Heater Blanket Needs a Vinyl Coat

Question: I’d like to install a water heater blanket myself, but after looking at some of them in hardware stores, I think I could make a better one out of the thick Fiberglas insulation that’s used in attics and walls. Is this a good idea?

R.E.

Yorba Linda

Answer: “If you’ve got the time, sure; it’s not hard to strap on some insulation,” says Don Mullings of Geers Plumbing in Huntington Beach. “Before putting it on though, you’ll have to put a vinyl coating on both sides to increase its effectiveness. For that reason, it’s usually a lot cheaper just to buy one.

“Although the blankets you’ve seen look thin, they have a very high insulation quality. And while you’re installing it, you should make sure the water heater is earthquake-proof. Secure it with plumber’s tape or you can get a special retrofitting kit available at hardware and plumbing supply stores.”

Q: Does my central air-conditioning unit use Freon, and will I have to replace it with another, more environmentally sensitive refrigerant?

T.Y.

Santa Ana

A: “Unfortunately, it probably does,” says Al Gregory, an air-conditioning repairman based in Irvine. “It’s the most common air-conditioning refrigerant around and it appears that it’s going to be phased out because of the damage it causes the Earth’s ozone layer. When laws make it illegal to use in new systems, I don’t think owners of systems with Freon will be forced to convert right away. However, what will probably happen is when you get your system serviced, the repairman will have to do the conversion before he can work on it.”

Q: We’ve got a big cut-leaf maple tree in our back yard, and we’re interested in building a treehouse in it for our two boys. How can you tell if a tree can support one?

J.C.

Orange

A: “To put it frankly, I don’t think any tree is right for a treehouse,” says Steve Cameron, a tree doctor in San Clemente. “They’re not good for the tree because you’ve got this structure digging into the bark and often nailed into the branches for support. These things weaken the tree and invite insects and diseases.

“They’re also not wonderful for kids. I’ve heard of several accidents where kids have fallen or have hurt themselves on jagged edges and rusty nails. You’re better off letting them climb it on their own, and create a treehouse in their imaginations.”