INSIDE & OUT : Stucco Doesn’t Like That Fresh Salt Air

Q: The stucco underneath one of our sliding glass doors keeps flaking off. This area doesn’t get wet. What could be causing the problem?

V.H.

San Clemente

*

A: This is a common problem for people who live near the ocean, says Katy Jackson of Maley’s Glass in Anaheim. The salt air mixes with elements in the door track to produce an acid that flakes off the stucco.

Inspect the bottom track carefully to see if there are any signs of corrosion, in which case you should replace it. The flaking area will have to be scraped and then cemented and stuccoed over. Once it’s dry, you can prime and paint the area, then apply a good, clear sealer to protect it.

*

Q: We’re concerned about earthquakes and we’re thinking of installing magnet latches to our kitchen cabinets to keep them closed. Are these strong enough to hold or is there a better way?

L.N.

Laguna Hills

*

A: We’ve seen from the Northridge and Loma Prieta earthquakes that magnetic latches just aren’t going to do the job, says contractor Bill Sales of Santa Ana. If a quake is strong enough, it’s going to send dishes and glassware flying through those latches.

You may want to try those childproof latches where you have to push down on a spring to release the door. If you’re storing expensive china and crystal, I’d also recommend keeping them in storage cases, which you can find at most kitchen supply stores. This keeps breakables from smashing into each other, even though the door is secured.

*

Q: We had a large elm tree removed two years ago because it was close to the house and cracks were occurring in the walls and cement porch. We’re finding now that these areas are continuing to crack. What can we do about this?

J.B.

Mission Viejo

*

A: One or more of the roots might not have been removed and they’re continuing to grow, or the roots might have been removed but the soil around the affected area hasn’t been compacted correctly, says Steve Sink of Angelus Quarries Building Supply in Santa Ana. You may need to consult with a foundation contractor to find the cause of the cracking and to devise a solution.

*

Q: In the past few months we’ve noticed that our faucets in the upstairs bathrooms have developed a “water hammer.” Whenever the faucets are turned on, there’s a great deal of shuddering and rattling. We know it’s probably due to air in the lines, but how do we get rid of it?

S.G.

Huntington Beach

*

A: Water hammer can be an annoying problem to deal with and sometimes fix, says Ron Albright of Albright Plumbing & Heating Supply in Los Alamitos. It often occurs after you’ve had some plumbing work done and air has entered the system.

Air will generally rise to the highest point, so it’s not surprising that you’ve noticed the problem upstairs. You might want to try finding the highest fixture in your system and simply let it run for a while, in the hope that the air will bleed out.

If that doesn’t work, there are anti-hammer arresters that are plumbed in your line that absorb the air to keep it from getting to your fixture.

There’s also a chance that the hammering might be due to a waterline inside the wall that has become loose in its strap. Once the line begins to flow, it shakes and causes the knocking. This may take some detective work to find where in the wall the line is loose.

*

Q: We need to get a new clothes dryer, and although our old one is gas powered, I was thinking of getting an electric model because they’re so inexpensive. Are they as good as gas dryers?

N.I.

La Palma

*

A: There are some excellent electric models available, however, if your home has a gas hookup, you’re much better off buying the gas model, says Tommy Houlihan of Orange County Appliance Parts in Garden Grove. Even though it’s initially more expensive than an electric dryer, the energy savings in the long run are much greater.