Yavapai County Contractors Association (YCCA) is a professional association representing licensed, bonded and insured contractors, suppliers, distributors and business entities.  Welcome to our “ASK THE CONTRACTOR” column, your local referral source for all of your construction, building, sustainability and basic technology needs.  YCCA is pleased to be able to answer your questions and assist you in obtaining information from local reliable companies and business owners.  Thanks for taking the time to stop by our column. YCCA looks forward to hearing from you.  Contact YCCA for more information on hiring a contractor.
(928) 778-0040 or ycca@cableone.net.

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Appliances top
Are there rebates for gas-fired equipment?
- 278
Cleaning Dryer Vent
- 42
Dryer Taking Too Long To Dry
- 43
Dryer Won’t Dry
- 46
Is there a difference with dish washer products?
- 34
Should I buy a front-loading washer?
- 331
Should you unplug your refrigerator?
- 56
Attic Fans top
Do attic fans save electricity?
- 776
Blue Stake top
Do I have to call for a Blue Stake?
- 82
I heard that I need to register with Blue Stake
- 61
What is Blue Stake?
- 65
Celing Fans top
Do ceiling fans keep rooms cooler?
- 438
What direction should my ceiling fan spin?
- 878
Cost vs. Value top
What are some percentages of value recouped for remodeling projects?
- 423
Counter Tops top
How do I care for my granite countertops?
- 437
Did You Know - General Helpful Little Tips top
Did You Know? General Helpful Little Tips - Part 1
- 386
Did You Know? General Helpful Little Tips - Part 2
- 369
Did you Know? General Helpful Little Tips - Part 3
- 414
Did you Know? General Helpful Little Tips - Part 4
- 362
Did you Know? General Helpful Little Tips - Part 5
- 348
Did you Know? General Helpful Little Tips - Part 6
- 298
Did you Know? General Helpful Little Tips - Part 7
- 273
Did you Know? General Helpful Little Tips - Part 8
- 249
Drainage top
What are issues of water entering my basement?
- 259
Driveway Materials top
Are paver driveways durable?
- 442
What type of driveway material should I use?
- 435
What type of driveway material should I use? - Part II
- 434
Drywall top
Are our drywall issues caused by cold wet weather?
- 469
Paperless Drywall
- 617
Electrical top
Can you install dimmer switches on halogen lights?
- 86
CLF light Bulbs
- 29
Closet light does not work
- 32
Do GFCI outlets ever wear out? How can I tell if they're working?
- 760
Do light bulbs save energy?
- 32
Flickering light issue
- 38
How do you know if you home electrical should be upgraded?
- 476
How important is it to have a whole house surge protector?
- 424
Possible Causes of Lights Not Working
- 311
Energy Audits top
Energy Audir on a Two Year Old Home?
- 56
Unisource Energy Audit vs. the APS energy Audit?
- 97
What is an Energy Audit & how do we get one?
- 24
What is an Energy Audit?
- 58
Energy Rebates top
Are there any green energy rebate plans for trees?
- 211
Energy Saving Tips top
Tips to make a home energy efficient for the winter.
- 207
I have heard of something called a Powershift plan.. What is that?
- 292
What are some easy things to do to help save money with my heating bill?
- 409
Will I really save money if I clean the back of my refrigerator?
- 431
Evaporative Coolers top
How to tune up your evap cooler.
- 331
Expansive Soils top
Why should I obtain a soils report?
- 26
Exterior Decking top
What is the difference between conventional wood and GREEN decking materials?
- 442
Exterior Doors top
What should I consider when buying a new front door?
- 496
Fire Prevention Tips top
Easy Tips To Prevent Home Fires
- 30
Fireplaces top
We want to install a fireplace and are so confused about the tax credits
- 328
Flood Control top
How do I Know if my Property is in a Flood Plain?
- 995
Flooring top
How to remove glue from indoor/outdoor carpet
- 43
Acid stain concrete is peeling
- 42
How to Remove Nail Polish from Hardwood
- 1749
Is there a way to get the stain out, or must I replace the tile?
- 353
Pros and cons of cork flooring
- 44
Should you Replace Your Carpet?
- 222
We cleaned our grout with vinegar and it changed the color?
- 40
What if your carpet has wrinkles?
- 248
What is the tile PEI rating?
- 551
What to do if you have silver nitrate on your carpet
- 263
What type of new flooring do you recommend?
- 354
Foundation top
Do I have a foundation problem?
- 490
Glass / Glazing top
What locations in a home require tempured glass?
- 423
Grab Bars top
What size grab bars should I use in my bathroom?
- 442
Granite Countertops top
Are granite countertops safe?
- 478
How to decide if you should install granite?
- 352
Green Building top
Green Building Products
- 221
Reduce your Carbon Footprint Calculator
- 38
Top Ten Green Building List
- 272
Gutters top
Why homes should have gutters?
- 448
Hard Water top
Should I purchase a water softener and what exactly is hard water?
- 350
Hiring a Contractor top
Be Cautious Of
- 30
10 Ounces of Prevention and More When Hiring a Contractor
- 26
A Licensed Contractor can Protect You......
- 323
Before you hire read this
- 27
Contract Requirements
- 33
Contractor Hiring Tips
- 227
Hiring Licensed vs. Unlicensed Contractors
- 343
Low Bids vs High Bids
- 429
Questions to ask Every Contractor
- 309
Red flags to watch for when hiring a contractor
- 37
The 'Unlicensed' Contractor
- 217
Verify the Credentials of Any Contractor
- 170
What should be included in a contract?
- 458
What type of contractor do I need?
- 482
HVAC Systems top
How do I know if my A/C system is the right size for energy efficiency?
- 436
How long does an average A/C system last?
- 681
Is an air cleaner a good investment?
- 35
Should I close the air conditioner registers in unused rooms to save energy?
- 1739
Should thermostats be turned up every time you leave the house?
- 298
What are Geothermal Heat Pumps
- 150
What can I do to maintain my HVAC system between annual tune-ups?
- 396
What is the best filter to use for allergy problems?
- 402
Insulation top
I want to use spray foam in our new home. What are your thoughts?
- 28
Interior Design top
Easiest & Least Expensive way to change?
- 284
What items in my home should I remodel based upon my budget?
- 406
Interior Toxicity top
Household Pest Control
- 221
How do you detoxify the interior a new home?
- 371
How to eliminate skunk odor?
- 267
Landscaping top
Can you recommend low-water plants that are colorful?
- 393
Clay Soil
- 462
Edging vs. Curbing
- 304
How can I make Compost?
- 266
Should I trim my roses now?
- 393
What are some signs and symptoms for ornamental diseases?
- 225
What can I plant in my yard to make it look better through the winter months?
- 440
What do the terms 'water wise plants' and 'Xeriscape' mean?
- 400
Latent Defects top
Can we get the stucco repaired by the original contractor?
- 307
What is a latent defect and do homeowners have recourse?
- 1013
Liens / Pre-Liens top
Preliminary 20-Day Notices
- 40
Lighting top
Can you install dimmer switches on halogen lights?
- 24
CLF light Bulbs
- 30
Closet light does not work
- 35
Do light bulbs save energy?
- 25
Flickering light issue
- 24
Possible Causes of Lights Not Working
- 24
What is the difference between CLF bulbs and Incandescent bulbs?
- 25
Log Homes top
Fireplace in our log home?
- 68
Is a log home energy efficient?
- 55
Miscellaneous Issues top
Color of Hard Hats
- 417
How do I open a double-hung window that’s painted shut?
- 442
How do I select the right nails for the job?
- 279
Mold / Asbestos top
How can I tell if I have a mold problem?
- 305
I found a mold problem. How should it be addressed?
- 363
I have a black discoloration on my linoleom floor. Is this mold?
- 601
What to do if you have dark spots behind pictures
- 32
What's causing these blacks spots in my bathroom?
- 433
Why do I need to check for asbestos and get a NESHAP permit?
- 373
Painting top
Can we paint over non-green paint?
- 151
Can we paint over oil base paint with acrylic?
- 43
Difference between latex and oil paints when using “green paint”?
- 152
How do I open a double-hung window that’s painted shut?
- 422
What are VOCs in paint?
- 169
What is elastomeric paint?
- 385
What is Green Paint?
- 171
Who can help me select the proper colors for the interior of my home?
- 347
Pavers top
How durable are paver driveways?
- 431
How to remove a grease stain
- 37
Is it ok to install a paver patio in the winter?
- 223
Should I wait for spring before having a paver driveway installed?
- 353
What are permeable pavers?
- 359
Permits / City of Prescott top
Items not Requiring a Permit
- 85
Items Requiring a Permit
- 127
Pest Control top
How do I keep scorpions away from my home?
- 553
How to eliminate skunk odor?
- 373
How to select a pest-control company or do-it-yourself
- 224
What is a natural way to eliminate pests in closets?
- 372
Plumbing top
Can a toilet tank leak be repaired?
- 394
City's backwater valve letter causes quite a flap - Updated Feb 16
- 414
Cold Water Coming from Hot Water Faucet
- 198
Defective Water Heater?
- 98
Groaning Pipes
- 868
How does a dual flush toilet work, and what are the benefits?
- 626
Our water heater seems to be on the way out.
- 333
Phantom Flushing Toilets
- 237
Plumbing Maintenance Tips
- 265
Replaced Shower Head Causes Water Pressure to Drop
- 177
Sink Back Up Issue
- 109
Think twice before flushing tissues down the drain.
- 255
We are considering buying a tankless water heater.
- 325
What are the biggest water wasters?
- 334
What are your recommendations to unplug a drain?
- 178
What exactly is a “Green Plumber?”
- 346
What is Polybutylene Piping?
- 101
What is the difference between a backwater valve and backflow prevention?
- 881
Propane top
How far should a propane tank be placed?
- 744
I hear a hissing noise from my propane tank, what is this?
- 1828
Is there any secret to the color of propane tanks?
- 387
Pull-Out Shelving top
Can pull out shelves be added to my existing cabinets?
- 437
Roofing top
Do you recommend sealing the membrane on the perimeter of the roof?
- 380
How often should I have my roof inspected?
- 676
How often should roofs be replaced?
- 401
What are ice dams and how can they be prevented?
- 365
What are Prevention Measures to Take on our Roof for Winter?
- 184
What are the benefits of a tile roof?
- 30
What is the best color shingle to use for energy savings?
- 579
What is the most “Green” type of roofing material?
- 406
Will a new roof increase your tax assessment?
- 45
Septic Tanks top
Does my system need to be pumped?
- 296
Homeowner's Manual - Septic Systems 101
- 274
How often should I pump my septic tank?
- 563
Sometimes I get a backup in the tub. Does my system need to be pumped?
- 451
Sewage Ejection Systems top
What is a Sewage Ejection System?
- 1051
Smoke Detectors top
How long to smoke detectors last and how do I know if mine are working?
- 1031
Solar top
Can I still get rebates for a solar water heater?
- 372
How do we determine if solar power is right for us?
- 207
How does orientation of PV solar cells affect their efficiency?
- 424
Leasing
- 36
What are the benefits of solar power?
- 229
Synthetic Turf top
What is the right time and place and how do I get started?
- 341
Tight House top
What exactly does a "Tight House" mean?
- 522
Using Recycled / Green Material top
Can this be Recycled?
- 354
Recycled Glass Countertops
- 576
What are some rules for reusing and purchasing recycled / green material?
- 322
Wall Coverings top
Buying Wall Coverings
- 278
Horizontal or vertical?
- 122
Is wall covering hard to replace?
- 263
Water Heaters top
Hot water recirculation pump does not carry the hot water to faucets.
- 265
What does the rumbling sound of my water heater indicate?
- 420
What is the best setting for longevity of the water heater?
- 256
Water Pressure top
How can I measure my home’s water pressure?
- 573
Water Seepage top
How can I stop water from seeping into my house?
- 1120
Wells top
What can you tell me about wells?
- 443
What is YCCA? top
50 years of YCCA
- 205
Thanks to All Those Who Help Our Community
- 347
What is YCCA, and can you elaborate more on your association?
- 391
Why should I use licensed & bonded contractors?
- 1254
Window Covering top
Are we comparing apples to apples?
- 128
No Window Coverings. Could you please offer some helpful tips?
- 128
What does the private label mean?
- 253
Window Screens top
Solar Screens or Tinted Windows?
- 211
Why are sun screens important?
- 341
Windows top
Condensation on bath windows
- 28
How to Remove Window Film
- 262
I would like to know more about window replacement.
- 377
Solar Screens or Tinted Windows?
- 248
What is R-Value?
- 39
What is the best way to repair a broken window seal?
- 497
What to do if you have drafty windows
- 40
What to look for when buying windows
- 34
When to Replace Your Windows
- 299
Window Film – Is it a Good Investment?
- 31
Winter Weatherization Tips top
Helpful winter Tips for Your Home
- 27
How To Prevent Frozen Pipes
- 32
Ready for a Prescott Winter
- 28
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