Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
ASK THE INSPECTOR: Get water tested for contaminants
QUESTION: I had a new water heater installed a while ago. I switched to electric from a previous gas water heater.
It's been three months and when I turn on any of my taps or the shower, when the water starts running warmer, air spouts out of the taps and the water starts smelling a bit like greasy oil, like the kind of smell when you go into a car repair garage. I've had the installer out and he could smell the greasy lube but couldn't find where it's coming from.
I have a well, and the only tap that provides me with clean, fresh water that doesn't smell is the tap directly from my well. It seems it has to be coming from the tank because the smell starts when the water starts running hotter.
A couple of weeks after installation, I had the installer come back and set the hot-water tank to a bit lower temperature because it was too hot for me. But I can't remember if the smell existed before he reset the temperature.
Have you come across anything like this in the past? Any idea what's causing the smell as well as some black water still coming out in my bathtub tap once in a while? I hope you can help me.
Thank you, Sophie Gaska.
ANSWER: When trying to diagnose a house problem, the first thing I ask clients is if anything has recently been added or changed in the home. Replacement of your water heater may have been a catalyst for the foul smell in your water, but may not be the actual cause. There are several possibilities, especially since you have a well supplying your water.
An odour or taste associated with a new water heater should disappear after a few full flushes of the tank. If there were residual chemicals or cleaners inside the new tank or on fittings that have been changed, they should have been washed through the system by now. Since your tank uses only electric elements to heat water, there should be lubricants or oils associated with its operation.
A more likely source of the smell is the well itself, or the pipes and fixtures attached to the water supply system. Water pumps, just like water heaters, have a limited life expectancy and require regular replacement. When bearings wear on a pump, there's a chance that this deterioration could create an odour similar to what you're experiencing.
So, the pump is the first place I'd look at for a cause, especially since you have excessive air exiting the showerhead. If the pump is noisy when activated, or if it runs for a long time before ending a cycle, it may be nearing the end of its life.
If the pump is newer or in good working order, the next place to look is the water supply. Many people treat well water with an iron filter or salt bath to help remove annoying and problematic minerals. These items require regular maintenance, and contamination of either component could be the root of the issue.
Most plumbers now use PEX water-supply piping, but components for soldering copper could temporarily leave a mild odour or taste in the water. Soldering flux may leave an oily residue after heating, but this normally will be flushed out quite quickly after the pipes are put back in service. Getting a plumber to check all the components, especially those changed by the installer, may find the problem.
If all of this checks out fine, then the next place to look is the water itself. If you're not treating your water, it may contain a fair amount or iron, calcium and other dissolved minerals that can build up inside a water heater. These minerals may create their own odours in the water, but you may have become accustomed to this and think that is the normal smell. The clean inside of the new water heater will not have these minerals, and the absence may allow you to smell other odours that were previously masked by them. That may be why you detect a "normal" smell to the water that comes directly from the well.
While it may be very difficult to find the source of your smelly water, even for an plumber experienced with well-water systems, further testing may alert you any serious issues with it other han simple annoyance. Check with local testing labs, mostly located in Winnipeg, to find out the proper method for water sampling. They will supply you with sterilized bottles and instructions for collection and drop-off at the labs. Chemical analysis of the samples may identify some contaminant in the water, which may lead you to the true culprit, or ease your mind if nothing is found.
Ari Marantz is the owner of Trained Eye Home Inspection Ltd. and the President of the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors - Manitoba (www.cahpi.mb.ca). Questions can be e-mailed to the address below. Ari can be reached at (204) 291-5358 or check out his website at www.trainedeye.ca.
trainedeye@iname.com
Renovation & Design
SOLUTIONS: Elmo's bedbugs can survive a freeze
QUESTION: I'm sure you have been asked this question before, but a search on your website did not bring up an answer. I collect Elmo (from Sesame Street) dolls. Sometimes when I buy them, they are a little unclean. But because they have mechanized motors inside them, I am not sure how I should clean them -- sprinkle with baking soda and vacuum like you would a rug? I am also paranoid about bringing any unwanted "bugs" into the house. Would setting them outside in the freezing cold get rid of any bugs they may have? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you! Sandra, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Winter is the best time of year to clean plush toys, mattresses and pillows. Set them outside and allow them to freeze for 24 hours. Doing this kills bacteria and freshens them well.
You may also want to place the toys in a garbage bag, add baking soda and shake them, being careful not to shake too hard, as you don't want to damage the mechanized motor. However, if the stuffed animals happen to have bedbugs, freezing them won't kill those critters; only heat kills bedbugs. If you froze them, they would become dormant and be on the move once the toy stabilized to room temperature.
QUESTION: Would you happen to have a solution for perspiration stains on the collar of suede jackets? Thank you. Sharon, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Sprinkle the collar with baking soda and using a stiff, damp brush. Briskly move the brush back and forth until the stains are gone. This is one of those rare times when water works better than vinegar.
QUESTION: I have two questions: How does one remove rust from a cotton hoodie? How can one clean a stainless steel sink around the top? Watermarks remain, no matter what cleaner I use. We have hard water and we use a water softener. Thanks. Joan, Winnipeg
ANSWER: In order to remove rust from the hoodie, sprinkle the area with 3 per cent hydrogen peroxide and either cream of tartar, baking soda or salt. Place the hoodie in a sunny area for several hours. Wash as usual and repeat as needed.
In terms of the stainless steel sink, begin by cleaning the sink with washing soda and water. Rinse with vinegar. Pour cooking or olive oil onto a cloth and wipe the sink. Oil repels water and makes stainless steel shine like the sun (well, maybe not that shiny).
QUESTION: What is the purpose of cream of tartar in baking? Great website! Glenda, Winnipeg
ANSWER: The most common use of cream of tartar in cooking/baking is stabilizing egg whites. Many foods that we eat and cook with (including fruits) contain acid. Egg white, milk and baking soda are common non-acidic foods that we eat; cream of tartar is masterful at adding volume to egg white. If you find yourself tackling an egg-white recipe that calls for cream of tartar but don't have any, use the same amount of white vinegar in the recipe.
Did you know? Grapes are the only significant natural source of tartaric acid, and cream of tartar is obtained from sediment produced in the process of making wine.
Feedback from Manitobans who care
Hi Reena,
We buy Barkeepers Friend at Reliable Parts, St James. It is the best. Pauline, Winnipeg
Hi Reena,
I purchase Barkeeper's Friend at Home Outfitters as well as D.A. Neils. Nothing else gets my white cast-iron sink clean. Karen, Dugald, MB
Dear Reena,
Would you be willing to publish information in your column warning pet owners of the potential harms of many household substances/items? I think that many people don't realize, for example, that Easter lilies are extremely toxic to cats and can lead to kidney failure and death just by inhaling the pollen.
There are also other items in our homes that may cause serious illness, even death, to our cats, dogs, birds, etc. These can include: Aspirin and other over-the-counter drugs, chocolate, onions, garlic, various house plants and flowers and a wide array of household cleaning products. Pop, Winnipeg
Fabulous tip of the week
I have recently become addicted to Costco's Sweet Kale salad and mix it up in a large metal mixing bowl. I was at a loss as to how to cover the bowl so I could store it in the fridge. Shrink wrap is too narrow (my bowl is 14" across), and it takes two pieces of wrap to cover the bowl, and it doesn't cling very well to the bowl edges. It occurred to me I could use a plastic shower cap, the kind with the elastic around the edge. They cost only one dollar for three at the Dollar store, and provide a nice, tight seal. Submitted by Michael, Winnipeg
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. Missed a column? Can't remember a solution? Need a speaker for an upcoming event? Check out my brand-new videos/blog/website: reena.ca!
Renovation & Design
SOLUTIONS: Forget about foil for crispy baked spuds
QUESTION: I enjoy eating baked potatoes but they always end up with a soggy peel instead of crispy. I wrap them in foil but the peel is always soft. What can I do to ensure a crisp outside and a baked inside? Bax (Plum Coulee, Man.)
ANSWER: If you choose to end up with a crisp peel, then forget about wrapping potatoes in foil. Instead, wash the peels and smear them with oil and a sprinkling of salt. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Pierce the potatoes deeply several times with a fork. Place the potatoes on a pan and bake on the top rack for at least one hour or until the potatoes are soft on the inside. Wrapping potatoes in foil will cause the peel to finish soft instead of crisp.
QUESTION: My problem is with a cat digging in my patio area and leaving me presents. It makes it very uncomfortable and smelly to sit outside and I would like to get on top of the situation before it starts happening again this spring. I have a one-foot border of soil around the fence before my patio stones start. Last year I used mothballs but that didn't seem to work. Any suggestions please. Thank you. Elaine, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Just like children, what works for one will not necessarily work for all. Keep trying a variety of deterrents until you find the most-effective solution for your visitors. Make your yard unattractive to cats, plant a patch of catnip away from your yard, add mulch or large, flat river rock to garden areas.
Position rose-bush branches along the ground where cats like to step. If you do not have rose bushes, ask your local garden centre if they'd be willing to donate thorny branches. Alternatively, lay down mats that have upward-facing points (cats don't like prickles). Or plant "rue" -- cats detest the smell. Keep cats out of the garden by sprinkling coffee grounds or onions on the soil.
Pet and garden stores sell a variety of products like predator urine and cat repellents, or you can make your own cat repellent: combine and sprinkle two parts cayenne pepper, three parts dry mustard and five parts flour. The drawback is that, as noted, you will need to reapply the mixture after rain. You can also purchase a motion-sensor sprinkler system because most cats detest water.
QUESTION: Earlier this week, I was doing a project where I had to melt some wax. I accidently spilt some of the wax from the candle onto my pair of Lulu Lemon Wunder Under Pants. I dabbed at the spot, being careful not to rub so it wouldn't get more pressed into the fabric. I asked my mom what to do and she didn't know. Neither did my dad.
I have been too afraid to try anything to remove it, in case I ruin the pants all together. The wax has been on my pants for two weeks and was accidently washed. So now the wax is pretty much imprinted on the fabric! Pretty please help me! They are brand-new pants! Thanks. Teagan, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Don't worry, Teagan. After a few washes the wax should disappear. Rub the area with Head and Shoulders Dandruff Shampoo and place the pants into the freezer for an hour. Scrape any excess wax with a plastic putty knife. Leave the shampoo on the pants and wash them as usual, but don't put the pants into the dryer until the stain has disappeared. Repeat washing until the wax is gone.
QUESTION: We moved into a 25-year-old home and noticed very small moths that have appeared in our basement several times over the last year. I have no idea where in the basement they are coming from and don't know how to get rid of them. We have cats so have to be careful about poison. If you have a solution I would love to hear it. They are driving us crazy. Thanks. Teresa, Winnipeg
ANSWER: The first step is to locate the source because if you find out where they are coming from you can stop them from laying eggs instead of simply deterring them by scent. Moths like to lay eggs in plants, fabric (this includes rugs), insulation and food (cookies, flour, cereal, etc.) Make sure everything in the basement is tightly sealed in plastic containers. To repel moths, put out scents they detest such as bay leaves, cloves, thyme, cinnamon, dill and lavender. If all else fails, you may want to call a professional exterminator.
Orange you glad spring is coming?
If you, like many Manitobans, are growing tired of winter, get yourself in the mood for spring by growing your very own orange tree.
Save seeds from the next orange you eat. Peel the skin off of the seeds. Soak the seeds overnight in water. Plant the seeds inside a pot with drainage holes and fresh soil. Water and cover the pot loosely with a clear plastic bag. Continue to check that the soil remains moist. When the plant sprouts, remove the bag and continue to water regularly.
Extra hint: Use the same technique to grow tangerines and lemons from seed.
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. Missed a column? Can't remember a solution? Need a speaker for an upcoming event? Check out my brand-new videos/blog/website: reena.ca!
Renovation & Design
ASK THE INSPECTOR: Proper insulation will prevent leakage through skylights
QUESTION: I live in Saskatoon and have a Velux skylight in my son's bedroom that was installed about 16 years ago. It has leaked about three times since its installation, but this winter the leakage from the ice damming has been substantial and has resulted in having to tear out the walls in the bedroom and in the room below.
I am prepared to fund the use of spray-foam insulation around the skylight, but am also questioning whether I should replace the skylight or eliminate it altogether. The skylight opens and is on the northeast side of the house. It was placed in a sloped ceiling of the room about 15 centimetres up from the wall.
There is also a large valley a metre to the left of the skylight where an addition extends perpendicular to the roof and which also has two skylights installed. These do not open and do not as yet appear to have caused leakage, although I can see ice dams have formed below the skylights on that part of the roof, as well. For most of the year, except when covered with snow, these skylights provide a great deal of light to enter the foyer where we have a cathedral ceiling, so I would be very reluctant to eliminate them.
I am concerned about the heat loss from the skylight in the bedroom, particularly, and its contribution to ice damming. Insurance is paying for the work on this, but I cannot afford to have another claim in the future. I would greatly appreciate any advice you could provide.
Thanks, Wanda Wiegers
ANSWER: Leakage from skylights is one of the more common complaints of homeowners, particularly in sloped or vaulted ceilings. While it's often possible to eliminate this issue with proper flashing and insulation techniques, often it can be very difficult to totally prevent some leakage.
Removal and covering up the skylight opening will be an effective way to prevent serious damage in the future, but will not be the only repair needed in your home. You may have what may be called a "perfect storm" of issues that are causing the leakage into your bedroom ceiling and walls.
First, you have a skylight installed in a sloped ceiling, which is almost always problematic. Second, this unit is an operator, which can be opened. The seals, weatherstripping and hardware of these types of skylights often deteriorate over time and can leak simply from age.
Compounding these issues is the location of the skylight near the bottom of the vaulted ceiling, above a valley. This area may be subject to a large amount of rain water and melted-snow runoff, increasing the chance of leakage. The location above a valley may also put the skylight at risk of being covered with blown snow, which can increase the chances of ice damming or leakage through deteriorated seals.
Removing the old skylight, patching the roof sheathing and installing roofing over the old opening may prevent the severe leakage you are seeing, but there's still a good chance you'll have moisture issues with this style of ceiling.
Most older vaulted ceilings were insulated with fibreglass insulation and poor or missing air/vapour barriers. Because there is very limited room for any type of ventilation in this small cavity, and due to the properties of fibreglass batts that easily allow air to pass through, warm-air intrusion from the home is highly likely. This warm air contains moisture that may condense when it hits the cool roof sheathing in the winter, or simply melt the bottom layers of snow above the roof, causing ice dams and premature wear to the roofing. In either case, moisture from melting ice or frost may find its way through the roofing and ceiling coverings into your home.
Having a big hole in the roof filled with a window, which is essentially what your skylight is, will increase the chances of this happening, but may not be the root cause. Your skylights will allow much more heat to escape through the glass and frame of skylight, increasing the chance of ice damming, but may have little to do with condensation within the vaulted ceiling.
Even though the other skylights in the addition are in a vaulted ceiling, I would suspect they have better insulation and air/vapour barriers around them. While there are small ice dams under these fixed units, mainly from escaping heat melting the snow around them, these may be all right to leave in place and may not need major repairs.
However, the bedroom ceiling itself, whether you remove the skylight or try to repair the flashing and roofing around it, will need better insulation and air sealing. This could be done from the interior by removing the ceiling drywall or plaster, which is likely damaged from the water anyway, or from the exterior by removing the roofing and sheathing.
Replacing the existing poor-quality insulation with blown-in high-density polyurethane foam is the key. Filling the entire cavity with this material will provide much higher thermal resistance, preventing melting of snow, while completely sealing the area from warm-air intrusion from the home. The elimination of these two elements, whether the skylight is removed or not, should be enough to prevent a major reoccurrence of the water damage.
In the majority of cases, skylights leak over time, especially in vaulted ceilings. This is not inherent to the design of these roof-mounted windows, but most often due to the installation and air sealing of the area around them. To prevent major damage in the future, this issue must be rectified in your home, whether you decide to remove the older skylight or not.
Ari Marantz is the owner of Trained Eye Home Inspection Ltd. and the President of the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors - Manitoba (www.cahpi.mb.ca). Questions can be emailed to the address below. Ari can be reached at 204-291-5358 or check out his website at www.trainedeye.ca.
trainedeye@iname.com
