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Ask the Builder Podcast 11 Highlights: Bruce's new blacktop drive needs support at one edge Jack's brick home leaks in driving rains Diane has crumbling concrete steps Tim shares a story about new ceramic tile bubbling up off a floor! NOTE: Transcript of this story below. CLICK to LISTEN to Tim's AsktheBuilder Podcast 11. Podcast Sponsor: Read More »

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   Colorize and Stain Mexican Tile - Use a Masonry Stain It's so very easy to colorize Mexican tile. You can also stain patio pavers or Mexican tile using a liquid translucent stain. Stain Patio Pavers Advice From Heaven The advice you get from some experts is not always the best. Many people seem Read More »

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Brick Wall Leaks Driving Rain TIPS All brick walls leak water Water must be captured and released back to the outside WATCH brick wall construction video below Silane / siloxane sealers can stop most leaks in existing walls CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! DEAR TIM: As result of Hurricane Irma, I Read More »

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Brick Mortar Repair Mix TIPS Use same mortar Romans used to build aqueducts Hydrated lime mortar with secret volcanic ash - SEE BELOW links WATCH tuck-pointing videos below Be careful of amount of water used to mix new mortar CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter DEAR TIM: It appears I wasted some Read More »

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Texture and color matching of your mortar to use in a brick or masonry repair job takes a bit of legwork. You will have to determine the size of the sand used in your mortar. Your mortar will also need cement and lime. Bricklayers from your area may be able to direct you to the source of sand used in older homes.

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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 »

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Drainage Paving Stones Out in nature when it rains on soil, most of the water goes into the ground. Yeah, this column is about drainage paving stones, but you need to know something first. I say this assuming: it's not a downpour the soil is not saturated from days of rain the soil isn't frozen Read More »

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Crumbling Brick Pavers Why Do Paving Brick Crumble? The concrete paving brick crumble because the Portland cement used to hold together the sand and gravel loses its ability to hold together the sand and gravel used to create each brick. This happens most frequently in cold climates. Water soaks into the concrete paving brick. When Read More »

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Brick Window Sill Leaking TIPS Leak-proof brick sills are ones that have flashings under them Hard to retrofit existing brick sills Use thin bendable stainless steel for best flashings - SEE BELOW Solvent-based silane siloxane sealer could help stop leaks CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! DEAR TIM: After noticing some bubbled Read More »

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How To Repair Mortar With Caulk DEAR TIM: My ten-year-old house developed some cosmetic cracks in the mortar. I got some bids to have tuck-pointing work done and nearly gagged when I looked at the cost. I’m wondering about using a special caulk I found that’s made to repair mortar joints. It contains fine sand Read More »

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