February 2, 2009

Michelle and Tom are overdoing it:  We have a brand new home with a humidifier, and when it's 30 degrees or below, we get moisture on most window frames.  Should this be happening?

Cold air holds less moisture than it does at higher temperatures.   Plus, I'll bet you've got good new window coverings that trap a layer of really cold air next to the window panes.   Take a look at the little chart on the humidistat control next to the humidifier.   It gives outside temperature readings as a function of relative humidity.   Above 40 degrees or so, it really doesn't matter what you set it at, because you'll probably never get the humidity high enough to condense moisture.  However,  as the weather gets colder, you'll need to turn it down accordingly.

One other idea:  Have your HVAC contractor relocate the humidistat control to   the wall next to your thermostat.  That way, it's not "out of sight-out of mind".

Lorin needs a new roof:  We have the old 3-tab shingles and need to replace them.  Should we tear off what's up there now?  I think it's only one layer.

Most roofers agree that the installation looks better if you strip off the old stuff right down to the wood decking.  However, in most jurisdictions,  you're allowed two layers of asphalt roofing, and after that you'll have to remove the old material.

Don't forget that all roofing replacements require some sort of building permit.  Finally, if the company needs some money up front, let them have up to half of the bid the day the new shingles are stocked on your roof.

John has uncomfortable bedrooms:  I don't have cold air return grilles in my bedrooms.  They are hard to heat and cool.  Any ideas?

Are the doors cut off?  To let air escape from a room and return back through the furnace, it's customary to cut the bottom of bedroom doors to 1 to 1-1/4 inches above the carpet to aid air circulation.  Sometimes, when you install new carpet and pad, the gap is diminished to such an extent that the air won't flow properly.              Alternatively, you could cut a transfer grill--say, a 6 by 12 inch size-in the sheetrock above each door, but there is some loss of privacy with that solution.

Robert's plumbing needs quieting:  When our clothes washer runs, a gurgling sound comes from the kitchen sink.  Is this OK?

In older houses, we used smaller diameter pipe sizes for the drains.  Now, it's de rigueur to install a 2 inch pipe for the washer, but, up until about 35 years ago, a 1-1/2 inch drain was OK-and that may be what you have.   Plus, new washing machines pump out waste water much more vigorously than older models.   So these noises may be normal at your house;  on the other hand, if it's been awhile since you've had a drain cleaning company in, it would probably benefit you to have them scour out those branch lines plus your main sewer.

If your home was built in the 60's or earlier, it may have a tile or cast iron sewer.  To see what's going on under your yard, have them run a TV camera through the pipes while they are on-site.  It will cost maybe an extra $100 or so, but it's well worth it for the peace of mind it will bestow.

Patty has gas log troubles:  Sometimes, after an hour or so, the gas logs just die out.  What do you think is happening?

The gas valve itself is probably overheating.   Sometimes it helps to simply rearrange the ceramic logs;  they may be reflecting excessive heat back on to the gas valve.  Move them just a little so that some extra space is left in this area, and so that cooler air can circulate around the control.  That may do it, but if not, you may need a service call and some new parts, as gas valves and their safety systems can just simply wear out.