Floor Trusses - No Interior Bearing Walls QUESTION #1: Tim, is it possible to build a multi-story home with no, or few, interior bearing walls or beams? I’ve looked at lumber span tables and regular lumber doesn’t seem to be able to do what I want to be done. What are my options and have […]
Are you a brand new subscriber? Welcome and thanks for your trust. Honorable subscriber of record? Thanks for remaining on the list. You're a blessing! This is going to be a pictorial newsletter as I'm up in Bar Harbor right now getting ready for my third day of taping hours of video footage of the framing […]
Stop Water Vapor Now QUESTION #1: Hey Tim, I’m flummoxed. I’ve seen videos and read online articles about needing a vapor barrier in the walls of my home and possibly under concrete slabs. My builder says these things are a waste of money. I need your vote of confidence and written words to give me […]
Blasting Ledge - Not DIY - No Way - No How Blasting ledge was done years ago with hand-held star-bit drills and sledgehammers. Two men would drill down about 18 inches, pack the hole with black powder, light a fuse, and run for their lives. Black powder was very dangerous to use and many […]
Capturing Radon Secrets DEAR TIM: I’m building a new home and someone at a Christmas party asked me what my builder was going to do about radon. I’ve never heard of radon and thought it was a joke. Is radon an issue and what can be done about it in new construction? The foundation is […]
State Proline XE Combi Boiler - Small Workhorse The first week of December I removed a clunky cast-iron boiler at my home and replaced it with a sleek and compact State Proline XE Combi boiler. Read the cover story on this in Tim's December 7, 2018 Newsletter. The difference is simply amazing. My State Proline […]
Why Your House Is Cold Question #1: Tim, I’ve got a forced-air furnace. Several rooms in my house are cold in the winter and are hot and stuffy in the summer when the AC is on. Most of the rooms are comfortable. Why do you think this is the case? What can be done to […]
"... you may be a homeowner that’s been violated by a bad builder and your first instinct is to extract justice using the legal system." Sue My Builder Checklist Ask your attorney the right questions in one hour or less Most builders have no money to get Determine what it costs to prosecute a lawsuit […]
Foundation Height Above Grade - Shoot for 18 Inches This is the 4th podcast in a large series that follows the construction of Tim Carter’s daughter’s new home in Downeast Maine. In this podcast, Tim talks about how important it is to make sure the top of the foundation is above the surrounding soil. There are […]
Frost Line - Be Sure Foundation is Lower! This is the 3rd podcast in a large series that follows the construction of Tim Carter’s daughter’s new home in Downeast Maine. In this podcast, Tim talks about how you need to know the depth to which frost penetrates the soil where you build. CLICK HERE to view […]