Check Out Warranty on Roof System

Question: I recently heard of a spray-on roofing for flat roofs. What do you know about this product and where it can be purchased in the Los Angeles area.

Answer: There are several firms that apply sprayed-on roofs, which are quite commonly used on industrial or commercial buildings, but are also found on residential structures. You can find them listed in the Yellow Pages under “Roofing.” Look for ads that mention flat roofs or urethane roofs. We’re talking major expenditures here, so make sure that the firm is reputable, that it has been in business for a number of years and that it offers a decent warranty that spells out who is liable for damage to the inside of the house. According to a roofing expert, the major players in the foam roofing system business, firms like General Electric, Dow Corning and Carpenter Insulation, offer a full 10-year labor and material warranty to the owner at a small additional cost. It’s like an extended warranty on a new car or major appliance and sounds good to me!

Q: My Dishmaster is in need of repair and I’m having no luck obtaining parts in Kern County. Do you have any suggestions?

A: The big old-time hardware stores here in L.A. County generally stock most of the parts for this classic. I checked with Pasadena Plumbing & Hardware Co., 409 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, and was told that they stock “90%” of the parts for Dishmasters. They don’t have the faucet, however. You live in Tehachapi, which isn’t all that far from Bakersfield. You might check out the hardware stores there, if you haven’t already done so. Forget home centers; we’re talking real, old-time hardware stores.

Dale Baldwin will answer remodeling questions of general interest on this page. Send your questions to Home Improvement, Real Estate Department, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053. Baldwin cannot answer questions individually. Snapshots of successful do-it-yourself projects may be submitted but cannot be returned.