March 9, 2009

Jamie’s ready to water the lawn: I want to fire up my sprinkler system, but I’m worried about freeze-ups. When can I leave it on permanently?
I tell folks on the radio that if you want an absolute date for leaving the system un-winterized, think Mother’s Day. Up until that early May time frame, there is a real-- although diminishing--risk of frozen pipes in your system. The most vulnerable part is that maze of pipes hanging on the outside of the house; the underground pipes are not in any real danger. I have my system designed so that I can fire it up by simply turning a faucet on the outside plus the main valve in the furnace room. That allows me to winter-water all season long on warm days—which is particularly important when we have a dry winter, as was the case this year.
If your arrangement is more complicated than mine, a plumber or landscape contractor can easily rejigger the valves to facilitate a more convenient ON-OFF sequence, which will be necessary for the next month or two.

Something’s bugging Ray: I have silverfish bugs once in awhile in the tub. How do I discourage them?
These pesky insects like moist places. They aren’t particularly harmful, just disgusting. Make sure the tile grout and caulking in and around the tub and shower enclosure are well-sealed. Fix any leaking pipes and make sure that you use the bathroom fan while bathing or showering. Also, frequent vacuuming is important, especially in the crevices under the baseboards. You can use appropriate insecticides in the bathroom for awhile.
Another idea: These guys thrive on starchy residues of all kinds—wallpaper paste, fabrics and even the glue used in book bindings! So, you can make a natural, non-poisonous trap by smearing honey on pieces of cardboard.
Here’s a CSU web site that might be helpful: http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/4DMG/Pests/pests.htm

Joel has an old patio: Can I overlay the concrete patio surface. What are my options?
You have lots of choices: If the surface is intact, you could simply stain it with a water-based product, “glue” natural flagstone to the old concrete, or sand-bed brick or concert pavers on top. Many companies offer faux finishes, like an epoxy-based pebble surface or a colored and stamped concrete overlay. Checkout the warranties offered by these outfits plus their reputations before you commit.
If the patio is cracked and heaved, chances are it will do it again after it’s replaced. In that case, why not use the old patio as a “footer” and construct a wood or plastic composite deck right over it? It’s incredibly simple, since you can cut short legs out of treated lumber to hold up the new joists.

Don has a graffiti problem: We have concrete crawl space walls, and the prior family’s kids spray painted some—shall we say—words on them. How can I cover it all up?
I like our old friend KILZ for this job. It’s essentially a pigmented shellac that seals over almost anything. There are two versions: the original “oil-based” product and a newer water soluble version. Since you’re going to have a fume problem in the confines of your crawl space, I suggest the latter. Ventilate the area with a couple of box fans, use an appropriate mask and take frequent breaks. You may have to roll on two or three coats to get the coverage you’ll need.
PS: How come your home inspector didn’t spot this and make these same recommendations to you?