Treated Lumber Rotting TIPS Treated lumber does rot - it's a dirty little secret the industry keeps Preservatives might not be formulated correctly Products are available to minimize water infiltration into treated lumber DECK COLLAPSE VIDEOS - watch them below CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! DEAR TIM: In just a few Read More »
Porch decking needs to be prepared and installed properly to get a lasting porch. Composite porch decking is not always the best porch decking material. Wood can make a great long-lasting front porch decking.
Concrete Stain DIY TIPS Multiple ways to change the color of existing concrete Stains work best on steel-troweled smoother concrete and require diligence Best DIY method is easy-to-use concrete resurfacer products - add pigment for color Stenciling concrete with the resurfacers produces the most dramatic look CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! Read More »
Concrete Steps Leaking TIPS Concrete is not waterproof - common misconception Water can enter tiny hairline cracks Special concrete epoxy stops water WATCH concrete epoxy video below CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! DEAR TIM: I live on the upper floor of a converted villa. The access is by a stairway at Read More »
Synthetic deck sealers and synthetic technology prevent wood decks from rotting and growing algae and mildew stains. Clean and seal decks immediately after installation to prevent problems.
Concrete Finish Options TIPS Communicate clearly what you want in the first place to avoid nightmare Stamped concrete is dramatic - can be slippery around pools Stenciled concrete is unbelievable. Not as hard to do as stamped Too much curing compound can cause splotchy white haze CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! 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 »
Black Roof Stains TIPS Microscopic algae causes the stains Algae is eating the limestone in the shingles Use Stain Solver certified oxygen bleach to clean Put up copper strips at ridge to STOP stains - LINK BELOW to get copper CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! DEAR TIM: My newer roof is Read More »
Many deck sealers don't perform as desired. Some deck stains start to fail just a month after applying. As part of an ongoing deck stain test, you can see some of the results after just seven months of sun exposure.
Joist hangers and ledger boards will connect your deck to you home. This is the best solution. The free standing deck will not cause leaks at the house and will not collapse due to rot. Connecting the deck to columns or posts correctly is critical. Racking forces will collapse your deck if this is not done in an approved manner.
Subscribe to the FREE Ask the Builder newsletter to receive professional advice for your home. Complete the form below and each week you'll get:
Unsubscribe at any time. We respect your email privacy.