No, I don't see the need for duct cleaning as regularly as is suggested by some, but it is a necessary and useful service. After a new house is built or remodeling done is an excellent time to have the ducts cleaned. Not finding several short pieces of 2x4, nails, piles of sawdust and caked-on drywall debris in the ducts is unusual in a new home.
Visibly dirty or matted ducts (particularly at the cold-air returns), homes with several pets, homes with air conditioning or humidifiers are good cases for duct cleaning. Flexible ductwork is prone to damage and should be cleaned with caution.
Expect to pay no less than $300, not $59.95, for a good job. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) refers to fly-by-night operators as "blow and go," trying to persuade the homeowner into other work not necessary, making sweeping claims about health benefits and using scare tactics.
These contractors are a blight on the reputation of the legitimate contractors in the industry. A reliable duct cleaner should use brushes or air whips, not just vacuum pressure, and take several hours to do a good job.
Contact the NADCA at 202-737-2926 or www.nadca.com.
Q: My dishwasher drain is connected to a thingy mounted at the top of the counter, then it goes down to the disposal where it drains down the sewer. Water backs up out of the thingy (sorry, I don't know the technical term) onto the counter when the dishwasher drains. How can I prevent this leakage?
A: Your thingy is a sink-mounted "air gap." It provides a physical break, a way for air to enter the drain line. This prevents contaminated water from siphoning from the source of contamination (the dishwasher) into the fresh-water supply. Should there ever be a reduction in water pressure or a back-siphoning effect in the fresh-water lines, it will not become contaminated, as it cannot siphon.
Anywhere fresh and contaminated water contact one another, backflow preventers of some type are necessary. Newer hose spigots have them installed on the valve stem. Exterior sprinkler systems, urinals and commercial dishwashing equipment, among many others, have these as well.
This risk of contamination is why you will always see the bathtub spout mounted well above the rim or overflow height of the tub.
But, no, draining water onto your counter is not normal. The likely culprit is the hose from the air gap to the disposal. These are notorious for getting plugged where they connect to the disposal. Unplug the disposal electrically, disconnect the drain line from the air gap and clean inside the opening into the disposal; the probable blockages are food particles flung around inside the disposal.
If this doesn't solve your problem, replace the air gap.
Q: Roof ridge vents on my home don't have any hot air coming out of them on warm afternoons as do the larger mushroom-style vents over at another section of the house. Are they not working or somehow mounted incorrectly?
A: Ridge vents disperse heat along a greater distance and a greater area, so it is possible that they are working, but the air coming out just doesn't feel hot like you would expect.
I have seen these vents installed but the roofing paper was not cut away, making them virtually worthless. If you suspect this is the case, and you cannot confirm it visually from above (due to the angle), or below from an attic space, you will need to remove the vent and cut the paper back. Be sure to fasten it well to the roof after you finish. Many older-style ridge vents have a tendency to come loose from the roof, may be squished, lack end stops, or come loose from an adjoining section.
Q: Houses in my neighborhood have bars on the windows for security. Mine does not. I would feel more comfortable adding them, but wonder if there is any history of people being trapped by fire in a bedroom with bars.
A: You need to get a bit more than the stock bar system that mounts onto the side of the house. There are models available that come with remote cable-activated bar releases. Pull the handle and the bars swing out, allowing you to escape. Reputable security firms always mount the removable type in sleeping rooms or anywhere an emergency escape may be needed. |
