theOUTlet - Clever Device But... I had a chance to study a new quadplex outlet called theOUTlet. Most electrical outlets in your home are duplex outlets meaning you can plug in two things at the same time. TheOUTlet comes in two varieties - one with and one without USB charging slots. The inventors of theOUTLET Read More »
Shovel Choices 101 - Which One To Use QUESTION: Mr. Tim, this past week I wasted all sorts of time and got frustrated trying to dig a simple hole in my yard. A neighbor looked over the fence and suggested I change shovels. Anyway, I figured you’ve used lots of shovels in your career and Read More »
Crumbling Concrete Foundation - Easy DIY Repair QUESTION: Hey Tim. I watched your three-part video series on patching a concrete foundation on your website. It’s exactly what I needed to help me repair the cosmetic crumbling of my concrete. I’ve got questions. Will that method work to also patch defects in steps and flat Read More »
Replace A Foundation - Just Lift Up the House QUESTION: I’m thinking of buying a house that has a crawlspace. The foundation is in very bad shape. While the house looks quite bad, it’s got good bones. Is it possible to completely remove a bad foundation and install a new taller one? What’s involved? Who Read More »
"The building code is not a set of recommendations. It’s a pass/fail document. Something either meets code or it doesn’t. There’s no gray area." Certificate of Occupancy NH - Don't Issue Until All is OK QUESTION 2: Tim, I’m at my wit's end. My builder thinks my new house is finished but there are numerous Read More »
The Coefficient of Continuity Origin - Building Lore Truth I was an active builder and remodeler for over twenty years. I can tell you that customers come in all different varieties as well as sizes. There are your quiet customers, there are the ones that require sedatives, there are some that are happy, there are Read More »
Old Building vs New Building - Interesting Debate! You’ve undoubtedly heard the saying, “They don’t make ‘em like they used to.” Often it’s said in frustration when a newer product fails long before you might think it should. If I could wave a magic wand and be a teacher in a vocational school dedicated to Read More »
Sand and Brick Mortar - Big Differences DEAR TIM: I need to repair the mortar joints on my older brick home that was built in the late 1800s. I’ve seen some very horrible workmanship where the mortar doesn’t match at all and want to avoid this. Is there some sort of magic one employs to Read More »
Author's Note: Please read the column and think about the front porches you've had the pleasure of sitting on. Then go to the bottom of the column and read what Virginia sent me. Emails like Virginia's really make me smile. Front Porch Construction - Probably Not DIY DEAR TIM: The house I grew up in Read More »
Column Summary: Twelve different treated lumber ratings Identifying the rating Treated lumber corrodes fasteners Why decks collapse CLICK or TAP HERE to subscribe to my FREE newsletter Treated Lumber Ratings - Twelve at Last Count DEAR TIM: I’m a remodeling contractor and have started to see a disturbing trend in the failure of treated lumber. Read More »
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