How to Cool My Home - Use Time-Tested Methods You may be one of the tens of millions of people that have been suffering in the blistering heatwave that had a vicious grip on the Eastern USA during July. I happen to live in central New Hampshire and it was a withering 91 F with Read More »
"When you opened up and read the owner's manual about covering your AC unit in winter, what was the manufacturer's recommendation?” Cover AC Unit in Winter - Simple Question - Not-so-Simple Answer QUESTION: "Tim, I want your opinion. Is it a good idea to cover my AC unit in winter?" Joseph D., Pingree Grove, IL Read More »
"That remarkable simple and effective building detail is being sacrificed at the altar of Build-it-Faster." Window Flashing Tape Leaking I’ve been wanting to write this column for years. The topic has been a burr under my saddle, but I needed to base the column on proof, not speculation. That proof arrived last week in a Read More »
Best Bar Harbor Builder - I Might Be Able to Help My daughter and son-in-law built a new home in Bar Harbor beginning in late 2018. I was not the builder, but I did act as their primary advisor. I also installed all the plumbing, radiant heat, and electric. I live hundreds of miles away Read More »
"The same exact thing can happen inside a wall cavity in a home in a frigid climate if you don't block and stop the water vapor from getting into the wall cavity." Insulation Installation - Simple If You Read Instructions The inspiration for this column happened just two days ago while I was working on Read More »
Use Clinkers to Make Interesting Things QUESTION #1: Timmy, I was on a tour of the Gamble house in Pasadena, CA and saw the most unusual deformed brick in a garden wall. The brick was twisted and looked more like random rocks than brick. I want some for my own house! How are clinker brick Read More »
Wood Floor Trusses - So Many Advantages
Insulated Concrete Foundation Forms QUESTION #1: Hello, Tim. I was doing research about house foundations and came across interlocking foam forms that stack on top of one another. They assemble much like children’s plastic blocks. Does a concrete foundation poured this way work as well as a traditional poured or cast concrete foundation? What, if Read More »
A-Frame House Problems - They Can be Aplenty QUESTION #1: I’d like your honest opinion, Tim. A-frame houses have always appealed to me and I think I want to build one. I’ve done scads of research on these unusual homes and I’m convinced it’s the right decision. I want you to be the devil’s advocate Read More »
Label Electrical Wires - Have Some Fun Be Reasonable Read more of this story in Tim's May 5, 2019 Newsletter. It's a good idea to label electrical wires. Here are a few reasons why you should do it: labels help remind you how to name circuit breakers labels help you know what wire is which Read More »
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