DEAR TIM: I need to build some simple outdoor steps to replace ones that fell apart and rotted, even though they were made with treated lumber. I’m fairly handy and have a decent grasp of the math but would love some tips to get professional results. I’d also like to prevent the new steps from […]
DEAR TIM: The brick in the front of my home have been flaking off. This is a southwest-facing wall. Can you tell me why this is happening? Is there a way to repair the brick? What can I do to stop any further flaking and damage? Was the wrong brick used to build my home? […]
"Brick walls leak water. They’ve always leaked water. Builders and masons from hundreds of years ago knew this and..." Brick Weep Holes Tips Water gets behind brick walls Weep holes allow water to exit the wall Mortar can clog weep holes Flashings must be installed too DEAR TIM: I live in a brick townhouse. In […]
Bearing Wall Footing - Or What is that long block of concrete in my Basement? DEAR TIM: My wife and I are building our new home and we stopped by to see the progress just after the foundation was poured. We saw a massive long block of concrete at least 10 inches thick in the […]
This is a special column about trust. It was inspired by no less than three emails and one phone call I had with visitors to my AsktheBuilder.com website and this column that appears in your paper. Lynn, who is building a new home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is now wringing her hands each day […]
DEAR TIM: My last house had a basement that leaked water. I’m building a new home and want my basement as dry as the Atacama Desert. I’m confident that my drain tile was not put in correctly at my last house. What are the best practices when installing drain tile around a foundation? What materials […]
DEAR TIM: My husband and I are in a small skirmish about our new brick veneer home. I want it to be somewhat distinctive where you incorporate random pieces of rock in the brick. Among other claims, he says this will weaken the brick and cause leaks. Is this true? He’s also worried that it […]
Granny Pod House Tips Occupant must be involved in planning Single story is best, but you may want an attic for future use Watch helpful videos below When occupant moves out, rent space on Airbnb CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! DEAR TIM: I believe I need a granny pod. My mother-in-law […]
Tim Carter finishes the installation of a new vinyl window in an existing frame wall covered with fiber cement siding. Watch the entire four-part series to see how to create the hole in the wall with precision. Discover tips about remodeling from national award-winning master carpenter and builder Tim Carter.
Tim Carter demonstrates in this third video of the series how to cut out the wall sheathing and install the much needed sill flashing. The window install has been happening over a period of days and it's being done on a garage that has fiber cement siding for the exterior. Tim shows the importance of […]
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