November 15, 2011 AsktheBuilder Newsletter And Tips
What's in This Newsletter?
Latest News
Loctite Power Grab Adhesive
Replacing Copper Drain Lines
Christmas Gift Guide
Drywall Plug Video
Tiny Titan Water Heater Video
Facebook News
Can you believe that Thanksgiving here in the USA is next week? Wow! It's my favorite meal of the year and Kathy's pumpkin pie is to die for. So is her pecan pie.There's lots to be thankful for this year as I've totally recovered from my spring shingles episode, and everyone else in the family is healthy. Health is really the most important thing, wouldn't you agree?
This past weekend, I was with some of my friends and my youngest daughter shooting guns - all types of guns. I own a piece of land here in New Hampshire where I'm able to shoot.
Several of my friends had never really shot long guns and a handgun. We were fortunate to have in our midst a former police officer who was responsible for all the gun training at his department, so safety was the word of the day. He did a great job of showing all how to respect and use guns.
Everyone loved my Remington 700 .308 rifle. I felt sorry for the empty dog food cans that sacrificed themselves. .
The second day we were at an indoor range shooting four different machine guns. When you see one used in the movies, it's not like that in real life. Quick bursts produce great accuracy.
Loctite Power Grab Clear Adhesive
Have you ever wondered if those adhesives that are sold in caulk tubes really work? Did you know there's a clear adhesive you can now get?
I decided to see for myself if the new Loctite Power Grab exterior and interior clear adhesive really does what it says on the label.
I tried it on wood and drywall. They say you can use this for both exterior and interior projects.
You clean up with soap and water, so that's a huge benefit.
I don't have the greatest nose in the world, but I didn't smell any odors like I do with some other adhesives.
It works on all types of surfaces around your home, so this could be a great adhesive for you
The results are in! Please go opens in a new windowwatch the video and see what I discovered.
Replacing Copper Drain Lines with PVC?
Phil from Cherry Hill, NJ wrote to me asking:
My entire house (built in the 60s) has copper drain pipes, 1 1/4 to 4 inch, for the vent pipes going through the roof.
A vast majority of the piping is accessible via the ceiling in the kitchen. Does it make fiscal sense to rip all the copper out, recycle it for $$$, and replace it with PVC?
If i can make money on the deal the one day investment of time might be worth it, not to mention peace of mind in updating 50-year old pipe within my walls and ceilings. What do you think?"
Phil, I'll tell you what I think. Many people would die to have copper drain and vent lines! I'm a master plumber and copper is the dream piping material. It can last for centuries, is easy to repair, and is MUCH quieter than PVC drain piping.
I would never replace it. What's more, I'm willing to bet that you'll spend more on the new PVC than what you'll get as scrap value for the copper. It's easy to determine this. Just find out what a piece of the drain pipe weighs per foot - do this online - and see what new PVC costs per foot.
The fittings are where you'll see the biggest difference. They are usually wrought copper and are not as valuable as the pure copper drain piping. I'd be stunned to discover you can get more in scrap for the wrought copper than what a new same-sized PVC fitting costs you retail.
Christmas Gift Guide - WOW!
I announced my new opens in a new windowChristmas Gift Guide last week. It looks like it's a huge hit.
If you're looking for stocking stuffers, power tools, or that really special gift for the DIYr that *thinks* they have everything, well my guide is just the ticket.
The opens in a new windowGift Guide is FREE and I'd appreciate it if you would mention it to as many friends, co-workers, relatives , etc. as you can!
Clicking the links in the gift guide helps me a great deal. I'm able to provide you with this free newsletter, free columns and videos at the website because of the small amount of revenue I get when you purchase something.
If you want AsktheBuilder.com to grow and thrive, please use the Gift Guide and do other Christmas shopping at Amazon while you're at it. Thanks in advance!
Drywall Plug Video
I promised you I'd tape a video about how to make your own drywall plug. I taped it yesterday.
This video does not show installing it. That's another video for another day. But all you have to do is just blow the dust of the edges of the plug and the square hole in the wall.
You then butter the edges of the plug as if you were putting icing on a cake. Then you spread joint compound on the drywall around the hole.
When you press the plug in place the buttered compound fills the gap between the hole and the plug creating a fantastic solid patch.
You just finish the patch as you would any similar tape job. I have two or three other videos at my site that show you how to do this. Just type: drywall video into my search engine to see all of them.
Watch the opens in a new windowDrywall Plug video now.
Tiny Titan Water Heater
Last week I also taped a video about a great product. It's the Tiny Titan water heater.
This is a compact water heater where you just need a small amount of hot water. Wait till you see how compact this heater is!
Watch the opens in a new windowTiny Titan Water Heater video now.
Facebook News!
Do you use Facebook? I've got a opens in a new windowFacebook Fan Page that really sees some action during the week.
We have lots of fun there each week. Go look for yourself..
Please go there now and LIKE me so you can start to get FREE tips from me when you login to your Facebook page.
