Home Sense

Mike McClintock (For The Washington Post)

Have questions about how to keep your home fit and trim? ?

Home Sense columnist Mike McClintock is online every other Thursday at Noon ET to answer your questions about home building, remodeling, repairs and the wide range of home-consumer issues. If it has something to do with the place where you live -- from home security to the latest on appliances, energy-saving and a lot more -- just ask. Mike has the answers.

McClintock's column appears in the Post Home section every Thursday. He is the author of 10 books, including "Alternative Housebuilding."

The transcript follows.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

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Mike McClintock: Hi again: On Thanksgiving Eve (almost Eve) word is that almost everyone is away or about to be, so if you have a question we may have more time to go into details. In any case, the posting this week is basic turkey with some offbeat info and answers end of hour.

HOMESENSE- TURKEY STUFF- QUESTION

The World’s largest turkey (inanimate) is how long?
10 feet, 22 feet, or 100 feet

The world’s largest turkey company makes how many pounds a year?
one million, 100 million, or one billion

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Bethesda, Md.: I have a stacked washer/dryer. The dryer just doesn't get hot. It tumbles ok, there are no kinks in any hoses, and the vents cleaned. I think it's the heating element and I'm wondering how hard it would be to replace the heating element myself?

Mike McClintock: Replacing the element is almost always a job for a service contractor, even if you could do it, because it’s a major part and if for some reason it quit (sometimes machines have a problem that kills new parts) the service contractor could say it was your faulty installation. Another thought is that if it gets warm but not hot (and everything else seems to work) it could be something less expensive like the control dials or buttons that regulate temperature. So probably a service call also to avoid the possibility of replacing the part that isn’t broken. Some appliance mfg. manuals (or websites) have troubleshooting decision trees, but few are helpful and always seem to end as I am here -- with advising a service call, sorry.

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Alexandria, Va.: Mike --
I have some moss/lichen growing on my garage roof. How should I get rid of it and is there any way to prevent it from returning?

Thanks!

Mike McClintock: Scrape it off, particularly if it bunches up near siding. It stays wet but can't really rot roofing (aside from wood shakes) that are mineral composition. The best way to gprevent formations is to cut back trees that shade the area and reduce ventilation, i.e. dark and damp conditions.

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Arlington, Va.: Hello:

Our two bedroom, one bathroom house is feeling really small after the birth of our second child. We love our neighborhood and would rather build on than move (and we have the space to do it). I am sure you have addressed this in the past, but can you provide a few pointers for beginning the process of adding an addition? I have no idea how much it would cost (one level vs. two), should we contact an architect or a general contractor, etc.

Thanks and hope you have a great Turkey day!

Mike McClintock: Must have been a big child (couldn't resist); anyway, it's almost always cheaper (but more disruptive) to build up than out; you save the excavation and other stuff. You would need a good GC, and he would probably hire and architect or engineer to confirm that your foundations could carry the extra weight. In many houses they can-- and can be beefed up, though that's a tricky job. In the end, you can go the route of an architect and GC, figuring something like an extra 6-8 percent for design and check-ins, or just the GC if you have a really complete set of plans. Start looking soon, as for a big addition you'll be spending a lot of time with these people-- and giving them big bucks, too.

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Silver Spring, Md.: How can you tell if you have arsenic-treated wood? I recently bought a house with a small wood deck and a child's playset on the property. Is there a test I can use to see if it's treated?

Thanks

Mike McClintock: Check the web (sorry, I can't remember the name) under CCA tests or arsenic tests, and a local group will pop up that can provide swab kits to do a test. Also, if the wood has a greenish tinge it may be CCA-treated. This is a very controversial subject right now, and the wood is in a phaseout (being banned entirely for residential use) so a test is a good idea, though on an older home, doubt that much will register. Aside from replacement, the EPA is now also investigating coatings that prevent contact.

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Arlington, Va.: How does one get rid of centipedes in the house? We have a 2nd story condo, and we see one about once a month or so. They creep me out, and my sister says they bite.

I've looked at bug sprays -- everything seems to be for roaches or ants. Is there something for centipedes?

BTW, when I say centipedes, they are black with lots of little legs, and some have been about an inch and a half or two inches long.

Mike McClintock: centipedes bite? who knew; don’t know of a centipede-only spray, but if you dismiss a few others (like roaches) that wouldn't be so bad. Try a book, Common-Sense Pesat Control, for more pointed info; it's good.

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Fairfax, Va.: Good Afternoon Mike,
My husband and I are thinking of moving to a 55+ Resort community in the next year. We are what some call "house poor," meaning that the only funds to purchase the new home will come from the equity in our current home. Because we will not have to spend all our equity on the new home purchase but can also spend on some upgrades, what are the most important upgrades to make?

Mike McClintock: Sounds like cash poor-house rich, which ain't bad. Take a look (it's online) at the Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value report, which details the payback on many major improvements. Also, it's wise to improve a house up to but not beyond neighborhood norms, figuring people looking in your area want a two-car garage and almost all houses have them but yours doesn't, that would be a good improvement, while if few houses had a garage, adding a 2-car would be wasted-- that's the idea.

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Shepherd Park, Washington, D.C.: Mike, I appreciate you being here so close to the holiday.

I have a light on two switches (I forget what you call that setup) and every once in a while when I turn the light off I get a flash (spark) and a soft popping sound. If I throw the switch again right away it repeats, but if I wait a while, it operates normally. Nuisance? Danger? How to fix?

Thanks!

Mike McClintock: I have tons of wild turkeys around here, but io like them, and count the broods (the little ones are called jennies and jacks) and couldn't get myself to shoot one for dinner-- so it could be fish tomorrow

ANYWAY, it's a danger, and it's a three-way (two switches in different locations controlling a light, commonly for stairs), and if you're not dead sure (make that absolutely sure) about the wiring, which involves a traveler and special switches, call an electrician. Could be just one slightly loose wire, but if you are going to investigate make sure you cut the power, and then test the box anyway with a bulb tester to confirm there is no power in either location.

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Washington, D.C.: Mike, do you have strong opinions one way or another on the issue of replacing a worn out oil boiler (ca. 1930) with a new oil boiler vs. a natural gas boiler?

Also, do you no how hard it is to retrofit separate hyrdonic zones? We like the idea of having different thermostats for upstairs and downstairs, possibly a new loop for under a new stone floor in the sunroom. We're wondering whether this will be cost prohibitive or something that can be economically worked into the design of the new system.

Many thanks for your advice.

Mike McClintock: 1930s heating is stone ages, almost literally, probably with one zone for the house and something like 55-60 percent efficiency. So you are a prime candidate for a new one and a slick plumber who can alter your layout to make it at least 2 zones (up and down stairs) if not 3, each with it's own circulator pump and thermostat (setback thermostat to save even more). Not exactly strong opinion, but gas is pretty clean, needs less maintenance than oil systems, and if you already have a gas line in the house feeding appliances that's probably the way to go. Get several bids on the new system, including efficiency and annual operating cost predictions.

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pressure treated wood: Is it all banned?

Mike McClintock: It's being phased out, and will be banned completely shortly, though from what i've seen many suppliers are selling off stocks and may continue to do so.

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Alexandria, Va.: We recently returned from a vacation and after being home for about a day noticed the smell of natural gas on two occasions in the area near our utility closet. We called the gas company and they came out and detected a small gas leak in our furnace -- near the burners the technician thought. He said the leak was small and we would not have been in any immediate danger but he turned the gas off.

We called the reputable heating and a/c company we have a contract with. They came out and cannot detect any leak. They tried a number of different tests. They are going to replace our burners just as a precaution since that's where the gas company indicated the leak might be.

Can you think of any reason for the discrepancy? The gas company technician didn't seem too knowledgeable but his little leak detecting gizmo did start to buzz in the area of our furnace burners. We're a bit nervous about this but don't really want to pay a second company for an opinion since we have a service/labor contract with the first one.

Thanks!

Mike McClintock: I'd recall the gas company and tell that your service company can't find a leak and that you need them to go again. If they run for cover and don't help, ask the service company to retest to be absolutely sure there is no leak. I wouldn't replace major elements on a furnace if a reputable company tries to find a leak twicew and couldn't, but you may want tom, i understand, for peace of mind.

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Fairfax, Va.: I have a hole in a cement basement floor where the sump pump used to reside. What is the best material to fill it and reduce any radon risk?

Mike McClintock: You're leak-proof now? You sure?
If so, clean out any dirt around the edges of the hole, then pile in some clean rocks, then concrete mix, float off the top to match the texture of the slab and that's that.

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Silver Spring, Md.: A pest question:

We have started smelling a "mousey" odor in our dining room. It's only now and again, and only lasts a moment, but is sometimes strong.

The odd part is that the place it is coming from isn't near anything that would allow air out -- it's a wall near a stairway in the middle of the house. No air vents, just painted wall.

We see no other signs of rodents -- no nibbled food, no droppings, no scurrying little footsteps.

How do we start tracking this down? Where might we put traps?

Mike McClintock: Ugh. And you don't need air vents or other obvious outlets to get a whiff of decomposing rodents. We could be hoping it's a bit of mold, maybe backing up near a bath or laundry area? But if it's mice (or whatever) the basic rules are to clean everything, close up entry points to the house, and you could set traps in polaces like bird seed containers, log piles-- and in the meantime try sealing the wall and repainting it.

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Alexandria, Va.: We're planning to remodel our kitchen next year. This is WAY beyond our ability, so we want to hire someone to do it all.

However, we've had bad experiences with previous home remodelers, even after extensive research and reference checks. I'm still waiting for one company to finish a bathroom remodel they started in August!

How do we go about finding a good company to work with?

Mike McClintock: It's nearly the million dollar question, and there is no magic answer. Best bet ios often a recommendation from a friend where you can find out all the gory details, or plusses. Another safeguard is to hire an architect or designer to run the job, for more money of course. Lots of questions, research, checking is in the end the only recourse unless someone drops the golden name in your lap.

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Silver Spring, Md.: I saw an electric fireplace at Home Depot -- and I thought it might be good for the basement. So -- question for you -- would it be safe to put an electric fireplace on a carpet? Or do I need something underneath it? And how close could it go to a drywall wall?

Thanks and have a great Thanksgiving

Mike McClintock: Assuming it sort of glows instead of having flames. Also assuming it's rated to go anywhere, being contained in it's housing the way an electrci heater would be. For actual combustion appliances (woodm, coal, fireplaces, woodstoves, etc) there are strict clearance rules depenmding on what materials are nearby, and you would need a hearth. Check the mfg. but guessing it can go anyweewher an electrci heater could go.

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Alexandria, Va.: I have a 3 year old brick faced townhouse with a two car garage on the ground floor. The lintel above the garage door is separating and the brick work has two large cracks running through them (about 12 inches each). When we purchased our newly-built home our home inspector said that the bottom of first course of bricks shouldn't have been mortered into the metal piece above the lintel. It was supposed to be left empty so the rain water could flow-I think that was the explaination. The builder said that it was built correctly. I'm thinking that rainwater got in and this is why the boards are pulling away and the brick is cracking. Where I should I go to get it fixed? the builder? (2-10 warranty doesn't cover brick) A general contractor? Thank you

Mike McClintock: Yes, a GC, but there is a big difference between water errosion, which would mainly show up as loose or missing mortar in joints, and structurla saggiung, which is what i'm thinking you may have bnased on the description. Try putting a string (if not a 4ft level) end to end, corner to corner, to see if the lintel is dropping (steel shouldn't but maybe it was undersized or who knows). And bottom or lower courses of brick often are built with weep hoiles in mortar joints, but do have to be mortared.

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Washington, D.C.: What's the best way to stop a draft that I've traced to the holes under the sink where the drain and water pipes come out of the wall?

Mike McClintock: Most pipes (supply and drain) have a small round metal cover that seals the hole where the pipe comes through the wall. If that's where the breeze is, pull back the cover and stuff loose-fill insulation (scaprs off fiberglass batts will do) into the opening. The problem is that the insulation may drop into cavities that are inadequatrely filled, or get caught up on braces, pipes or wires concealed in the wall.
Beat these problems by usingf insulating foam in a can. It's an easy way to fill irregular gaps and cracks too small or too wet for loose fill. (Sometimes pipes dripping with condensation can soak loose fill, which kills its thermal capacity). Insert the nozzle tube in the hole and push the button. Foam comes out in a soup like shaving cream, expands to fill irregular spaces you can't get to by hand, then hardens to form an insulated, weathertight seal. You should also caulk outside to stop the air leak.

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Mt. Vernon, Va.: Hello and happy T-day to you! We need to replace the seals on our fridge. Is this a difficult job?

Mike McClintock: Depends. If you get the right seal replacements it's usually not bad, specially once you wrestle with one or two ends and get started. Bear in mind most seals work a lot better when totally clean, but they can eventually wear out.

AND-- i will have a decent at least T-day, and all you, too. And if you notice, the Post folks here switched the happier version of my picture for the "are you sure you want to ask me a question" picture that's not so happy. So someone was in a mood. ANYWAY, maybe after T'giving we'll be seeing the happier version-- just a thought.

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Oakton, Va.: We just bought a townhome with a laundry closet on the top floor, and installed a front loading washer and dryer. The washer tends to vibrate alot, and occasionally we can feel the slight vibration on the lower level during the spin cycle. Is this okay, or should we be concerned.

Mike McClintock: You need to level the legs more accurately-- if it does the dance regularly. Big loads or odd-sized things can cause a wobble, but usually it's unlevel legs.

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Falls Church, Va.: I have a sloping floor that I believe was caused by a poorly constructed addition placed next to orginial house. What is the best to ensure that this situation does not get any worse? What steps should I take? Who should I talk about this issue?

Mike McClintock: Not enough info to be too helpful, but an architect or GC. If the slope is increasing, find one sooner than later. If it's stable, take your time.

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Falls Church, Va.: My backyard steps (wooden, with wood runners along the sides) have a couple "landings" that are slanted. These landings are covered with pebbles, which makes them slippery. How can I even it out and cover it so that it is not so hard to walk up? Thanks.

Mike McClintock: If some of the wooden sections have sunk (sounds like) you would need to build them up, and then maybe pour slabs in the pebbled areas. To right a set of steps and landings gets quite complicated, so you may be better off making small adjustments in each one as best you can.

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Alexandria, Va.: Thanks for your response on the gas leak question. We called the gas co. already and didn't find them helpful. Basically, they refuse to come out again unless you tell them you smell gas. Now we could say that to get them to come out.

Re: replacing the burners -- parts are covered under our contract so it seemed sensible to replace them. Any downside?

Also, we have been using the heat since this happened last week and haven't smelled gas again. We're certain we smelled gas on the first occasion so can't quite figure out what might be going on. Could any other problem cause the temporary smell of gas? This wasn't anywhere near the cooking range so it wouldn't be from that. Could it be some kind of slow ignition on the furnace since we just returned from vacation and the heat had been set low for several weeks while we were away?

Mike McClintock: Guess i can't tell you that if you smelled gas the first time who's to say you might not have smelled it again-- and they did find a supposed leak then.

No downside on new burners, of course. Yes to your last option on the smell

And when i call around to various are utilities and companies looking for expert info, and all sorts of detauls, one of the places that puts me off and isn;t very helpful is Washington Gas, so go figure.

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Washington, D.C.: What do you think about direct vent furnaces? Our house was clearly converted from oil to gas. When they made the conversion, they vented the furnace directly into the chimney, which has only one flue. We want to be able to use the fireplace, but don't want to incur the huge cost of rebuilding the whole chimney. We would prefer not to put an ugly, exposed vent stack next to the chimney, and we would also prefer to not have a wood burning stove instead of a real fpl.

How much should we expect to pay for a direct vent furnace and hot water heater?

Mike McClintock: Most furnaces vent into a chimney, actually a lined flue within a chimney. You can't dump appliance exhaust and fireplace exhaust (or from a wood stove; same thing; no difference) into the same flue, like one big open chimney. It's code everywhere i think, mainly to prevent possible backdtafting where appliance exhaust (it's deadly) swoops back down and out your fireplace opening. Your answer is to have a company line the chimney for the appliance gasses (look into Z-flex, installed by several local firms, a stainless tsell segmented liner) and run the fireplace in the other flue, assuming it's ok and you get it checked, cleaned, etc.

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Baltimore, Md.: Taking a guess:

The World's largest turkey (inanimate) is how long?
100 feet

The world's largest turkey company makes how many pounds a year?
one million

Mike McClintock: no and no; too big and too little

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Last cubicle on the left, Washington, D.C.: Just getting in under the wire -- but why is pressure treated wood being banned?

Thanks.

Mike McClintock: Due to traces of arsenic, used in the preservative, which it turns out can be picked up in very small amounts by contact. Specially significant in children, who tend to slobber over things more than adults anyway, but mainly beause the arsenic has more potential to limit their potential; short answer.

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Rosslyn, Va.: I recently moved into an apartment where things work fine except for the shower. The temeperature of the water from the shower fluctuates wildly during even the briefest shower, and the hot and cold knobs don't seem to have any effect. On the other hand, the water from the faucet in the tub is fine.

What could be the cause of the problem? I want to be sure that I describe it clearly to the management and then can tell whether they've adequately addressed it.

Thanks!

Mike McClintock: You probably need a new mixing valve.

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Washington, D.C.: Great chat. Is laying a ceramic tile floor in a bathroom a DIY job or should it be left to a professional? Anything to be cautious about?

Mike McClintock: If you plan very carefully, and do a dry layout complete with base, trim, etc. actually laying the tile in thinset with a notched trowel is pretty easy. Harder part may be reinfocing the floor (adding a sheet of plywood with glue and screws, and or beefing up the joists) to elimanate the slight flex that can break open grout betwwen tiles.

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Rockville, Md.: I need to replace a toilet and the shut off valve does not completely shut off. I was told a compression cap would work on the supply line. Is this true or should I replace the valve, and how difficult would this be? Would rather not have main water line shut off for entire time. Thanks.

Mike McClintock: If a valve won't shut completely, you might try cleaning it, or easier just replace it. During the job, you would have to shut off a valve further down the supply line, or cut the whole supply while you worked.

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Springfield, Va.: Hi Mike, After hurricane Isabelle I went up on my roof to remove some pretty sizable limbs that had landed on the roof. There was no visible damage to the shingles, but after the latest bouts of rain I discovered a leak in one of my bedrooms. I went to my attic and discovered that there was a hole in my roof. The limb punctured through the wood but left the shingles intact. We notified our insurance company and filed a claim. What should we expect as far as repair work goes?

Mike McClintock: In an isolated spot, it's easy to peel back shingles, replace one patch of decking as needed, then tar paper, and then weave in new shingles to match. On a smalll spot, less than half a day.

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Mike McClintock: HOMESENSE- TURKEY STUFF- QUESTION

The World?’s largest turkey (inanimate) is how long?
10 feet, 22 feet, or 100 feet

The world’s largest turkey company makes how many pounds a year?
one million, 100 million, or one billion


HOMESENSE- TURKEY STUFF- ANSWER

The World’s largest turkey (inanimate) is how long?
22 feet

Several websites show a picture of the bird, called Big Tom the Turkey, the mascot of Frazee, Minnesota, which seems to be serious turkey territory. The story is that the huge outdoor fiberglass sculpture burned in 1999 but has been replaced by a new turkey statue. The blaze started as the bird was being cleaned in preparation for Frazee's annual Turkey Days.

The world’s largest turkey company makes how many pounds a year?
one billion

The original Turkey Store Company was started in 1922 in Barron, Wis. Current parent company Jennie-O Foods, Inc., bought by Hormel Foods Corp. in 1986, says The Turkey Store Company is now "the world's largest turkey company". Its output includes over 1,300 turkey products, says the company-- "fresh, frozen, refrigerated, deli turkey products, ground turkey, turkey burger patties, turkey breast, turkey ham, turkey bacon, whole birds, prime young basted turkey, turkey sausage and turkey franks, slow roasted turkey with Thanksgiving taste in 30 minutes, So Easy fully cooked entrees, and Let's Do Mexican!? and Let's Do Italian!? flavored ground turkey"-- adds up, says the company, to more than one billion pounds annually.

Just my math (and isn’t there turkey bacon?), but even at a beefy 20 pounds per turkey, wouldn’t that be 50 million turkeys just for the one company? Holy cow, or holy turkey.

Bonus turkey info: The WILD turkey (almost certainly not what you may be carving tomorrow) is the second largest bird in North America after the trumpeter swan. The Tom is about four feet tall, weighs up to twenty-five pounds, has a wingspan greater than any eagle, and can propel itself up to fifty-five miles an hour.
Where I run on a farm-field road, surprised turkeys take off flapping and making an incredible racket to get airborne, but sometimes one just scoots into the tall grass and dips its head like an ostrich.
But Toms will lead the group across roads, and take the car hit if they’re unlucky, and I’ve seen them mortally wounded struggle to get back to the group. And the Hens will fight to protect their young, called jennies and jacks, from predators, and work together to raise their brood, which often includes 15 chicks a year. Generally the young jacks depart in mid-autumn and form bachelor flocks, headed by a dominant Tom. In winter and late autumn, turkeys live in single sex groups. When spring comes, male turkeys assemble mating groups with as many as fourteen hens, and the cycle comes around again. Good turkey trivia: Ben Franklin wanted to designate the turkey as our nation's symbol.

Lots of good questions today; save them for another time if I didn’t get to them, please. Happy Thanksgiving; see you

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