Betsy's Profile | Tucker, GA

Mini Garden in a Book

Transform a thrift store hardback into a fun mini fantasy Garden - easy DIY on blog- can be adapted to different book's themes.

Liked 2 days ago

How To Make Homemade Goo Gone

Recycled glass jars and bottles can be put to lots of good use around the house for storage or decorating. The most challenging part of recycling glass jars, however, can be getting the ...»

5 Minutes Easy

Liked on Mar 21, 2013

Landscaping: Should I wait to apply a pre-emergent until after the heavy rain?

I know I should apply a pre-emergent to my bermuda lawn soon and was thinking of doing it today since it should be watered in. I was afraid that it would be a waste to do it though ...»

Flowerscapes Garden Desig... on Feb 23, 2013

A gentle rain is always welcome to water in lawn treatments that need it. Heavy rains tend to ...»
wash away granular supplements and can even negate some freshly put down liquid supplements. I usually welcome the rain but I need a break. Hotlanta is now Wetlanta.

Followed 7 people on Dec 31, 2012

Electrical & Lighting: Electricity in finished basement

When the original owners of our house finished the basement they ran the romex through the concrete block before adding wood strips and paneling. Is this the right way to do this? If not how should it be done?

Woodbridge Environmental ... on Dec 05, 2012

without seeing exactly what you have regarding running wires through the block I would suggest ...»
as KMS said, have a licensed electrical contractor review what ever work was already done and have him/her advise you on how to fix or improve the current install. While some jurisdictions all one method of doing something others may not. As an example in many city environments you can only use bx wire or wire inside emt conduit. While outside of the city you can use romex wires. So get this investigated by a local contractor. It will be worth the cost for their one or two hours spent to get you on the right track.

Home Maintenance & Repairs: Insulation on basement walls?

Here in Atlanta, is it recommended to add insulation to concrete block walls before finishing a basement? It wasn't done on mine (wood strips & paneling) and I was wondering if it should be re done.

Woodbridge Environmental ... on Dec 05, 2012

I would suggest highly that you pull any wood strips that are directly fastened to the wall ...»
and redo the walls. Ideally a air break from behind any walls should be established. Many people believe that their walls are dry, but in reality they will allow condensation to form on the cooler surfaces in which the wood has direct contact. This results in insects, rot and mold. If your tight for space, you can reinstall the wood back on the wall if you install at least a one inch foam closed cell type panel that is sandwiched between the wood the the block. But based upon your past post, it sounds as though holes were put into the block to fit the outlet and switch boxes.
You cannot have any breaks in the insulation. It must be installed tight to the wall, and all joints must be taped to prevent any possible humidity from reaching the block wall.
Ideally you should frame the wall away from the block keeping the framing about one inch at least off of the block. Then using spray foam after the wires are installed along with plumbing and cable etc. Foam behind the studs and to make a complete seal. This will prevent any moisture issues within the walls that could cause mold. It tightens the framing making the wall stronger, it prevents air currents from traveling behind the wall for fire safety. Plus offers all sorts of energy savings throughout the rest of the house above.
In your case you want to at least use one inch of closed cell foam board taped and glued to the block wall.

Outdoor Living: Poorly built leaky sunroom with clouded double pane windows, tear down or repair

We have a sunroom that has been a problem forever! The original owners did a terrible job of building it to begin with. We had some repairs done about 12 years ago which made it better ...»

KMS Woodworks on May 08, 2012

I agree with woodbridge...which happens a lot...the leaks are due to a bad install / repair. ...»
When done properly skylights do not leak. Any roof penetration causes issues as it complicates the "weather-proofing" When it comes to roofs...simple is better.

Gardening: I need a shade tolerant foundation plant.

I think we have compacta holly but they grew too tall and now they are very scraggly I think due to lack of sun. I'm looking for something about 3-4 ft high and low maintenance but will make a nice hedge around the base of the house.