Christine,

Thank you for being part of the show.

Many people wonder about the same question you ask – why is my new boiler/furnace vented out the side of the house rather than up the chimney.

Some “hate it”, some are afraid of breaking off the PVC with a lawn tractor or, like you, worry about wasps and bees.

The fact that it is vented with “plastic” means not much of the heat energy you are paying for is going “up the chimney” as was the case with your old boiler.

The new one is more efficient and converts far more of your fuel into useful heat.

The pipes are an exhaust and a combustion air pipe – literally air to burn like the carburetor on your car uses.

This combustion air pipe makes your system even more efficient since the unit is in a sealed combustion chamber and only burns outside air rather than the conditioned air in your home.

You could pipe clamp a piece of heavy hardware cloth (screen) over the openings to minimize insects. The exhaust side is putting out “poisonous” gas – so it is unlikely to be an issue.

You could also talk to the folks at Kelley Brothers – experts in conditioning air for all types of buildings – to see if they might recommend another option like a barometric damper.

You can reach Kelley Brothers at 734-462-6266.

Hope this helps.

God Bless,

City: Farmington

Question: Our basement flooded and destroyed our carpeting. It was suggested to put in vinyl plank flooring which looks like a good solution (we do not want to put carpet back in). A couple of questions: 1. Is vinyl plank flooring a good solution for basements? 2. If so, is there a sub-flooring material required and which one?

John,

Thanks for being part of the show.

Vinyl plank flooring can be an excellent choice for your basement – as can many other vinyl flooring choices including sheet and tile product.

These require a solid, clean stable surface and every manufacturer has requirements regarding underlayment and floor preparation.

The beauty of many of these is that they will not be destroyed by moisture and you might be able to replace pieces rather than an entire floor.

Another option wood be carpet squares. These can also be put down in an infinite number of patterns and colors and can be replaced individually if needed.

We hope this helps your decision.

God Bless,

City: Southfield
Question: I have been researching bamboo flooring and found out many products have added urea formaldehyde (Lumber Liquidators products do). I found a company called “Cali Bamboo” and wonder if you have any experience with them? I need a product with no added formaldehyde as I am very
sensitive to high levels of this. Even LL suggested I look for formaldehyde free products.

Peggy,

Thanks for being part of the show.

A lot of suppliers have access to formaldehyde-free product. Sometimes the cost is quite a bit higher. Cali Bamboo is only one of these type products.

If you do purchase a product with formaldehyde, you can speed the off-gassing by subjecting it to dry, high home heat. This off-gassing will only occur for a limited period in any significant concentrations.

If the product was stacked and “conditioned” in the garage or basement and had warm dry air blown over it for several days you could accomplish the same thing.

Hopefully this helps with your concerns.

If you need more information, please let us know.

God Bless,
The Guy’s

Question: Dear Ken and Chuck: We are interested in having our driveway redone by ripping out the old and putting in new concrete with also a larger 2 and 1/2 car garage. Can you think of any business that are reasonable but do a good job around the Dearborn area? Thanks. Ken

Ken,

Thank you for being part of the show – we appreciate you.

You are looking at expanding the garage – will it be tied to the existing house – or is it a stand-alone building?

It would be worth a call to Art at Clearwater Construction – 734-502-5060 - because in Dearborn you will have some design and engineering issues to deal with and need a professional to carry the ball.

Art can co-ordinate the entire project – and the new drive would go in last.

He would probably suggest you call KC Masonry for the new drive once the new garage is complete.

You can reach KC at 877-m-a-s-o-n-r-y.

If you have additional questions let us know.

Please stay well and listen for us soon on AM 1270 as well.

God Bless,

The Guys

Question: We are in need of a new roof and have a sunroom that has a flat roof. We have received numerous quotes and options from roofing companies. What do you suggest when it comes to flat roofing options?

Fire-torching, one piece of EPDM to cover the entire roof? Three piece roll out roofing that is glued at the seams? Any other options? We are experiencing leaking at the seams of the house where the sunroom meets the house. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks
Mandy 

Mandy,

Thank you for listening – we LOVE OUR CANADIAN listeners!!!!

You have a flat roof that meets the lower edge of a sloped roof and both need replacing.

The weak spot is the joint between the two. If the sunroom is conditioned space – it will always be an issue since you probably cannot get enough insulation and ventilation in the ceiling there.

We would suggest that a single company perform all operations.

We would also suggest you consider installing sloped rafters above the sunroom and tying them into the back slope of the house – then re-roofing everything with standard roofing materials.

If you must maintain the flat portion of the roof, we like a single piece of epdm properly installed prior to the sloped roof material which will then lap over the top.

Installation of high quality eaves flashing at the juncture – like an Ice and Water Shield product – is critical to this working well over time.

If you could talk Bob Knowles – Knowles Roofing – 248-852-5677 – in to crossing the border – we know the job would be done well. You might also try calling the local Home Builders Association – tell them we suggested the call – and see if they recommend a Pro.

We hope this helps you.

Please stay in touch and tell everyone about our show. In a few weeks you will also be able to hear us on AM 1270!

God Bless,

The Guys

City: Waterford

Question: I have a wooden column on my front porch (non-load bearing) that is rotted through (due to a leak from the eve trough above) that needs replacing. It is a hollow wood column covered with vinyl siding. Can you recommend a good contractor to put in a new column for me?

David,

Thank you for your great comment – we appreciate it!

Replacing a single, hollow porch post is a difficult thing to hire well because it falls under the “Home Handy-man” category.

That category is one of the toughest in the Industry to find good, reliable people for.

Try calling Carl The Handyman at 734-368-3408.

If that wood post is supported by a concrete porch, you want to make certain you isolate the bottom of the wood from direct contact with the concrete to minimize rot potential.

God Bless,

The Guys

City: Hartland, MI

Question: I am in need of a carpenter that could install replacement double doors (exterior) into our existing door frame. Our existing door frame has side lights which are in good shape. I want to purchase (2) door slabs and have someone who is skilled, install them to mate with existing hinges

Jim,

Thanks for being part of the show – we appreciate it.

When you are looking to hire a PRO to perform work in or around your home we suggest you let them furnish the materials needed.

They know what to use and where to get it – and they then become responsible for the performance of the “Total Installed Product”, which is important to you as the home owner.

You do not want to short change the issue for exterior doors! – These have to be expertly fitted, secure and thermally sound.

Call Art at Clearwater Construction to discuss the possibilities. His number is 734-502-5060.

Another consideration here is professional installation of good hardware, including the lock sets, hinges, weather-stripping, astragal, and vertical security bolts for a double-door installation.

God Bless,

The Guys

City: Taylor MI

Question: My child is away on a school trip. She called me to tell me that they are switching hotels because the one their staying at has bed bugs. How do I prevent from getting them? I was told to put all clothing into the dryer with a washcloth soaked in alcohol to kill them. Is this safe, and does it work?
Christina,

Those bed bugs are SCARY!

Tell your child to keep all luggage off the hotel floors and even off cloth furniture and hotel beds

You do not want to let them get in your house.

One suggestion – when your child comes home – leave everything outside in the garage – even to the point of the clothes on their back.

Shake out everything outside – some even recommend a bleach soak outside.

Then everything goes into a HOT wash cycle and a HOT dry cycle.

Do not overload the machines.

You might also visit customerservice@creaturecontrol.com – our Team Partner for PESTS!

A great company that can also help if the critters are already in your house.

Creature Control can be reached at 800-441-1519 – talk with Tim, jason or Jesse.

God Bless,

The Guys

Question: I have a question related to your phone call you were making to Joe. Here in our municipality, we are required, on an exterior wall to put in the insulation, then 6mil vapor barrier, and then the drywall. Am I hearing you guys say that this is a problem for mold in this area?

My favorite show was about 2 or 3 years ago, about animal control. I have never laughed so much!
Melissa,

Thank you for being part of the show – we will have to try and top that laugh track from three years ago!

Yes – you did hear us correctly – you should not install a vapor barrier such as 6ml plastic in your exterior wall cavities in Michigan.

Because of the nature of moisture and heat movement throughout the four very distinct seasons we experience, such a strategy risks trapping active moisture inside the wall – and that is always a bad proposition!

Trapping moisture anywhere in the house can lead to growth of organics which can lead to damage and un-healthy air in the home.

Not certain where you are with regard to your project, but if need additional information, please let us know.

God, Bless,

The Guys

City: Southfield

Question: I had an estimate for a fence 189″ of 6 feet tall fence at $4,427 I think this is too high a price. For one thing I noticed they put a charge of $472 to remove old fence the problem with that is I do not have a fence to remove . That tells me the price is too high. Could you recommend someone who can give me a fair price. I need the fence for day
care, and i am interested in a good fence but it does not have to be the top of the line. HELP
I LOVE THE WORK YOU GUYS DO. I LISTEN EVERY SATURDAY
Kisha,

Thank you for your great comments and for being a part of the show.

You are obviously being overcharged when the estimate includes fees for things that will not be done!

You might call the company back that gave you the quote and explain their error – they may not even know about the mistake and can still offer a fair price.

$20 per lineal foot for some six-foot high fence product – installed – is not a bad price – so the questions becomes – what quality product are you getting?

You can generally get very good pricing on such product from Menards, minus and a few of the other larger lumber suppliers.

They can usually offer good installed pricing.

So, after you check back with the original contractor – get a second price from one of your local suppliers.

God Bless,

The Guys