Rick Castelli is doing some remodeling in his Falls Church, VA home. Let him give you the background about the masonry opening. "We have a 1947 Cape Cod with masonry walls. The picture shows the old rear exterior wall where a previous owner removed a back door and window in the kitchen to open up into Read More »
Jim Elliott had some engineered hardwood installed at his home in Encinitas, CA. However, the installers were rookies. Let Jim tell you why: "We just had engineered hardwood flooring installed in our living room and dining room by a contractor. I wasn't available to make an examination of the floor until after they had left our Read More »
DEAR TIM: My exterior doors have leaded-glass inserts that I don’t feel are insulated well. I’m confused as I can’t feel the leaded glass because it’s sandwiched between two pieces of glass. On cold days when I stand in front of the door I feel air movement. How can I make sure this door is Read More »
A visitor to AsktheBuilder who'd rather remain anonymous and who lives in sunny, but sometimes cool, Phoenix, AZ, has two dogs he wants to be warm at night. Here's what he sent: "I need to keep my two dogs warm at night without heating the whole house. Help! Even here in Phoenix, it gets cold in Read More »
Sherina Derobertis is thinking of buying a foreclosure in Alabama. Allow her to fill you in. "Hi Tim and Happy New Year. I'm looking to purchase a foreclosure in Alabama and I wanted to ask if you could tell via a photo if the wall is load-bearing? If I purchase the house I'd definitely have to Read More »
Barbara rents a house or apartment in Guilford, CT. But she's got a problem with her new furnace. "My landlord just installed a gas furnace. When it is running, cold air is leaking into the bathroom through the ceiling exhaust. When the furnace is at rest, no cold air is coming in. Why? and am Read More »
Troy McWhirter owns a townhouse in Ashburn VA. He's perplexed about what might be under the steps that lead up to his front door. Here's what he sent me: "I own a 1999 Toll Brothers townhouse with a brick second level walk up to front door. I want to know what is under those stairs? I Read More »
Threasa Brown lives in an Irving, Texas neighborhood that has a perplexing mystery. Many houses have one sole gold brick in the front wall. Here's what Threasa says: "Most of the houses (built in the 1970's) in our neighborhood (including ours) has a single gold brick on the front exterior wall by the porch. I have Read More »
Dale Hanson is thinking of purchasing a condo in Champaign, IL. His inspector may have given him bad advice: "I am purchasing a condo and the inspector said he could not find a return air duct in the basement. Is it necessary to have an air duct in the basement?" Dale, I assume you mean is it Read More »
When you think of a man up in the mountains digging with a mattock and shovel, you probably conjure up a vision of a prospector looking for gold, silver or other valuable mineral. I doubt you'd imagine a man creating caves full of sculptured art. When you watch this video, I hope you take away Read More »
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