Mold growth is a major problem, which thousands of people are experiencing due to a number of factors. Mold takes root partly due to poor workmanship, a limited understanding of the dynamics of water and water vapor movement, and lack of adequate training for builders. Toxic mold concerns rarely happened in old homes. Stopping black mold and other mold types before they begin can be done, but your builder must be well versed in how to keep water at bay with modern building materials and proper construction.
If your bare concrete or concrete block foundation is exposed, you can use stucco to cover it up. You can add permanent colors to stucco and create very interesting textures with little effort. Be sure to clean the surface; applying stucco should be done in slightly warm weather.
When building a deck and using joist hangers, be sure to use the proper nails. Many joist support systems, or truss hangers, recommend nails or fasteners that are approved for their hangers. If the joist hangers your carpenter used are approved for use with the newer ACQ treated lumber, you should have nothing to worry about.
Crawl Space DIY Vapor Barrier TIPS Clear clutter and smooth dirt Fill holes in foundation to stop air and water WATCH vapor barrier video below Use cross-laminated vapor barrier material CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! DEAR TIM: The crawl space under my 1910 home is just exposed dirt and leftover building […]
If your new home is built during a wet season, you will experience lumber shrinkage. This can cause ceramic tile, backsplashes, drywall and flooring cracks, among other problems. If possible, allow your house to dry out before installing all the materials inside.
Brick Mortar Repair Mix TIPS Use same mortar Romans used to build aqueducts Hydrated lime mortar with secret volcanic ash - SEE BELOW links WATCH tuck-pointing videos below Be careful of amount of water used to mix new mortar CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter DEAR TIM: It appears I wasted some […]
Most houses have a 3 way switch controlling three lights. If wired incorrectly the entire switch won't work. To find the problem, use a circuit tester on each wire. Turn the power off, first!
When it comes to building and remodeling, both homeowners and remodelers/builders have a wealth of information from which to choose. There are countless magazines, books, periodicals, technical journals and trade association literature to stay informed. All it takes is a little initiative on the part of an individual who wants to learn.
Texture and color matching of your mortar to use in a brick or masonry repair job takes a bit of legwork. You will have to determine the size of the sand used in your mortar. Your mortar will also need cement and lime. Bricklayers from your area may be able to direct you to the source of sand used in older homes.