By DWIGHT BARNETT, Scripps Howard News Service
Insulating a roof
Q: I live in a modular house that is a 1986 model (I think) or about that. All the cabinets have the info removed. This house has cathedral ceilings, with no crawl space. I want to insulate the top because in the winter all the houses have snow on the roofs except mine.
Install spring-loaded fireplace damper
Q: I am wanting to winterize my home, but I am not sure how to, or who to call to get this done.
New tools for the holidays
With the economy in decline and Christmas just around the corner, almost all of us have to be careful with what we spend, but spend we must to get out of this economic stew. I have found a few tools that are not all that expensive. I have used them myself, and I think they can be very useful for the everyday do-it-yourselfer.
Keeping moisture away from windows
Q: I live in Alaska and I recently noticed that my windows have moisture on the inside of them. Can it be that it is so cold outside and warm inside the house? The house is only 3 years old and has a five-star energy rating.
What to consider when designing a zoned duct system
Q: I am thinking about replacing the ducting in my house and adding a zoning system. I have spoken with several contractors and have received differing opinions and ridiculously different prices. Can you help me figure out what I need?
Mica is perfect for fireplace doors ... Water problems
Q. How can I tell if the fireplace doors I have in my new (70-year-old) house are ceramic or tempered glass?A. The doors are most likely made of mica, a natural mineral found in India, China, the United States, South Korea and Canada.
Proper placement of cold-air returns
Q: I recently had an air-conditioning system installed and they converted the air handler to a vertical up-flow front return. They left the filter exposed, and after reading your article about getting the proper treatment for sick buildings, my concern is that because the filter is exposed it can pick up more mold and circulate it throughout my condo.
Facts about mold and air conditioners
Q: I need to call someone to clean my air conditioner and whatever else is included. Who or what type of company performs this job? Also, what should I be having done to my unit and/or inside ducts and furnace? I want to make sure there is no mold or anything when this has been performed. -- Connie.
