August 7, 2018 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on August 7, 2018 by Tim Carter

Welcome if you're a new subscriber! Don't let any of the seasoned subscribers tell you to wear the funny hat all day. That's bunkum and balderdash.

Do you have issues with odors at your home? Cats are notorious for marking. My own Lady the Dog used to stink up her favorite lounge chair with the oils from her fur. I miss that smell...

Just a few days ago one of our Stain Solver customers sent this email to us:

Hello Tim and everyone!

We have a cat that decided to pee on our uncoated grout & tile in the bathroom. We attempted to remove the smell with various products and cures -- we were partly successful but not completely. Then the same cat did the same thing again! So a fresh batch! What to do?

First, I wiped up the puddle. Then I went into the utility room, mixed 2 scoops of Stain Solver into 3 cups of boiling water and poured it liberally all over the bathroom floor. Using a stiff brush and keeping the floor wet for about 3 minutes, I extracted all the water. The smell was gone!

So I can say - Stain Solver worked on the old and new - like a charm - and it cleaned all grout too!

Thank you for a great product!

Sincerely,
Mark K
Jax, Florida

Kathy, my wife, and I own Stain Solver. We created the company back in 1996. It's a cottage business we operate and not only does Stain Solver get rid of odors, but it's also a powerful color and fabric-safe cleaner.

It's Certified Organic and both ingredients are Made in the USA.

Go to the Stain Solver home page and look at my most favorite Before/After photo of all time. It's a baseball cap. If that doesn't prove to you how well it works, NOTHING WILL.

Make Your Water Heater Last Forever

Do you know what this odd shaped thing is?

CLICK HERE to discover how this metallic sausage can save you HUNDREDS of dollars.

I'm a master plumber so you can trust me on this. It's not some hokum. It's a part of building science that's rapidly becoming myth.

Crazy Little Notes

I know this sounds nuts, but I've decided to get back into cursive writing. I've not really done it for 45 years, and boy do you lose that muscle memory in your hands and fingers!

I wrote two cursive letters last week and they were a mess. I was taught cursive writing by the great nuns at Annunciation grade school using the giant round pencils you leaned on your shoulders. We also used the lined paper that had wood chips in it. Did you have the same experience?

BTW, within a generation, cursive writing will end up being a secret code since I believe it's no longer taught in schools. What a darn shame. That said, how in the world are they teaching kids how to sign their names????

Because of my renewed interest in cursive writing, I was quick to notice a press release not too long ago. I get press releases all the time about all sorts of products and a little over a week ago Jennifer Astin sent me one about these:

Little Notes by E. Frances

These are Little Notes by E. Frances. They're about the size of a normal business card and are designed to allow you to deliver small doses of happiness into the lives of those you love. Here are just a few places you can hide one:

lunch boxes
pocket notes
wallet surprises
dashboard reminders
etc.

E. Frances makes 35 different designs!!! I pretty much guarantee you'll find one that puts a smile on your face.

They're nice heavy card stock, the colors are vibrant and they come in a clear plastic case to protect them from dirt and dust.

CLICK HERE to see them and to order some. I get nothing if you buy some other than the notion that I helped pay forward some happiness in the life of the person who will receive your Little Note surprise!

FREE Color eBook!

Now that we're talking about colorful things, how about a FREE eBook that will help you choose the best colors for the outside of your home?

This is a fantastic eBook authored by Kate Smith, CMG, ICS. Those are fancy acronyms for "she knows a thing or two or three about color".

CLICK HERE to download the FREE eBook. This book was made possible for you by the fine folks at DaVinci Roofscapes. CLICK HERE for more color inspiration from DaVinci.

Great Whole House and Attic Fans

DIY Blacktop Patches That LAST

That's enough for a Tuesday wouldn't you say?

Oh, Podcast 18 is ready for you!!!! CLICK HERE to listen to it.

It's about Settlement Cracks - It's a SHORT podcast. Tell me if you LIKE the shorter format. CLICK HERE to listen.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com
King of Odor Removal - www.StainSolver.com
Magic in the Air - www.W3ATB.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

Whole House & Attic Fans and Patching Blacktop

Posted on August 6, 2018 by Tim Carter

Whole House & Attic Fans

Question #1: Tim, what can you tell me about whole house fans and attic fans? Do they really work to cool an attic space? I’m not sure which one I should consider one since I have air conditioning. What’s required to allow them to work at peak efficiency? Robert T., Rockdale, IL

I can share lots of advice about whole house and attic fans. I’ve installed quite a few of each one and witnessed how effective they can be. Whole house fans can be found inside a home usually in a second-floor ceiling.

A whole house fan is designed to pull air in through open windows and doors and exhaust this air through an attic space to the great outdoors. Some can move almost 300,000 cubic feet of air per hour (CFH) through your home.

The fans can move so much air that if you have the windows open in just one room, it will blow papers off of tables. You can imagine how that would cool you down with that much air blowing across your body. If you’re running an air conditioner, you wouldn’t want to have a whole house fan blowing that cooled air into your attic.

These fans were the cooling method of choice before modern air conditioning became widespread and affordable. They work well in climates that have lower humidity levels as the nighttime temperature can drop enough that you’d need a blanket on you to sleep!

Attic fans are quite different. They’re installed up on a roof or through an exterior wall up in an attic. A normal-sized one might only move 72,000 CFH of air through an attic. You can get ones that move up to 360,000 CFH of air, but these are usually designed to be wall-mounted.

The attic fans just pull air through a hot attic space in an effort to reduce the infrared heat gain you feel through the ceiling of your home. If you want your home air conditioner to cool you better, then you might want one or two attic fans.

The moving air tries to cool down all the wood attic framing as without the fan the temperature of the entire roof assembly and attic lumber can soar to 160F or more. Think of your entire roof assembly as a giant glowing ember trying to fry you like a marshmallow over a campfire.

For both fans to work well, they need large amounts of exhaust openings in the roof for the moving air to exit. Whole house fans need windows and doors open and attic fans need lots of soffit vents to suck cooler outdoor air up into the hot attic. Without this open space, the fans will not move much air. It’s easy to install waterproof gable end vents or pot vents in the roof for the air to pass back outside.

I’ve got lots of extra fence whole house and attic fan tips and videos at my website waiting for you. Just go to: Whole House Fans & Attic Fans

Patching Blacktop

Question #2: Mr. Tim, can you share some fast advice about patching blacktop? Does the cold blacktop in bags really work? I’ve got time and energy but not lots of money. Susie P., Riverside, CA

You may be in the same spot as Susie. The good news is the blacktop patching material sold in bags and buckets really does work. It doesn’t produce the same satin-smooth surface as hot patch asphalt because the cold material usually doesn’t have much sand in it.

If you want success using the blacktop sold at home centers and hardware stores, first start by reading the label instructions. Too many people skip this important step.

I’ve achieved the best results by using a cold chisel and a 4-pound hammer to chisel the edges of the potholes I fill. I want the edges of the patch to be at least 1 inch deep and I do my best to tilt the chisel so the bottom of the hole is wider than the top. This is how dentists keep a filling in your tooth.

It’s very important to remove loose material at the bottom of the pothole. If you have crushed stone with fine particles, add some to the hole and compact it well. Blow all dust out of the hole and brush the edges of the hole so the asphalt will stick well to the sides of the existing blacktop.

I’ve got great detailed step-by-step tips and remarkable videos showing you secret tips for patching blacktop at my website. Go to: Asphalt Patching

Pro for Sho Earmuffs Review

Posted on August 4, 2018 by Tim Carter

I didn't have a spare head in my man cave to put between the muffs so I substituted a small water bottle. You get the idea. Copyright 2018 Tim Carter CLICK THE PHOTO to have a pair delivered to your home.

Pro for Sho Ear Muffs - They Offer You Their 34 DB of Protection

The Pro for Sho ear muffs are quite interesting to me because of how compact they are. Each earmuff folds up under the over-the-head strap that connects them.

That's the first thing I noticed when I removed them from the box.

Note how they nest inside the u-shaped padded head connector gizmo. CLICK THE PHOTO now to have these in your hands in two days.

Are Pro for Sho Earmuffs Good For Shooting?

Yes, the Pro for Sho earmuffs will protect you from the noise made from guns and rifles. They offer no protection for incoming projectiles. You need Kevlar for that.

You can see they fit your head if you shoot guns and rifles. CLICK THE PHOTO to have a pair delivered to your home.

Are the Muffs Adjustable?

Yes, you can slide the muffs up and down to fit where your ears are on your skull.

Do They Come in Colors?

Yes, there are quite a few colors available. CLICK HERE to see all the colors.

How Much do the Pro for Sho Cost?

At the time of this review, the Pro for Sho earmuffs were less than $20 on Amazon.com. CLICK HERE to ORDER.

STIHL AK30 Battery Review

Posted on August 4, 2018 by Tim Carter

STIHL AK30 Battery - Same Size As AK20 But Way More Power

The STIHL AK30 lithium-ion battery pack is loaded with power. Lots of it.

It's 36 volts and has a 4.8 aH rating. That's fancy talk for your tool will run a much longer time.

STIHL AK30 Comparison Table

The first version of this battery was the AK20. This was the battery used when STIHL introduced their line of cordless trimmers, chainsaws, blowers, and hedge trimmers.

Look at how the AK30 will deliver more work on a single charge:

	AK20	AK30
Weight	2.7 lbs.	2.9 lbs.
Battery Power	100 Wh	187 Wh
Rated Voltage	36 volts	36 volts
Amp Hours	2.8 Ah	4.8 Ah

Where Can I Buy the AK30?

You can only buy this battery at dealers across the USA. STIHL does not sell at their website nor do they sell their products on Amazon.com.

CLICK HERE to find the closest dealer to you.

Will the AK30 Fit in My STIHL Cordless Tools?

Yes, the AK30 battery case is the exact same size as the original AK20 that came with your cordless tool.

Skylight Melting Siding

Posted on August 3, 2018 by Tim Carter

Skylight Melting Siding Can and Does Happen

It's possible for a skylight melting siding story to be in your local paper or here online. I know it's possible because I've felt the searing heat on my own face from sunlight that's concentrated and reflected by the slightly concave glass on my own skylight. I was walking up to my mailbox and thought someone was aiming a blowtorch at my face.

How Does a Skylight Melt Siding?

A skylight melts siding because the glass is not flat. Gravity tugs at the center of the glass making the center lower than the sides. This concave surface concentrates the rays of the sun much like a magnifying glass does when used to ignite a fire.

Do All Skylights Melt Siding?

No, many skylights aim the heat ray back up to the sky. It's important to realize that the sun moves during the day and through the seasons. The skylight may only aim intense heat rays at the siding or something else for a few days, or weeks, a year.

Here's a close-up shot of the melted and warped vinyl siding. This damage was caused by sunlight reflecting off a window, not a skylight. But a skylight can cause identical damage. Copyright 2018 Tim Carter

How Hot are the Concentrated Rays of Sunlight?

I wasn't able to measure the temperature on my face as I walked up my driveway to go to the mailbox, but I can tell you it was as hot as the heat that comes out of an open oven when you take out a pizza. It was so hot that I felt if I didn't move, my face would start to blister in seconds.

This photo was taken just moving one foot farther up the driveway. The heat rays are extremely concentrated and I estimate where I was standing they were about 9 inches in diameter as I felt no heat on my neck. Copyright 2018 Tim Carter

Can You Prevent Melting Damage?

You can put an insect screen over the skylight to break up the sun's rays and to scatter them when they try to concentrate. It may not completely solve the problem, but it will lessen it for sure.

August 1, 2018 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on August 1, 2018 by Tim Carter

Are you new? Howdy, and get ready to have your brain filled with knowledge! 😉

Been around the block or two with me? You know the drill. Click the links below and be amazed!

It's been a strange summer. Somehow August has crept up on me. I've got lots to do in a short amount of time because September is filled with travel and the fall will have me up on Mt. Desert Island installing all the plumbing, radiant heat, and electric in my daughter's new home.

Beginning today, I'm going to be spending no less than two hours each day in my garage. This is the year of decluttering and selling LOTS of things on both Craigslist and local Facebook Garage and Yard Sale pages.

If you've never done this, I recommend it. People will pay for things you might throw away or leave at the FREE room at your town dump. It's a matter of pricing things right so they're a bargain.

I've found the key to selling things on Facebook Garage Sale groups is to come up with a creative story with lots of great photos. Here's an example of one of the things I sold:

Mythical Silver Heirloom Pieces

In case you're a model railroader, I'm getting ready to sell a bunch of large-format Buddy-L track. This is the real deal. It looks just like real railroad track and I have lots of the original connecting bars where you bolt the pieces of track together just like real rails used to be done before they started welding track. Contact me if you want to get this before a stranger takes it.

Great DeWALT Socket Set

I recently tested the DeWALT 1/2-inch socket set. It's remarkable.

What I like about this set is the sockets are 6 point. This means they're hexagonal in shape. This is important because the force of the turning ratchet is distributed across the full six faces of the bolt or nut.

This 23-piece set has both metric and SAE sizes. It's a dandy addition to your workshop.

I used one of the largest sockets in the set to help me get off the caliper bracket on my monster Ford F-250 Super Duty 4x4 truck. The bolts holding this bracket are really torqued and the socket, along with my 5-foot length of 1-inch black-iron pipe I use for a lever, did the job!

CLICK HERE to have this affordable set delivered to your home or business in just a few days.

More On-Demand Radio For You

I've done a poor job of sharing the links with you about my podcasts or on-demand radio as some like to call it. You can listen to ALL OF THEM FOR FREE.

There are LOTS of great tips and stories in the podcasts. If you're not listening to them, you're missing out.

Here are the links:

At the VERY LEAST, please CLICK THE LINKS above and just scan the list of written HIGHLIGHTS of each podcast.

Why? You may see that one of the calls will HELP YOU with a problem you have now.

Examples of what you'll discover: Best rust paint for steel, best concrete repair epoxy, best garage insulation, new tin roof material, etc.

New Home Cost Estimator

Did you know I have a handy tool that allows you to get pretty close on the cost to build a new home? All you need is just ONE BID for ONE ITEM of your home. Sounds crazy, doesn't it?

It's true and it works well.

If you know the bid for the roof or the drywall, the magic spreadsheet fills in ALL THE OTHER numbers including the total estimate.

It uses time-tested price dynamic price-allocation math that I employed when I built homes.

It can save you lots of time and it's very accurate if you use it properly. You can really zero in on the actual price of the house if you get bids for several things and allow the spreadsheet to calculate three different total prices.

You then just average the three numbers and that should be the price you might get from three bidding contractors.

CLICK HERE now to get this powerful tool.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST Kitchen Remodeling Quotes

Secrets for Strong Blacktop

Fence Post Secrets - Do NOT SHARE!

Install a Prehung Door Like a Pro

I'd say that's enough for a Wednesday.

I'll be revising more columns for you the rest of this week.

Tim Carter

Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com
Certified Organic - www.StainSolver.com
Bliss Via Invisible Waves - www.W3ATB.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

Easy Fence Posts and Hanging a Door

Posted on July 31, 2018 by Tim Carter

Easy Fence Posts

Question #1: Tim, what can you share about installing fence posts? My online research has me more confused than ever. Quite a few websites talk about putting concrete around each fence post. Is this a good idea? Are there other options? How deep should fence posts be? I don’t want to waste time nor money. Ken S., Tulsa, OK

Have you run into lots of conflicting information at various websites? I know I have. The reason this happens, I feel, is because the barrier to publishing your opinion is now lower than a limbo stick for ants.

Before the Internet, book and magazine publishers would do a good vetting process to see if the author was an authority. Now that vetting job is on your shoulders and most are not willing to see if the online material has been created by someone who has done the job for years in a professional capacity.

In my opinion, the advice offered by those promoting concrete is ill-advised. I prefer to look at the way ranchers and farmers install fence posts as my north star. If they do use concrete, it’s often only at corner posts and around gate posts in a fence line.

If you have strong soil, the compacted soil will do a remarkable job of supporting a fence post. As you install the soil around the post, just add four inches of soil at a time and compact it using a 2x4 as a tamping tool.

You can use crushed gravel around fence posts too. It’s important to realize the gravel should have an assortment of sizes including fines. Fines are sand-sized crushed rock and the resulting dust from the crushing process. This fine material helps interlock the larger pieces of angular gravel with one another.

Crushed gravel, once it’s compacted and damp, is nearly as strong as concrete. The advantage over concrete is that if you have to remove the fence post, you can remove the gravel with far less effort than if you had to break apart the concrete around a fence post.

The depth of fence posts is important. Shallow fence posts allow you to tip over a fence with ease. If you live in a windy area, your fence could blow over!

I’ve had the best luck installing fence posts about 2-feet deep. This works well for a standard 4 to 6-foot-tall fence. If you plan to have a tall fence over 6 feet, then you might want to have your post extend 30 inches below the surface.

Be sure to call 811 if you intend to dig fence post holes. There might be all sorts of underground utilities in your yard and the last thing you want to do is cut a power or communications cable. Puncturing a gas or water line might also ruin your day.

I’ve got all sorts of extra fence post tips and videos at my website waiting for you. Just go to: fencepost

Hanging a Door

Question #2: Oh do I need your help, Tim. I purchased a prehung interior door and now need to install it. I thought it would be easy to do, but I’ve discovered it does seem to take some skill and magic. What can you share with me to get me out of this pickle? I’ll be appreciative of any advice. Brad G., Clemson, SC

Admit it. How many times have you jumped into a job like Brad and started to flounder? It happened to me countless times early in my building career, but I enjoyed challenging myself. You may only have the weekend to get something done and challenges can quickly transform into disasters.

There are lots of steps to hang a prehung door. It’s important to realize that the rough opening needs to be about one-half to 1-inch wider than the outer width of the door frame. You need this wiggle room to be able to install wedge-shaped shims.

The goal is to have a consistent gap between the door and the door frame. This gap is usually 1/8th inch. The hardest part for most rookies is getting the gap along the top of the door to be the same. One, or both, of the side jambs usually need to be cut off to get the top gap perfect.

Be sure to install the shims behind the door hinges. The most important step after the door is installed is to install a 2.5-inch, or 3-inch, screw in one of the screw holes of the top hinge. This screw needs to penetrate through the door jamb and embed itself into the rough lumber of the wall. This screw ensures the door will not droop over time causing it to rub against the jamb.

I’ve got great detailed step-by-step tips and videos for installing a prehung door at my website. Go to: installprehungdoor

Column 1259

Basement Heating Options

Posted on July 27, 2018 by Tim Carter

Basement heating options can look like this one. It's an electric radiant floor mat. You can install one on a concrete slab and then cover it with tile or laminate flooring. This one happens to be heating my man cave ham radio shack. It's a great DIY project. CLICK the IMAGE NOW to order your own NuHeat Electric Floor Heat Mat.

"An electric baseboard heater works just like a toaster but without the danger of a fire."

Basement Heating Options Checklist

Electric heating is probably your best bet
Do the math before making an expensive selection
Insulate walls with closed-cell foam
Portable heaters work well

What Basement Heating Options Are Affordable?

You might be surprised to discover the most affordable basement heating option is a simple electric resistance heater. It's important to realize that basements are often just cool and not bitter cold.

This means you don't need lots of added heat to make the space comfortable.

Free & Fast Bids

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local baseboard heating contractors.

What Are The Best Basement Heating Options?

Here's a list of the best options:

fixed electric baseboard heating
portable plug-in baseboard heaters
electric under-floor heating mats
wood-burning high-efficiency fireplace

This is a fixed baseboard heater. This one happens to have hot water pass through it, but it could have been an electric resistance coil behind the front plate. CLICK THE PHOTO to have a baseboard heater delivered to your home.

How Do Baseboard Heaters Work?

An electric baseboard heater works just like a toaster but without the danger of a fire. Electricity passes through a resistance coil.

The coil heats up just like an incandescent light bulb gets hot when the filament glows creating light. Modern electric baseboard heaters are safe.

How Many Heaters Do I Need?

Most electric baseboard heaters have a chart that matches the heater to the square footage of the space being heated. Be sure to place the heaters on an outside wall.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local baseboard heating contractors.

Are Under-Floor Heating Mats Hard to Install?

The under-floor heating mats are not hard to install, but they require attention to detail. Often you must embed the mat in a layer of thinset mortar. The mat then needs to be covered with another layer of thinset before you install the finished flooring.

Do the Basement Walls Need Insulation?

Yes, you should insulate the basement walls. Be sure to use closed-cell foam panels and glue them to the walls with no gaps between the panels.

Is Electric Heat Expensive?

Electric heat can be expensive if you waste it. Be sure to install programmable thermostats that turn down the heat when you're not in the basement space. Modern technology has great programmable thermostats that will save you lots of money.

This is a deluxe programmable thermostat. CLICK THE IMAGE to see all your choices. Some are very affordable.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local baseboard heating contractors.

July 25, 2018 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on July 25, 2018 by Tim Carter

New subscriber? I'm glad you're here!

Well-read & seasoned subscriber? Interesting issue today!

Week in week out, I do my best to help you save time and money. Every now and then, I need a little help.

Today is one of those times. I'm hoping you'll step up and give an assist. You'll see just below what it's all about as I've got two immediate needs.

I've got some interesting stuff in this issue, so hang in there till the end.

Last Weekend at the Forest Rally

I mentioned that I was going to be in NW Maine late last week up until Sunday morning. I'm now the Chief of Communications for the fabled New England Forest Rally.

We had some excitement on Friday afternoon that made the national news here in the USA. One of the race cars crashed and caught on fire.

The world-class driver, Ken Block, and his co-driver made it out without any injury. They were very lucky as the car caught fire in seconds after the car corkscrewed twice landing shiny side up.

One of my radio operators was less than 100 feet away and able to call in the emergency immediately.

CLICK HERE and scroll down to watch Ken's GoPro video to see what he saw through the windshield during and after the crash. You can't miss the video on the above page - it's a car engulfed in flames. Just scroll down or get to it as you read the article.

Need a Graphic Designer's Help

I want to create a cool patch for my radio operators that donate their time and skills to the rally. But I draw stick people.

I know exactly what I want in a patch and modern computer-controlled embroidery can make it possible. This technology has come a long way and the detail that's achievable is stunning. Look at two patches that I have:

Patch US Islands

patch joshua tree national park

Isn't the color and detail stunning? They can do this same thing on hats, shirts, you name it. The top patch is 3 inches by 3 inches. That's the size I want.

Here's a concept drawing of what I think will work. I'm pretty certain we can get this on a 3 x 3-inch patch based on the one patch you see above.

I want you to imagine the rally car spewing up all sorts of dust. They can do dust in the embroidery! Look at the Joshua Tree patch above and see how the orange and yellow are mixed on the right side.

patch-tims-comms-team

Please contact me if you're willing to pitch in to create the needed detailed artwork to make the patch look amazing. I'm more than happy to write an article about you in my radio blog and link to your website.

The article will show the above concept drawing, your final artwork that was submitted to the patch people and then a sample of the patch.

If more than one designer steps forward my guess is I'll have to flip a coin or ????? If you've created art for embroidery that's a plus. Be sure to mention that!

Haas Garage Doors

Matt from Haas Garage Doors was here two hours ago. He took measurements for some new doors that are going to transform the look of my home.

Right now I've got BLAH BLAND green doors. You'll see them in a before/during/after video I'm going to shoot about the project.

The new doors will take your breath away when you park in front of them as you arrive at my home. Haas has software that allows you to take a photo of your home and current garage doors. They then overlay on the photo what the new doors will look like.

This is what my new doors will look like on my home:

garage-doors-preview
These are going to be superb insulated steel doors with the stunning emerald decorative glass. You really can't see it in the concept image, but the wood grain on the panels will be bi-directional just like if the door were made with real wood.

CLICK HERE to see how Haas Doors can transform your ho-hum garage doors into ones that your neighbors will covet.

While Matt was here I gave him an idea for Haas. It's a mouse barricade. Determined mice want to get into my garage to stay warm and the little demons wreak mayhem in my garage.

Look at the holes they've chewed in the existing door weatherstripping. Does this happen at your home?

If mice try to chew their way into your garage through the weatherstripping reply to this and tell me the state where you live.

My gut tells me this is just a snow belt issue, but I've been wrong before.

garage-door-damaged-weatherstrip

Home Security - My Friend Howard

Have you been thinking about a security system for your home? Or, do you have an outdated system and want the latest technology?

Do you have questions about security you want to ask someone you can TRUST?

As you might suspect, I happen to know trusted experts in just about every field.

Rick Steinau is my go-to expert for pest control. Kathy Ziprik is my public relations expert. Steve Schaefer is my go-to expert for structural engineering. Janet Attard is my small-business expert.

I've got a list a mile long.

Howard Feldman is my go-to expert for home and commercial security. I've known Howard for fifteen years as his wife Barbara was a member of a mastermind group I was in.

Howard is tied in with ADT, the leaders in home security. Howard has been involved with home security for as long, or longer, than I've been building! You know he's an expert!

Please go watch this video of Howard and wait for it at the end is all I can say. Yes, Howard was a little nervous. He's not used to making video, but he sure knows security!!!

CLICK HERE and remember, WAIT FOR IT.

Meghan's Heat Loss Calculation

I need a radiant floor heating expert to step to the plate and help me.

I need a full-blown heat loss calculation for my daughter Meghan's new home.

It needs to be on a room-by-room basis for the purpose of creating the needed heating zones. I also need some design help.

Are you that person? Please reach out ASAP. I'm sure we can work out some way I can promote you and your business!!

Extension Cord Sizing Tips

That's enough for today.

I hope the rest of your week is remarkable.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com
Cleaning Man - www.StainSolver.com
Invisible Waves - www.W3ATB.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

Stop Brick Leaks and Cut Drywall Like a Pro

Posted on July 23, 2018 by Tim Carter

Stop Brick Leaks

Question #1: Help me, Tim! When a blowing rain lashes my brick-veneer home, water streams down over the inside of my foundation in the basement. I thought brick was waterproof. What’s happening and is there a way to minimize, or eliminate, the water from entering my home? What could have been done to prevent this nightmare? Connie T., Indianapolis, IN

You may have a brick-veneer home like Connie. The brick is just a facade and offers no structural support. Unfortunately, the Three Little Pigs fable has helped foster the perception that brick homes are resistant to huffing and puffing. It’s possible to build a brick-veneer home that doesn’t allow water inside your home, but it requires a vast amount of attention to detail.

Your brick is leaking because of micro-cracks that exist where the mortar touches the brick. The shorter vertical mortar joints are much more susceptible to water infiltration than the horizontal mortar joints.

Water leakage is usually not an issue in a gentle rain shower. The wind-driven rain that pelts the brick is where the issue mushrooms. The pressure of the wind blasting the brick forces water into the micro-cracks. Each successive raindrop that crashes against the brick is like a miniature hammer that pounds the previous drop farther into the brick.

Soon water is streaming down the backside of the brick where it’s less than an inch away from the wood framing of your home! You can see why it’s imperative to have a waterproof membrane covering the wood framing to protect it from liquid water.

The water that flows to the bottom of the brick must be captured by a flashing. This water needs to be redirected to the outside of the house in a continuous pathway that’s immune from getting clogged by the mortar as the bricklayers install the brick.

Your best bet at minimizing water infiltration at this point is to inspect the brick for any large holes or crack where the mortar touches the brick. Repair those with new mortar that’s made using hydrated lime and fine silica sand.

The second step is to apply two coats of a silane/siloxane solvent-based water repellent to the face of the brick. You need a helper to do this. The helper wears a backpack leaf blower and blasts the wall with air as you spray on the water repellent. This air forces the liquid deep into the brick to help block water pathways.

I’ve got all sorts of extra brick veneer water leak tips and videos at my website waiting for you. Just go to: Brick Leaks

Cut Drywall Like a Pro

Question #2: I’m embarrassed about this question, Tim. What’s really the best way to cut drywall? It would seem to me that a power circular saw would create a wonderful straight line. How do you cut straight lines in drywall as well as curved lines? Sam B., Spokane, WA

There’s no such thing as an embarrassing or silly question. Everyone has to start somewhere and I remember cutting my first piece of drywall.

The pros use a sharp razor knife to score one side of the paper face on a sheet of drywall. When you apply pressure to the other face of the drywall panel just behind the score mark, the sheet of drywall snaps quite cleanly in a straight line.

The key is to have a sharp razor that cuts through all the paper and into the gypsum core about 1/8-inch in one pass. Be very careful the knife doesn’t slip and cut any other part of your body that might be in the way.

A circular saw creates massive clouds of dust and should be avoided. Small handheld human-powered plunge saws are a great tool to cut curves, circles, and rectangular holes. Electric rotary saws with special high-speed bits that have cutting edges on the bits are what pros use to cut these curves, circles, and holes.

You can get special small dull plunge blades that fit on electric reciprocating saws to cut drywall on walls and ceilings. The dull nature of the blade helps to prevent cuts in hidden wires and pipes.

I’ve got great videos and extra tips for cutting drywall at my website. Go to: Drywall Cutting

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