September 27, 2011 AsktheBuilder Tips And Newsletter

What's in This Newsletter?

Latest News
Installing New Siding
Work Pants Discovery
New Toilet Fill Valve
Facebook Photos

NW Trip I'm back in New Hampshire after nearly three weeks of travel. It was a business/pleasure/business trip that started in Philadelphia, then to Salt Lake City, up through Montana then to Banff and Jasper in Canada, over to Vancouver and Victoria in British Columbia and finally ending in Seattle. Can you see why that's probably too much travel at one time? I loaded some updated photos and funny videos with captions to the Picasa album I created for this trip. You've got to watch the videos. They will have you laughing for sure.

Installing New Siding

Mellodee from Kerrobert, Saskatchewan, Canada wrote to me:

"I want to re-side my house. It currently has two layers of siding, one of vinyl and one of hardboard. The house is currently very warm and draft free. Do I need to remove both layers or can I reside over the hardboard? If both layers are removed can the new siding be put over the framing with Tyvek wrap only or do I need to add a Styrofoam insulation for warmth. Part of the house is 2x4 and part 2x6. Look forward to your help."

Mellodee, I was just up near you right next to the Saskatchewan Glacier that's fed by the Columbia Icefield.

I would recommend removing the top layer of siding for sure. You do have a unique opportunity to help add more insulation if you want to strip the house down to the studs. In that case you can add a layer of foam sheathing that will greatly enhance the R-value of your wall system. That needs to be covered with a water membrane and air barrier similar to Tyvek.

However, you need to ensure the structural stability of the house as you work. This means at the corners you must have a sheet of plywood or oriented strand board that's nailed at 6-inch intervals on the edges and no more than 12-inch centers in the field of each panel.

You have to work in sections. Don't strip the entire house as it could collapse if there is a big windstorm. Talk to a seasoned remodeler, builder or structural engineer before you go crazy on this project.

Have a great understanding of window and door flashings as well so you don't have any rot down the road.

Work Pants Discovery

I had a clothing malfunction while traveling. It's a long story that involves having clothes in two suitcases, but switching to just one at the last minute.

Suffice it to say I packed two pairs of convertible pants that have zip-off lower pant legs in a suitcase that went with me to Philadelphia.

These pants convert to shorts in less than 60 seconds. But they didn't make into the bag I used to go out West. I discovered the mistake after arriving in Salt Lake City.

The only pants I had were the shorts I wore on the plane to Salt Lake City. Groan.

The next morning, a Sunday in Butte, MT, I found a Bob Ward's Sporting Goods store that was open. Thank goodness! The only pants I could get, and this was the last stop before Glacier National Park, were some Columbia Lander pants. I really wanted convertible pants, but oh well.

What a surprise! The Lander pants are perhaps the most comfortable hiking pants I've ever worn. I can see they'll make a fantastic work pants for projects around the house.

I love the extra security pocket with a zipper built into the right-side regular pocket. The small thigh pocket is *perfect* for my cell phone. It would work for sunglasses as well.

If you're tired of ill-fitting jeans that are uncomfortable, you simply have to give these pants a try. I LOVE mine. I'll be getting more for sure.

New Toilet Fill Valve

My guess is the Fluidmaster Toilet Fill Valve has been around for close to 30 years. I distinctly remember installing my first one on a repair job. It was so easy and they work so well for years.

For years, there's been little competition. Perhaps it was a patent issue. It appears there's a new kid on the block now.

I was sent a HydroClean HC660 Fill Valve that looks like it's a clone of the Fluidmaster. Handling it out of the box I can assure you it's easy to install, but I've not yet had a chance to test one.

One feature that looks very cool, and I wonder if it works, is the L-shaped water inlet tubing that scrubs the bottom of the toilet tank after each flush.

The manufacturer claims that it keeps the tank clean. I can see how that would work as the incoming water would stir up the sediment and cause it to be flushed into the toilet bowl those first seconds as the flapper valve is open.

This product is worthy of your attention. You should click this link and see for yourself. I hope to install mine in the next two weeks. Let me know what you think if you get one.

Facebook Photos

Are you a fan of mine on Facebook? If not, you're missing a ton of FREE information at my fan page each week. Since the last newsletter, several of the photos I upload got some creative answers. It's fun guessing what the photos are.

I also told Hassan the best pipe to use for radiant in-floor heating.

I helped Lisa clean her dirty floor with Stain Solver.

I offered a possible solution to Elizabeth about her unreachable window.

And much, much more. You should really become an AsktheBuilder Fan on Facebook.

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