Archive By Author - Robert Lamoureux
Robert Lamoureux: Check dryer vent and hose annually
Hello Mr. Lamoureux, I think my dryer hose may be clogged. How would I know for sure and how would I clean it if it is? Thank you, Jenny B. Hi Jenny, If it's been more than a year since you've had your exhaust serviced, get it cleaned. There are several tell-tale signs that indicate if your dryer exhaust is obstructed. Look for long drying times of 45 minutes or more, or clothes being ...
Robert Lamoureux: Mailbox thief needs to be stopped
Hi Robert, Someone is breaking into our mailboxes. We see them on the surveillance camera walking up and reaching over the gate to open it and then walking in, but we can't see their car because they park on the street. Is there a wide angle lens we can use that will scan a much broader area? The mailboxes are now in very bad condition and the postmaster will not deliver our mail until they ...
Robert Lamoureux: Steel is best option for replacement posts
Hi Robert, I will be installing a wooden fence around my property. I'm basically repairing and rebuilding what is already there. About half of the posts are bad and I will be replacing those and some of the planks. The posts are 4 inch x 4 inch. I remember you said when you install posts, they should be put on a "stand off bracket" that is set in concrete so the bottom of the post ...
Raised concrete poses tripping hazard
Dear Robert, I am a member of the board and according to the last contractor at our property, we have approximately 50 areas of raised concrete throughout our complex that are trip hazards. Recently one of the homeowners complained that she almost fell as a result of one of the raised areas. Although she was well aware of this part of the sidewalk being raised, we are now very concerned about possible lawsuits. We ...
Robert Lamoureux: Shower stalls can be refinished with polyurethane
Hi Robert, I really enjoy your daily column. I am a retired senior, who wants to continue living in my own home as long and possible. I have been slowly taking care of needed repairs and now I really need my shower stall in my master bedroom remodeled. I tried to use the epoxy method myself a couple of years ago and it worked for awhile, but now it is yellowing and I tried to ...
Robert Lamoureux: Patio and pool pavers buckle under extreme heat
Hi Robert, I read your column religiously and hope you can help me. I bought a home four years ago that had been remodeled extensively. On a back and side patio, pavers were placed over concrete. Recently, two rows of pavers buckled up forming upside down V's. This row runs north/south on the back patio and east/west on the side patio. Also small tiles on one side of the pool have popped off. All the ...
Robert Lamoureux: Louvered patio covers stand up to wind
Mr. Lamoureux, Reading your article in The Signal (Sept. 19) I was interested in the section about the louvered patio cover. 1. Who makes it and how do I contact them? 2. How do they stand up to our high winds? 3. Are they very expensive? Pricing was never mentioned in your reply to Thomas K. Thank you. Donald M. Hi Donald, The company I was referring to is Vergola. I spoke with John Johnston, ...
Robert Lamoureux: Keep air filters clean to prevent trouble
Hi Robert, I noticed that one of the corners of my bathroom rug was wet, next to the bathtub and thought that the tub was leaking. I then saw water was not only on the baseboards but also on the wall. My husband said a pipe was leaking and started sawing through the wall. After almost all the wall was removed, we discovered that there is a pipe leaking, but is coming from the air ...
Robert Lamoureux: Solutions offered for pitted concrete floor
Hi Robert, I'm a facilities manager at an industrial manufacturing plant. We have a battery charging station that splatters acid onto the concrete floor which has pitted badly over the years. Are you aware of a product to help protect the concrete? What would be the best way to address this problem? Thank you, James B. Hi James, Sawcut and demo the damaged concrete. When you're sawing through that concrete floor, you have to be ...
Robert Lamoureux: Best choice is Southern California manufacturer
Hi Robert, I look forward to your column every week. Our telephone entry system was accidentally hit by a moving truck and we have to replace it. Do you have any opinions or preferences on a replacement system? Thank you, Jacque B. Hi Jacque, My preference would be DoorKing - and there are a multitude of reasons why I like them. They are located here in Southern California, based in Inglewood. Most of the major ...
Robert Lamoureux: Hydraulic cement is quick fix for cracked pond
Hello Mr. Lamoureux, We will be renting a house in the High Desert soon. There is a waterfall with a fair sized fish pond. The pond has a substantial crack across the shallow end. I'm hoping this water feature will help my wife accept the move to the desert. Do you have an economical solution for this repair? Thank you for your interesting column. Bud R. Hi Bud, OK, so she hasn't seen the house ...
Robert Lamoureux: El Nino is coming, El Nino is coming
Hi Robert, I was watching the Weather Channel and they were talking about El Nino. Is this a big deal? Is there anything we could do to prepare our homes? Thank you, Julianne R. Hi Julianne, El Nino is a huge deal. It means rain and lots of it. It could easily dump two to three times the amount of normal rainfall we have in California. You can prepare your home or property by making ...
Robert Lamoureux: Try starting over on tile job to avoid regrets
Hi Robert, I follow your column. I'd like to get your opinion on something. I am replacing the carpeting in our living room with 1 foot x 1 foot ceramic tiles. I have one more course before I finish but the tiles are not lining up right. I used spacers and was very cautious about setting the tiles perfectly. I knew that they would have to be cut at the end, but they are not ...
Robert Lamoureux: 'Manly' toilet comes with a high price
Dear Mr. Lamoureux, My house has both copper and galvanized pipes. The copper is hooked up to the hot water and galvanized on the cold side. We had a leak in one of the galvanized pipes in the attic. I've got all of the junk out of the way now so I think it's a good time to replace that galvanized with copper. While I'm at it, I also want to change out the water ...
Robert Lamoureux: Lint could be culprit with dysfunctional dryer
Editor's note: Congratulations to Robert Lamoureux for the 100th edition of "Your Home Improvements." The Signal would like to thank Robert Lamoureux for providing the readers of the SCV with his wisdom and knowledge in his weekly column. As a thank you to readers, Robert, who is also the president of the Magic Castle, would like to offer castle passes to those who stop by his office. To schedule a time to visit the office, ...
No Articles Found.
