In this week’s radio show, we’re offering solutions to some common home problems.
Why Are Dark Spots Appearing in my Basement?
Jason Schulte from Jefferson, Mo., has noticed dark spots on the bathroom exhaust fan and window sill in his basement.
Moisture is causing mold to grow in these areas, but to be sure, buy a mold test kit.
Condensation from the exhaust fan unit is creating a wet environment perfect for mold to grow around the fan grill and ceiling around it. You can minimize the temperature differences by adding insulation around the exhaust fan housing unit.
If you can’t access that area, caulk the edge of the housing unit on the ceiling. Then, spray diluted oxygen bleach to remove the ceiling stain and also use it to clean the inside of the unit. After that, spray the area with an antimicrobial solution to combat mold growth.
Moisture could be migrating from behind the window sill molding and causing mold to grow under the paint. You can kill these spots with bleach, but it won’t solve the problem. Make sure the window is sealed from the outside. Caulk around the window frame and repair the mortar between bricks with sealant. These mold spores will return if the moisture is not completely gone.
Skip to [19:10] for the full segment on the Today’s Homeowner Radio Show.
How Can I Beat the Heat With No A/C?
The 1967 mobile home Mary Jane West Delgado lives in gets extremely hot during the summer months in Santa Barbara, Calif. She has no air conditioning and is wondering if sun-reflecting paint will help her beat the heat.
Because the home is already white, sun-reflecting paint will only cool the inside by about a degree or two. This will not be a noticeable difference when you’re talking about a living space that might be 10-15 degrees warmer than you want.
Instead, consider a cool roof coating. Typically, there are two types: aluminized asphalt coating and elastomeric coating.
Aluminized asphalt coating is the most common. It reflects about 60 percent of the sun’s rays, but that is reduced if the roof is covered in dust or dirt.
The elastomeric coating is a bright white latex product that reflects 85 percent of the sun’s rays. A two-coat application should last for 10 years.
Another way to reduce heat is to apply heat-reflecting film to your mobile home’s glass windows. Adding awnings or shutters to windows will also help.
Another popular solution is a split air conditioning system. It’s a ductless system and costs significantly less than a conventional HVAC unit.
Skip to [25:18] for the full segment on the Today’s Homeowner Radio Show.
How Can I Fix My Jammed Jalousie Window?
Hope in Maui has a jalousie window that’s jammed. The lever won’t move and now she can’t close the window.
The key to keeping jalousie windows functioning is lubrication. Use a silicone spray lubricant or penetrating oil on the lever and around the window panes.
If it’s an aluminum frame window, it will get corroded and the parts will stick.
If the lever itself is broken, call the manufacturer to replace it.
By the way, did you ever wonder why they’re called jalousie windows? Well, Jalousie is French for “jealousy,” according to Google Translate.
The word also means a screen, according to the Oxford English and Spanish Dictionary. And, in English, has come to mean, “A blind or shutter made of a row of angled slats.”
Skip to [34:03] for the full segment on the Today’s Homeowner Radio Show.
Also on this episode:
- Stopping Squirrels From Chewing Siding
- Solving Sewage Smell Coming From a Tub
- Testing for Hard Water
- Solutions for Wavy Ceilings
- Composite Wood for an Outdoor Railing
- Installing a Curbless Shower
- Shade Solutions for a Patio
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In The Aisles of Home Depot
The Home Depot is hiring 100,000 part-time and full-time store associates this spring. They’re also hiring for positions, including drivers, at select distribution center locations to replenish store inventory, help pick and ship orders.
All experience levels are welcome and flexible schedules are available.
The Home Depot offers a wide range of health and personal benefits, including tuition reimbursement, company performance-based cash bonus program, discounts on cell phones, paid parental leave, 401(k) savings plan with company match and discount company stock purchase program.
The company’s new accelerated hiring process means applicants could get an offer within one day of applying for a job. Anyone interested is encouraged to apply online at www.careers.homedepot.com.
Skip to [58:12]for the full segment on the Today’s Homeowner Podcast.
Other Products and Links Mentioned
- Squirrel Stopper Animal Repellent, Gallon Ready-to-Use with Nested Sprayer
- Concrobium Mold Control
- Healthful Home Mold Test Kit
- Armstrong Ceilings
- Alino Shower Kits
- Custom Building Products RedGard Waterproofing and Crack Prevention Membrane
Further Reading
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