Expansion tank may solve pipe noise

Q. I seem to have a water hammer in my heating system. At first it was a pounding inside my wall and I was unsure of what it was. I have hot water off my boiler with baseboard radiation. I have a two-story home. It doesn't happen all the time. I also noticed today while in the shower, I was running my washer downstairs too, and there seemed to be a loud thud that was probably after the washer stopped drawing water and stopped. How can I rectify this situation?

A. You should call an experienced HVAC contractor to check if the expansion tank on the heating system has become waterlogged. At the same, he or she can suggest a solution to the domestic water hammer. An expansion tank there may also be needed.

Q. After many years of a flooded backyard, a drainage system connected to the public storm sewer was installed. This action, along with drought, caused the ground to settle a great deal.

My concrete patio has cracked and pitched toward the house, causing flooding between basement walls. There is a 12-inch drop out the back door.

Of all the options (removal/repour, mudjacking, etc.), I believe laying pavers over the existing slab is the best choice. The patio is not pinned to the house.

• Should the existing slab be leveled with limestone or sand? What grade is advisable?

• Existing patio is edged with brick on a concrete ledge. Should the bricks be removed?

• Planting beneath our bay window is a water problem. What is the best solution?

A. Thank you for the photos and the sketch. One of the photos didn't open for some reason; I hope it is not of special significance. I could only open the sketch, the photo of the cracked patio and the one showing the entire patio viewed from the backyard and showing the house. It was enough for me to answer you.

If you are sure the settling is done, it seems as if the simplest solution is to drill pins into the existing foundation (if there is room to do so) and lay a thin cement bed as a base for pavers, blue stones or whatever a competent mason deems feasible.

But it may only be possible to lay a new concrete layer and replicate what looks like an exposed aggregate finish. The main concern is can this be done over the entire patio and obtain a sufficient slope for proper drainage? The pitch should simply drain water away; it does not need to be drastic.

The brick paver edging can simply be covered with the new resurfacing material.

The mason or concrete contractor you select should look into the feasibility of incorporating the existing problematic flower bed into the new covering. It will require the proper base best pinned to the existing foundation if feasible. Plantings can be provided with pots on the new patio.

Q. I recently replaced my old kitchen cupboards and countertop. The contractor who installed the new cabinets said he could refinish my antique porcelain on the cast iron sink. Sadly, the new finish immediately started to flake off and the sink looks terrible. Since the new cupboards and counters were measured to fit around the sink, replacement is not an option. I haven't contacted the contractor because I'm afraid he'll just make it worse. Any suggestions?

A. Not knowing the extent of the damage, I can only suggest you have a specialist in porcelain application and repairs examine the sink.

A good way to find such a specialist is to ask a plumbing-supply house for the names of the people they use to repair damaged tubs and sinks after installation.

There are also companies advertising porcelain repairs, but I have heard enough sad stories about the results, which entirely depend on the experience of the dealer. It is best to get recommendations of contractors who have been thoroughly vetted.

Q. Can this product (Nok-Out) be used to clean the interior of a refrigerator?

A. Nok-Out is an odor eliminator, not a cleaning product.

Q. Our house was built in the early 1970s. Last spring we redid our kitchen and bought new appliances. Now our refrigerator/freezer is growing mold on the side wall. I cleaned the wall with a mold-kill solution and washed it down with bleach. Now, about four months later, it's back. This time I noticed ice crystals and mold on the outside freezer side of the refrigerator. Our old refrigerator had approximately 4 inches from the wall, and the top was open. Now we have literally no room on the side and there is a cabinet right above the refrigerator. I have no idea how well the wall is insulated or if that would be considered part of the problem.

A. There was ample air circulation around the old refrigerator, but the new one is so tight as to preclude any such air circulation.

Consider asking the appliance dealer from whom your appliances were purchased if they have a suggestion. I am sorry, but I can't think of one.

Q. A contractor installed Nailite vinyl siding (looks like cedar shake) several years ago. The black on the back of the siding is bleeding through. My house looks a mess. I cannot sell it in its present condition. The contractor is bankrupt. I hear that Nailite is bankrupt. What can I do? I can't afford new siding.

A. Nailite has effectively filed for Chapter 11 and, according to what I have read, warranties are now in the hands of the bankruptcy court.

The only thing I can suggest is that you contact a lawyer to see if you can join any class action suit against Nailite. I know this is not much help, but I do not know what else to suggest.

Follow up from a reader: Hi there Henri. I read your column every Sunday. Today there was a question about exhaust/intake pipe getting snow covered. I had the exact same problem. They do sell a "snorkel" pipe that attaches to the pipe and rides up the house about 6 to 7 feet. Takes care of the snow problem (unless you have a VERY bad winter)! Just thought I'd let you know. Thanks."

A. Great suggestion, but I would advise anyone needing this to have such a snorkel installed by a licensed HVAC contractor to make sure it will not interfere with the intake and exhaust of the system. If so, it would cause a malfunction.

• Henri de Marne, a former remodeling contractor turned columnist and consultant, is the author of "About the House with Henri de Marne" (Upper Access Publishing). He continues to take questions from readers for this column and his website, www.henridemarne.com. Email questions to aboutthehouse@gmavt.net.