Settling Slab Can Cause Concrete to Crumble
Question: To prepare for new carpeting, we pulled up our old carpet and found several areas on the concrete slab that have been broken up and powdered. Before we patch it, I want to know the cause. What could it be?
J.T.M.
Fullerton
Answer: “It’s not uncommon to find problems like that on your slab,” says Jim Gorman of Rancho Lumber in Westminster. “Damage is caused by heavy furniture, settling of the foundation, things like that. When you find a damaged spot, clean it out and use a concrete filler, such as Fix-All, to patch the area. You can then apply a concrete sealer to the surface, such as W-100, that will protect against any possible moisture coming up through the slab.”
Q: We have three exterior hose bibs, one in front and one in each side yard. Water pressure from the two side bibs is fine, but the front one, closest to the city main, has poor pressure. What could be wrong?
W.P.
Cypress
A: “Since this is closest to your main water line, this should be the faucet with the best water pressure,” says Rod Albright of Albright Plumbing & Heating Supply in Los Alamitos. “What often happens with these outdoor faucets is water deposits build up inside and, when they’re bumped by a lawn mower, the deposit shakes loose and blocks the water coming through. You’ll need to remove the bib and clean it out or replace it. Before putting a bib on, be sure to turn the water to that outlet on and let any other deposits stream out.”
Q: While cleaning our fireplace, we found a small hole and crack inside. What can we use to fill in these defects?
M.W.
Seal Beach
A: “When making a repair in the fireplace, it’s important to use the right materials,” says Jim Montgomery of Anaheim Patio and Fireside in Huntington Beach. “It has to be a patch that’s designed to withstand a great amount of heat; otherwise it could crack and break away. There’s a putty available for small cracks and holes that’s easily applied with a caulking gun, or you can use a fireplace cement that’s mixed and poured and formed into the cracked area.”
Q: Five years ago, we had a wood floor installed in our kitchen that had a wax finish. Because of the work involved maintaining it, we realize now we should have selected a urethane finish. We had estimates to strip and redo it with a urethane finish, and they cost as much as a new floor. Is there a better way?
K.F.
Yorba Linda
A: “Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to fix your floor,” says Becky Gonzalez of Anaheim Centsible Tile in Anaheim. “Refinishing a floor is a time-consuming job. Getting the present finish off will take some time, and getting a good urethane topcoat on the floor isn’t easy, especially if you have pets that leave hair around that can float on the floor before it’s dry. If you’re really disgusted with the floor, your next alternative would be to have the floor pulled up and a urethane finish floor installed, which is probably the best idea.”
Q: A few years ago, during the drought, I put a brick in my toilet tank. Lately I’ve noticed that there’s an orange residue in the bowl, and I’ve found the brick has deteriorated somewhat. Any ideas on getting rid of the ring?
S.W.
Santa Ana
A: “You can try a heavy-duty cleanser or a muriatic acid/water solution, but you may be out of luck,” says plumber Dave Gaston of Anaheim. “A lot of people made the mistake of using bricks to displace water. What happens is the water makes the brick deteriorate over time, and the sediment collects throughout the toilet, scratching the porcelain and leaving room for stains to build. It’s best to use water bags to do the job, or one of the other water displacement products found at plumbing and hardware stores.”
Got a question about your home or garden? Write to: John Morell, Handyman, The Times, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, Calif. 92626.