Compact Fill Under Slab TIPS Concrete bends and breaks Use self-compacting fill Water helps compact Concrete block ledges on footer CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! DEAR TIM: My new home is under construction. I'm in a disagreement with my builder about what's going to happen under my garage slab. Right now […]
Efflorescence, those ugly white stains on masonry, brick and stone are the result of water getting in and pulling the water soluble salt out of them. Masonry needs masonry sealers to stop efflorescence. The dirt around your retaining walls needs to be treated as well.
Tar paper has been time-tested as a weather barrier. Normally used on roofs, tar paper makes a great barrier for the exterior walls of your housing, building or shed. Tar paper keeps the wood beneath it dry.
Modify Wood and Attic Trusses TIPS Trusses can be modified or changed Structural engineer must be consulted WATCH truss videos below! Replace with common rafters CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! Mike, from Cleveland, Ohio, wrote to me: Tim, great reading your tips. I've got a question, I would like to convert […]
Masonry structures are not waterproof. Water will pass through stone, block, brick and mortar. If improper installation of your masonry walls can't be easily repaired, you may be able to stop the leaks with high quality water repellents.
Column and beam construction must be done with properly sized beams to support a load bearing wall. Columns must be properly located, and the choice of a steel beam, wood beams, or beams made of laminate or other materials available today is also best left to the pros! Solid column and beam construction calls for the hiring of a structural engineer to get you started.
Brick water repellents stop water infiltration into your brick and masonry walls. Coat them with a clear water repellent. Be sure your don't coat the brick with a film forming sealer that can cause damage to the brick itself.
Stair trim molding confuses some rookie carpenters. They realize that stair trim design is perfected when you take the stair trim piece and run it up the stair stringers, but cutting the required angles causes confusion. If you want to learn how to do stair trim and stair risers trim, then this column might be a great place to start.
Tape measure markings are black lines that represent fractions of an inch. The length of the line gives you a clue as to the fraction. Special markings are for different on-center measurements. Revised February 2018 Tape Measure Markings TIPS Black lines are fractions of an inch Line mark length is the secret decoder 16-inch […]
Many homeowners experience mold and mildew on their lumber as houses are built or room additions are constructed. The good news is the lumber is going to be fine and there's rarely any damage to the wood. If it's just surface mold or mildew, it will clean off.
Subscribe to the FREE Ask the Builder newsletter to receive professional advice for your home. Complete the form below and each week you'll get:
Unsubscribe at any time. We respect your email privacy.