DEAR TIM: Our house has an usual chimney made with irregular stones. The existing cap is in poor shape and I'm worried about damage. Each contractor I talk with has a different solution and none of them are even similar. What's the best way to install a cap on a masonry chimney, no matter if […]
Jim Carter, no relation to me, lives about an hour's drive north of Sacramento, CA. He thinks he wants to replace the wood siding on his house because it looks bad. But he's worried about the cost and his tight budget. Here's his story: "Hi Tim, When we moved into our house, it needed the […]
Karen Bloom is a subscriber to my newsletter and lives in Austin, TX. However, she and her husband also own a home in Memphis, TN that's having major issues with ice dams around her dormers. Here's her full report: "Hi Tim, I get your newsletter and really enjoy it. We have a house in Memphis, TN in […]
Tim Carter tests out the Quiet Technology Craftsman Snowblower. This snow blower is equipped with a new quieter engine. The blower was tested after a 6 to 8-inch snowfall in central New Hampshire. It was a cold day with temperatures in the mid teens F. When you see a close up of the muffler, the […]
Last night, it was minus 14 F here at my house. I live in central NH and that's not unusual. My large deck started to make very LOUD cracking and pop sounds as the sun began to set yesterday. Others are experiencing this same condition. Read more about it and check out the photo in […]
Connie Ruffennach lives in Arlington, Texas. As we all know, Texas can have some wild weather. Guess what happened to her attic ventilator turbine vent? Let her give you the details: "We had a sleet storm this morning. My attic ventilator is spinning crazily and is making a knocking sound. What could be causing this?" Connie, […]
Susan Coyle wants to dress up her home in Atascadero, CA, with some nice extruded fiberglass window boxes. Here's what she asked: "Is there a specific brand of extruded fiberglass window box that you recommend?" Susan, I don't know that there are any standout brands. I have about ten wonderful extruded fiberglass window boxes here at […]
DEAR TIM: My backyard is not level. The ground slopes from the left to the right as you look out my back kitchen window. The land in the subdivision slopes this general direction until it hits a small creek three blocks away. Ever since my neighbor built an in-ground swimming pool I have water ponding […]
DEAR TIM: What type of stone would be best for filling this cavity that is a planned two-car garage addition? It is approximately 7 feet deep. The local concrete supplier sells recycled concrete for a really good price. It is very similar to crusher run. Due to the design, compacting will be next to impossible. […]
Katie Maguire is a woman after my own heart. She lives in Jacksonville, Florida and has some goats. I want a few goats to go hiking with me when I do outdoor ham radio. Read about Katie's new fencing that has loose posts: "Tim, I have a brand new fence on ten acres with sheep and […]
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