Roof Turbine Vents
Exhaust moist, hot air from your attic. Turbine roof vents work with Mother Nature to pull this air outside...for free.
Author Archives: Tim Carter
Installing Downspout Drain Lines
Installing drainage systems with downspout drain lines is simple enough to do. First check with your local government. Stormwater rules and regulations may prohibit some of your ideas. Can you discharge rainwater onto your property? Drainage systems that use a smooth 4 inch diameter plastic SDR-35 pipe will have few problems. Read my tips for better drainage.
Water Heaters – Expansion Tanks
Water heaters can be fitted with expansion tanks to capture expanded water and prevent water heater malfunction. Sizing water heater expansion tanks is easy for your hot water heater, and adding a hot water expansion tank can be done within 30 minutes.
Retaining Wall Repair Cost
Retaining Wall Repair Cost TIPS Consult with a structural engineer Engineer has honest contractor referrals Develop a repair plan DIY repair with inexpensive materials CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! DEAR TIM: The retaining wall at my older home is in sad shape. A contractor told me that if I don’t tear […]
January 22, 2017 AsktheBuilder Newsletter
My website revision project is moving along quite well. Yesterday, I spent the entire day going back through all of the columns I've revised in the past two weeks and made some subtle formatting changes. The changes were for the better! It'll be interesting to see if you can tell what I did. I was […]
Rust Removal from Concrete Pavers
Concrete pavers are lovely, but with time, may need rust removal and repair. Oxalic acid and muriatic acid help repair paving bricks.
Removing Wood Stains
Wood stains or stains on wood finishes are unsightly. A stain can be caused by mildew, natural extractive wood preservatives, and even cement and mortar. Follow these recipes for mildew remover and extractive wood stains...but avoid splattering redwood with the lime from cement or mortar! These wood stains are impossible to eliminate.
Attic Trusses – Room Size
Create extra storage space with attic trusses. Special roof trusses or storage trusses allow for that extra room in the attic. Is there a price for this room in attic trusses? Here are some attic frame truss possibilities.
How to Reinforce Concrete Block
Reinforce Concrete Block TIPS: Mortar is strong in compression - weak in tension Concrete block needs steel reinforcement Concrete block should be attached to concrete footer WATCH steel & concrete block video below CLICK HERE for Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter DEAR TIM: I'm building a new home and two concrete block piers toppled over […]
Clothes Dryer Venting
Venting your clothes dryer directly into the garage could be a building-code violation and a bad idea. Dryer vents exhaust a large amount of water vapor. Putting this condensation into your garage could create rust on unpainted surfaces, and worse, mold inside the walls and ceiling. Clothes-dryer venting should be to the outside.