Sound a Bit Too Familiar? Just Put a Cork in It
Question: We live in a condo and share a common wall with a neighbor. The wall is thin; sound, such as music and snoring, passes through easily. Is there any way to soundproof the wall without spending a fortune?
K.F.
Laguna Hills
Answer: “To a certain degree, a texture on the wall will help,” says Pete Gorman of Rancho Lumber in Westminster. “There are different types of textures that can be spread or sprayed on your walls to create an uneven surface that absorbs sound. However, the downside is that a textured wall may not go with your decor, and while it may provide some soundproofing, it may not be enough to make much of a difference. You could also try putting cork up or hang heavy rugs from the offending wall.
“The ultimate solution would be to construct a second wall in front of the common wall with 1 x 2s and drywall. This creates an airspace that deadens the sound. While building a second wall may not be difficult or require a building permit, you’ll probably have to check with your condo association as to whether it’s allowed.”
Q: I understand there’s a method of using a tinted glue to repair hairline cracks in ceramic tile that makes the cracks invisible. How is it used?
J.M.
San Clemente
A: “There used to be a waterproof membrane product that was on the market, but it’s not sold anymore,” says Dan Richey of California Wholesale Tile in Anaheim. “Once you have a crack in ceramic tile, it’s probably best to find out what’s causing it. Usually it’s because of movement of the surface beneath the tile; it could be settling, or a seam in the underlayment has come up. You’ll have to remove the broken tiles, replace or fix them, then reinstall them.”
Q: I have an interior door that continually swings halfway open rather than staying flat against the wall. Is there a simple remedy to this problem?
J.T.
Newport Beach
A: “When this happens, it’s not uncommon for the door frame or that part of the house to be not particularly straight,” says Dave Stevens of Woodward Hardware in Santa Ana. “Put a level on top of the door or the frame to see if there’s a slant. Usually, you can remedy this by putting some wood or metal shims between the hinges and the door until the door stays put.”
Q: When I close one of my kitchen drawers, it tips backward, which means I have to keep it half-open all the time. What’s involved in repairing it?
H.D.
Mission Viejo
A: “It sounds as though the drawer is lacking a center rail,” says contractor Tom Perry of Brea. “Pull the drawer out and check the opening. The rail is made of wood or metal, and there’s a guide on the bottom of the drawer that it should fit into. Most stores that carry kitchen hardware can get you a new metal rail, and lumber stores have the molding you’d use for a wood rail.”
Q: Is there anything wrong with using a smooth wall roller rather than a thick roller for painting an acoustic ceiling?
R.T.
Fountain Valley
A: “There’s nothing wrong with it; it just means you’re going to be working harder,” says house painter Dave Valdez of Costa Mesa. “A ceiling roller is thick and absorbent, and it’s able to get paint into all areas of a textured area like an acoustic ceiling. When buying rollers, you may want to look where there is a selection of them designed for various walls or textures.”