Ask Mason http://www.remodelrichmond.com Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:03:39 -1800 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Cultured-Marble-Repairs.html/Itemid,28/ <p class="MsoNormal">Mason:</p><p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p><p class="MsoNormal">We have a cultured marble countertop in our bathroom, bought from a home center less than two years ago.&nbsp; Some visible marks have appeared in the surface &ndash; not deep scratches, but the top no longer looks new.&nbsp; What might be done to restore the original appearance?</p><p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p><p class="MsoNormal">DH, Midlothian, VA</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="Ms [...] Mason Wed, 19 Aug 2009 01:00:00 -1800 repairs countertops http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Chic-Coutertops-for-the-Granite-Averse.html/Itemid,28/ <p class="MsoNormal">I went shopping today with a client that was disinclined to use granite tops in her new kitchen.&nbsp; As my readers may know, I am a huge fan of the diversity of design possibilities, as well as the fairly indestructible quality of granite countertops.&nbsp; On the flip side, the designer in me loathes the wasted opportunity of plopping-down the same stuff as appears in nearly every other high-end kitchen in town.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNorma [...] Mason Sun, 19 Jul 2009 01:00:00 -1800 remodeling kitchens green granite design countertops http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Looking-for-Love-REMODEL!!.html/Itemid,28/ I just HAD to pass this one along to our readers. Of course, you come to this weblog for tips on how to get lucky, right (hands, please)?<br/><br/><br/>Well, the latest advisor to the lovelorn is - who else - Kilz products (that's right, those folks that make the stain-blocking primer we're all so very fond-of).<br/><br/><br/>According to the latest Kilz Roller Report:<br/><br/><br/>- 85% of women would prefer a $5,000 room remodel over a new pair of diamond earrings<br/><br/>- 63% of women consider home decor to be a key in [...] Mason Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:00:00 -1800 value renovation remodeling http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Lets-Not-Say-Cheap-Rather....html/Itemid,28/ <p>&nbsp;In this economy, many of our remodeling-happy customers have a renewed interest in cost-sensitive improvements.&nbsp; As usual, we ALL want to achieve the greatest impact; the most WOW factor for our investment.</p><p>Regardless the economic situation, some folks just cannot leave things alone, around their homes.&nbsp; We refer to them as serial remodelers.&nbsp; Bless their souls!</p><p>I&#39;ll be posting a series of great ideas along these lines in upcoming pieces.&nbsp; Let&#39;s n [...] Mason Tue, 05 May 2009 01:00:00 -1800 value renovation remodeling millwork design http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Roofing-an-Addition.html/Itemid,28/ <p>Mason:</p><p>I have a house with a slate roof.&nbsp; I am thinking about putting on an addition but fear that continuing the slate would be very expensive.&nbsp; Is there a less-costly alternative that would not look too disjointed?&nbsp; I was thinking of a metal roof of some kind.&nbsp; What do you think?</p><p>DM,&nbsp; Richmond, VA</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Dear DM:</p><p>OK; first... determine your favorite roof song of all time:</p><p>When this old world starts getting me down, and people are [...] Mason Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:00:00 -1800 value roofing remodeling design additions http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Restoration-Glass.html/Itemid,28/ <p>Mason:</p><p>My husband and I have recently moved to an old townhome on Church Hill.&nbsp; We have numerous windows in the house with cracked glass that we&#39;d like to fix.&nbsp; Problem is, the glass people we&#39;ve talked-to cannot match our old, wavy glass.&nbsp; It&#39;s either &quot;perfect&quot; new glass, or a fake-looking reproduction.&nbsp; We&#39;d love it to be the real thing - what should we do?</p><p>Liz S., Richmond, VA</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Liz:</p><p>Actually, you have plenty [...] Mason Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:00:00 -1800 windows preservation http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Dr.-House-on-Chasing-Leaks.html/Itemid,28/ <p>Mason:</p><p>Here&#39;s one for you ... how do you fix a leaking window - in a stucco / concrete block house ... that comes somewhere from the wall above (appears above the window), but only when raining from a certain direction ... which no one else can isolate?? </p><p>In addition, if this is helpful info to know or not (?) ... we also had the entire front face of the house re-painted with 2 coats of a professionally recommended &quot;rubberized&quot; paint that was supposed to give and exp [...] Mason Wed, 25 Feb 2009 01:00:00 -1800 windows window leaks stucco repairs leaks exteriors cracks http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Something-to-do-on-Saturday---Flush-your-Water-Heater.html/Itemid,28/ <p>Mason:</p><p>A plumber was recently at my home to repair our malfunctioning water heater.&nbsp; He replaced something (a rod?) and everything seems to be fine.&nbsp; He did tell me that we should FLUSH our water heater more often.&nbsp; WHAT?&nbsp; I have never heard of such a thing.&nbsp; Is this for real??</p><p>Rob M., Chesterfield</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Rob:</p><p>Yes; this is one of those home maintenance routines often unknown or overlooked by most homeowners.&nbsp; Although not quite as si [...] Mason Thu, 22 Jan 2009 01:00:00 -1800 water heater plumbing maintenance http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Fun-with-Refinishing-Cabinets.html/Itemid,28/ <p>&nbsp; Dear Mason,</p><p>I am updating my kitchen, but want to avoid replacing the cabinets for cost reasons.&nbsp; The present cabinets are in pretty good shape, but I don&#39;t like the appearance.&nbsp; They&#39;re 1960&#39;s or 70&#39;s knotty pine.&nbsp; I would like to paint them white.</p><p>One painter that we had look at the job told me that the paint might not stick to the old cabinets and that the knots will show through the paint job.&nbsp; I have heard of painting old wood cabine [...] Mason Mon, 05 Jan 2009 01:00:00 -1800 kitchens DIY http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,The-French-Conspiracy---Rotten-Doors.html/Itemid,28/ &nbsp; <p>Mason:</p><p>I have a pair of wood French Doors on the exterior of my 25-year-old house, that have rotted over a number of years.&nbsp; The bottoms of the doors are deteriorating, as well as the wood frame and moldings around the door. </p><p>I see that these are pretty expensive to replace; is there any way to repair this mess?&nbsp; They are not leaking, but it looks awful!</p><p>Bill S.&nbsp; Richmond, VA</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Dear Bill:</p><p>Take heart that your situation is not at a [...] Mason Mon, 05 Jan 2009 01:00:00 -1800 repairs http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Plasterboard-Ceiling-Repairs.html/Itemid,28/ &nbsp;&nbsp; <p>Mason:</p><p>My husband and I have been fixing up a 1950&#39;s ranch home for several years.&nbsp; We patched a long crack in the ceiling (did it ourselves; we&#39;re pretty handy).&nbsp; It looked great for maybe six months, but it has reappeared recently.&nbsp; Is there anything we should consider before patching again, to make it go away forever?</p><p>Wendy S.&nbsp; Midlothian Va</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Wendy:</p><p>Consider a government bailout!</p><p>Really, the influence of the [...] Mason Mon, 05 Jan 2009 01:00:00 -1800 repairs cracks http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Color-My-World---21.html/Itemid,28/ &nbsp; The psychological influence of our environment is undeniable.&nbsp; As the Creator established and continually transforms our natural environment, we designers of city plans, architecture, landscape, interiors and decorative / industrial goods exert a similar influence on the built environment. <p>I will be the first to admit that picking colors is not my primary area of competence.&nbsp; Architectural design, however, is only a piece of what makes our built environment &quot;come alive&q [...] Mason Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:00:00 -1800 remodeling design http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Repair-or-Replace-Shower-.html/Itemid,28/ <p>Mason : </p><p>My home is 12 years old, in beautiful Beaverdam. My heel went through the shower floor of the Lasco one-piece pre-fab 47&quot;W x 34&quot;D x 72&quot;H fiberglass shell.&nbsp; The break is 4.5&quot;.&nbsp; While on my hands and knees, I noticed two small sets of spiderweb cracks in addition to the big break.</p><p>My wife says time for a tiled shower. I say let&#39;s get it repaired.&nbsp; How do we decide?&nbsp; </p><p>Steve S.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Steve,</p><p>I am sure you&#39 [...] Mason Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:00:00 -1800 repairs bathrooms http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,You-Know-that-You-Need-a-Smaller-Oven-When....html/Itemid,28/ &nbsp; <p>Hello - doing a kitchen makeover and keeping the original cabinets (30 yrs old but solid wood). Problem is the Kenmore wall oven in a cabinet is 23&quot; - the cabinet holding it is 27&quot;. I&#39;ve searched the net, there are no more 23&quot; wall ovens out there. I can&#39;t think of how I can fit one it, or make the existing cabinet any bigger. Replacing the cabinet would be difficult to match color &amp; quality. Any suggestions? Please help!!! Thanks!</p><p>Chrissie</p><p>&nbsp; [...] Mason Tue, 21 Oct 2008 01:00:00 -1800 remodeling kitchens http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Rock-paper-PAPERSTONE!.html/Itemid,28/ <p>What can you tell me about Paperstone? I&#39;m interested in it for use as a work-top in a garage, and in my laundry room with my washer and dryer below.</p><p>How durable is it? Can it get wet? How does fragility or strength compare to other solutions? What about price? Availability around here? </p><p>Obviously, I&#39;m interested in its green/sustainable characteristics, and it just sounds kind of cool ... Thanks! Great blog, btw. Your answers are more thorough than many of these things.</ [...] Mason Mon, 13 Oct 2008 01:00:00 -1800 value green countertops http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Floored-by-Squeaks-and-Groans-Oh-My!.html/Itemid,28/ <p>Question for Mason : I don&#39;t know if it&#39;s the change in the temperature or what, but the former minor squeaks in my hardwood floor -- especially in the white pine in the kitchen -- are out of control. Is this something that your handyman folks can make go away? </p><p>I confess that I&#39;ve tried fixing it myself. I read that you could rub graphite powder in the floor joints to fix. Can&#39;t tell you how %#@@ed-off my wife is about this now that there&#39;s black fill in the light f [...] Mason Sun, 05 Oct 2008 01:00:00 -1800 repairs hardwood handyman floors http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,On-Cabinet-Refacing-Square-Pegs-and-Round-Holes.html/Itemid,28/ <p>Mason, enjoy your articles. After 12 years in the refacing business, I finally started my own co. What do you think of the laminate and veneer process? Since I am now also doing sales, I could use any sales pitches you might have.&nbsp; Thanks!</p><p>Kirk B Reno, NV</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Kirk,</p><p>Congratulations on taking the jump to ownership.&nbsp; Remember, you&#39;re not your own boss... now you have so many more bosses - your customers!</p><p>I confess that when I first read your inquiry [...] Mason Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:00:00 -1800 value select contractor renovation remodeling kitchens bathrooms http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Home-Advice-from-a-Realtor.html/Itemid,28/ <p>Everyone is familiar with those shows on cable television, following the processes wherein homes are bought and sold.&nbsp; Designed to Sell, House Hunters, Curb Appeal, and others have become Home &amp; Garden TV phenomena.</p><p>While so much of home improvement television is deeply rooted in fantasy, these shows have some real-world applications.&nbsp; Richmond&#39;s own Nancy Frazier of Long &amp; Foster Real Estate is likely one of the most experienced and successful agents in our area.& [...] Mason Fri, 12 Sep 2008 01:00:00 -1800 value resale value kitchens bathrooms http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Granite-Countertops-Safety-Scare.html/Itemid,28/ &nbsp; <p>Mason,</p><p>I have read and seen a lot in the media recently about the dangers of radiation from granite countertops.&nbsp; I have always thought that stone tops would be a great improvement to my own kitchen, but now I am concerned.&nbsp; What do you think?</p><p>Lisa C., Richmond, VA</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Lisa,</p><p>I recall way-back-when, we made fun of the saccharin / cancer scare.&nbsp; How many pounds of sweetener could one possibly gorge a lab rat with, and did that have anything [...] Mason Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:00:00 -1800 safety kitchens granite countertops http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Barnwood-Restoration.html/Itemid,28/ <p>Question for Mason:</p><p>We are finally after 4 years re insulating our kitchen walls. The drywall has been removed as well as a layer of old barnboards.&nbsp; We have reinsulated and the vapor barrier is in place.&nbsp; I like the idea of putting the barnboards back and having a rustic looking kitchen wall.&nbsp; My question is how would you refinish barnboard? (this board is really old and has a rough dark colour to it).&nbsp; And what would I use to fill the gaps between boards?&nbsp; </p [...] Mason Tue, 02 Sep 2008 01:00:00 -1800 repairs renovation preservation millwork kitchens DIY