Expert Advice on Home Improvement TV Host of Today's Homeowner^® and home expert for The Weather Channel

I’m going to finish a portion of the basement for my 12-year-old daughter and her pals to have a place to “hang out.” This section happens to be under the great room on the main floor. Are there products to help in noise reduction, and, if so, what options exist and how are they installed?-Steve

Hi Steve,

Start by insulating the space between the basement ceiling joists with a sound dampening insulation like Owens Corning QuietZone fiberglass insulation. Next, you might want to consider using a soundproofing drywall such as QuietRock for the ceiling. You can watch and read more about QuietRock, on our website at (622) Builders’ Show Special.

Good luck with your project,

We are thinking about replacing our tile floor in the kitchen with hardwood. The tile is laid in a concrete foundation and would be huge mess to rip up. Is it possible to lay hardwood over an existing tile floor? If so, what do you recommend? -Donna

Hi Donna,

Yes, you can lay a wood floor over tile if the existing floor is in good shape and without cracks. I would suggest 3/8” thick, prefinished engineered hardwood flooring. You can install it either as a floating floor that locks together and is not attached to the tile, or glue it down. Check to be sure the existing floor is flat first and fill in any low spots with leveling compound. If the floor is being glued to a slick surface, rough the tiles up a bit by sanding them to allow the adhesive to adhere better.

Good luck with your project,

We are in the process of purchasing a new home, but it has a strong damp/musty odor. How can we make sure it has no water damage? -Raul

Raul,

There are a number of possibilities that could be causing your problem including a leaky roof, plumbing leaks, excessive moisture in the crawl space, a slab that wasn’t waterproofed correctly, condensation in the walls due to an improperly installed vapor barrier, or damage from flooding.

While it’s not easy to check inside of walls, you can inspect the attic as well as under the house or in the basement for signs of leaks, moisture buildup, mold, or rot. A moisture meter can be used to check for excessive moisture in wood while a hygrometer can determine the moisture content of the air.

Water stains on rafters are a telltale sign of leaks, either past or present. Also, be sure to examine the floor joists under the house for signs of mold. If the house is in an area prone to flooding, look in out of the way places—like closets and inside of cabinets—for stain lines on the walls or water damage on the floor.

I would definitely have a competent home inspector examine the house before you purchase it, as mold and excessive humidity can be costly to eliminate.

Check out our article How to Prevent and Remove Mold and Attic and Basement Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Is it always necessary to prime before you paint over a previous paint job? -Cedric

Cedric,

Unless the surface is unfinished or you’re switching between types of paint—such as oil based woodwork being covered by latex paint—you don’t have to prime before painting again. If the surface is dirty or greasy, clean it thoroughly before painting. If it is glossy, it’s a good idea to dull it first with sandpaper or a liquid deglosser.

For more information on priming, see our article A Homeowner’s Guide to Paint Primer.

I have a range that is located against an outside brick wall in a one-story kitchen with a flat roof. To avoid going through the brick wall, can I vent the hood straight up through roof? What sort of cap would I use that would prevent insects from entering but would still operate properly in a strong wind or with a heavy snow load? Thanks! John

Hi John,

Yes, you can vent a range hood through the roof using a 6” single wall pipe. You can buy the proper flashing to install it on a flat roof and a roof cap that has screen around it to prevent insects from entering. Be sure to extend the pipe up at least 2’ to 3’ to prevent snow buildup from causing problems.

My laundry room is currently on the main floor of my home. We would like to move it to the basement and turn the present room into a half bath. We have a septic tank in the back and all of the current drain pipes are in the back right corner of my basement. How should we do this? - Casey

Hi Casey,

You would need to install a “grinder pump” or “lift station” to pump the drain water from the washer up to the level of your drain pipe so it can be fed into your septic tank. A plumber would be familiar with this type of system.

Is there a product that will cover up the knot holes in knotty pine should I decide to paint the wood a light color? - Judy

Judy,

Large knots, like those found in knotty pine, can pose a problem when painting, since the resin in them has a tendency to bleed back through the finished surface. To prevent this, spot prime any knots first with an oil based or pigmented shellac primer that is designed to prevent bleeding. If there are a lot of knots, prime the entire surface to give it a more even texture. If the boards have been varnished, lightly sand them and wipe off any dust before priming so the primer will adhere well. More information on primers is available on our website at A Homeowner’s Guide to Paint Primer.

Good luck with your project,