Q: I have a retaining wall that has moss year round. How do I remove it safely?Ed: This is a common problem with shaded walls that face north. There are some products you can buy at the garden center or try using bleach. With an old paint brush, apply the bleach onto the moss. That should kill it and not harm the grass or brick around it.
Q: Should I try to remove the old paint from my concrete pool, or paint over it?
Ed: Just like a house, you can put pool paint over pool paint. It’s important to use the same type of paint each time. Check with the installer, or take a couple of chips to a pool supply store and they should be able to test it for you. The most important part of painting a pool is surface preparation. There are several steps to do it right. Power washing or scraping, cleaning and etching the surface all need to be done before you paint. Check with your supply store for detailed instructions.
Q: Should I clean my air ducts?
Ed: Even though the ducts have a thick layer of dust, the question of duct cleaning continues to be inconclusive. If it is not done correctly, more dust may be present throughout the house than before. If you are the kind of person who believes ducts need to be clean, then go ahead. You may be able to do some of it yourself or you may want to hire a duct cleaning company. However, be cautious about aggressive health claims by any duct cleaning company. The bottom line is that no one knows if duct cleaning prevents health problems. Once you’ve cleaned the ducts, think about using a filter that will trap more of the dust particles. They need to be changed more often because they trap more dust.
Q: When we use our washing machine, both our bathrooms have water on the floor. Are the two associated?
Ed: Yes, they are associated. Without seeing the job I can't tell you exactly where your water is coming from, but I suspect you are on a septic system and when your washer empties you either have a partial main line clog or a system that can't handle a lot of water. So, the lines back up and the water overflows out of the toilets or some other open drain. Get a licensed plumber that works on clogs to check out the situation.
