Sealant Keeps Mold Off Bricks
Question: I have two red brick patios and every spring I’m faced with a buildup of black and green mold on the bricks, primarily under the patio covers. I remove it, but the problem always returns. Is there any way to inhibit the growth of mold?
S.L.
Laguna Hills
Answer: “You may want to try using a silicone-based sealant on the brick,” says Pete Gorman of Rancho Lumber in Westminster. “This is a fairly new product and it’s designed for use in areas where mold is a problem. And it’s translucent so there’s no change in color after it dries, and it’s also waterproof. First you’ll need to clean the brick, scrubbing off any dirt or mold so it’s as sparkling as you can make it. Then you’ll need to completely rinse it off; you don’t want to leave any detergent or mold spores. Then let it dry out thoroughly for a few days. You can then use a simple paint roller and tray to roll on the sealer.”
Q: We recently bought a house with ceramic tile on the kitchen countertops that had been installed two years ago. Supposedly, a sealer had also been put on the grout, but we’re finding that the previously white grout is now brown and spotted. Grout cleaners and brushes don’t seem to work. Any ideas?
W.E.
La Habra
A: “White grout has more problems with staining than any other color, probably because everything stains it,” says Gidon Adlan of Bob’s Shades & Linoleum in Orange. “And a sealer, even a good one, is only effective for about six months, since the area is constantly being washed with soaps and cleaners, which eat away at the sealer. The easiest solution is to re-grout the area, or to have a tile installer coat the grout lines with a pigment used to make grout, which brings it back to its original color.”
Q: We’re thinking of doing some remodeling in the kitchen this summer and have been looking at sinks. Which is a better sink, stainless steel or cast iron?
S.N.
Huntington Beach
A: “With cast iron, you can match the color of your appliances, which gives you a more cozy look,” says Rich Haagsma of Faucets ‘n Fixtures in Orange. “Stainless steel, at least good 18-gauge stainless steel, is extremely durable and chip-proof. It’s often the choice of gourmet cooks, since they can drop big pans in one and not have to worry about damaging it. You should first look at all kinds of sinks to get a feel for which would suit your needs, and which would look best with your new kitchen. Surprisingly, good-quality stainless steel costs more than cast-iron, so that has to be taken into consideration as well.”
Q: I’m looking to find a window treatment, preferably a horizontal or vertical blind, that will keep out the heat from a room that gets a lot of direct sunlight. Is there one that works best?
R.V.
Irvine
A: “You may want to look at cellular shades, which have a honeycomb shape,” says Heidi Benson of Wells Interiors in Laguna Hills. “They’re available with varying forms of light shading, from sheer to block out some light to a blackout shade. The back on cellular shades is white to reflect heat; the front can be ordered in any color to match your decor. You can also go with a pleated shade that has a metal backing. However, good quality mini and vertical shades will also give you good protection.”
Q: Last summer I started painting some of my wood lawn furniture and applied a primer, then for various reasons the project got set aside and I never finished. The furniture was left out in the weather with just the primer coat. Should I put a new coat on before finishing the job?
C.F.
Anaheim
A: “Give it a good washing with soap and water, rinse it off and let it dry,” says painter Rod Young of Santa Ana. “If it looks as though the primer is still adhering to the wood, you can give it a top coat. If not, sand the loose paint off, re-prime, then paint.”
