There are, many types of roof flashings but the type I see improperly installed more than any other kind is the flashing between a roof and brick.  This type of flashing runs along the roof and is then tucked into the brick.  The problem is a lot of roofers will use just a piece of base flashing.  After a few years and with the movement of the house it begins to have stress on the flashing and pulls it out of the mortar joint.  The home owner starts using caulk but it will never be right.  The proper way to flash this area is with two pieces of flashing (the base flashing) but a secondary flashing that then tucks into the mortar joint. As the house moves the flashing moves with it preventing any problems. Just proves how important quality contractors can be for your home. 

This past weekend we took a bunch of calls regarding interior painting.  That means take down pictures and posters and get to the bare walls. It is important to wash down the walls before painting. Why?  Because indoor dirt is not water soluble so the paint is not going to stick to the walls.  Wash the walls down with a soapy water solution and then rinse. The next part of the project is to fill all the nail holes.  A spackling compound is the perfect fix for this problem. There are several types of spackling and I recommend the Red Devil Lite Spackle. This will dry fast and is easy to work into the holes.  You can also get the type that goes on pink and dries white.  That way you will know when it is time to paint. Painting over the spackle before it has dried can cause an adhesion problem. 

I am often asked this question:  When anchoring something into a brick wall is it better to install the anchor in the brick or the mortar?

I could answer it by saying it depends but in most cases it is better to anchor into the mortar joint.  Brick is sometimes soft and can crumble or hard and it can crack with the use of a hammer drill. If something does go wrong and the brick cracks you have a problem.  If something goes wrong in the mortar joint it is easy to repair.  So drill the hole with a hammer drill into the mortar joint, before inserting the anchor put some silicone or epoxy filler in the hole and set the anchor.  This will insure a snug and permanent fit. 

In colder months many use portable heaters for comfort. We also use them by turning down the thermostat and use the portable units to keep one room warm and save money. Not a bad idea.  Now you can use a device to cool and room in the summer. It is not a portable air conditioner but rather an evaporative cooling unit. They are portable and can be moved from room to room or even used outside on a deck or screen porch. If you are familiar with a swamp cooler this is the technology. Small light weight and use where needed. It can drop the temperature in a room or outdoors by 15 degrees. Perfect for an upstairs of a home that is just too hot.  

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