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 […]
Hot Cold Hose Faucet - No Need to Dream, BUY ONE NOW I did a random three-question survey about hose faucets recently. When asked how hose faucets could be improved, many wanted two features: hot water at the faucet quick disconnect You can buy both of these outdoor hose faucets NOW. I installed a hot […]
Boat Dock Sealer - Use a Penetrating One I own a 40-foot-long boat dock that has solid cedar flooring panels. The dock is out in the punishing sun late spring, all summer, and early fall. The dock was last sealed about five years ago and the dock company used a film-forming boat dock sealer. Related […]
Sunroom Leak Podcast 58 - Click to Listen: Tim Carter called Karen to try to solve her sunroom leak. She lives on the East Coast. Karen has water that leaks under the walls of her sunroom. Here are some photos to help you understand how difficult this problem is to solve: The sunroom leak happened […]
CLICK HERE to LISTEN to Podcast 44 - Repair Handrail Repair Handrail in Concrete and Brick Podcast: Tim Carter talks with Bob in New York about how to repair his metal handrail that's loose on his exterior brick wall. It's important to realize Tim made this exact repair at a friend's house in Los Angeles […]
Small Greenhouse Foundations Question #1: Hello Tim! My guess is you’re not a gardener, but I do need your help. I’m about to purchase a small greenhouse kit and wonder if there are any special foundation requirements. The manufacturer doesn’t have much to say about this. What’s the best thing to do so I preserve […]
"I hope you're sitting down as Entry Ice Melt is 37.5 times more expensive to use than rock salt." Entry Ice Melt is an expensive liquid non-chloride deicing product. This product was introduced in Tim's December 1, 2018 AsktheBuilder Newsletter. Entry Ice Melt - Expensive Solution I was made aware of the Entry Ice Melt […]
Wallpaper Borders QUESTION #1: Hello Tim. Trends and designs change and I’m convinced wallpaper will rise from the ashes. I’d like to start the resurgence and install some wallpaper borders in a few rooms in my home. What can you share to make this job go smoothly? Have you ever put in a border halfway […]
"I think the decking can get to over 160 F, or more, the closer you are to the summer solstice. " Temperature of Composite Decking - Can Cause Burns Fast! The temperature of composite decking is hotter than you'd ever imagine. I tested my own Trex Transcend composite decking. Free & Fast Bids CLICK HERE […]
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