Q&A / 

Quick Column Summary: Is furnace smell dangerous Carbon monoxide is odorless/dangerous Dust accumulation causes smell Clean furnace and ductwork Jane, who lives with an old octopus gravity-feed (probably) furnace in Roseville, MI, has an odor issue. Let her describe it: "We moved into a home that has an old octopus furnace - it is labeled […]

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I'm perched at the top of the grand staircase at the Kennett House B & B as I type this. There's a space perfect for a 4-foot round oak table and chairs. Gilja Kusano is the owner / proprietor and it's a stunning property. The house is made from solid granite and the interior chestnut […]

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Roof Flashings - They're Easy to Install Quick Column Summary: What are flashings Install flashings properly Flashings protect your home from water How to make your flashings waterproof From the September 9, 2014 Newsletter DEAR TIM: I'm looking at bids right now for a re-roof project and a new deck job at my home. The […]

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Quick Column Summary: How to paint over stain Painting Kitchen Cabinets ebook Video link Olivia Stewart wants to paint her stained-wood cabinets. She lives in Oakland, CA. "What kind of paint do you use to paint over stained cabinets? I do not want to use a stain paint.  My cabinets are wood and over 30 […]

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Quick Column Summary: How to clean teak Use an oxygen bleach Leslie Ann, who lives in the land of the Buckeyes in Columbus, OH, needs to clean a teak table that's had lots of stuff on it.  She wants the BEST product, but doesn't want to shop online. Hmmmmmmm "What is the best way to […]

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Quick Column Summary: Parquet flooring on tile delaminating Organic mastic can't form bond Adhesive chain Joe McGarvey lives in a house in Glenview, IL where the oak parquet flooring is unruly. "My 30-yr, oak parquet floor, adhesively bonded to porcelain tile, has begun to delaminate. What is the best way to stop this delamination?" Joe, […]

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Quick Column Summary: Siding replacement height from ground Building code standards Better than building code installation Michael Slater is putting new wood siding on his house in St. Catherine's - Ontario, Canada. Here's what he said: "I am replacing old vinyl siding with pine board and batten. How far off the ground level should I […]

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Quick Column Summary: Garage sided with no sheathing material How to stop water from entering No easy fixes Remove siding and add sheathing, tar paper or house wrap Judy Saulle, who lives in a cedar-sided house in Earlysville, VA, has an interesting problem with her house.  "Our garage does not have any sheathing just cedar […]

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Quick Column Summary: Installing rigid foam on house House wrap on top of foam Link to house wrap information Shane lives in Burien, WA. He's wondering about putting rigid foam on his house. He's also not sure about house wrap. "Can I put rigid foam on the exterior of my house and does the house […]

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Quick Column Summary: Soundproofing windows High quality storm windows might help Sound leaks into any air gap in your home Link to sound control information Arlene Vargus, who lives on a race track street in Lynn, MA has a problem. "I live on  a noisy street and want to soundproof my three double-hung windows. Would […]

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