July 24, 2015 AsktheBuilder Weekend Newsletter

Welcome if you're a new subscriber and this is your first issue!

Each week the AsktheBuilder.com word in the email newsletter is a SECRET link to a oldie but goldie column or video of mine.

This week's clue: Think circles.

The past two weeks for me have been out of control.

I'm a month into my FUN part-time summer job routine as a train conductor. They have me working three days a week and that's really cutting into my time.

Add to that I'm deep into my new roof project. At first I thought I was going to get more help on this, but it turns out it's become pretty much a solo effort.

If you're a new subscriber, I'm replacing a failed asphalt shingle roof - it was a 30-year shingle that started to FAIL in just nine years - with a gorgeous synthetic slate roof material made by DaVinci Roofscapes.

I've decided to do a huge investigative report on asphalt shingles and that's going to come out in the early fall.

What I've uncovered so far is very troubling, so you'll want to be on the lookout for my report.

But if you want to see WHY I went with the DaVinci Roofscapes product, CLICK HERE.

I URGE you to WATCH the first video of a five-part series I'm taping about my history with asphalt shingles and why I want you to choose wisely when you decide on a roofing product.

The next four videos of the series will be taped as my project continues, so be patient.

Dishwasher News - NOT GOOD

I've been really good the past five years and not brought politics into this newsletter.

But I snapped a few days ago when I received an alert about more government meddling in your life and mine.

The Federal Department of Energy wants to limit the amount of water a residential dishwasher can use to just 3.1 gallons of water per load.

CLICK HERE to read a press release from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. [Update (02/2021) - This link is no longer available.]

Before we go any farther, understand I'm a professional journalist. My syndicated newspaper column has run for over 20 years in papers all over the USA.

I'm a member of the working press.

I know about BIAS. In fact, it's almost impossible to write without bias.

Yes, I know you can find all sorts of other stories online saying that the proposed regulations are wonderful or the end of the world. That's true with ANY STORY.

I urge you to look at some facts before you decide if the proposed guidelines are even necessary.

There's a great chance you're going to end up using MORE WATER, MORE ELECTRICITY, MORE TIME to get dishes clean if the regulations go into effect.

I've been around long enough to know what happened with the first generation low-flush toilets. Most DID NOT WORK. People ended up flushing MULTIPLE TIMES to get waste to go down the drain.

Some people still have chronic clogged drain pipes because there's not enough water to get toilet waste to the city sewer or septic tank.

I've been a master plumber for decades. My college degree is in geology and I took a liking to hydro-geology while in college. That's the study of ground water.

For MANY people in the USA, there's not a shortage of water nor will there be.

Most big cities are next to rivers and giant lakes for a reason. The early settlers knew they needed water to survive and built near RELIABLE sources of water.

That's what you should do. Think about living in a place that has a guaranteed source of water.

I grew up in Cincinnati, OH.

The City of Cincinnati draws its water from the Ohio River and from wells in the Great Miami River aquifer that connects directly to the old river bed of the Ohio River.

I don't mean to DISGUST you, but be prepared.

Cincinnati's water supply is simply recycled water from the toilets, sinks and bathtubs of all the people UPSTREAM who have already used the water.

Louisville, KY residents tap water is the water from all the Cincinnati residents toilets, sinks and bathtubs.

In other words, there's no real shortage of water for most people because there's a continuous CONVEYOR BELT of water flowing towards most people.

If you live in the ARID West or Southwest by your choice, then you just have to do what people in the Middle East have done for years.

Belly up to the bar and tap into UNLIMITED WATER right next to you in the Pacific Ocean.

Yes, desalination is more expensive, but it works. Millions of people in the world get their water from desalination plants.

The bottom line is that if a person wants to purchase a product that uses more water AND the person can afford to PAY FOR MORE water, then so be it.

I see this just the same way as those who drive hybrid cars. If you want to drive a Prius instead of a Mustang GT, then it's your choice WHICH CAR to buy.

You shouldn't be FORCED to buy a Prius.

Now's the time to get a dishwasher that works and keep it boxed up in your garage until you need it.

If you decide to reply to me with a response about this issue - either in a positive or negative way - be aware I don't have the time right now to enter into a debate with you. Don't be offended when you don't hear back from me.

Thanks for your understanding.

New Q and A's for You

House Grading - Should Your House be a Volcano?

Foundation Footing Detail - The IDEAL FOOTER

Grace Ice & Water Shield® REVIEW VIDEO

That's all for now.

I'll be back soon.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com