In the last issue we solved a whistling noise caused by a toilet valve failure. Two readers emailed me with a completely different whistling water noise problem that they solved.
Their whistling water noise occurred under extremely low water flow conditions such as a slow drip from a kitchen faucet. The noise was identified as the water pressure regulator attached to the water meter in each case. The solution is to have the Village of Huntley Water Department replace the regulator which is part of their standard water meter installation. In cases where the regulator is the source of the noise, the noise can be initiated by cracking a faucet so that there is a slow drip to prove the source. If you find that you have this problem the village of Huntley will replace the faulty regulator for free.
Spring Maintenance
If you have a basement with a sump pump and you removed the black hose that guides the sump water away from the house, as you should have, now is the time to replace it.
There are many houses in Sun City with ugly patches of algae on the siding. This is usually on the north side of the house. This is so easy to remove that I can’t imagine why so many residents ignore this really simple project. The product that removes this algae is called Wet and Forget. You apply it with a pump type of garden sprayer. You mix the Wet and Forget with water according to the instructions on the package. Pour the mixture into the sprayer. Pump up the sprayer. I use 20 pumps. Spray the algae on the siding liberally and spray about one foot beyond. The algae will be removed slowly over the next few months with no further work from you.
When you replace the mulch around your house please, please don’t build mulch volcanos around the base of your trees. They trap water and insects around the trunks of your trees promoting rot and disease that could kill the trees.
Question: I recently was changing the florescent light bulbs in my laundry room and dropped the plastic fixture cover. The cover broke into several pieces and I am trying to find a replacement cover. I can’t find a name on the fixture. My house is a Dell Webb built in 1999, any idea of who the manufacturer might be? Or any idea who might have replacement covers. I have checked with Menards and Ace hardware with no luck.
Answer: You should check the internet, but a light fixture that was made twenty years ago might not still be made. Light fixtures for a utility area of your home are not very expensive. You might consider just replacing the broken fixture with a whole new fixture. Most are in the $20 to $40 range. You might consider an incandescent type fixture with LED bulbs.
Question: I live in N36. I have a 40-gallon short heater, power vent with expansion tank…Lowe’s tells me AO Smith heaters will not fit, I need a Bradford White? Any input/suggestions?
Old one is working fine, but corroding on top, starting to concern me.
Answer: You are doing the right thing by asking people that deal with water heaters every day. We only deal with water heaters about once every twelve years when they fail. You also might check with a plumber that installs water heaters.
The rust on the top of your heater is probably not a problem other than where is the water coming from to cause the rust. Water heaters generally fail by rusting at the bottom of the tank. The water usually just drips at first and puddles on the floor. That is not to say the water can’t all drain out, but that is rare.
If you have suggestions for future tips or have questions about maintenance around your home submit them to ask.the.woodchucks@gmail.com.
