This week we welcomed Rex Bishop, director of technical education for the National Association of Landscape Professionals, in our Straight From the Pros segment.

Rex fielded a question from Sarah in Florida: “I have a dogwood tree on the northeast corner of my house where grass never seems to grow (it’s where my house makes an “L”). My two dogs LOVE digging there against the foundation. The tree is approximately 20 feet tall and 6 feet away from the foundation. I’m looking for a nice way to landscape around the tree so I won’t kill my dogwood and the dogs will no longer be able to dig!”

Listen to hour 1 to hear our pro’s advice on the situation.

Later in the show we talked to Debra in South Carolina: “I was in the process of sanding a pine table and water got on it. Several days later I tried to finish sanding it. The wood was slightly raised and l when I sanded it, it appears like it is pressed board.”

She sent us these photos to help diagnose the problem. Listen to hour 2 to hear our solution.

refinished-table-2

refinished-table

Tip of the Week

Here’s something a lot of people don’t realize they should do – cleaning washing machine water line filters. Water lines on washing machines have filters to prevent sediment from getting into the machine. If it seems like your washer is taking longer to fill up, clogged filters may be the culprit. It may be a little awkward to get to the washer water inlets; but once you do, cleaning water filters is quick and easy. Here’s how:

  1. Turn off the water supply valves, located in the supply box behind or beside your washer.
  2. If possible, pull the washer out from the wall so that you can get behind it. If this isn’t feasible, you’ll need to reach over or behind the washer to get to the inlet lines.
  3. Unscrew the supply lines from the washer, and locate the filters on the machine inlets.
  4. Use a spray bottle and small, stiff brush to scrub away any dirt or debris on the filters.
  5. Reconnect the water hoses, making sure the hot and cold lines are attached to the correct intakes.
  6. Turn the water valves back on and check for leaks.

Here’s what else we tackled on this week’s show:

Hour 1

Valerie in GA
I recently had to have my hardwood flooring replaced on the lower level of my home. There was water damage at all three door entryways. Is there some sort of flashing or mechanism that can be installed over each door to divert rainwater from coming straight down the doors?

Shirley in VA
Can you paint a brick house? Pros and cons? What’s the process?

Peggy in AL
Our gutters are not big enough to handle the amount of rain coming off our roof. How can I be sure I get the right size gutters and the right number of downspouts?

Mildred in FL
I am purchasing a home that has had a leaking connection to commode and has caused black mold how do i get rid of it forever. I have fixed the leak. Also, how do I cover up where it was?

Bill in MI
I have a shine after applying two coats of stain to a wood floor. It looks as if it has already been sealed. Can I seal over this over do I need to remove the shine?

Sarah
I have two old freestanding butcher blocks that I would like to start using in the kitchen. Should I think twice about putting them in the kitchen or can I restore them for food usage?

Hour 2

Lynn in NC
We had our concrete pool deck resurfaced a couple of years ago, had problems with it cracking and “spider webbing.” The contractor came out and repaired it a couple of times, but wouldn’t come out again. Very disappointing. It’s starting to chip now. Any suggestions?

Pete in WY
I have a general contractor who was supposed to remodel four rooms. Two of them have tile and he laid the tile over plywood instead of Hardie board or cement backer. I know the tiles are going to eventually pop, and I heard on your program that there is a different sort of polymer adhesive that I can use for something like that.

Patricia in NC
I had a new deck floor installed about four months ago on a second story deck above my garage. We had a very rainy spring and the deck had not yet been sealed. I am sick because the beautiful flat boards are now cupping, as I am preparing to clean and stain. Is this normal? I thought I had some time to let the wood age and that the wood could stand up to normal weather for a few months. Should I have stained immediately?

Belinda in WA
My grandson gets water all over the floor when showering and it is ruining my floor. I need something water resistant that will fit against the tub and the floor. What do you suggest I use?

Cheryl in MO
We have used a power washer in the past to clean our composite decking, trying to be very careful, but it takes the sheen off. Also have white vinyl railing and stairs. Should I just use Wet and Forget?

Editorial Contributors
avatar for Danny Lipford

Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

Learn More