Q&A / 

Original Joist Hanger - No Steel Involved What do you think was the original joist hanger? You might be surprised to know that the master carpenters of old figured out how to hang joist using no metal whatsoever. Watch and see:

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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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 Treated Lumber Cracking - STOP Cracks By Using Great Sealer Below Treated lumber cracking happens because water soaks into the wood. The wood swells creating stress within the wood's cellular structure. When the water evaporates, the wood shrinks. This movement causes tension forces that start to tear the lumber apart. The cracks you see Read More »

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Tim Carter demonstrates in a run-and-gun on-a-whim video how floor trusses save time and MONEY when installing pipes in a new home. More pictures and the story behind this video appeared in his March 31, 2019 AsktheBuilder Newsletter.

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"You can make an opening higher in a load-bearing wall much easier than creating a wider opening." Enlarge Opening in Load Bearing Wall Checklist Build temporary walls to support the load Bearing points of columns must be stacked and extend down through the house to a footing Hire a structural engineer to size the beam Be sure Read More »

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 Ask the Builder Podcast 9 Highlights: Gary's got questions about his polybutylene water lines. Tim has answers. Steve's got a slow flushing frustrating toilet. Tim shares how to restore it in just hours Andy's got wood rot in some bay windows. Tim has a magic epoxy that will do the repair Tim shares a Read More »

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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.

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Old vs New Construction TIPS Complex question - not easy to answer in limited space Many old materials superior to modern substitutes Workers today not as dedicated to quality Regulations, laws, wage packages put downward pressure on quality CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! Less than two hours ago, I was having Read More »

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DIY Wood Rot Treatment TIPS Old wood-hulled sailing ships needed treatment to sail fast Copper plating was used on ships Use liquid copper for DIY treatment - SEE PRODUCT BELOW Cut off end of lumber and stand it up in bucket of liquid like Christmas tree CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! Read More »

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Rain on Framing Lumber TIPS Water for a short time is no issue Rot takes months to destroy wood Keep job site clean - sweep water away Spray borate to prevent rot - See Below! CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! DEAR TIM: I'm having a new house built and it's been Read More »

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