Quick Column Summary: Problems with new house construction Correcting an off-center window Wood-burning stove exhaust stack not properly installed Checking to see if the contractor is on the run DEAR TIM: I'm having a house built and I've got some problems. It's still in the rough stage with just the rough framing pretty much complete […]
Chad Ewald, who lives in Stillwater, MN - a place mentioned in Roger Stelljes' Deadly Stillwater book, has paint pigment stains on his brick. Great read by the way! Here's what Chad sent me: "How do I remove paint from brick? The white medallion elements on my home appear to have bled white paint onto the brick […]
Louise Sargent, who lives in Gilford, NH just a few miles from my house, has a problem with peeling paint from her drywall. "Dear Tim, I read your video about priming drywall before painting for even absorption of paint. Is curing drywall the same as using a primer? A few flakes of paint are loosening […]
DEAR TIM: I just sold some of my old stuff that I no longer wanted nor needed using an online classified website. My intent was to get cash together to add to my hoard of hand and power tools. Can you share some of the coolest tools you're aware of? I'm interested in versatility and […]
Rockler HVLP Paint Sprayer Tim Carter reviews the Rockler HVLP Spray Gun and really likes the simplicity and ease of clean up. Plus, it does a great job painting to boot! This review got the subscribers emailing Tim. CLICK HERE to read some of the comments. Tim also commented on this sprayer in the September […]
Quick Column Summary: Tar paper or 6 mil plastic vapor barrier Leave an air gap to avoid mold Video link Charles Gregoire is perplexed up in Ottawa, the capital of Canada. "Confusion on whether to use tar paper or 6 mil plastic. In repairing a 64" section of an existing basement interior wood framed dry […]
Quick Column Summary: Intake vent for makeup air What height from the ground Be aware of blockages Randy King, who's in need of makeup air in Madison, WI, wrote: "I saw your video on make-up air. I'm installing Skuttle's Model 216-6 (6") damper control and exterior intake vent. The intake vent needs to exit through […]
Quick Column Summary: Double pane windows with fogging between How to remove and clean it Have new insulated glass installed Video link Martin Gold, who's got a fogged window in Lakeport, NJ, has a great question: "I have a bow window double panes one pane has developed a film in between panes. Is there a […]
Quick Column Summary: Question a contractor about what he did/did not do Have great plans and specifications Keyways and steel rods in foundation Jonathan Smith is building a new home in Akron, OH. He went to look at the new footers and, well, allow him to tell you: "I'm building a new house, my contractor […]
Quick Column Summary: Is furnace smell dangerous Carbon monoxide is odorless/dangerous Dust accumulation causes smell Clean furnace and ductwork Jane, who lives with an old octopus gravity-feed (probably) furnace in Roseville, MI, has an odor issue. Let her describe it: "We moved into a home that has an old octopus furnace - it is labeled […]
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