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Repair Wall After Removing Ceramic Tile TIPS Wall must be flat & smooth or tile will telegraph defects Do NOT use cheap pre-mixed spackling or drywall mud for repair WATCH repair videos below Patching compound MUST BE waterproof CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! DEAR TIM: We’re in the home stretch of Read More »

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Mold growth is a major problem, which thousands of people are experiencing due to a number of factors. Mold takes root partly due to poor workmanship, a limited understanding of the dynamics of water and water vapor movement, and lack of adequate training for builders. Toxic mold concerns rarely happened in old homes. Stopping black mold and other mold types before they begin can be done, but your builder must be well versed in how to keep water at bay with modern building materials and proper construction.

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If your bare concrete or concrete block foundation is exposed, you can use stucco to cover it up. You can add permanent colors to stucco and create very interesting textures with little effort. Be sure to clean the surface; applying stucco should be done in slightly warm weather.

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Sliding Door Leak Repair Tips DEAR TIM: I’ve got a sliding patio door on the back of my home. There’s a moisture problem directly under the door in the basement. The gutters are clear and the patio is level. I plan to seal between the bottom aluminum threshold and the concrete curb and caulk the Read More »

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Clean Hard Water Stains TIPS Hard water stains caused by hard water minerals Use regular white vinegar and paper towels to remove Longer soak time means less scrubbing Prevent stains using a squeegee - see GREAT ONE below CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! DEAR TIM: I’ll admit it. I’m not the Read More »

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When building a deck and using joist hangers, be sure to use the proper nails.  Many joist support systems, or truss hangers, recommend nails or fasteners that are approved for their hangers. If the joist hangers your carpenter used are approved for use with the newer ACQ treated lumber, you should have nothing to worry about.

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I'm a little bummed out today. It started yesterday after talking to an old friend on the phone. As happens sometimes, you can drift and get out of touch. That's bad. I've known this wonderful man for over 40 years. He's five years older than I am and is one of the most considerate and Read More »

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Crawl Space DIY Vapor Barrier TIPS Clear clutter and smooth dirt Fill holes in foundation to stop air and water WATCH vapor barrier video below Use cross-laminated vapor barrier material CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! DEAR TIM: The crawl space under my 1910 home is just exposed dirt and leftover building Read More »

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