By Monte Leeper
Q. I am writing in response to the Franklin Square resident who wishes to
sound-proof his garage and bedroom. While your explanation and remedy makes
sense (of course), it is so complicated and expensive that even you suggest
he save his money and take a vacation instead.
I just wanted to let you know about an amazing acoustic paneling called
Tectum. I've been using it in my hair salon for ten years now and it really works (our noise is from the inside, not the outside, but I'm pretty sure it will help with any noise). I discovered it while at Westbury Music Fair and I noted the whole theater is lined in this paneling.
It is about 1-inch thick and, while durable, is still made up of plenty of
air. Check it out. It works great.
A. Thank you for your suggestion. Tectum acoustical paneling, which looks
like interwoven layers of spaghetti noodles, is one of several surface boards
that absorb sound quite well in auditoriums, gymnasiums, airports and
even sound-recording studios. It has been around for decades and is widely
used. Unfortunately, the sound problem described by the other writer was
not well-suited to this remedy because Tectum takes up space, is not the most
attractive material, and is really intended to absorb the sound directed at
its surface, such as in your interior salon application. Sound deadening and
sound absorption require different types of materials to address the problem.
And while we are on the subject, an unidentified writer stated I was cruel
in the answer I gave, since I accused the insistent inquirer of expecting
something for nothing and wanting it as fast as possible. Cheap and fast.
To that writer, I suggest looking around for anyone who gives away something
for nothing and appreciates being badgered because of impatience. Ben
Franklin put it best when he said, " beggars can't be choosers."
If the person really had an emergency, picking up the phone and hiring a
professional was a fair option. I love helping people who appreciate advice.
I wish there were room to answer all the letters sent in. Some writers even
receive a personal call when the case requires immediate attention. But
would you sit down to write a letter if a pipe burst or you smelled something
electrical burning in your home? Thank you for the letter. Have a happy new
year.
Q. I own a home in Valley Stream with a garage in my small rear yard.
Whenever it rains or whenever I water the grass for too long a time, I get a
flood on my 22-foot x 15-foot covered patio that is attached to my garage. I have
tried to use 3-inch underground pipes to carry the water away from my patio, with
no luck. Whenever there is heavy rain, I have 2 inches to 3 inches of water on my patio
two to three hours after the rain has stopped. My patio takes up approx.
1/3 of my rear yard. Prior to my patio being installed, water always stayed
in the patio area after it rained. I thought installing a patio (covered) in
this area, next to the garage, would help with this problem but it became
worse. Any ideas you have would be greatly appreciated.
A. I suggest building walls around the patio so that you have a swimming
pool. The reason the water ponding became worse was that you eliminated the
ability for the standing water to percolate into the ground. Before building
a patio, driveway or any other paved area, it is important to determine the
slope of the entire area. You must find a low point and develop slope so
that the paving drains to it. The patio should have been placed with a
slope that allowed the rainwater to be directed to a point lower than the
patio. At the low spot, a catch basin or drywell should have been installed.
This drywell should have a volume calculated to accept at least 2 inches of rain
per square foot for the entire patio in a 24-hour period.
It sounds like a lot to do, but this is basic to all site projects. Bypassing this
procedure caused nature to take over and do just what comes naturally.
So now you have to decide, do you cut a hole in the patio and drop a
properly calculated drywell, place a drain and piping to a drywell at another
low point, rip up the patio and pour one with proper slope, or buy goldfish
and make a cee-ment pond? Best of luck!
