Old House Design Features - Don't Allow Them to Disappear This column has been laying in the weeds of my head for months. Every now and then, it pops its head up. Yesterday was one of those days when once again my lovely wife had to get out of the car before I could pull […]
Prevent Burst Water Pipes - It's Really Easy Were you one of the millions of homeowners, renters, or business people who suffered from the recent spate of miserable polar weather in the core of the USA? The storm and low temperatures left millions without power, drinking water, food, etc. Frozen and burst water pipes in […]
QUESTION: Tim, I was spending a lazy weekend afternoon gazing at countless photos of actual treehouses that one could live in. I was intrigued and am seriously thinking of building one. Mind you, I’m not talking about some little box kids might play in and use a clubhouse. I’m talking a real two-bedroom home with […]
Author's Note: Please read the column and think about the front porches you've had the pleasure of sitting on. Then go to the bottom of the column and read what Virginia sent me. Emails like Virginia's really make me smile. Front Porch Construction - Probably Not DIY DEAR TIM: The house I grew up in […]
Treated Lumber Ratings - Twelve at Last Count Twelve different treated lumber ratings Identifying the rating Treated lumber corrodes fasteners Why decks collapse CLICK or TAP HERE to subscribe to my FREE newsletter DEAR TIM: I’m a remodeling contractor and have started to see a disturbing trend in the failure of treated lumber. I was […]
Alta Norway Mudslide - Often Disaster Can be Predicted The tragedy of the eight houses being swept into the ocean may have been prevented. Norway has quick clays and they are not very strong soils. There could be historical data that told of other past mudslides in this area. Geologic mapping might identify them as […]
How to Flash Siding Block - You Need Thin Stainless Steel Watch this video to understand one correct way to flash a siding block for light fixtures, hose bibs, appliance vents, etc. It's much easier to install the special stainless steel flashing tape as you're installing the siding rather than to do a repair. CLICK […]
Metal Roof Color Temperature - Color Matters Big Time I used my FLIR infrared camera to determine the temperature of three pieces of metal I had painted three different colors. The experiment was done at the end of May 2020 in central New Hampshire. I took the photos just a few minutes after solar noon. […]
Water Leak Electrical Panel Podcast: Tim Carter received a water leak electrical panel email from Kathleen in Millersville, MD. Read her email below and then CLICK to LISTEN to the Water Leak in Electrical Panel Podcast. Here's what Kathleen wrote: "Tim, Every time it rains there is a slow trickle of water that seeps down […]
Animated GIF by Marty Hovey Copyright 1995 Marty Hovey Water Damage Drywall Repair Podcast: Tim Carter received a water damage drywall repair email from Phil. Phil lives in Australia and is a virtual friend of Tim's. Here's what Phil wrote: "Tim, I’ve got a small area of drywall that is a bit of a […]
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