March 22, 2010
Dear Ken: My furnace guy says not to use those pleated furnace filters-only the cheap ones because it slows down the furnace. What do you think? Ronn
I like the pleated kind, and, in fact, I've used them for years. They capture really tiny particles-like some bacteria, mold spores, dust mites and pet dander-- down to about 10 microns. The cheap ones capture large ones only, not much under 75 microns (for comparison, a human hair is about 50 microns across). So, you're trapping much more stuff with the pleated variety.
I'm not fond of the so-called multi-stage furnace filters. They combine multiple layers of the pleated filters inside a frame. They can be 4 to 6-inches thick, so they really do load down the air flow, and that can cause over-heating of the furnace. Therefore, stick with the 1-inch pleated type, and change it every 30 days while you're heating or cooling.
Dear Ken: I'm thinking of using the attic space over the garage as a storage space. There's a bunch of insulation up there. Can I use a leaf blower to shove it out of the way? Bobby
It's a pretty unique idea. In theory it should work, but in practice I'm afraid you won't be able to control it, so it will overwhelm the insulation and push it all into one corner. Bundle up with a mask, cap, scarf, long-sleeved shirt and gloves, then use an ordinary (teethed) garden rake to move it out of the way.
Garage attic storage space is problematic. The trusses were designed to handle the live load of the snow on the roof plus the dead loads of the shingles and sheetrock-and that's it! So, when you're storing stuff up there, technically you're overstressing the structure. In real life, however, there is built-in leeway. So keep it to a minimum, weight wise: suit cases, empty computer boxes and Christmas paraphernalia only. However, if you see cracks developing in the drywall below, take that as a sign that you've overdone it a little, and don't add anything else to your attic.
Dear Ken: I'm in a 1976 house. Every time the washer drains there is an over flow in the basement tub. What do I need to worry about? Ed
You should start with the sewer lines. In those days, we were just transitioning to plastic, so you may have cast iron drain pipes under your basement slab. They can catch lint and other material, especially where the tub and washer pipes come together. Have a sewer cleaning company come over and clean everything out.
If that doesn't help, you can install a laundry tub. You run the suds into it, and then the tub drains it away at a slow and measured rate--much more gently than the washing machine pump's energetic output.
Some folks want to put pantyhose or some other filter on the washer hose end to trap lint. It doesn't usually work out, because the filter gets plugged up after the first wash or two.
Dear Ken: My septic pipe freezes between the house and the tank. What can I do? It's a real pain. Karen
Its' probably too close to the surface, may be too flat, and, if it's on the north side, the ground around it is probably frozen. Even though sewer liquid is a little warmish, when you retire at night, the water sitting in the pipe freezes in layers, night after night. Eventually, there is no more flow capacity.
You'll have to dig it up and either insulate it or heat it (or both). Wrap some high density foam around it-the kind builders use to insulate foundations below the surface. While you're underground, you could also wrap heat cable around the pipe. Look for a grade that's approved for below-ground use.
