If your bare concrete or concrete block foundation is exposed, you can use stucco to cover it up. You can add permanent colors to stucco and create very interesting textures with little effort. Be sure to clean the surface; applying stucco should be done in slightly warm weather.
Sliding Door Leak Repair Tips DEAR TIM: I’ve got a sliding patio door on the back of my home. There’s a moisture problem directly under the door in the basement. The gutters are clear and the patio is level. I plan to seal between the bottom aluminum threshold and the concrete curb and caulk the […]
Clean Hard Water Stains TIPS Hard water stains caused by hard water minerals Use regular white vinegar and paper towels to remove Longer soak time means less scrubbing Prevent stains using a squeegee - see GREAT ONE below CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! DEAR TIM: I’ll admit it. I’m not the […]
When building a deck and using joist hangers, be sure to use the proper nails. Many joist support systems, or truss hangers, recommend nails or fasteners that are approved for their hangers. If the joist hangers your carpenter used are approved for use with the newer ACQ treated lumber, you should have nothing to worry about.
I'm a little bummed out today. It started yesterday after talking to an old friend on the phone. As happens sometimes, you can drift and get out of touch. That's bad. I've known this wonderful man for over 40 years. He's five years older than I am and is one of the most considerate and […]
Crawl Space DIY Vapor Barrier TIPS Clear clutter and smooth dirt Fill holes in foundation to stop air and water WATCH vapor barrier video below Use cross-laminated vapor barrier material CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! DEAR TIM: The crawl space under my 1910 home is just exposed dirt and leftover building […]
Paint that is washable is highly desirable. Wall paint is now better and washable interior wall paint has been greatly improved.
If your new home is built during a wet season, you will experience lumber shrinkage. This can cause ceramic tile, backsplashes, drywall and flooring cracks, among other problems. If possible, allow your house to dry out before installing all the materials inside.
I've been back home a week now from my out West little-man self-discovery trip. It didn't take me long to get back in the swing of things! Just four days ago, I connected up lots of low-voltage wires to power up my Trex Transcend deck lights. It really adds a distinctive touch to the deck. […]
How many hours have you spent trying those magical brass cleaners that never seem to work the way you seem to remember as you watched the TV commercial? Cleaning brass by hand means you actually need to remove some of the oxidized brass atoms. Do you have any clue how hard it is to break atomic bonds?
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