Old House Design Features - Don't Allow Them to Disappear This column has been laying in the weeds of my head for months. Every now and then, it pops its head up. Yesterday was one of those days when once again my lovely wife had to get out of the car before I could pull […]
Brick Pavers Fading - You Can't Stop It QUESTION: Tim, I have a big decision to make and need your help. I love the look of colored brick for paving including my driveway, sidewalks, and patio. The issue is I’ve started to pay attention to older installations of colored concrete paving brick and many look […]
QUESTION: Help me, Tim! I’m getting ready to build a new home and am terrified about making a wrong decision about the materials on the outside of my home. I’m afraid they’ll not look good with one another. What can be done to relieve my anxiety? I have the same issue with paint colors too […]
QUESTION: Tim, I’ve never worked with metal joist hangers. How long have joist hangers been around? When I hold one in my hand I question whether it’s actually strong enough to support all the weight that will be resting in it! Are joist hangers safe? Are there any best practices when it comes to using […]
Leviton SmartlockPro® GFCI - Sleek New GFCI The Leviton SmartlockPro® GFCI is a pretty cool receptacle. It's easy to wire up. How Sleek is the GFCI? It's so sleek it doesn't project beyond the cover plate. Where Can I Buy the Leviton SmartlockPro® GFCI? CLICK or TAP HERE to purchase it. How Do You Connect […]
Fix Smoking Fireplace - Bad News, Start Over QUESTION: Tim I really need your help. I just moved into my new home and have a smoking full masonry fireplace. It’s 55 inches wide and has an arched opening that’s 33.5 inches at the peak of the arch. It looks like regular brick mortar was used […]
Prevent Burst Water Pipes - It's Really Easy Were you one of the millions of homeowners, renters, or business people who suffered from the recent spate of miserable polar weather in the core of the USA? The storm and low temperatures left millions without power, drinking water, food, etc. Frozen and burst water pipes in […]
Floor Trusses vs Floor Joists - Trusses Will WOW You Last week, I was downloading some photos from my fancy digital camera and I stumbled across hundreds of forgotten photos I shot while my daughter’s new home was being built on Mt. Desert Island in Downeast Maine. I was there every day for the first […]
Foundation Repair: How Much Does It Cost? (2021 Pricing Estimates) Your foundation is the footing of your entire home. It's the 24/7 soldier that keeps your floor, walls, windows, doors, and possessions safe and secure. So, what happens when it starts to fail? You may notice a door that doesn't shut quite right, a section […]
Chimney Repair Costs 2021 (Replacing, Removal, Maintenance) A fireplace is a beautiful and cozy addition to your home, but it is important to keep your chimney in good repair and up to code in order to prevent leaks, carbon monoxide and smoke intrusion, and chimney fires. Chimney damage can be caused by a number of […]
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