Wallpaper Borders QUESTION #1: Hello Tim. Trends and designs change and I’m convinced wallpaper will rise from the ashes. I’d like to start the resurgence and install some wallpaper borders in a few rooms in my home. What can you share to make this job go smoothly? Have you ever put in a border halfway […]
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 […]
Outdoor Shed Tips QUESTION #1: Tim, what can you tell me about outdoor sheds? I’m thinking it could end up being an outdoor retreat more than it might be for garden stuff and junk. How can you keep a shed cool that bakes in the sun all day? I want to make sure the shed […]
"The decorative glass panels at the top of each door flood the garage with light." Haas Garage Door - Real Wood Look But Tough Steel Just a month ago, I had two new Haas garage doors installed at my home. The doors are steel, but anyone visiting my home thinks we've got distinctive real-wood garage […]
Concrete Block QUESTION #1: I’ve been researching foundation types for both new homes and room additions. I’ve narrowed it down to either poured concrete or concrete block. Many websites thump their chests saying poured concrete is better than concrete block. What’s your opinion, Tim? Have you worked with both materials? Carol Ann S., Richmond, VA […]
Different Deck Piers QUESTION #1: Tim, can you explain why I need concrete deck piers under the wood support posts that hold up my deck? I saw an older deck where the posts just rested on pre-cast concrete stepping stones. The deck seemed fine to me. Are deck piers overkill and a way for contractors […]
Adhesive Remover Podcast: Adhesive Remover - Tim Carter, the founder of AsktheBuilder.com, shares with Bob an easy way to remove the adhesive from outdoor concrete paver brick. Bob had been chipping off the adhesive. Another one Podcast Sponsor: Stain Solver - Certified Organic Oxygen Bleach Home Improvement and Home Construction Podcast Photos, Links and […]
Smoking Fireplaces QUESTION #1: Oh Tim, I need your help. I’ve got a masonry fireplace that puffs smoke into the room when a fire is burning. It gets worse as the fire dies down. I’ve spoken with three different bricklayers who build fireplaces and have received three different answers. Confusion reigns at my home and […]
Ask the Builder Podcast 23 Replace Concrete Stoop: Replace Concrete Stoop - Tim Carter, the founder of AsktheBuilder.com, talks to David in Kentucky about replacing the concrete stoop that is on the side wall of his garage. It's dangerous and slippery in the winter. Tim offers David a simple solution that's DIY friendly and […]
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 […]
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