How to Get Concrete Porch Out of That Lint Condition
Q. Our dryer vent empties onto our brick-and-concrete front porch, and it leaves lint that must be constantly swept up. We’ve coated it with a sealer, but now it has a dusty appearance, and washing it down doesn’t improve the look. What can be done to improve it?
C.V.
Yorba Linda
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A. There are many types of sealers, and some are not recommended for horizontal surfaces, says Tom Toia of Imperial Paint in Anaheim.
Some sealers also take longer to dry than others. The result is that dust or dirt gets embedded into the surface before the sealer hardens.
The solution is difficult, because sealers tend to penetrate porous surfaces. Water blasting the surface to remove the sealer could work. At the extreme level, it could be sandblasted.
After the sealer has been removed, use one made for that type of surface. You might also want to move your dryer vent.
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Q. Our 25-year-old bathroom has white ceramic tile with a light green trim that matches a green sink, toilet and tub. The bathroom needs some remodeling, and we’re prepared to replace the sink and toilet, but the tub isn’t in our budget.
We like the green and would like to include it in the remodel. Is it possible to find a new matching green sink and toilet?
R.D.
Fullerton
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A. You probably won’t have much luck, says Ron Albright of Albright Plumbing & Heating Supply in Los Alamitos. Most fixture manufacturers change colors every 10 years or so based on what’s popular.
It’s unlikely that anyone still carries a green sink in that shade, and since only new low-flow toilets can be sold in California, it may be impossible to get an old toilet, he says.
You might want to get a neutral sink and toilet and wait until you can afford the tub. Or, after getting a new sink and toilet, have a porcelain refinisher paint the tub to match. These refinishings typically don’t last long, but they may last long enough until you can complete the bathroom and replace the tub.
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Q. I want to put a fountain in the corner of my backyard and will have to bury an electrical line from the garage to the fountain. Is there a type of cord that can be buried alone, or will I need to use a conduit?
F.C.
Yorba Linda
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A. If the fountain is on a 12-volt system, you can use a direct burial cable, which is available at most electric shops, says Kathy McNally of McNally Electric in La Habra. There’s also a direct burial cable for 110-volt systems, but it usually must be buried deeper. You’ll have to check your local electrical code.
Using a conduit is a good idea, she says. The acidic soils in this part of Southern California can break down a heavy-duty cable quickly. Conduit will help prevent electrical problems over the long run.
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Q .We recently bought a house that had a family room added on a few years ago. Neighbors have told us that the previous owners ran out of money during the project and let the framing sit in the elements for more than a year before finishing it.
Could there be damage to the studs that won’t show up till later? What should we look for?
K.T.
Garden Grove
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A. Check with the city to find out which contractor finished the project, says carpenter Gary Just of Fountain Valley. A good contractor would have checked the framing before continuing the project, looking for damaged studs and replacing them. You may want to have a contractor check out the doors and windows in the room to make sure they’re true and plumb.
If you have a question about your home or garden, A Helping Hand will help you find the answer. Send questions to John Morell, Home Design, The Times Orange County, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626.
