Handy Hand Tools QUESTION 1#: Tim, I’m sure you get to see new tools all the time. I’m curious if certain ones become your favorite or if you see vast improvements over older models. I want to create a set of simple hand tools for both my daughter and son who now live in their […]
"A cast iron plumbing stack is a thing of beauty, especially if it's the sleek newer no-hub cast iron." Tim Carter - Founder, AsktheBuilder.com This article was featured as "The Week Of Cast Iron" in Tim's March 10, 2019 AsktheBuilder Newsletter. Cast Iron Plumbing Stack - Quiet and Strong Cast iron plumbing is still available […]
Toilet Rough-In Dimensions - There are Several!
Creeping and Snapping Laminate Floor QUESTION #1: Oh, Tim I need your help! A laminate floor in a friend’s house seems to be possessed. Overnight, gaps appear in the floor where one piece butts up against another. With some effort, you can slide them back tight again. When you walk across the floor in places […]
Restore Patio Tile Grout QUESTION #1: Tim, my outdoor deck is a concrete slab with gorgeous tile on it. The grout is a mess and I believe I have to replace it. The quotes to do this work took my breath away. How does one make the determination if the grout needs to be replaced? […]
Cast Iron Drain Pipe - Quiet, Durable, and Wonderful "At the very least, use cast iron drain pipe for your toilet pipes across ceilings and down walls. This will stop embarrassing noise and add value to your home." Tim Carter | Founder - AsktheBuilder.com Modern cast iron drain pipe is nothing like the cast iron […]
Why Doesn't My Shower Work? | Frozen Riser Pipe Probably! "A shower can stop working if the water pipes in the wall freeze solid. A polar vortex causes bitter cold air to drop down into the wall." Tim Carter - Founder, askthebuilder.com Did your shower work yesterday? Are you experiencing a polar vortex shot of […]
DXV Fitzgerald Sink - A New Sink Perfect for Restoration Work Here's the DXV Fitzgerald sink after it was installed. Look below to see how incredible the transformation was. This magnificent period sink was perfect for the ongoing restoration of an early 1900s Craftsman house in southern California owned by one of my best friends. […]
Small Greenhouse Foundations Question #1: Hello Tim! My guess is you’re not a gardener, but I do need your help. I’m about to purchase a small greenhouse kit and wonder if there are any special foundation requirements. The manufacturer doesn’t have much to say about this. What’s the best thing to do so I preserve […]
Clog-Free Kitchen and Bath Drains Yesterday, I was perusing a national news website whose headlines more and more are reminding me of the traditional sensational tabloids that might have a story about a lawn being stolen. Being a syndicated newspaper columnist, I find this transition most interesting. One particular headline caught my eye as it […]
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