Sand and Brick Mortar - Big Differences DEAR TIM: I need to repair the mortar joints on my older brick home that was built in the late 1800s. I’ve seen some very horrible workmanship where the mortar doesn’t match at all and want to avoid this. Is there some sort of magic one employs to […]
Author's Note: Please read the column and think about the front porches you've had the pleasure of sitting on. Then go to the bottom of the column and read what Virginia sent me. Emails like Virginia's really make me smile. Front Porch Construction - Probably Not DIY DEAR TIM: The house I grew up in […]
Treated Lumber Ratings - Twelve at Last Count Twelve different treated lumber ratings Identifying the rating Treated lumber corrodes fasteners Why decks collapse CLICK or TAP HERE to subscribe to my FREE newsletter DEAR TIM: I’m a remodeling contractor and have started to see a disturbing trend in the failure of treated lumber. I was […]
Treated Lumber Cracking - STOP Cracks By Using Great Sealer Below Treated lumber cracking happens because water soaks into the wood. The wood swells creating stress within the wood's cellular structure. When the water evaporates, the wood shrinks. This movement causes tension forces that start to tear the lumber apart. The cracks you see […]
Alta Norway Mudslide - Often Disaster Can be Predicted The tragedy of the eight houses being swept into the ocean may have been prevented. Norway has quick clays and they are not very strong soils. There could be historical data that told of other past mudslides in this area. Geologic mapping might identify them as […]
How to Flash Siding Block - You Need Thin Stainless Steel Watch this video to understand one correct way to flash a siding block for light fixtures, hose bibs, appliance vents, etc. It's much easier to install the special stainless steel flashing tape as you're installing the siding rather than to do a repair. CLICK […]
Storm Damage Help - You'll Probably Be On Your Own AUTHOR'S NOTE: If you have a story to share about how you got no, or little help, from local agencies in a major storm, PLEASE SHARE it with me so I can post it here at the bottom of the page. Share it using the […]
Garage Planning Ideas - Make it Bigger DEAR TIM: I can’t tell you how many thousands of dollars I’ve spent on remote storage facility fees. I want to put all my stuff on my own land in a dream garage. I realize a garage can be detached as well as attached to my home. Have […]
Metal Roof Color Temperature - Color Matters Big Time I used my FLIR infrared camera to determine the temperature of three pieces of metal I had painted three different colors. The experiment was done at the end of May 2020 in central New Hampshire. I took the photos just a few minutes after solar noon. […]
Water Leak Electrical Panel Podcast: Tim Carter received a water leak electrical panel email from Kathleen in Millersville, MD. Read her email below and then CLICK to LISTEN to the Water Leak in Electrical Panel Podcast. Here's what Kathleen wrote: "Tim, Every time it rains there is a slow trickle of water that seeps down […]
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