DEAR TIM: I’m about to build a new home with both an attached garage and a separate free-standing three-bay garage. The house I grew up in had floor drains in the garage and they were wonderful. My builder has never heard of garage floor drains and insists on sloping the concrete floor so all liquids […]
Garage Floor Drain Ideas - Time Tested Technology The inspiration for this column came from unexpected comments about a brief mention of garage floor drains in my December 1, 2019 AsktheBuilder newsletter and my December 9, 2019 AsktheBuilder newsletter. The house I grew up in had a garage floor drain. The concrete floor was sloped […]
Don’t Sweat Copper, Press It DEAR TIM: I love reading your column in my local paper. Several months ago you wrote about which plumbing pipe might be better for water lines, copper and PEX. You briefly mentioned a new tool that eliminates the need for soldering copper. I’d like to know much more about this […]
Which one - PEX or Copper? DEAR TIM: I have to install some new water supply lines in my home. My current home has copper water supply lines. I’m intrigued by the plastic PEX material and it seems too good to be true. Using PEX I’d only have a joint in my basement and then […]
Foam Insulation Above Windows QUESTION #1: Tim, I need your expert opinion. I’m building a new home with 2x6 exterior walls. Beams have to be installed over the top of all windows and doors. What’s a great way to insulate these as the solid wood creating the beam doesn’t have a very high R-value. What […]
Water Armor Shower Arm Installation Fitting Did you ever wonder how that chrome gooseneck shower arm connects to the water line behind the wall? Well, wonder no more and get a made-in-the-USA Water Armor shower arm fitting! Here's a screenshot of the above video. If you want to watch the video, CLICK the image ABOVE […]
"It’s important to realize I knew the Responsible Flushing Alliance would challenge my video findings...." Flushable Wipes Test Video - The Truth is Out There at the End of the Pipe You may have been one who responded to me three months ago. Remember the column I wrote about how flushable wipes clog sewers? I […]
Flushable Wipes Video | Watch this video to see what happens with name-brand flushable wipes when flushed in a normal household toilet. This was part of the March 17, 2020 AsktheBuilder Emergency Alert regarding COVID-19. Flushable Wipes - Not Great for Septic Systems Not Terrible For Covered Bathroom Garbage Cans Please read my original column […]
This is the actual text I received from the public relations person who represents the Responsible Flushing Alliance. This letter, in the form of an email, was in response to my Flushable Wipes Clog Sewers column that was published by many newspapers all across the USA. Responsible Flushing Alliance - Letter Challenging AsktheBuilder.com Column I've […]
Don't Underestimate Concrete Installation QUESTION #1: I plan to install a concrete patio during my vacation. It’s going to measure 14 feet by 30 feet. I’ve watched lots of online videos and paid attention to cable-TV shows and now feel emboldened. What can go wrong and how much help do you think I’ll need. I’ve […]
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