The April 14th edition of The KTSA Home Improvement Show was yet another great success with lots of awesome questions. Find out all about the highlights below!
Pipe Clogs
Ann started the show by telling us about an issue at her new workplace. She told us that the bathroom’s floor drain overflows anytime someone flushes. Ann asked us what the problem could be and how she should have it solved.
We told Ann that the issue was most likely due to a clog in the pipe system. We suggested that Ann notify her management and inform them that there is an overflowing issue in the ladies’ restroom, which should be taken care of by a plumber immediately to prevent any further issues.
Rotting Wood
Dan called next, concerned about his ceiling joists pushing through the eaves under the outside of his home. He asked what we recommended and if covering it with paint was a good temporary relief – as he did not have much time on his hands at the moment.
We told Dan that the wood stringers on his ceiling are rotting and an anti-microbial paint would be a good, short-term temporary solution, but it would be best to take care of the issue as soon as possible to maintain the structural integrity of his home. We suggested that Dan cut off the rotted portions of wood and scab a piece of wood on the side. It would provide an odd-looking eave, but he could solve the offset by covering it with a soffit and fascia to make it look better. This would also prevent the rotting from ever occurring again.
Above Ground Pools
Andrea called with plans of an above-ground pool in her backyard. She wanted to know if it was okay to build it about 25 feet away from the foundation of her home. Andrea also said that there was going to be some excavation to make sure the pool was level on the ground and there may be a gap between the pool and the hill. She wanted to know if and how she should fill the gap.
We told Andrea that the people who build above ground pools should, and typically do, fill the gaps with sand. However, we only recommend one company for above ground pools – and that is A-Tex Pools.
Load-Bearing Walls
David called concerned about converting his two-door garage into a one-door garage. He asked us if there were any types of joists he would need or any recommendations we had for removing the center wall between the two garage doors. David also let us know that there was a slope coming down toward the garage doors.
We let David know that the center wall between the two garage doors was a load-bearing wall, and he would need to invest in two, engineered support beams for the openings of his garage doors. After he installed the beams, only then could he remove the center wall.
