO (800) 966-4555

Home Pro Inspection
Systems Inc.
969 Eldon Road
Oakwood, Ontario
K0M-2M0
800-832-0519

Pro Tips To Pacify Your House Problems:
Take some tips from the professionals when it comes to taking care of your house problems and you will be money ahead. Here is a baker's dozen of techniques, products, and ideas everyone should know about. They might just be able to solve a problem or two, save you some money, or make your repairs last longer.

1. It is well known that composition slag roofs that pond water tend to live only half as long as those that shed or drain the water off. (Most manufacturers of roofing products won't honor their material's warranties when a roof ponds water for more than 48 hours after a rain. ) Many houses and apartment buildings with this type of roofing have sufficient space beneath the roof to accommodate a length of plastic pipe to reach under the low spot of the roof and join up with a drain cut through from the top. Plumbers and roofers do will sometimes do this type of work and such a drain retrofit can enormously extend the life expectancy of an existing roofing system.

2. The thinner varieties of wood shakes and especially wood shingles are subject to drying, curling, cracking, and splitting when exposed to direct sunlight and mildewing and rotting in shady locations. The life of this type of wood roof can be considerably extended by occasionally applying a mist spray of wood preservative to the shingles. Use a garden spray and avoid working when there is any wind since most preservatives are toxic and will kill plants downwind. Good ones often contain cuprinol, and should be applied only after the shakes or shingles have had a chance to dry thoroughly.

3. The first step and usually the most effective method of preventing basement water leakage is to control what rain and roof runoff water reaches within ten feet of the foundation. This is best done by extending the gutter downspouts and by building up the grade immediately against the foundation. General handymen or professional landscapers can usually accomplish this.

4. Apartments that operate from centrally metered utilities tend to use approximately 50% more energy than individually metered units. The traditional way of individualizing electrical meters often required extra wiring and between $700 and 1,000 per unit. An in-apartment meter can be installed for a lot less. Some electrical companies specialize in "submetering".

5. Individual zoning of rooms can be accomplished with the use of thermostatic radiator valves. On most two pipe and even some one pipe hot water systems and all steam systems, these valves can provide room by room control. The savings for one pipe steam radiator systems in older apartment and condominium buildings is phenomenal (Sometimes as much as 50%). The cost is around $100 to 150 per radiator or baseboard though 1 pipe steam systems can be retrofitted for much less. The Danfoss Company makes an excellent unit. These may be purchased from Commercial/Industrial Systems, P.O. Box 68, Suite 204B, 50 MD, Route 3, North Millersville, MD 21108.

6. Loose and leaking ceramic tile work around tubs and shower pans can be cured once and for all by removing the bottom three or four courses of tile and drywall backing. The drywall is replaced with "Wonderboard" or other similar cementious board and the cleaned tiles are then "thin set" back onto the Wonderboard. The thinset method is a modified cement method and the reinstallation will be a permanent one. It will be incredibly more resistant to moisture penetration. About $300 per tub. Wonderboard or similar materials can usually be obtained from tile supply houses. Seal the tile/tub joint with a silicone caulking.

7. Ceramic tile shower pans that leak normally have the floor tile torn up, the lead sheeting beneath removed and replaced with a membrane and then new tiles are set over this. This runs $900 and up depending upon the size of the shower. An easier method is to extend the drain upward, lay a flexible membrane over the existing floor tiles and then tile over the membrane including a base course around the walls. This usually cuts tear out cost in half. If a shower pan has been leaking for a long period of time there may be wood rot beneath it which would need to be repaired. If that is the case, a tear out is necessary to get to the wood. If you catch a leak quick enough, there won't be any appreciable rotting. Not all tile installers know of this method but it works.

8. Old bathtubs that are chipped, or have the porcelain worn beyond repair can be lined with PVC (a type of plastic) liner that fits snugly inside the existing tub. The liner is securely glued or taped to the tub and is usually set beneath the first course of wall tile. This technique eliminates the need to break up and remove the existing tub. The price is around $300 and up for a single unit vs. $1,000 and up for even a cheap tub replacement. The product is available from specialist and some specialized franchise outlets.

9. The reason why most window glazing compound doesn't last very long (it usually falls back out within a year or two) is that the binding oils within the glazing compound have been drawn deep into the wood pieces around the glass. Priming the wood first and making sure it is allowed to dry will make all the difference in the world.

10. A new carpet cleaning method is blossoming. The system uses a chemical sprayed on the surface of the carpet which is then buffed with a specially treated pad under a heavy floor buffer. The chemicals and the friction heat of the pad draw dirt out of the carpet and into the pad. It works great, is cheaper than steam cleaning and leaves far less residue.

11. Larger building projects are now using infrared equipment to check recently installed electrical services and find many, many installer errors. The infrared checking is done and repairs are made prior to any monies being paid for the work. This one keeps careless electricians on their toes.

12. Though most leakage through masonry walls is due to poor mortar work, there are clear sealants that can bridge tiny cracks and crevices and "cure" many wall leakage problems. It is important that a thorough diagnosis considering all factors be accomplished first so that this type of sealant will not contribute new problems. A good product is "Hydrozo Clear Double 7," available through masonry product distributors.

13. The economies of scale can pay big dividends. Builders often pay half what an individual consumer would for roofing, siding, gutters, painting, etc. The reason is that the builder usually has a group of houses so the contract is more substantial, the work goes faster since setups are easy, the work is standardized, the houses are unoccupied, and there are no interferences from individual homeowners. These same factors can lower costs to conscientious homeowners who are willing to collectively or group purchase their home improvements. It is relatively easy to get 20% off on major exterior work. It is wise to utilize citizen association committees and newsletters to poll the membership as to interest, etc. More careful job specifications and finish work surveys can be accomplished by one (coordinator should have experience) who is in charge of all jobs.

-Table of Contents-

HomePro Systems, Inc.