I like the spacing you show on the plans. Can you be more specific about the spacing vertically - how far apart did yo make the shelves?

Thanks in advance.

About 10 - 12 inches

Tim

I just read your auto bio. I have only seen you on TV once but enjoyed watching you. Would like to see more. I am a new contractor after a 31 year career in insurance and investments. I am one of those who does not know how to build anything myself but hires subs to do all the work.

Hi Tim,

My husband and I are looking to buy a newly constructed home by Lennar in Valencia, CA. I've been trying to put together a list of questions for Lennar about the foundation, wiring, insulation and anything else I can think of. Can you please help me by providing a list of questions to ask as well? I want to try my best to make sure we are getting a well built house if we decide to buy from them. I respect your suggestions and opinions and think you are great! Can you please copy in my home email as well in your response:
susanadam03@yahoo.com
Thank you in advance,
Susan Dorman

Susan,
It sounds like you need my New Home Specifications. They come with a 100% Money-Back Guarantee. Go here:
http://safe.dhwd.com/cgi-bin/askbuilder/BLUERVW.html

I am interested in seeing a larger image of the cut away of the heat pump in your article on Heat Pump Facts.

Thanks for your time and consideration.

Regards,
Chris Gangemi
Market Manager
Danfoss, Inc

Chris,
What you see is what you get. Sorry!

I read your article on Mildew Caulk Manufacturers in which several companies were listed that have Mildew-Proof Caulk for a shower. I called DAP and Polyseamseal and neither one of them have a Mildew-Proof caulk. They only have Mildew-Resistant products. Do companies still make Mildew-Proof caulk or has the government banned it? Thanks

Try using Goggle and search for mildew proof caulk. I found several brands that indicated guaranteed mildew proof.

Hi,

I have a question about installing interior doors. How do you get correct measurements to install a prehung door - in other words, what size door would I need to get for a 32" opening (no jam - just an opening).

Thanks!

Hi,

I went to look at some new homes that were being built in Valencia and for all the plumbing they are using CPVC instead of copper. They said the reason is that we have such hard water in the area and the CPVC pipes resist corrosion. Any opinion on this? Also the eves look so small on the house. What would be a reasonable measurement for how far eves come out over the side of the house?

3rd,
You need a 2-6 door.

Susan,
Hard water does not corrode copper. Read my past columns on Aggressive Water. I like 24-inch overhangs.

Please help me. I live in Scottsdale Az. I had a house painter come last May - the weather got very hot, a little humid for our area. He power washed the house very harshly. It is a block house - 55 years old with wood siding on the east and west side of the house under the eaves - about 1/3 of the uppper part of the one story house. Now, the mortar is falling apart, the paint is cracking on the block. He didn't do a good job of sanding the old paint off the wooden areas, and it is chipping and peeling.

Now I read he should have waited 14 days before painting. He used oil based primer and paint on top of a layer of paint that was probably latex. The original color was put on 55 years ago.

Now, I'm getting cracks in the block and well as the mortar. Now I see cracks appearing in the ceiling of several rooms and down the walls.

He put in new windows and within 3 months I got lots of cracks under the windows.

Is all the cracking because the house didn't have a chance to dry and too much moisture is stuck under the oil based paint. Help.

I don't know if there is structural damage also and that's why I'm getting the cracks but the structural foundation person on the phone said the cracks would be wide if there was structural damage.

I had a housing inspector come out, but he didn't know what was wrong. Help.

Thank you.

Barb,
It sounds like you need an opinion from a structural engineer!

We decided we wanted a wood burning fireplace affter the footer had been poured. Our contractor asked what size and we did not know so we said one large enough to hold a 18' log. We are going to start with gas logs but we wanted to keep the wood fireplace option. After our home was framed, the fireplace frame is approx 4ft from front to back and over 5 ft wide. This does not include the hearth. Is this too big? I could buy a wood burning stove that would be smaller.

Reggie,
You need to stop now and have a quick drawing made of exactly what you want and what needs to be done to get there. It sounds like people are guessing at what will work.

Please educate yourself before commenting any further about insulation. You are only getting a small part of the information out there. Example: R-value is only tested at 75 Degrees F so it really doesn't apply to real world conditions when fiberglass only maintains it's effective R-value only from 30-90 degrees F, or when we really have little use for it. Furthermore, please do not group all cellulose insulation together, Nuwool is a manufacturer that has proudly made it's cellulose since 1949 and provides a full lifetime warrenty on all it's characteristics.

Darin,
Not to worry, I will not take your comments personally.......
We all know that is the test standard. The performance of all insulations is relative as the temperature goes above and below 75F.

You need to know that when and if there are factual errors made in any of my columns, I hear IMMEDIATELY from manufacturers or associations. For all of the years my insulation columns have been up, I have *never* received a correction request from any of the insulation manufacturers.

I would like to install an Attic staircase on a 45 degree ceiling above my stairs going from the main floor to the bedrooms. My house is a custom split level. This seems to be my only option. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Greg,
Yes, hire a really seasoned carpenter.

HI,
Thanks for the simple explenation of the steel in concrete. I build concrete house using styrofoam blocks and with the experience of building in the caribbean using steel in all our footing and walls, I arrive back in Quebec Canada after almost 20 years in the carribbean to find out that the contractors building houses do not even add steel rod in there footing by telling there customer it not necessary. You could understand how hard it is to sell them the idea because of the $$$$ INVOLE even if its nothig in the cost. Atleast know I have a doccument to show that is not from me. If you have more easy comments which is very simple to understand it will be appriciated.
Regards,
Guy Lucchesi
P.S. I found you by searching the web for simple explenation.

I installed a pocket door frame from Johnson hardware when building my house. The opening is 2" wide and the directions seem to call for a 1 3/8" thick door. The doorslab my wife loves only comes in 1 3/4in. Should I look for another door?

David,
I think you should look for the right door. The tolerance is so close it will take not much for that door to rub. Then it might not look so good.

In a December 7th reply to Susan, a link was shown for the AsktheBuilder Blue Review - New House Specifications. Since that time, AsktheBuilder has opened a new shopping cart. The current link to the Blue Review is https://secure.askthebuilder.com/products/The_Blue_Review-29-11.html

Thanks,
AsktheBuilder

I read your article on painting over paneling and you mention a "special sealer/primer" Canyou give me an example of what I should look for?

Thanks!
You are a great help!

Darren,
All you need to do is go to a national-brand paint store - one that sells PAINT (not a home center) - and ask for the product...... Take a printout of the column with you.

Mr. Carter,

THANK YOU!! Your DIY videos saved me I don't know how much money! I have always been timid about working around electricity, and was going to hire a electrician to replace 4 outlets, 6 light switches, 2 exterior light fixtures and 2 interior light fixtures until I saw your clips.

If it wasn't for your, I feel certain that I would be spending at LEAST $300.

Thanks!

Hello Mr.Carter

I recently had to let go a contractor (not Bonded) to install an oak laminate flooring throughout my home. The material is BHK Moderna Classic - Rustic Oak - BHK 332/BHCL407. I have a couple of questions.

The contractor layed the vapor mat upside down and left a 1 foot gap down the middle of the floor; which, gives when stepped upon. He stated that mat wasn't needed and was optional and that the gap was common practice. Is that true?

Thank you for your help - I will be laying this myself now and wanted to make sure...

Darren Paulson

David,
You are welcome! There are hundreds more videos planned. Just you wait....

My daughter lives in St. Louis. She has worked so hard to buy a house. She has done a lot of work on the house such as painting and adding lights. She has saved and bought the appliances for her kitchen. She has knocked out the floor and theinside walls, but now she is in over her head. What should she do? She has always tried so hard to keep her house neat and work in her yard. I cannot help her financially or physically.
Karen

Darren,
You always ask the manufacturer of the product what they have to say. They are the ones who have to support a warranty. Simply put, go get the written instructions for that flooring and see what the mfr. has to say.

Karen,
She needs to sell the house and regroup. Too bad it is a buyer's market.

I want to whitewash the brick on my house so it looks similar to your addition. Did you use a power washer to wash off some of the finish to expose the bricks?

Thanks,
Penny

Penny,
No, we did use a garden hose to get off some extra at times.

Tim,

I'm planning a new house and want to build a basketball court in the basement. What's the best way to attain 16 foot concrete walls? Poured? Precast? What do you think? Also, any estimate on cost per running foot? Thanks.

Doug

I own a double wide home with a block foundation that's about 3.5 to 4 feet deep on 3sides of the house. under the house I'm getting water seeping in. The water is in only on half the house. My question is what would be the best drainage to have and how deep should I put it. Should it go below my crawlspace depth to prevent water from seeping in?

Doug,
Wow! I would consider precast if possible. My feeling is 16 will not be enough. See if you can find a commercial foundation contractor that will do 20 foot walls. The high point of a three point shot could get beyond 16 feet. Better test this before you commit.

Gary,
If you want to discover how to keep the underside of that doublewide dry, then go click the Drainage category link on the left and read all of the columns there. You will be amazed at what you can do.

Tim,

I didnt make it to Eagle Scout, but all the training that I received, I use till this day...

Something to be said about be a Scout these days. To bad the children today dont have the interest in Scouting like we did. We are the better for it, wouldnt you agree?

Take care and I really enjoy especially your videos.

Keep up the good work.

Will Krohe
Boardman, OH 44512

Will,
I have vivid memories of fantastic times while in Scouts. Some of my best friends were in my troop and we still get together. As for skills, I am a firm believer that the basic skills learned for survival, tracking, knots, even cooking on a rock are helpful to this day. You know it made an impact on my life as I have all of my badges, medals and vest still.

hello sir,

i really have something very confusing. please read it carefully.

sir i just have my old light removed from my ceiling for my new light to go on. Now i am having trouble understanding there is something in the middle of my ceiling box, in other words i have this thing hanging from the ceiling and i can't take it out. I am thinking its mounted in to the ceiling. i have read it in some books that in old house there is center fixture stud mounted. Now i need to install a light that has nipple that goes in the middle hole of a cross bar. I can not put with the center fixture stud. please tell me what should i do. and i want to do it my self. i also bought a hickey to place it in the center fixture stud, but then its making my light sag. PLEASE HELP.

Hello Tim. My husband and I are looking to fill a 900 sguare foot driveway with some type of gravel. We want it to look nice since we just laid grass(we are remodeling our back yard.) We chose gravel because we knew it was a low cost project. Please help me decide what kind of gravel will look nice, yet hold up to my husbands truck driving over it everyday.

Hi there,

Can you tell me how to tell the difference between vinyl and aluminum sidings? I am going to follow your advice for painting my siding but I'm not 100% sure what the material is.
Thanks
Tim

Quick question on indoor framing. I'm adding and removing some interor walls. The new walls will go where there is currently carpet. What are your thoughts on framing the base plate directly over the carpet instead of removing it? I'm afraid of ruining the carpet and losing the tightness if I attempt to remove the area where the wall base plate will be installed. Please advise of your thoughts. Thank you.

I recently bought a house and demoed the finished basement to find some water damage. I want to waterproof my foundation from the outside and install a french drain. What products do you recomend that I use to waterproof?

Stephen,
You should read all of my Foundation Waterproofing columns and pick one of the ones I prefer. I tell you the one on my own home.

Charlie,

You can frame the wall on top of the carpet. You will need a carpet installer to redo it if you cut it.

I noticed that Valspar was not one of the 10 Manufacturers listed as 100% Acrylic Latex Paint & Primer. Is this because they are not or you did not list them. I am getting ready to paint and Valspar is readily available but I wanted to make sure I was not pouring money down a hole.

Thanks, Charles

I have a home that I have been complaining about since the first week of move in (Clarksville TN) built by Blackwell and Blackwell Construction (William Eric and Christopher S. Blackwell (brothers). It's in Arbour Greene South off of Tlyertown Rd. It's a brand newly constructed home. I've gone to BBB, Consumer Affairs, FTC. Also the Homeowners Association (told me they wasn't in the association) and Real Estate Association who never contacted me, the real estate company (Keller Williams's CEO Mr. Aken and the Mr. Kelly) who never contacted me, even after I sent them emails and a packet with pictures. I at least thought they would want to know all the fraudelent things taken place with the builders who they allow to carry their agency's name on the homes they built.

I've always tried to communicate with the builders, but even more so after finding out they're not licensed, but, they will not contact me back, despite the several certified letters they've signed for. The Title company (Sykes Title) knows everything, to include the fact that the contracts signed and the deed can't be legal, because the builders wasn't ever authorized to sign them, only the father. The seller for the Blackwell home's is just as involved (Eddie Ferrell-who was right there at closing), and highly upholds and defends the builder's, he also works for Keller Williams.

My home is falling apart inside and out. It was in Dec 07, when I found out the builders wasn't licensed. The builders have been using their father's license, William S. Blackwell, (who is the actual license holder). The father isn't in the business and hasn't been in years, but he some how managed to provide the board with financial statements in order to renew his license each year (for the son's usage). The Licensing Contractors Board has fined them and ordered a cease and desist. You can see this if you go to Tn Licensing Contractor's Board under disciplinary actions for April 08. Despite all the permits they've gotten to built homes on their father's license, the father was fined only $3000 after the board pulled 3 permits and gave them 3 citations, totalling $1000 a piece. I asked the board, why couldn't they fine them for every permit they got? But, of course I was told the limit they could do in house was $3000 but it was the board's counsel who could give civil penalties, but they didn't. He was only fined $3000.

The board told me; that since the father is the license holder and the son's are listed as EMPLOYEES only, that the father is the only legal one who was authorized to sign the contracts at closing etc. All my paperwork signed and contract, doesn't have the father's name on it anywhere, only the two sons. I provided copies to the board, this is when they violated the builders (actually fining the father). Not only did I get into a loan by signing false documentation at closing, but I am stuck in a mortgage loan and the house is very defective (built by builder's who represented themselves falsely).

My home is not defective in one or two places, but multiple. All door frames and window frames are cracked around the entire frames, garage floor has a crack the entire length of floor leading down the driveway, then there are additional spider web cracks throughout the floor plus outside the entrance corners of the garage. None of the doors fit properly you can see light around the entire door frames. The ceilings has sags, cracks and bulges throughout the house. The baseboards throughout in places are pulling away from the walls. The walls have bulges, cracks and nail holes. The floors are soft and pops badly in places throughout the house. The bannister rail leading to the bonus room is loose etc. I can go on and on without any exaggerations. With all the problems there has to be some structural damage, because the brick base foundation has many cracks around the entire home on the outside and now the inside of the garage is cracked around the entire room and the brick base inside the garage has cracks around the entire room. I've had trouble with the heating and cooling system from the first week, they've been out atleast 5 times and the system still doesn't work right.

Although the attorney fees quoted are outrageously high, it looks as if I will have to end up paying someone. I am also a disabled veteran and this has been major hell and stress for me, because the VA said "they can't help because they really don't give loans." The VA, because one of the builder's reps. provided the VA with a email from me that stated that I said "I didn't trust them or want them in my home again and I was contemplating suing, the VA, said they couldn't do anything else. I was upset, because the VA failed to remember that the Blackwell's never provided them what they had fixed despite the many request from the VA, and the fact that in Jan 07 (6 months after I bought the house), the Blackwell's sent me and the VA rep a email saying that they had fixed all that they intended to and was not coming back. I sent the email to them around Sep 07 that I didn't want them back in my home (only after I had begged them months and months to come and they wouldn't and when they did send the subcontractors to fix the few items, the work done was so insufficient, but the builder's REFUSED to come out to see the repairs). So yes, I was absolutely frustrated by then and the only reason they asked to come out, was because by then I had written everyone I could think of and the VA started back contacting them. This was all before learning of all the illegal activity and the builder's being unlicensed.

The BBB put them on the unsatisfactory list because they wouldn't respond to them when requested. Consumer Affairs, Jim Gallery, (prior to me finding out about the unlicensed activity and everything else), told me "the Blackwell's were uncooperative, therefore they could not mediate. Then they told me flat out, they couldn't help me after I contacted them again, once I found out the other information about the Blackwell's not being licensed, etc.

I wrote the Attorney General before and after knowing about the activity and got two letters back saying that he could not help me. I've contacted the FTC, HUD, Consumer Actions, the Governor, TBI, and many more.

I finally spoke with the building codes and permits director (Apr 08), by phone, Mr. Jim Pillows who is the Director. He told me that William S. Blackwell, the father, had a paper on file there with the department, that stated that the son's were authorized to get the permits under his license (yet this man's not even in the business). Mr. Pillows stated that they were not aware that the father wasn't in the business any longer and that Mr. Blackwell's son's weren't licensed. He stated that now since the department knows, they wouldn't be giving anymore permits to them. He also apologized to me.

In TN you can't build as a contractor without a license, if the project is over $25,000, my home was $139,900 and I pay over $1000 a month. So I am very outraged and stressed out over all of this. In the beginning the builders had a few things fixed subcontractors, the work was so shabby, however the builder's wouldn't even come out to look at the subs repairs, despite the many times I requested. I had 2 home inspections, the initial one, then one 3 months later. The builders really haven't honored them or the home warranty.

4/19/08 I sent the builders, the father, the seller, and Title company. The letters were the last certified letters I intended to send to try an settle. Then I was told by someone to make a phone call as well. The father (the one who allowed all of this illegal activity) told me "to do what I have to do!" The son's never returned my call. Sykes Title Company refused my certified letter (it came back refused to accept) and they didn't return my call (I've contacted the Title company 4 times) and they have yet to respond! The seller hasn't responded either.

The Shocker: On 22nd May 08 Ms. Lazenby who is the Board's Director contacted me and told me that the father (Mr. Blackwell) and one of his son's appeared in Memphis, TN before a board member. She stated that "the Blackwell's said they weren't aware that they couldn't use the dad's license and that as soon as they got the cease and desist, they stopped building. The killer is this; Ms. Lazenby said "it was recommended that the son's receive a civil penalty and that they (the son's) were approved to receive a license within 6 months. I CAN NOT BELIEVE IT. I was so upset, I cried after reading it. I expressed to her how upset and in disbelief, disappointed, you name it, that I was.

I asked Ms. Lazenby for the person's name that the Blackwell's stood before, because I wanted to see how on earth could they have made that decision! I asked her how could the board believe that the Blackwell's didn't know, when it lays out the guidelines for licensure on the board's website plain and clear. Not only that, it clearly defines the procedures if the license holder is no longer in business, they must inform the board, and if they turn over ownership, the individual (new owner) must get their own license. Now, if I can read it and understand it. Why would the board believe that the Blackwell's didn't know? They been in the business for years!

Then I asked if they didn't know, why did Mr. Blackwell, not inform the city, that he wasn't in the business any longer? Why didn't Mr. Blackwell, let the board know that he wasn't in the business and hadn't been in years. Why didn't he stop providing the Board with financial statements every year to renew his license, knowing full well, he wasn't in the business? Why didn't the son's provide them with the paperwork instead, since they were the one's building and selling, the homes? They knew it was wrong! Any and everyone has the sense to know you can't just take over someone else's business if you, yourself is not licensed to run it. COMMON SENSE! For instance, it's like driving a car, you can't drive my car, because I have a license. You have to have your own license and your own insurance if you're not put on someone else's insurance, but you definitely have to have you're own license. It's all legality and they knew it.

She finally wrote back and provided me with the boards attorney's email. I contacted Ms. Beth Tarter and I said, "you are a attorney, how could you say, that the board couldn't discipline the son's because of poor workmanship, when that was the initial complaint since Sep 2006 up to now? Then I asked her all the questions I wrote above to Ms. Lazenby. Then I begged her, just as I have begged Ms. Lazenby and Ms. Roberts since Dec 07 to revoke the father's license permanently and not allow the son's to get a license. She never did respond.

If you go to the board's website and go to lookup contractor's license. You'll see, William Eric Blackwell's name as applicant for licensure and if you scroll down, you'll see that William S. Blackwell (the father) is still listed as having an active license, despite all the illegal activity he's done, plus, HE'S NOT IN THE BUSINESS!! I DON'T GET IT! How could the board allow this to happen?

On 27th May 2006, I had a 2 1/2 hour long interview with Channel5 investigate reporter. Hopefully every homeowner whose in a Blackwell and Blackwell built home will get the news about all that has happened and the fact, that the board will allow them licensure within 6 months, DESPITE all the fraudulent activity that has taken place.

I will be joining with Blackwell homeowners and letting them know about all the information, to include the contracts they have signed by the son's really shouldn't be binding, because had we known about the Blackwell's activity, none of us, would be in the mortgage loans. We all entered into them under false pretense and misrepresentation on behalf of the builders, the seller, and the title company. I feel this very strongly! If if wasn't true, being lawyer's and professional's, the least the title company should have done was contacted me about my accusations or something (although I provided the board's info etc for verification), instead those chose not to respond at all.

I forgot to mention that in April 08 I contacted the Clarksville, Business office and was informed that there was no record of a Blackwell and Blackwell Construction, Blackwell Construction or William S. Blackwell or the son's as a business. I was also told that in Clarksville, you must have a business license to do business over $3000. I spoke with a Ms. Polley. She informed me that she would be forwarding my info to the audits and tax enforcement officials.

I tried to inform the board that I was told my another homeowner of a location the builders were supposedly still building during the cease and desist. To my surprise MY EMAIL WAS REJECTED, I CAN NO LONGER COMMUNICATE WITH THEM (at least not from the email I normally used). Wow!! This is all so weird and unbelieveable to me!

I also contacted the board's attorney with names and addresses of individual's who live in the homes that the Blackwell's built since the cease and desist, but received no response back from her. The Blackwell's told the board that they stopped all work when they got the cease and desist and it's not the truth! The Blackwell's and Eddie Ferrell are still being allowed to sell homes to this day and today is 10 June 08, yet the board itself is the one who told me that they are signing paperwork illegally at closings. So what about all the homeowners who have gotten into mortgage loans under false pretense and falsification of paperwork by the Blackwell's and Eddie Ferrell and the Title Company, because the title company knows everything, yet they are still performing closings.

I rececently jet washed the driveway of a property I have been renting for 6 years. Now the Landlord says I have damaged the grouting in between and he thinks it needs a professional to put it right. I thought I was being careful doing one brick at a time, but it would appear not. How much will it cost to have this work done? (roughly).