Building engineer Ross Trethewey and host Kevin O’Connor meet at the shop to talk about HVAC systems and the noise they create. Ross shows Kevin what causes the most common HVAC noises, including motors, turbulence, and velocity, and points out some helpful tips so homeowners can troubleshoot their own noisy systems.
Next, we meet landscape contractor Lee Gilliam as he helps a homeowner solve the trouble she’s had with brown spots in her yard. After showing the homeowner how to aerate the lawn, the pair work together to spread fertilizer, grass seed, and peat moss to revitalize the grass.
Finally, we head out on a road trip with mason Mark McCullough as he helps a homeowner fix a stucco problem. After identifying the causes, Mark and the homeowner make some repairs, remove the existing stucco, and apply a fresh new coat of custom stucco mix for a seamless finish.
Common Cause for Noisy HVAC
We always appreciate our cozy heat when the temperatures plummet and our air conditioning when it’s scorching hot out. But one thing most homeowners don’t love about the HVAC systems is how loud they can be. Building engineer Ross Trethewey breaks down the common causes and some simple solutions.
Where to find it?
Ross used a sound level meter that measured the sound pressure in decibels.
Noisy Fan Solution
A fan is going to sound louder the closer it is to the supply and return vents. Ross advises adding insulated flexible ducts in between the fan and vent. This will create distance from the vent and the curve of the flex duct will help absorb sound.
Air Velocity Solutions
When airflow is restricted, air speeds up to squeeze through smaller openings. The faster the air moves, the more turbulence and noise it creates.
Ross explains one solution is adjusting the balance damper. By adjusting airflow at the register, the noise will be heard louder at the final exit point. If you can access the balancing damper, the turbulence and noise will happen further upstream in the ductwork, away from the exit point.
If accessing the damper level is an issue, Ross suggests looking at the register. Wooden registers are usually bulkier and have more airflow resistance than metal registers. More restriction increases the velocity and noise of the air coming through.
Replacing a register with a larger one could also help. Ross explains how switching from a 4×10 register to a 6×10 register increases the area for airflow. The diameter size will stay the same, but a larger boot will need to be installed.
How to Fix a Dead Lawn by Overseeding
Dry, brown spots don’t just stress lawns—they also stress homeowners. Especially when they put a lot of effort into their lawn and landscaping. When a homeowner’s yard started turning brown, they called landscaping contractor Lee Gilliam for help. The solution? Aeration and overseeding.
Where to find it?
Start by inspecting the lawn and making note of problem areas. Lee suggests using compost to level out any noticeable high or low area in the yard.
To prepare the lawn to receive nutrients and grass seed use a core aeration machine or a tow behind aerator, which remove pieces of soil and opens up the compacted soil. Lee suggests aerating from left to right and top to bottom for maximum coverage.
Next cast an even layer of organic compost using a wheelbarrow and shovels. Use the backside of a metal rake to even out the layer of compost.
Use a broadcast spreader to evenly distribute a layer of starter fertilizer. Be sure to check the casting settings to be sure the starter fertilizer doesn’t land in a flower bed or on other plantings. Use gardening gloves to protect your hands while handling the starter fertilizer.
You can spread grass seed by hand or using a broadcast spreader. Lee recommends spreading grass by hand along the perimeter of the lawn. Lee selected a Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue and Kentucky bluegrass seed. This will keep grass from growing in spots where you don’t want it to.
Top dress your lawn with a layer of peat moss. This will act as an incubator. Lee uses the peat moss as an indicator of when to water the lawn. If the peat moss is dark maroon, it is holding moisture. If the peat moss is a dry light maroon color, then it is time to water the lawn.
Lee recommends watering twice a day for the first 7-10 days and once a day following the 10 day period.
How to Repair Cracked Foundation Stucco
Stucco looks great and provides a protective barrier for masonry surfaces. However, improperly applied, it will pop off and expose the material it’s designed to hide. When a homeowner started noticing his foundation stucco cracking, he called mason Mark McCullough for help.
Where to find it?
For Mark’s stucco mix, he used:
But for a homeowner’s smaller project, Mark recommends a pre-mixed stucco bag. Use a mortar tub to mix the ingredients together.
Mark removed any loose stucco with a brick hammer. Then they took a 20-grit rub brick to smooth down the face of the foundation.
Using a multi-purpose lawn and garden pump sprayer, a masonry admix and bonding agent was sprayed onto the foundation before the stucco mix was added. A masonry brush was used to spread out the glue.
To spread the stucco mix, steel trowels were used. For this small work area, they used a 12”x4” finishing trowel and an 8”x3” finishing trowel. And a London brick trowel was used to pick up the mix and add it to the finishing trowels. Mark also used a margin trowel to shape the corner of the foundation.
To match the consistency of the existing stucco, a few different tools can be used with a bucket of water. A fine rubber float or a foam hand float could work. But Mark finds that a normal multi-purpose sponge can usually get the job done.
Original Air Date: May 15, 2025, Season 23; Ep. 24 23:42
Products and services from this episode
Most of the above tools and products can be found at The Home Depot.
