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.
Brick Mortar Repair Mix TIPS Use same mortar Romans used to build aqueducts Hydrated lime mortar with secret volcanic ash - SEE BELOW links WATCH tuck-pointing videos below Be careful of amount of water used to mix new mortar CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter DEAR TIM: It appears I wasted some Read More »
High efficiency air filters trap dust, pollen and mold floating around the house. Compare dust sizes with this particle size chart.
Most houses have a 3 way switch controlling three lights. If wired incorrectly the entire switch won't work. To find the problem, use a circuit tester on each wire. Turn the power off, first!
When it comes to building and remodeling, both homeowners and remodelers/builders have a wealth of information from which to choose. There are countless magazines, books, periodicals, technical journals and trade association literature to stay informed. All it takes is a little initiative on the part of an individual who wants to learn.
Texture and color matching of your mortar to use in a brick or masonry repair job takes a bit of legwork. You will have to determine the size of the sand used in your mortar. Your mortar will also need cement and lime. Bricklayers from your area may be able to direct you to the source of sand used in older homes.
"When you pay a contractor money in advance, you hope the contractor is going to show up, do the work right, and not make off with your money." Paying Contractor Up Front Checklist Moderate or excessive deposits put you at a huge disadvantage Deposits are only required if job has special-order or custom non-returnable materials Read More »
Paying a Contractor in Advance Yesterday I received an email from Marie who lives in Massachusetts. She asked the following question: "I have been getting quotes to clean and stain my decks. In the quotes, they have all been saying that they want money up front (1/3 or 1/2). I don't like this idea. Is Read More »
Brick Wall Leakage Repair TIPS Water can't pool against brick walls Create positive drainage using a thin concrete overlay Use cement paint for permanent repair - WATCH VIDEOS below Silane-siloxane sealers can prevent water from entering brick CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! DEAR TIM: There's an area in our garage that's Read More »
Drilling steel or metal is a quick way to dull your drill bits if you do it the wrong way. This AsktheBuilder.com video shows you how to drill holes using the correct drill bits and oil to drill through steel and sheet metal. A variable speed drill is the best drill to use.
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