Flipping Deck Boards - Be Careful About Wood Grain Patrick McNeill, who is revitalizing his deck in Woodstock, GA asks: "Can I flip my deck boards instead of replacing them. They are treated lumber." You bet you can flip them. There's no harm in doing so. While you're at it, be sure to clean off […]
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 […]
Quick Column Summary: Prep work for pressure washing Chewing gum stain removal Pretreat with oxygen bleach Use pressure washer carefully Jolynn, who lives in paradise - Waianae, Hawaii - wants to clean a commercial building with a pressure washer. Here's what she wants to know: "When pressure washing a single-story commercial building what should I do […]
Quick Column Summary: What causes concrete discoloration Were all slabs poured on same day What additives were used in the concrete Possible solutions for overall concrete color Paula Butterworth, who had some concrete work done at her home in Kennewick, WA, is not happy with the color of the finished slab. Her story appeared in […]
Quick Column Summary: Planter landscaping against foundation Water issues Keep brick dry, weep holes open Space around foundation allows for inspection DEAR TIM: I just purchased a home where the landscaping bed is up against the brick front wall. The home is about twenty-five-years old. The planting bed extends about 3 feet from the house […]
Quick Column Summary: Chimney repair for the ages Protect your chimney with a crown Chimney liners Prevent cracks with wire mesh DEAR TIM: My chimney is constructed with concrete block and has a thin stucco coating. I know the top of the chimney is not right and some of the blocks are falling apart. There […]
Roof Flashings - They're Easy to Install Quick Column Summary: What are flashings Install flashings properly Flashings protect your home from water How to make your flashings waterproof From the September 9, 2014 Newsletter DEAR TIM: I'm looking at bids right now for a re-roof project and a new deck job at my home. The […]
Quick Column Summary: Siding replacement height from ground Building code standards Better than building code installation Michael Slater is putting new wood siding on his house in St. Catherine's - Ontario, Canada. Here's what he said: "I am replacing old vinyl siding with pine board and batten. How far off the ground level should I […]
Quick Column Summary: Garage sided with no sheathing material How to stop water from entering No easy fixes Remove siding and add sheathing, tar paper or house wrap Judy Saulle, who lives in a cedar-sided house in Earlysville, VA, has an interesting problem with her house. "Our garage does not have any sheathing just cedar […]
Quick Column Summary: OSB roof boards swelling Pull off or cover over OSB OSB can swell and still be good Question builder on delays Steve, who's having a house built in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has a questionable builder. I see big trouble brewing. "We are having a home built and OSB boards were used for […]
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