ChatGPT vs Tim Carter

ChatGPT vs Tim Carter a Real Human

Below are two columns. One was written by the artificial intelligence software ChatGPT. The other was written by me, Tim Carter. I was an award-winning builder before I started my syndicated newspaper column Ask the Builder.

After reading each one, think about how authoritative each one is. Are you SURE you'd be able to tell in the future a column created by a non-human?

Start reading:

Column #1:

Painting rusty metal and steel is a common task for homeowners and professionals alike. The process of painting rusty metal requires careful preparation to ensure a long-lasting, attractive finish. In addition to improving the appearance of metal surfaces, painting can also help prevent gas line explosions.

Before painting, it is important to remove any loose or flaking rust from the surface of the metal. This can be done using a wire brush or sandpaper. After the rust has been removed, the surface should be cleaned thoroughly to remove any dirt, oil, or other contaminants that could interfere with the adhesion of the paint. A degreaser or a mixture of water and vinegar can be used to clean the surface.

Once the surface has been thoroughly cleaned, it is time to apply a rust-inhibiting primer. This type of primer contains zinc or another metal that will help prevent rust from forming in the future. The primer should be applied in thin, even coats using a brush or sprayer. It is important to allow the primer to dry completely before applying the topcoat.

When choosing a topcoat for painting rusty metal, it is important to select a paint that is specifically designed for use on metal surfaces. Some common types of paint for metal include alkyd enamels, epoxy enamels, and urethane enamels. These types of paint provide excellent durability and resistance to corrosion and abrasion. The topcoat should be applied in the same manner as the primer, with thin, even coats.

In addition to improving the appearance of metal surfaces, painting can also help prevent gas line explosions. Rust can weaken metal pipes and increase the risk of gas leaks. When metal pipes are painted, the paint creates a barrier that helps to protect the metal from rust and corrosion. This can help to prolong the life of the pipes and reduce the risk of gas leaks and explosions.

An interesting anecdote about painting metal is the story of Tim Carter and his daughter Meghan. Tim is a renowned home improvement expert and the founder of AsktheBuilder.com. One day, while working on a home improvement project, Tim's daughter Meghan noticed that the gas pipes in their basement were rusted and in poor condition. Tim knew that painting the pipes would help to prevent gas leaks and explosions, so he took the time to clean and paint the pipes. Meghan was fascinated by the process and helped her father every step of the way.

Today, Meghan is a successful contractor and home improvement expert in her own right. She often shares the story of her father's project and the importance of painting rusty metal to prevent gas line explosions. Meghan's passion for home improvement and safety has inspired many others to take an active role in maintaining and improving their homes.

In conclusion, painting rusty metal and steel is a simple but important task that can improve the appearance and safety of metal surfaces. By removing rust, applying a rust-inhibiting primer, and selecting the appropriate topcoat, you can create a long-lasting, attractive finish that will help prevent gas line explosions. Whether you're a professional contractor or a do-it-yourself homeowner, taking the time to paint rusty metal can have a significant impact on the appearance and safety of your home.

Column #2:

Did you see in the recent news the catastrophic gas explosion that killed nine people on the island of Jersey in the English Channel? It’s early in the investigation and the experts may not ever be able to pinpoint the cause, but I have my own idea based on something that happened to me two years ago.

I was hired by a small condominium association to do a thorough inspection of some outdoor covered decks that had leak issues and wood rot problems. This building was located just a mile or so from the Atlantic Ocean in New Hampshire. The flats on Jersey island were subject to the same marine environment.

My inspection started at the uppermost deck and I worked my way down to the ground-floor deck. When I was underneath the deck in a passageway that led to a basement door, I saw black iron gas lines that extended from the outdoor meters into the basement. These are connected to the water heaters and furnaces.

The iron pipes weren’t black. They were a crusty brown as they were completely coated in rust. I immediately informed the president of the condo association that these pipes must be painted with a special rust primer and then two coats of finish paint. I instructed her to make sure she read the instructions on the label of the special metal rust primer to prepare the pipes so the primer adhered well.

I was reminded of a quote from the captain of the Norwegian Dawn cruise ship. I had attended a talk of his five years ago while on a short cruise and he said, “The sea EATS iron and men.” If you remember some of your high school chemistry you know this to be true. Saltwater is extremely corrosive to unprotected steel and iron.

You may or may not know this but I’ve been a master plumber since 1981. I’ve installed miles of black iron gas lines in my lifetime. I’ve hand-threaded each and every pipe with cutting dies. You may have never thought about the threaded pipe, but where the grooves are the pipe wall thickness has been cut away and reduced to create the threads.

This means that the strength of the pipe is much less in these grooves. If rust has been working on the pipe eating away at the iron, then if something bumps the pipe or it becomes stressed or bent by accident, the metal at the base of the grooves can crack just like you bending a thin pop-top tab on a soft drink can. Gas now starts flowing from the pipe like air from a blown-up balloon.

You don’t need to live near the ocean for this to happen. Normal rain or humidity in the air will cause rust to form and grow on unprotected iron or steel. Your house has all sorts of structural steel elements that are rusting. Many ignore this rust at their peril.

What about your deck joist hangers? I know they were galvanized when they were installed, but has that zinc coating worn off and do you see rust?

What about the nails that attach the deck joist hangers and other structural connectors to the wood? Is the copper in the treated lumber leaching out with each rain event causing rust and corrosion?

What about those cheap electroplated roofing nails the roofer used to install your shingles? I’ve seen new roofing nails transform into rusty fasteners in as little as five to seven years. The best roofing nails are ones that are double-dipped hot galvanized. Period.

What about any steel support posts in your basement or crawlspace? Do you see rust on these? What happens if the rust eats through the post and someone bumps into it?

What about rust on any horizontal steel I-beams in your basement or crawlspace? Are you ignoring it? If so, you’re making a sad mistake.

The good news for you is that painting rusty black iron pipe or all the things I listed above is absolutely a simple DIY job. Most of the high-quality rust primers and special rust finish paints are available in spray cans should you not like to use a brush.

I recorded a video about five years ago showing the difference between two top rust-paint brands. The test panels in the ASTM scratch test were like night and day. I urge you to watch this video so you purchase a paint that will last for many years, even in a marine environment.

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The first column was done by ChatGPT. The story about my daughter Meghan was a LIE. It never happened. The second column was written by me and you can see it here on my website.

In my opinion, you're DOOMED. Within a few years, thousands of websites will use ChatGPT or similar AI software to create MILLIONS of home improvement columns that probably will contain errors and fake stories to FOOL you. How much money will you LOSE because you followed erroneous advice? SUBSCRIBE NOW to my FREE newsletter so you get advice from a HUMAN.

How Can I Tell a Human Wrote a Column?

Always go to the ABOUT page on a website. That page should have the photo of a human that created the content. If there's no mention of WHO wrote the content on the website or you don't see photos - even those can be FAKED - then automatically assume all the content was created by a computer.

Here's another author's opinion about the importance of  checking the About Us page on a website.