How to Prevent Bats in Attic - Very Easy IMPORTANT Author Note: After this column was featured in the July 4, 2021 newsletter, a subscriber was kind enough to share her frightening and expensive story about a bat encounter. It's at the bottom of this column. I URGE you to read it. Bats frighten many Read More »
3D Printed House Cost - It's Not All Unicorns and Rainbows You may wonder if the new belle of the ball, 3D printed house, is really going to cost you less money to build than a normal house. Some publications fawn about new techniques like these and only share the glitter and gleam of the Read More »
How to Square a Building Last week, a 75-year-old man submitted a question on the Ask Tim page of my AsktheBuilder.com website. I get quite a few each week and answer each one. This particular question put a huge smile on my face because it screamed “ATTITUDE”. Connie, yes it can be a name for Read More »
Old House Design Features - Don't Allow Them to Disappear This column has been laying in the weeds of my head for months. Every now and then, it pops its head up. Yesterday was one of those days when once again my lovely wife had to get out of the car before I could pull Read More »
Prevent Burst Water Pipes - It's Really Easy Were you one of the millions of homeowners, renters, or business people who suffered from the recent spate of miserable polar weather in the core of the USA? The storm and low temperatures left millions without power, drinking water, food, etc. Frozen and burst water pipes in Read More »
QUESTION: Tim, I was spending a lazy weekend afternoon gazing at countless photos of actual treehouses that one could live in. I was intrigued and am seriously thinking of building one. Mind you, I’m not talking about some little box kids might play in and use a clubhouse. I’m talking a real two-bedroom home with Read More »
Author's Note: Please read the column and think about the front porches you've had the pleasure of sitting on. Then go to the bottom of the column and read what Virginia sent me. Emails like Virginia's really make me smile. Front Porch Construction - Probably Not DIY DEAR TIM: The house I grew up in Read More »
Column Summary: Twelve different treated lumber ratings Identifying the rating Treated lumber corrodes fasteners Why decks collapse CLICK or TAP HERE to subscribe to my FREE newsletter Treated Lumber Ratings - Twelve at Last Count DEAR TIM: I’m a remodeling contractor and have started to see a disturbing trend in the failure of treated lumber. Read More »
Alta Norway Mudslide - Often Disaster Can be Predicted The tragedy of the eight houses being swept into the ocean may have been prevented. Norway has quick clays and they are not very strong soils. There could be historical data that told of other past mudslides in this area. Geologic mapping might identify them as Read More »
How to Flash Siding Block - You Need Thin Stainless Steel Watch this video to understand one correct way to flash a siding block for light fixtures, hose bibs, appliance vents, etc. It's much easier to install the special stainless steel flashing tape as you're installing the siding rather than to do a repair. CLICK Read More »
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