Q&A / 

There are a variety of toilet bowl cleaners available. Store-bought bathroom cleaners don’t always do the job completely. Muriatic acid is a strong toilet bowl cleaner, but requires special care when using it. A good toilet bowl brush will be needed when cleaning your toilet.

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Foundation drainage systems are one of the most important aspects of residential construction. Installing drainage systems are also one of the most misunderstood aspects. Because these systems are usually deeply buried and cannot be easily modified or corrected, it is vitally important that they are installed correctly. Foundation drainage systems which are installed properly can serve a dual roll.

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Attic insulation is accomplished with either fiberglass blankets (batt) or blown in insulation. Batt insulation is available at home centers and lumberyards. Blown in insulation requires a professional. Before choosing blown vs. batt insulation, take time to read this column.

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Your job is to CLICK  the five links just below. Once at each page, study the photos you'll see. These links were shown in my February 5, 2017 AsktheBuilder Newsletter. You can click each of the photos to see a BIGGER one. This will help you later when you take the funny quiz below. Some of […]

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When it comes to tile & grout cleaning, there is an easier way to clean tile grout. Knowing how to clean tile grout this method will save you hard scrubbing and your ceramic tiles will look brand new.

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How to insulate an older brick home can be a challenge. If furring strips were nailed to the inner masonry, there is only a narrow 3/4-inch space to add insulation. Very old brick homes often have no space to add insulation as the plaster was applied directly to the brick wall.

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Drilling ceramic tile requires a special drill bit and a steady hand. A carbide drill bit or a diamond drill bit are best for drilling holes in ceramic tile. The proper drill speed will prevent a disaster.

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House siding, including vinyl siding, is not maintenance free. Mildew and algae can grow on vinyl siding, as well as wood siding. Try using oxygen bleach to clean your house siding instead of using a pressure washer.

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Metal ductwork, plastic piping and any other object that might expand and contract can rub against wood framing. The movement, in almost all cases, creates annoying noises anytime of day or night.

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Diagonal braces are used to keep your building project square and structurally solid. Without bracing, walls or decks can collapse since there isn't any lateral stability. Be sure to check your building codes for diagonal brace requirements.

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