Question: We believe there is a leak...

Question: We believe there is a leak in one of the pipes underneath the slab floor in the living room. Is there a firm that can pinpont this and make the necessary repairs?

Answer: There is a firm called American Leak Detection, 13060 Saticoy St., North Hollywood 91405, that specializes in this type of work. The company pinpoints concealed water and gas leaks under cement slabs, asphalt, walls and other areas. It claims that one in 35 swimming pools has a leak, and that one in 318 homes, regardless of age, has a hidden water leak.

As far as I know, it is the only firm that specializes in this type of work. They state that your homeowner’s insurance policy will usually cover their service after a $100 deductible.

Q: As result of the recent fires, we are very interested in having fire-resistant or fireproof roofing that looks like stone but is lightweight and made of metal.

A: Both Cal-Pac and Cerard Super-Roofer are the types of product that you are looking for. It is my understanding that the products are made of steel and then coated with acrylic protection and natural stone chips with a further acrylic overglaze.

These lightweight products that can be installed over existing roofs are quite decorative, and virtually fireproof. Both products are manufactured in New Zealand.