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 […]
Caulking Doesn’t Have to Be Hard QUESTION #1: Tim, my husband caulked a few things in the bathroom and made an enormous mess. The caulk is smeared and there are gaps. Can it be repaired? He had the best of intentions but didn’t seem to be concerned about the final appearance. How does one get […]
"The size of the septic tank is determined by the number of bedrooms in almost all cases." Septic Tank Design Checklist You need a professional design drawn by a pro Each house is different because of load, soil, and topography A leach field can be under a road Use gravity - avoid pumping septic tank […]
25th AsktheBuilder Anniversary October 2, 2018 is the 25th anniversary of my Ask the Builder syndicated newspaper column. I’m very proud of surviving this long as a writer and publisher and thought I’d share some of the good and the bad I’ve seen since that morning I waited outside in the dark for the newspaper […]
Gutter Guard Madness Question #1: Tim, the annual gutter cleaning campaign is about to happen. What’s your feeling about gutter guards? Have you tested any? There are so many different designs, how do you even begin to make a decision? Are they really worth it in the long run? Is there a cheaper alternative? Molly […]
Solar Attic Fan Tough Love Question #1: Tim, can you cut through the fog of confusion about solar attic fans? I just want the tough-love truth. Do they really work or are they mostly hype? What does it take to really cool an attic space? My husband really thinks it’s a great idea to buy […]
Ask the Builder Podcast 13 Highlights: Garage built too low Bathroom light fixture problem New tin roof in Washington DC Tim shares a story about controlling cracks in concrete Podcast Sponsor: Stain Solver - Certified Organic Oxygen Bleach Home Improvement and Home Construction Podcast Photos, Links and Great Stuff: CALL 1: Garage Too Low […]
New Concrete on Old Question #1: Tim, I desperately need your help. The concrete sidewalk and driveway at my house are falling apart. The top surface is crumbling yet just below the surface the concrete is as solid as rock. It’s only a few years old. What’s causing this? Contractors have told me I need […]
Drywall That Gets Wet Question #1: I need your help Tim. I’ve talked to several contractors and their advice is not in agreement. The dilemma is what drywall should be used in what areas of my house. One contractor talks about green board. Another one mentions MMR board. The third contractor hasn’t heard of […]