Restore Old Deck - Flip Over the Joists DEAR TIM: I’ve got a nine-year-old treated lumber deck on my home that’s showing worrying signs of decay. I removed some of the deck boards to discover some of the 2x12s are rotting at the top and there are huge cracks running along the top edge of […]
Free Standing Tree House IMPORTANT NOTE: Be sure to CLICK or TAP HERE to listen to my podcast about this topic where I answer Joe's questions. I also have very important drawings THERE you should see. DEAR TIM: I've built a free-standing treehouse for my 9-year-old son but I'm a novice in carpentry. I recorded […]
Ask The Builder · 69: Free Standing Tree House Animated GIF by Marty Hovey Copyright 1995 Marty Hovey Free Standing Tree House Podcast: Tim Carter received a free standing tree house email from Joe who lives in South Carolina. He sent an amazing video you MUST watch below. I pray that Joe leaves […]
Deck-Building No-No QUESTION #1: Tim, I need your help. I contracted with a large home center to have a deck built. I came home from work and saw that the carpenters had toenailed an outer joist to the side of my home. Many of the nails are close to the edge and I can already […]
Squaring Up A Deck With Two Tape Measures DEAR TIM: I’m going to build a deck. Don’t try to stop me. I’ve got many questions for you. First, what’s the smallest size a deck can be and still have a table on it for eating? How does one figure out where to put the support […]
Deck Foundation DEAR TIM: I’m concerned about the concrete deck base that’s fully above ground at my new home. The other decks in our development have the concrete piers below ground. Shouldn’t the concrete be completely buried to protect against freezing and cracking in the winter months? What do you feel are the best concrete […]
Did you see the overnight news about the horrible multi-story deck collapse in New Jersey? At this time, I don't believe anyone died, but several were seriously injured. CLICK or TAP HERE for a local news story. You could become a statistic in the future if a deck you're standing or DANCING on collapses. The […]
Deck Beams and Posts QUESTION #1: Tim, I really need your help. My husband is making a mess of a deck extension project. I’m concerned he’s using the wrong-sized lumber and the connections between pieces of lumber don’t appear to be secure to me. Are you able to share deck-construction basics so my kids and […]
Different Deck Piers QUESTION #1: Tim, can you explain why I need concrete deck piers under the wood support posts that hold up my deck? I saw an older deck where the posts just rested on pre-cast concrete stepping stones. The deck seemed fine to me. Are deck piers overkill and a way for contractors […]
Ask the Builder Podcast 22 Custom Joist Hangers: Custom Joist Hangers - Tim Carter, founder of AsktheBuilder.com, talks to David up in Wisconsin. He's building a deck and needs custom joist hangers for a few beams. You'll love Tim's suggestion. Podcast Sponsor: Stain Solver - Certified Organic Oxygen Bleach Home Improvement and Home Construction […]
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