September 23, 2017 AsktheBuilder Special News

Posted on by Tim Carter

This is a very special announcement if you happen to have relatives in Puerto Rico and are wondering if they're okay. The island was ravaged by Hurricane Maria.

I'm a ham radio operator and the over-arching USA association that is centered around amateur radio has set up a special webpage that may allow you to find out if your relatives are doing well.

Everything you need to know about how to get word to your loved ones in Puerto Rico can be found at a special page of the ARRL website.

CLICK HERE and I hope you get news soon.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com & www.W3ATB.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

Galvanized Nails – AVOID Cheap Ones

Posted on by Tim Carter
Galvanized Nails

Galvanized Nails | All the nails have been galvanized. The one being held was electro-plated and it’s rusting after just 12 years. Next to it is a new electro-plated nail. The four gray ones are hot-dipped nails, some have a distinctive irregular coating of pure zinc. The irregular ingots are solid zinc. Photo Credit: Tim Carter

Galvanized Nails - Always Get Hot-Dipped Nails

DEAR TIM: I'm getting bids on a new roof and some of the roofers want to use a nail gun to install the shingles. Is this a good idea?

I've also heard stories about inferior galvanized nails that don't hold up and start to rust soon after being installed.

What type of nails would you use when installing shingles on your home and why? How can you tell the difference between different galvanized nails? Cheri B., McAlester, OK

DEAR CHERI: Roofing nail guns are mainstream now and accepted by just about every roofing material manufacturer that I know of.

Drive Nails Correctly

It's important the guns drive the nails correctly per the written instructions of the shingle manufacturer, so be sure to take the time to read the written installation instructions about this.

Nails Need To Outlast Roof Material

While you're checking out the instructions, pay attention to the type of nail the shingle manufacturer recommends so you don't void the warranty. Realize the fastener is the lifeline of the roofing material.

It's vital the fasteners last longer than the actual roofing material. If the nails or fasteners rust and fail, the shingles can succumb to gravity and/or be blown away in a moderate breeze.

Free & Fast Bids

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local roofers who can supply the BEST NAILS.

Many Inferior Nails Used

You should be very concerned about using inferior roofing nails. I'm in the process right now of re-roofing my own home.

I didn't build the home I live in. It was constructed just fourteen years ago.

It had a heavy-duty architectural shingle on it that was supposed to last forty years, but it started to fail two years ago. You can read the saga of my failed asphalt shingle roof - Roofing Ripoff.

Roofing Ripoff book

This is the cover of my Roofing Ripoff book. CLICK THE IMAGE NOW TO ORDER IT.

Cheap Nails

Now that I'm taking off the curled, brittle shingles that are losing granules by the minute, I see the roofer used cheaper electroplated galvanized nails, many of which are rusting.

Gold Standard

When it comes to galvanized nails for roofing, the gold standard is hot-dipped galvanized nails. These steel nails are cleaned chemically and then immersed in a vat of molten zinc that sometimes contains some lead.

The molten zinc is very hot, usually between 815 - 850 F.

Hot-Dipped Galvanizing Video

Watch this video to see the steps it takes to hot-dip galvanize any steel item. It's fascinating.

Fast Process

It doesn't take long for the steel nails to rise up to that temperature and when they do, the steel atoms vibrate rapidly and interlock with the zinc atoms creating a zinc-steel alloy that resists rust quite well.

When the nails come out of the molten zinc, they also have an additional coating of pure zinc on them.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local roofers who can supply the BEST NAILS.

Best Dipped Twice

Zinc doesn't rust and the coating protects the steel from the ravages of water. The best nails get a second dipping in the molten zinc bath.

Other Ways Not So Good

There are three other processes of galvanizing nails, but they simply don't offer the level of protection as hot dipping. Hot galvanizing is a process whereby zinc dust or chips tumble in a hot drum with cold steel nails.

IMPORTANT TIP: The hot galvanizing process doesn't sufficiently heat up the steel to produce a zinc alloy on all the nails. This process is cheaper to do for nail manufacturers than hot dipping.

Mechanically Plated

Nails can also be mechanically plated with zinc dust. The cold steel nails tumble around with the zinc dust, tiny glass beads and a chemical.

The glass beads and the chemical work to apply a thin coating on zinc on the nails. Once again, this process doesn't create the all-important alloy and the zinc coating can be uneven and thin.

Electroplating - The Worst In My Opinion

The final process is electroplating. Here the cold steel nails are immersed in a chemical liquid where electricity is applied to the solution and a very thin coating of zinc is applied to the steel.

electroplated-nails

These are very common nails your roofer may use for your shingles. These are the WORST ones. They look gorgeous, but they're electroplated. DO NOT ACCEPT THESE. CLICK THE PHOTO to discover MORE about these nails.

This process produces very shiny nails that almost look like too good to be true. They don't have much zinc on them and as I can attest, they rust in short order when exposed to the elements. They can even rust when NOT EXPOSED.

In my case and in many roofs across the USA, electroplated nails are rusting just from the CONDENSATION under the shingles! This condensation happens on many nights when dew forms on the cool nails because water vapor is present under the shingles.

When the sun comes out and heats up the roof, the water evaporates. The process starts all over again when the sun goes down and the roof starts to cool.

Electroplating Galvanizing Video

Here's a poor quality video showing the electroplating process. Only the first 30 seconds and last 30 seconds are important to watch.

All the video in between is just the drum turning and the chemical coating the bare steel washers.

The white plastic tank contains a liquid chemical that's transferring the zinc to the bare washers. It's NOT a giant vat of PURE MOLTEN zinc.

New Hot-Dipped Nails

Years ago, it was impossible to locate hot-dipped galvanized nails that would be comparable with nail guns. Fortunately, it's possible to get them for just about any roofing nailer.

IMPORTANT TIP: Be sure your contract with the roofer specifies hot-dipped galvanized nails and pay close attention to the minimum length called for by the shingle manufacturer. Be sure you LOOK AT THE BOX LABELS when the roofers come. You want to see the words 'hot dipped' on the label.

Nail Length

If you're applying a thin shingle to a wood surface and no other shingles are present, you might be able to get by with nails that are only one and one-quarter-inch long. The shingle warranties are very specific about the nail length and you want the right nail so they have enough holding power to resist blowing off by strong winds.

Look At Label

To tell the difference between nails, you probably need a little bit of experience. The first thing to look at is the labeling on the boxes or containers the nails come in.

The wording must say hot-dipped. If you just see the word *galvanized*, that's not enough. Don't be fooled by the words *hot galvanized* either. CLICK HERE to see a label with false advertising on it. These were being sold at one of the big box retailers you probably go to all the time!!!!1

It's got to say hot-dipped galvanized.

Traditional Hot-Dipped Nails

Hot-dipped galvanized nails not used in a nail gun are usually very distinctive. Often they have clumps of zinc on the shaft or the coating of zinc is somewhat uneven on some of the nails. Go back up and look at the photo of these nails at the top of this column.

You may even discover small ingots of zinc in the box or nail container. Other methods of galvanizing leave a much smoother appearance on the nail surfaces than hot dipping.

The Nails I Use

I'm using hot-dipped nails because I want no rusting. I want my realistic and gorgeous synthetic slate shingles to stay attached to my roof when any number of punishing nor'easter storms pummel my house with howling gale-force winds.

I have a feeling I'll be out the next day helping to secure my neighbors' roofs because their roofers chose to use the cheaper nails. Don't you make that mistake.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local roofers who can supply the BEST NAILS.

Column 1097

September 20, 2017 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on by Tim Carter

Old Man Winter is coming to New Hampshire. You just have to look at the trees and vegetation starting to change color.

To get ready for the old man, it was time to do some rustproofing on some things of mine that stay outdoors and other things that are stored in my unheated shed / garage.

I discovered long ago that a 50/50 mixture of used motor oil and diesel fuel does a magnificent job of preventing rust.

I brush on a thin coat on all my garden tools that I put away for the season. You can use it on any metal that gets wet. I've found it's best to do this outdoors and to let the coating dry before bringing the tools back into the garage.

You may have another rustproofing method that achieves the same goal that doesn't involve paint.

So tell me what you do to prevent rust without using paint that peels. I'm always interested!

Power Tool Survey

Would you be kind enough to spend 60 seconds taking a quick survey? It's about power tools and one brand in particular.

DeWALT Chop Saw

I've been receiving requests to review certain tools and often I have to convince the manufacturer that you're really interested in the tools.

CLICK HERE to help me help you make better tool investments!

You can see the survey results from others who have taken the survey before you. Just SCROLL to the TOP of the survey form AFTER you click the SUBMIT button and then click the SEE PREVIOUS RESPONSES text link.

New Air Infiltration Product

Dow has introduced a new water-based foam product to help stop air leaks in new construction.

Framing lumber is not always straight. Air that somehow gets into walls can sneak into or out of your home via tiny gaps between the drywall and framing lumber.

Imagine if there was a gasket between the edges of the drywall and the framing lumber? Ta Da!

CLICK HERE to discover more about the Dow GREAT STUFF PRO Gasket system.

Hurricane & Other Storm Leaks

Several days ago, I received quite a few emails about wind-driven water leaks from folks who endured the wrath of Hurricane Irma.

It seems there's a myth out there that if you have a brick home, it's waterproof. I'm thinking this misconception comes from the Three Little Pigs fable, even though the wolf was just blowing air.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

CLICK HERE to get a friendly reminder on what happens in a big storm when the wind is lashing your brick, stone or any home with rain drops.

Quirky Questions

I'm going to try to see if this new feature is sustainable.

As you might imagine, I get LOTS of questions each week. Some are mundane, many are very complex and others are downright quirky!

When you have a question, always submit it to the Ask Tim page and include PHOTOS if you can!

Quirky is not so bad and provides a fascinating insight as to what's going on out there.

Here's one that Susan sent to me last night. She lives in Big Springs, WV. That town name is a clue to part of my answer!

" I want to excavate a cave into the hillside and finish it into the back rooms of a house. I know I will have to provide for water runoff, and put an air inlet and outlet for fresh air. In W. Va., the mountains are mostly rock. None of the answers about excavating a foundation are nowhere near what I want to do."

What about that for a question? Here was my answer:

Sue,

This is so easy. Talk to a few local coal miners.

In all seriousness, there are MAJOR issues with respect to groundwater control, deadly gases, rock collapse, etc. when thinking of spending time underground in a cave.

Experienced miners have a handle on all of this.

Battery-Powered Blower

I'm putting together a photo review of a dandy little battery-powered blower I've been testing for about four months.

I prefer to really put tools to the test before sharing my results with you. Not all tool reviewers do that.

Some of my peers get a box from their UPS driver and within a few hours there's a fancy tool review up. They never actually take the tool out and test it.

Yes, this is true.

These fast reviews gives *some* PR people and tool sales managers a tingle up their leg, but it does little good for you.

You need honest reviews where the reviewer has decades of experience using tools in paying customers' homes. This experience allows the reviewer to have a base line for overall performance.

As for the blower, you're going to LOVE IT!!!! Why? Because I do!!!

That's quite enough for today.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

Brick Wall Leaks Driving Rain

Posted on by Tim Carter

Brick Wall Leaks Driving Rain TIPS

DEAR TIM: As result of Hurricane Irma, I had a leak in the ceiling in the bay area of our kitchen. It happened in the past with other intense storms.

I suspect the problem could be water penetrating the brick and/or wind driven rain entering under the facia and over and down the inside of the inside face of the brick. The brick lentil spans across the bay, so if water is making its way in, it has nowhere to go but to the drywall ceiling in the kitchen.

Before I dig into this and hire contractors, I’d like your opinion. What’s going on and what’s the best way to fix it? How could this leak have been prevented when my house was built? Jim McV., Cumming, GA

DEAR JIM: You and thousands and thousands of other homeowners suffered damage from wind-driven rain from Hurricane Irma.

Physics Formula

All you have to do is recall your high school physics class and it starts to make sense. Remember the simple formula: Force equals mass multiplied by acceleration?

F = ma

Water is heavy. If you need a refresher course on this, just open up your car window as you drive in a gentle rain shower and see what the drops feel like hitting your hand at only 50 mph much less 100 mph or greater!

Free & Fast Bids

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local painters who can apply special sealers to stop water leaks.

Each Drop A Hammer Blow

Each water drop that smashes against the side of your house is like a hammer driving the previous water drop deeper into any crack, opening or other tiny space where normal down-falling rain causes no issues.

The fable about the three little pigs and brick homes didn’t cover wind-driven rain

The fable about the three little pigs and brick homes didn’t cover wind-driven rain! ©2017 Tim Carter

All Brick Leaks

Brick walls leak water. It’s been a known fact for well over 100 years.

Builders and brick masons many decades ago realized this and used two different bricks to construct exterior walls. The entry point of most of the water is the vertical mortar joints that are called head joints.

Old Buildings Had Soft Inner Brick

While to the naked eye it seems that the mortar and brick make an impenetrable barrier, such is not the case. Old brick buildings had a softer absorbent brick that was used on the inside of the wall.

This brick was designed to soak up the leaking water and then immediately release it back to the air once the sun came out and the breeze pulled all moisture from the wall.

The soft inner brick was made by not firing the brick in the kiln as long as the harder outer layer brick that had to be more weather resistant. The hotter and longer you fire a brick in a kiln, the more weather resistant the brick becomes.

You can fire some brick so long that they become almost as hard as granite and as durable. Many older streets in cities and towns had these super-hard brick laid as roadways. You can still see them in downtown Athens, Ohio at the entrance to Ohio University.

Brick Wall Video

This is a pretty decent very BASIC video about brick wall construction. In parts of the video you can see the wall is two brick wide. Imagine if this were for a home and the inner layer was a different softer brick.

Modern Brick = Niagara Falls

Modern brick veneer construction discarded this wonderful system that’s worked for ages. Now the water that leaks into the wall, as you’ve already surmised, runs down the back of the brick much like the water over Niagara Falls. It’s easy for it to find a way into most homes as you’ve discovered.

Multiple Flashings

Modern builders who use brick veneer are supposed to install flashings at every horizontal break in the brick wall. This means there needs to be a flashing at the lintel that’s hidden behind the roof of your kitchen bay, above and below every window, door and any other thing on the wall that’s not brick.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local painters who can apply special sealers to stop water leaks.

Wood Walls Need Protection

The wall framing must be covered with a waterproof material that overlaps like roof shingles so any water that ends up touching it can’t get to the wood framing of the home nor to the interior wall and ceiling systems.

Photo Credit: Tim Carter

Base Flashing

At the base of the brick wall, there needs to be a flashing that captures all the water and redirects it to the outside of the house. This means there needs to be plentiful weep holes, and there needs to be a mesh product or some other system behind the wall that ensures wet mortar that falls behind the wall can’t interfere with the movement of the water to the outside of the house.

Great Skills & Magic

It takes great skill to install all these flashings and membranes. The Brick Industry Association has many detailed technical publications showing how all this is supposed to happen during construction. But for you, it’s now a moot point. You need to go to plan B.

Wall Water Repellent

Your job now is to apply the best silane siloxane water repellent money can buy.

silane - siloxane water repellent

This is a magnificent silane - siloxane water repellent that soaks into brick and mortar joints. CLICK THIS IMAGE NOW TO HAVE THIS DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME.

It may require two coats. What’s more, these two applications need to happen within minutes of each other. If you wait too long between coats, the first coat could block the second coat from penetrating the mortar and brick!

The best of these clear sealers have microscopic solids that can help plug up the minute passageways that water is using to cause your leaks. It’s going to take a little research on your part to locate the best sealer.

water damge to ceiling

Water damage to the ceiling, due to driving rain. ©2017 Tim Carter

Two People & Blower

When you apply it, be sure two people are working as a team. One will be equipped with a backpack leaf blower.

This is a fantastic backpack leaf blower. I own this one and love it. CLICK THE IMAGE NOW TO HAVE IT DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME.

As the person with the spray wand applies the sealer, the worker with the blower directs the wind blast right at the wall driving the wet sealer deep into the brick and mortar joints just as Irma did with the rain. You want the sealer to penetrate deep into the wall.

Sun Degrades Brush-On Sealers

Years ago I ran across a milky liquid you could brush on the mortar joints and a small amount of the brick. It would dry clear and act as a barrier to the driving rain. But recent research of mine while writing a book about defective asphalt shingles indicates this product will no doubt break down with exposure to direct sunlight. While it may work for a while, eventually the ultraviolet rays of the sun will destroy the film.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local painters who can apply special sealers to stop water leaks.

Column 1214

How to Sink Finishing Nails

Posted on by Tim Carter

How To Sink Finishing Nails TIPS

  • Use a small nail set that's sized correctly
  • Finish nail guns do a great job - ease gun to wood
  • WATCH nail set and nail gun videos below
  • Match nail set tip to small dimple in head of finish nail
  • CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter!

Sheila Wilde from Pocatello, Idaho emailed me. She's an energetic older DIY woman who had a great question.

"How can I sink the finishing head nail into the wood near the curved areas of a molding I'm installing?

I started there and then went on to use the wider area with the nail gun, which holds 1-inch finishing nails.

I've tried two ways, but one marred the wood and the other just didn't work out.  Any help would be appreciated."

I compliment you Sheila on your spirit and drive!

Nail Gun Issues

Let's talk about the nail gun issue. The wood trim you're using must be very soft or you pressed too hard when using the nail gun.

Most nail guns will not mar the surface and the only depression you see is the shape of the finish nail.

I'll also add that a 1-inch nail is probably not long enough. You need the nail to penetrate the molding, then through the drywall into solid wood. You'll discover you often need a 2-inch nail to accomplish this.

If you're applying a wood trim over solid wood, then a 1-inch nail might be sufficient.

Great Finish Nail Gun

Here's a fantastic cordless nail gun I've used. It requires no gas cartridges, no hoses, no compressor, etc. You just take it out of the bag and squeeze the trigger.

It drives nails perfectly each time I've used it. What's more, my first nail gun was a Senco. It's a brand I love and trust!

cordless finish nailer

This is an amazing cordless finish nailer. Here I'm using it outdoors on a piece of exterior trim. It works even better indoors on fine pieces of small woodwork. CLICK THE PHOTO NOW to have this tool delivered to your doorstep in days.

Free & Fast Bids

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local finish carpenters who can sink finish nails with ease.

Finish Nail Gun Video

Watch this very informative video about how to use a finish nail gun to get perfect results.

Traditional Nail Sets

If you can't afford a finish nail gun, then you just need to use a traditional nail set.

These are small hand tools that allow you to drive a finish nail into wood keeping the head of the hammer far away from the wood.

nail sets

These are standard nail sets. The yellow one has the smallest tip. These are very affordable and work well. CLICK THE PHOTO to have these nail sets delivered to your doorstep in days.

Different Sizes

The nail sets come in different sizes or widths. The tip of the nail set is designed to fit into the tiny dimple you probably have overlooked that in the head of a finish nail.

This dimple cradles the tip of the nail set so it doesn't drift or slip off the nail as you tap the nail set with the hammer.

Nail Set Video

Watch this carpenter use a nail set to drive a nail below the surface of the wood.

IMPORTANT TIP: The only mistake I feel he made is that he gave the nail one extra blow to get it VERY CLOSE to the wood.

I wouldn't do this if you're a rookie! There's too great a chance the hammer head will touch the wood.


CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local finish carpenters who can sink finish nails with ease.

Flexible Gas Lines- Are You Serious?

Posted on by Tim Carter
flexible gas line

Flexible Gas Line | Here's a flexible gas line. These are two short pieces of the flexible stainless-steel gas lines or CSST. You can practically tie it in a knot it's so flexible. If you have lots of pipes to run, this may be the way to go. But before you decide, realize there's a fire and an explosion hazard with this because of lightning! Keep reading!  © 2021 Tim Carter

"A flexible gas line is made from thin-wall stainless steel. It's not durable as a traditional black-iron pipe. Lightning has caused many house fires that have flexible gas lines."

Revised January 2021

Flexible Gas Line TIPS

DEAR TIM: The natural gas lines that are being installed in our new home are not the heavy black iron pipe. They're a new flexible stainless steel piping system that is installed like electrical wire.

What is this material? Is it safe to use? Are there advantages to using this pipe?

Can you cut into the pipe at a future date to install an added gas appliance? Is there another alternative gas piping material? Betsy F., Augusta, GA

Related Links

Easy How To Thread Black Iron Pipe Video

Pipe Threading Compound To Permanently Seal Black Iron - Great Video

Sizing Gas Lines - Tim Carter Can Draw Your Gas Line Plan

Free & Fast Bids

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local plumbers who install gas lines.

DEAR BETSY: Congratulations! You're now the proud owner of some wonderful corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST). This material was approved for residential use in 1988 by the National Fuel Gas Code.

Are Flexible Gas Lines Safe?

A flexible gas line is an ingenious method of supplying natural gas to fireplaces, furnaces, cooktops, clothes dryers and any other gas appliance. Virtually all state and local code authorities permit its use and many contractors are finally embracing it.

I have this flexible gas line in my own home in central New Hampshire and never worry about it at all. Some plumbers will tell you it's faster and cheaper to install this new CSST piping. However, we don't get frequent thunderstorms here in central New Hampshire.

I happen to be a master plumber and given the choice, I'd install traditional threaded black iron pipe. More on this in a just a moment.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local plumbers to install flexible gas lines in your home.

CSST Video

Watch this video to see how CSST pipe is installed.

When Was CSST Flexible Gas Line Introduced?

I remember when the material was first introduced in 1989. Many of my fellow contractors who install gas lines thought it was unsafe. Some of their arguments never made sense to me.

For as long as I have been in the home building business, we always used similar brass appliance connector tubing when gas was supplied to a clothes dryer, a cooktop, or a gas range.

Hundreds of thousands of houses have these corrugated appliance connectors in service right now. They have worked well for many years.

Why Were You Afraid of CSST?

I was afraid of CSST because of the thin nature of the pipe. There are lots of instances of houses that have been destroyed in gas fires because CSST pipe was ruptured by a lightning strike.

The pipe in the walls acts as an interior lightning rod. It's vital to follow all instructions provided by CSST manufacturers and to BOND the tubing electrically.

Errant screws or nails used to attach cabinets, trim, pictures, etc. can puncture this pipe. That would never happen with a piece of traditional black iron pipe.

Only a direct hit from a hot bolt of lightning will bore a hole in a traditional black iron pipe.

Dangers Of CSST Video

Watch this video to see what you think about the dangers of the material.

Do You Have CSST in Your Home, Tim?

The current home I live in here in central New Hampshire had these flexible gas lines installed in 2001. I've had no issues with them at all and I even had to do a kitchen remodel where I extended an existing line. 

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local plumbers who install gas lines.

What are the Advantages of CSST?

The CSST has many advantages. Perhaps the biggest one is labor savings. Traditional black iron pipe takes a lot of time to cut and thread.

I know as I have installed thousands of linear feet of the heavy material. As you said, the new CSST is installed like electrical wire.

You simply pull the material between two points and cut it to length with simple tubing cutters.

Is Black Iron Gas Pipe Labor Intensive?

Black iron pipe is very labor intensive. A typical black iron pipe installation requires a professional to precisely measure, cut, and thread the individual pieces of pipe. All of these steps are very time-consuming.

It's important to realize you need to think about overall safety. Spending hundreds of dollars more for black iron pipe may be well worth it in the long run if you have a house fire.

CLICK HERE to get FREE BIDS from Plumbers to install Flexible Gas Lines.

Does CSST Create Fewer Leak Locations?

When you use CSST, you can minimize potential gas leaks. A typical black iron pipe installation has many 90-degree, tee, and coupling fittings.

These fittings are used each time you change directions or join two pieces of straight pipe together. Each of the cast fittings can be the source of a leak.

What's more, the threaded joints on both sides of the fitting can also be potential leak points. Because the CSST snakes its way around bends and obstructions as one solid piece of tubing, you only have a fitting at each end of the line. If you do have a leak, these fittings are almost always readily accessible for adjustment.

Is CSST DIY Friendly?

CSST is not user friendly for a DIY installer. It's not really a do-it-yourself proposition. Many of the manufacturers of this material require professional installers to take a short training course that familiarizes them with the small nuances of this unique gas piping system.

What are the Two Gas Line Install Choices?

black iron pipe

These are traditional black iron pipes that I installed in 1987. Each end of a piece of pipe must be threaded. It's messy and hard work, but I must admit I sort of enjoy it. The pipe is extremely durable and rarely has a lightning strike cause a fire in a house with black iron pipe. © 20187 Tim Carter

Is it Easy to Install Additional Gas Lines?

Adding additional gas lines at a future date is not a problem if you plan for the possibility during the original installation. The CSST systems can be installed one of two ways:

  • series
  • parallel

The series installation resembles traditional black iron piping. A larger diameter mainline CSST pipe supplies gas to smaller branch tubes that feed each appliance. This is often the easiest system to adapt at a future date.

What is a CSST Manifold Method?

A parallel CSST manifold system mimics an electric panel. All of the gas lines that feed each appliance start at a central distribution point or manifold. To add a line in the future you need to have an extra gas port on the manifold within the panel.

Can I Use Soft Copper for Gas Lines?

Yes, you can use approved soft copper for gas line work.

If you are not able to get CSST tubing and can't handle working with black iron pipe, consider using soft copper. It offers all of the same advantages of the CSST systems.

Soft copper is approved for interior residential gas piping in many cities and towns. You don't solder it like water lines.

How Do You Make Soft Copper Connections?

Connections are made with common flare fittings that tighten with standard wrenches. The only specialized tool you need is a flaring tool made to fit the pipe size you are working with.

If you use copper for gas lines in your home, be sure to paint them yellow and label them with red lettering "GAS LINE" so a future weekend warrior doesn't mistake them for a water line!

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local plumbers who install gas lines.

Author's Notes:

If you have ANY DOUBTS about flexible gas lines or CSST, visit a local firehouse and talk to the team leader that's on duty. Visit SEVERAL firehouses to get different opinions.

In regard  to your article on the CSST systems being installed in new homes. If you care to, read an article that was published in April of 2003 in the Dallas News regarding banning this installation in the city of Frisco, Collin County, Texas. Lightning strikes have caused numerous fires in residential homes as a result of  CSST failing. Although the manufacturer states that it is completely safe, in fact safer than ridged black pipe, it has some serious issues. I have seen three fires in our own community as a result of CSST failure. The manufacturer accepts no responsibility for improper installation, and does not provide in any great detail, of detrimental or catastrophic failure if done so. I just saw your article and thought I would provide feedback. If you have questions on the article I mentioned, you may contact the Dallas News. Thank you for your time.

Maxwell J. Brunner
Lieutenant
Menomonee Falls Fire Department
Email- [email protected]

 

I responded to this very interesting email with a few thoughts of my own. My first suspicion would be that the tubing acts like a lightning rod of sorts. The thin walls of CSST might not seem to handle as much of a strike as black iron. Black iron is so much thicker that it may actually take a lightning strike better.

I suggest you look up the article in the Dallas News if you want more details.

Column 296

Painting Vinyl Siding

Posted on by Tim Carter
paint vinyl siding

Paint Vinyl Siding - You can paint vinyl siding. This faded siding was dark red from the factory. Use a light color paint for the best results. A link to a GREAT paint that will stick is below. Vinyl siding trim should be a different color than the siding. What are exterior painting costs 2021? Copyright 2021 Tim Carter

You can paint vinyl siding. It's important to realize you must use urethane paint and chose a light color for the best results.

Paint Vinyl Siding Checklist

DEAR TIM: My house has a combination of wood and vinyl siding. The wood siding needs a fresh coat of paint, but I want the color of the two sidings to be consistent.

My wife wants a new color that is different than what we have now. Can you paint vinyl siding?

If it is possible, are there special paints and techniques that I must use? Donald N., Scranton, PA

CLICK or TAP HERE to get FREE BIDS from local painters. 

DEAR DONALD:  You can paint vinyl siding! If you had asked this question several years ago, I don't think you would have liked the answer. But fortunately, there have been some major breakthroughs in the paint and coatings industry.

How Do I Paint Vinyl Siding?

You paint vinyl siding using a special paint made for vinyl siding. The paint must have a special urethane resin or glue.

Several new exterior paints are available that have been formulated to stick to vinyl siding. They perform so well that the paint manufacturers offer a long-term warranty so long as you follow the paint label instructions.

Why Does Paint Peel From Vinyl Siding?

Paint peels from vinyl siding because vinyl expands and contracts as it gets hot and cold. This back-and-forth movement breaks the bond between the paint and siding.

Painting vinyl siding is challenging for several reasons. Vinyl siding has a very high expansion/contraction coefficient.

This simply means that it expands and contracts significantly as it experiences periods of exposure to sunlight and then periods of shade or darkness. When direct sunlight hits the siding, it grows dramatically.

This movement of the siding caused older traditional exterior paints to fail in short order as the bond between the paint and the siding was severed by this constant back and forth movement.

CLICK or TAP HERE to get FREE BIDS from local painters. 

Can Vinyl Siding Be Painted With Dark Paint?

Do not paint vinyl siding with a dark paint. It will absorb too much heat when the sun strikes it. Vinyl siding soaks up the heat to a great degree. If it gets too hot, it can buckle and distort.

Are Lighter Paint Colors Best for Vinyl?

Light colors reflect more of the sun's heat and are best for vinyl siding.

This is why many vinyl products are offered in lighter colors. Because of this fact, you can actually damage your vinyl siding if you paint it a color that is too dark.

IMPORTANT TIP: The paint manufacturers highly recommend that you paint the vinyl siding a color that is no darker than the current shade of your vinyl siding.

Should I Paint My Siding With a Similar Color Shade?

Yes, paint your siding a very similar shade if possible using a high-quality paint that says on the label it's made for vinyl.

For example, if your siding is currently a light shade of beige, you can paint it a light shade of green, blue, tan, etc. The trick is to use paint store color chip cards to guide you.

Locate a color that is as close as possible to your existing vinyl siding. Use that color chip card as a benchmark and find complimentary paint chip cards that have the same depth of color as the paint chip that matches your siding.

You can then select a color that is equal to or less in color richness and depth as your existing vinyl siding color.

Painting Vinyl Siding Video

Here's how pros paint vinyl siding. I can't vouch that everything they're doing in the video is correct, but if you do decide to paint, you may want to use a sprayer as you see in the video. It's the ONLY way to apply paint to vinyl.

Is Urethane Paint Best?

You must use the right paint to achieve victory. The ones that seem to work best with vinyl siding are ones that have a urethane resin. You can also use a paint that has a blend of urethane and acrylic resins.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local painters.

Why is Urethane Paint Super Sticky?

Water-based urethane paints have extraordinary adhesive qualities. This is exactly what one needs to combat the daily movement of the vinyl siding.

urethane porch paint

Here's a great urethane-fortified paint. That's why on the label it says it's for porches and floors! It's tough enough to walk on so you know it will perform really well on your vinyl siding where no one can walk except squirrels. CLICK THE IMAGE NOW TO have this paint delivered to your home.

Exterior latex paints that contain urethane are readily available. Simply look for the word urethane on the label of the paint can.

Do I Have to Clean the Siding First?

Yes, you must clean the siding before you paint.  Follow the exact directions on the paint can label to get the absolute best results from this paint job. I feel that a clean, dry surface is very important.

If you clean your house like your own body or your car, you'll have a great head start. This means using soap and water and some good old-fashioned elbow grease.

Rub & Scrub

Oxygen Bleach Stain Solver bottle

Stain Solver is MADE in the USA with USA ingredients that are food-grade quality. CLICK THE IMAGE to order some NOW.

You must mechanically remove the dirt film from the existing painted surfaces with soapy sponges, rags or brushes.

The best cleaning solution is a mixture of Stain Solver certified organic oxygen bleach and a small amount of liquid Dawn dish soap.

Stain Solver is a powder you mix with water. I use hot water and stir it for two minutes making sure all of the powder is dissolved.

You apply it to vinyl siding that's in the shade. Keep the siding wet with the solution for up to 15 minutes then scrub the siding with a brush used to clean RVs.

Are Pressure Washers Good?

Don't count on pressure washers to clean your existing surfaces. Not only do they not get all the dirt off the surfaces, but they also can inject massive amounts of water into and behind the siding. This hidden water can cause big problems as you begin to apply the new paint.

Should I Remove Mildew Before I Paint?

If mildew is present on the existing surfaces, use an oxygen bleach solution to remove it. Stain Solver Oxygen bleach will not harm the vinyl siding nor any vegetation near your home.

IMPORTANT TIP: Avoid chlorine bleach as it's highly toxic to vegetation.

Should I Paint In Direct Sunlight?

Painting in direct sunlight is also not the best idea. If you can paint your home in cooler weather and preferably on overcast days, the paint will have excellent conditions in which to dry and bond to the vinyl siding and existing wood siding.

Windy, hot and sunny weather is not the best time to paint contrary to what many people believe.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local painters.

Message from Tim:

Years ago while researching a column about cleaning decks, I discovered the wonders of Oxygen Bleach. It is perhaps the 'greenest' cleaner I know of as it uses oxygen ions to break apart stains, dirt and odor molecules. There are no harsh chemicals, and it works on just about anything that is water washable.

I decided to create my own special blend using ingredients made in the USA. In fact, the raw materials in the active ingredient are food-grade quality registered with the FDA. I call my product Stain Solver. I urge you to use it to help with cleaning your vinyl siding. You will be amazed at the results!

Painting vinyl siding was mentioned in Tim's May 20, 2018 AsktheBuilder Newsletter.

September 12, 2017 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on by Tim Carter

Are you captivated by the weather news? Have you ever thought why this is so?

I think it's a scale issue. The wonders of Mother Nature are so much larger than us and contain such vast amounts of power and fury.

Your appetite to know more about hurricanes, cyclones, tornadoes, earthquakes, forest fires, blizzards, etc. no doubt is hard coded into your brain stem.

I feel part of the attraction is scarcity. All of those natural forces can take away something from you that's pretty valuable - your life.

Then there's the inner morbid curiosity we all seem to possess that Don Henley explores in his famous hit song Dirty Laundry.

If you've not listened closely to the lyrics, you should.

CLICK HERE to read them.

You & Clutter

Let's be honest with one another. I'd like you to answer these questions:

  • Can you see the top surface of your workbench?
  • Do you know where all your tools are and can put your hand on each one in less than a minute?
  • Is your garage floor covered with (begins with the letter C) that you've not touched in months / years?
  • Are shelves in your garage or basement packed with you-know-what and you can't find anything?

The past three weeks I've been involved in a massive project here at my house solving all those above problems. It's a project you might have to do to, but have been putting off.

I put mine off for nine years and simple could no longer stand it.

Years of clutter are disappearing. I've just about wrestled the demon to the ground. I can see large sections of floor again in my shed.

I'll be able to park two vehicles in the garage this winter with lots of extra space.

My garage attic will be so open I may create a man cave extension with a lounge chair and my model-trains-under-glass coffee table!

I inherited the horrible packratitis disease from my mother. She had a chronic case. I don't have it quite as bad as she did, but I'm infected. My wife Kathy may disagree.

I just wanted to share how liberating it is to be free of so much stuff. It's a fantastic feeling.

I was able to sell many things. Other things went to the free room at our town dump. I discovered the best thing to do is create a FREE pile in the garage and when someone comes to buy something, they can pick anything they want from the pile. It's a FUN GAME and people are delighted to get something for free in addition to paying for what they came for. It's a win win win.

To help put the declutter icing on the cake, I had Kathy order a few things for me yesterday from Amazon.com. I need to finish organizing decades of accumulated nails, screws, bolts, nuts and many other small items that are very handy to have.

You can have your own small hardware store and save yourself LOTS of money. Have you noticed the outlandish price hardware stores and big box stores charge for one screw, bolt or nut? WOWZA! No way I'm throwing all mine out!!!

I've had lots of great durable plastic bins for years. I got most of mine 30 years ago. They were in the rear of my utility body truck holding nails, screws and other small parts.

Now they're on some narrow shelves in my garage, but I need more.

storage bin

What you see above is an Akro bin. They come in all sorts of great sizes. They're also very affordable.

They come in about seven or eight colors. Black, red, blue, gray, green, yellow, purple, clear, bone, etc.

They stack very nicely. You can store lots of different things in these bins so you can find them!

I'm using different colors to help me easily identify groups of things like:

  • nails
  • screws
  • electrical parts
  • plumbing fittings
  • misc hardware
  • etc.

CLICK HERE to see all the Akro bins.

They have a lip on the back you can hang them from the Wall Control metal pegboard I so love. CLICK HERE to see the wonderful Wall Control pegboard I've got in my garage.

Stop the BANG!

Are you remodeling or getting ready to build a new home? Then you MUST give SERIOUS consideration to pocket doors.

Not just any pocket doors, but ones made by LE Johnson that have the newer soft-close feature. Yes, you can get heavy pocket doors to close SOFTLY and not BANG!!!

You've surely seen cabinet drawers and shelves and other sliding things that have this wonderful feature.

pocket door

CLICK HERE to discover more about the fantastic LE Johnson soft close hardware.

Guess what? If you have an existing LE Johnson pocket door, there's a great chance you can ADD this new hardware.

It only takes a decent handyman about an hour to complete the job.

CLICK HERE to watch a video showing how the soft close STOPS a pocket door from SLAMMING going either direction.

CLICK HERE to see how to install the soft close hardware in a pocket door frame.

Subway Tile Backsplash - It's All In The Prep

I got a great question from Pam in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday.

It was so good I turned it into one of my national columns.

CLICK HERE to see an amazing photo.

Hurricanes / Floods & Mold

With all the extreme weather happening, it's time for you to get back up to speed on mold and how to STOP IT.

CLICK HERE for a quick refresher course on MOLD PREVENTION.

That's quite enough for today.

I've got some great projects happening here at my house this week and need to take advantage of the great weather.

I'll be taping a swell video or two tomorrow showing you step-by-step how to create threads on black iron pipe. You may not realize how easy it is to do assuming you've got the right tools!

I want you to understand it's not magic to cut threads on a smooth black iron pipe.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

Installing Copper Strips Under Shingles

Posted on by Tim Carter
install copper strip roof

Install Copper Strip on Roof | You can install a 12-inch-wide thin copper strip on a new roof so an inch of the copper strip rests under the cap shingles and the copper folds under the last full shingle on the roof. Copyright 2019 Tim Carter. Click on the sketch to purchase copper roof strips for your roof.

"A copper strip on each side of the roof will extend the life of asphalt shingles 40 or 50 years. The copper prevents the asphalt from becoming brittle."

Tim Carter | Founder - AsktheBuilder.com

Installing Copper Strips on a Shingle Roof

Revised 2019

copper stops shingle deterioration

Look at how the small amount of the copper on the roof of the cupola prevents the shingles from aging.

Watch this short video first. It shows installing the copper strip on an existing roof, not a new one.

The column below it was written ten years before I taped the video.

How Many New Roofs Are Installed Each Year?

Think of how many people are out there who just had a new roof put on this past year. Not counting the one million new homes built last year I'll bet there were at least three million new asphalt shingle roofs installed on existing homes in the USA.

Why Do Asphalt Roofs Fail So Fast?

Asphalt shingles are going bad too fast because many manufacturers blow too much air into the liquid asphalt at the plant. This extra air pre-ages the asphalt making it think it's already thirty years old.

I wrote a book - Roofing Ripoff - about WHY asphalt shingles are failing and how I was the FIRST PERSON in the world to discover that copper prevents asphalt shingles from becoming brittle. Brittle asphalt produces loss of colored granules and curled shingles.

CLICK HERE to discover more about my Roofing Ripoff book. You can read the first part of the book for FREE.

roofing ripoff book cover

Does Copper Stop Roof Algae?

Yes, copper will stop the growth of roof algae too. This has been known for hundreds of years and it's why copper plates were put on the hulls of wooden warships and clipper ships. The copper stopped the growth of barnacles on the hull that would slow the ships moving through the water.

The sad fact is that the wide majority of those new roofs have no protection against roof algae. The roofers or the homeowners simply are unaware of the problem and unaware that you can buy shingles that have copper coated colored granules.

I hope you are not in this situation. If so, no problem, as there is a way for you to poison those little devils, bacteriologically known as Gloeocapsa magma. We just need to clean your roof and then introduce copper onto your shingles. I know, you may not like the look of a 2-inch copper strip at the top of your roof. However, it will look a whole lot better than the unsightly algae stains!

Clean the Roof First

Common sense should tell you that you need to clean your roof first. That process is described in another article.

Getting the Copper or Zinc

Sheet copper or zinc is usually available at any roofing supply house. These are the places that REAL roofers go to purchase their roofing products.

What is the Best Copper to Install on the Roof?

The best copper is a lightweight version.

Do NOT confuse these places with the large home center stores sprouting up everywhere! The roofing supply houses sell copper for all kinds of roofing uses. They also sell zinc. Both metals will kill the algae, but I think you should use copper. Zinc has a tendency to produce a grayish film over time, so it may discolor your shingles. Copper should not cause a problem on your roof.

How Many Strips and Where?

That's tough for me to answer without seeing your individual roof. One thing is for sure, you need the strips as high up on the roof as possible, so that the copper coats as many shingles as possible.

It's best to install a 10-inch-wide strip just under the cap shingles.

Installation of the Strips

Most asphalt shingles are installed so that they have a five-inch area of the shingle exposed to the weather.

On a new asphalt shingle roof, just install a 12-inch-wide strip up at the top of the roof just before you apply the cap shingles.

The bottom edge of the copper strip can fold underneath the last full shingle placed on the roof. Fold the copper back over so it's exposed to the weather and extend it up to about an inch or two ABOVE where the cap shingles will overlap it.

The key is to adjust the placement of the copper so you have about 10 inches exposed if possible and the cap shingles overlap the top of the copper so the roof remains watertight.

It's really easy to accomplish this.

Column B374