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Quick Column Summary: Want to hang porch swing without thru bolts What size eyelet lag bolt Not safe to use single eyelet bolts Hang from a created, steel bar Sean Kelliher, who lives in Readington, NJ, reached out with a compliment and a question. "I'm an avid reader of all your tips and you've been Read More »

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Quick Concrete Overlay Summary: Stamped concrete overlay on the patio Big differences in two estimates Both overlays will work if done correctly Bruce Laybourne, who probably eats lots of Skyline Chili and Aglamesis Mocha Chip ice cream because he lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, is scratching his head over two bids for putting a stamped concrete Read More »

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Quick Column Summary: Install a blacktop driveway over gravel Is additional gravel needed You need the right gravel, installed in layers Dawn Coleman, from Munford, TN, is about to install a new blacktop asphalt hot top driveway. But she doesn't feel good about the estimate she received. Let her tell the story. "I currently have Read More »

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Quick Column Summary: Brick walls leak in heavy rain Can I drill weep holes into brick Do not drill bricks Coat bricks to stop water infiltration Sara, who lives in Elgin, IL, has an issue that plagues hundreds of thousands of homeowners. Let her tell you all about the water that runs down her basement Read More »

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Quick Column Summary: Have asphalt shingles improved There are great shingles out there Metal roofing is great too Use ice and watershields Barb Koehler, who lives in Moultonborough, NH, is facing an expensive re-roofing project. I have a feeling she has the same decroted pieces-of-crap shingles on her house that I have. Read this: "Tim, Read More »

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Quick Column Summary: Basement with water issues and mold Is it the builders fault Building code is for the minimum standard Research and detailed planning is required David Fern has lots of water and mold in his basement. He's one unhappy customer and wants to know who should have paid to make sure this didn't Read More »

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Simple Common Roof Rafters Quick Column Summary: How do you create a roof rafter You need 4 simple tools and geometry How to determine your roof slope DEAR TIM: I'm now retired and starting to attack a huge list of projects. One of them is building a simple shed and I have no clue how Read More »

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Quick Column Summary: Brick steps falling apart Can bricks be reused Why all brick are not the same Reuse the brick with special mortar Raimond Cheung was working on his brick steps at his house in Rego Park, NY and got stumped. Here's his question: "My old brick step is falling apart.  I took a few Read More »

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