July 27, 2017 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on July 27, 2017 by Tim Carter

I forgot to tell you about the HUGE Stain Solver SALE yesterday!!!

DUH!

It's in honor of my birthday which is VERY SOON!!!

Kathy and I are giving you a gift because it's a special birthday.

You get:

10% off any size except for the small sample size
FREE SHIPPING to any of the lower 48 US states
a product with ingredients that are made in the USA - Texas and Wyoming
a Certified Organic product from a small business - Kathy and I own Stain Solver

If you don't know about Stain Solver, it's a multi-purpose Certified Organic oxygen bleach.

CLICK HERE to watch a video about what Stain Solver is.

It cleans ANYTHING water washable except for:

natural wool
natural silk
redwood siding / decking

CLICK HERE and scroll down the page to see homeowner Before & After photos of all the things it can clean.

When you see a photo that interests you, CLICK IT to see the before / after.

My all-time favorite Before / After photo is THIS ONE.

CLICK HERE to order.

Oh, the magic promo code is:

Timis65

The sale is only for a FEW DAYS. Don't procrastinate.

Order NOW.

Now back to your normal day.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

Toilet Installation Instruction

Posted on July 26, 2017 by Tim Carter

Toilet Installation Instruction | Here's a side-view of a normal toilet flange in a floor. The gap between the bottom of the flange and finished floor is just to show that the flooring goes under the flange. Most PVC flanges happen to be 3/8-inch thick at the edge so you want the flange to be tight to the finished flooring. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

Toilet Installation TIPS

It's not hard to install a toilet
Toilet flange height is everything - see drawing below
Use an additional wax gasket if flange is LOW
Level bowl BEFORE installing gasket
CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter!

Don't Be Intimidated

Toilets are intimidating plumbing fixtures. Just look inside one. What about the mysterious connection at the floor. Oh, don't forget, there's the pesky water supply connection as well.

Are you afraid and feel it's time to call the plumber?

Not so fast! You can do it. Toilets are simple.

I'm been a master plumber since before the age of 30 and am going to help you step-by-step install one like I'd do it if I was at your home.

Let's get started. But before we get going, please WATCH this video just below I created to show you how floor joists or floor trusses can interfere with the location of a toilet. You can buy special toilets to solve the issue or sometimes scoot by with an offset toilet flange.

Basics

Residential toilets connect, in almost all instances, to a 3-inch drain line. At the floor level, this drain line converts to a toilet flange. This flange is basically a flair fitting that does two things:

provides a way to make a positive air/watertight seal
allows you to bolt the toilet to the floor

The flange must be a certain distance away from the back wall if you want your toilet to fit snugly against the wall. The standard measurement for most toilets is 12 inches.

Roughing In A New Flange

If a floor joist is in your way, you may need to go 2 inches in either direction (10 or 14 inch). If so, you'd need a special toilet bowl. Beware, as these are usually much more expensive. If faced with this situation try to use an offset flange. It may allow you to use a standard 12 inch toilet.

You don't want to hack or notch the floor joist as it will weaken it.

Free & Fast Bids

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local plumbers who can install your toilet in case you feel you can't do it.

Toilet Flange Height

The height of the top of the toilet flange is critical with respect to achieving a seal so no sewer gas leaks into your home.

The top of the toilet flange should be 3/8 of an inch higher than the finished floor surface in the bathroom.

If the flange is too low or sits flush with the finished floor, the underside of the toilet may not contact all of the wax in the gasket.

If the flange is too high, too much of the wax will get squeezed out as you press the toilet to the floor.

Set Toilet First - NO Gasket!

I always want my toilets to be level. As such, I uncrate the bowl (the tank and the bowl are two parts - unless you have a one piece toilet) and simply set it on the flange.

Do not use the wax gasket at this point (don't worry, I'll explain!) Set your level across the bowl side to side and front to back. Using shims if necessary, make the bowl level. Gently lift the toilet off the flange keeping the shims in place.

The Wax Gasket & Bolts

A wax gasket is used to make a permanent seal between the flange and the bottom of the toilet. Without this gasket, sewer gas or wastewater would flood your house.

Here's a typical wax gasket with the plastic horn. This one is extra thick and you'd use it in case the top of your toilet flange was FLUSH or BELOW the finished floor surface. CLICK THE PHOTO NOW TO HAVE THIS DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME.

They come two ways: with and without a plastic horn. The horn is a simple funnel which directs the wastewater into the flange. I always get a gasket with a horn.

Place the gasket onto the flange pointing the horn down into the flange. Now install the new closet bolts that attach the toilet to the flange.

Take the bowl, straddle the flange and guide the bowl onto the gasket and the bolts. Be careful!!

You only get one chance. Use a friend to help guide you or to position the bolts.

The toilet will hit the gasket and seem to rock. Gently push the toilet down to the shims trying to keep it reasonably level. Attach the necessary trim washers, brass washers, and tighten the nuts. Remember, you are tightening against glass so don't go crazy and over-tighten!

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local plumbers who can install your toilet in case you feel you can't do it.

Don't Lift Up

Once the toilet is tight to the shims, don't try to lift it up or move it too much. You'll break the seal!!!

As you drop the toilet bowl down onto the shims try to make sure the toilet is oriented correctly so the back of the tank is parallel with the wall.

The Tank

This is the easy part. Reading the toilet instructions you will see that two or thee bolts, rubber washers and brass nuts hold the tank to the bowl.

There's a usually a foam or rubber washer that fits on the bottom of the tank to provide a seal to the bowl. This is easier than a kid's erector set. As you tighten the tank bolts be sure to level it. It's a breeze.

Supply Tubes

Years ago plumbers used chrome-plated soft copper supply tubes. They were very hard to install.

Now you can use flexible stainless-steel braided water supply lines that are caveman simple to install. Don't over-tighten the nuts. These newer supply tubes come with a nice inner rubber gasket that only requires moderate tightening to get a leak-proof connection.

Here are the two ends of the normal stainless-steel toilet supply tubes. The larger nut attaches to the underside of the tank. These tubes come in different lengths. CLICK THE PHOTO NOW TO HAVE ONE OR MORE DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME.

Grout

Finish the installation with tile grout. Fill the space between the toilet and floor with grout.

IMPORTANT TIP: Don't allow the grout to touch the wood shims. The water in the grout can pull out extractive stains from the wood and STAIN your new grout. Keep the grout away from the shims about one inch.

Let this grout dry, remove the shims and grout the remaining holes. Total toilet project completion time: One to 1.5 hours!

Local Codes

Now that I have you all pumped up about changing your toilet, you better hold on for just a moment. Certain localities (states, cities, counties) have highly restrictive plumbing codes. In certain areas it is illegal for a homeowner to change out a toilet.

Only a licensed plumber is permitted to do it in these areas.

I have mixed feelings about these laws. Those in power try to make it sound that only plumbers have the ability to keep you safe from disease and thus they must install the toilet.

I'm a master plumber and am here to tell you if you follow the above advice you'll install your toilet much better than any apprentice plumber and quite a few journeymen.

I've grown weary of too many laws, regulations and other restrictions when it comes to doing work. If you do it right and possibly better than a licensed plumber, then what's the issue?

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local plumbers who can install your toilet in case you feel you can't do it.

Column B359

Watch this video to see how Tim SOLVED a problem in minutes!

CLICK here to learn more on how Tim can help solve your problems.

July 26, 2017 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on July 26, 2017 by Tim Carter

If you haven't noticed, I tend to let up on the throttle in the summer. Why?

I happen to live where hundreds of thousands come to vacation. Yes, it's that gorgeous.

CLICK HERE to see hundreds of photos taken by others of what's within fifteen or so miles from my home.

I try to spend as much time outdoors enjoying the scenery and amazing WX. What's more I can look at my newsletter software and it tells me that you might be doing the same thing and often be too busy to read what I send.

It's all good. Get outdoors if you can where you live and enjoy this summer WX if you live north of the equator! If you're down under, then you're in the midst of your most dismal winter weather.

The Solar Eclipse

Just under a month from now, there's going to be a rare total solar eclipse that's going to cross the entire USA from coast to coast.

It starts in Oregon and moves towards the Carolinas. Do you live within a few hundred miles of the path of totality?

Are you thinking of taking a leisurely drive to just park to experience the eerie deep twilight?

Think again.

You must not be old enough to remember the Woodstock music festival in the 1960s. A group of guys from my neighborhood and I were going to go. Our plans fell apart. It's probably for the best!

Tens of millions of people planning to see the eclipse are going to be stuck in perhaps the worst traffic jams the USA has ever seen. If you're bound and determined to go, you better take lots of food, water, gasoline, TP and leave your modesty at home.

CLICK HERE to see what's going to happen on all those expressways and small two-lane roads you've been scoping out as your viewing place.

Upcoming Portland, Oregon Meetup

I announced two weeks ago I'm going to be on the Left Coast of the USA for a tad over two weeks very soon. I'm flying to Portland, OR, on August 1st for a two-day KEEN footwear factory tour. The event ends late evening on August 3rd.

Bright and early, say 8 am, on Friday, August 4th, I'm going to have a breakfast meet up in downtown Portland. I know I'm staying in the Sentinel Hotel in downtown and I'm sure there's some quiet breakfast place nearby. I'll scope that out when I get there.

If you want to attend, you MUST email me so I can put you on the list. Be sure the subject line of the email says: Portland Meetup. If you've already contacted me, please do that once more so I can make up my final list.

That afternoon I plan to start to drive south hitting the coast of Oregon, any nearby state parks and for sure Crater Lake NP.

What great places in Oregon and northern CA should I visit? I've got eight days to kill.

If you live in any of these areas or in northern CA, and want to meetup, I need to hear from you NOW.

I'll be in the San Francisco area for two days, but will have very limited time to meet up. The best I can do would be some early morning coffee on Tuesday, August 15th, near the Embarcadero BART station.

Drainage Issues

Over the past few days, I've done quite a few phone consults. Today I've got two scheduled.

Yes, you and I can talk on the phone to solve your home repair problem. Often the advice I give will save you many hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Just two days ago, I was talking with Kali who lives in east central Idaho. She has water running through her crawlspace.

Kali was thinking of calling a soil engineer to issue a report. My guess she would have spent close to $1,500 for this study.

She ordered one of my $50 phone consults and I solved the issue in about twelve minutes. I even made two super-quick drawings for her to help show her what to do.

After I send this newsletter, I have to make up a quick plumbing drawing for Perry in Texas. He and I jump on the phone this afternoon. Here's what I drew up for Kali:

I'm doing more and more phone consults about wet backyards, wet crawlspaces and wet basements.

When the homeowner sends me photos and I look at their house using Google Maps, I discover in most instances the builder put the house into the ground too deep.

If you're building a home, you can't allow this to happen.

CLICK HERE to look at a much better hand-drawn diagram of how your foundation should relate to the ground around your home just after the foundation forms are stripped off.

CLICK HERE to see how to STOP all water leaks into your crawlspace or basement.

CLICK HERE to set up a phone call so I can solve your problem, no matter what it is, at your home.

Tool of the Week

Yesterday I was doing some digging. I needed to use a spade to slice into the soil and to make the bottom of the area somewhat flat.

I grabbed Kathy's stainless-steel spade for the job.

Yes, you can get certain garden tools in stainless steel so they don't RUST!!

WOOT!!!!

CLICK HERE to have one delivered in days to your home.

CLICK HERE to see a huge assortment of stainless steel garden and digging tools.

I'll bet you had NO CLUE you could buy rust-free shovels, forks, spades, etc. did you?

Tell the truth.....

New & Revised Columns

Here's a list of new and revised columns that should save you lots of time and money:

Brick Mortar Repair Mix - BEST Mortar Known

Drain Cleaner TIPS

Lot Clearing Tips

DIY Patio Pavers - Yes, You CAN DO THIS Job

Air Filter Particle Size Chart

FIXING a 3-Way Switch - You CAN TACKLE THIS

Okay, that's enough for today.

I'll try to reach out to you while I'm out west, but don't hold your breath. I may be enjoying the scenery too much and doing LOTS of outdoor amateur radio. CLICK HERE to read my radio stories.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

Brick Mortar Repair Mix

Posted on July 24, 2017 by Tim Carter

Brick Mortar Repair Mix TIPS

Use same mortar Romans used to build aqueducts
Hydrated lime mortar with secret volcanic ash - SEE BELOW links
WATCH tuck-pointing videos below
Be careful of amount of water used to mix new mortar
CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter

DEAR TIM: It appears I wasted some money five years ago. I had my brick building repointed with new mortar and it has deteriorated quickly.

Do you have any idea what caused it to happen? The building is close to the sea, about 500 yards, and is exposed to a fair degree of salt spray and fog.

What’s the best brick mortar repair mix to use and how would you apply it? Ian L., Brighton, UK

DEAR IAN: It’s always a sad day when I hear stories like this. Money is a precious resource for most people and it’s a shame when a repair that was supposed to last one hundred or more years fails in less than five.

Mortar Ingredients

Let’s discuss what most mortars are made with and then we can perform an autopsy on what caused your tuck pointing failure. Most mortars are a mix of fine or medium sand, a dry powder that almost always contains Portland cement and/or hydrated lime and water. In rare instances a mason may add some sort of liquid bonding agent.

Free & Fast Bids

CLICK HERE to get FREE AND FAST BIDS from local masons who can tuck point your mortar joints.

Add Water - Create Magic Crystals

When water is added to Portland cement, some other bagged mortar mix or hydrated lime, it starts an irreversible chemical reaction called hydration.

Small crystals start to grow as the dry powder mixes with the water. The crystal growth is what causes the mortar mix to transform from a plastic mixture that resembles applesauce into an artificial rock once it’s fully hardened.

Interlocking

The crystals that grow interlock with microscopic cracks and holes in the brick. This is why the mortar is such a great building material as it cements one brick to another creating a solid wall if mixed and placed correctly.

Tuckpointing Mortar Video

Here's a pretty good video that shows the tuck-pointing process. The key is to carefully install the new mortar so you don't smear it on the face of the brick.

Causes Of Failure

Here’s a partial list of what might have caused your failure:

too much water was used to mix the mortar
too little mortar mix or Portland cement was used to make the mortar
the mason re-tempered the mortar by adding additional water to it
rain pelted the fresh mortar before it had a chance to harden
hot and windy weather sucked the water from the fresh mortar too fast

Any one, or a combination of two or more, of the things above could have created your failure. Without doing expensive laboratory testing, it’s hard to say what the actual cause is. Let’s focus on how to do the job right.

Sea Salt - No Problem!

I’m not at all worried about how close your building is to the sea. You’ve got rocky limestone outcroppings that are pounded by the seawater salt spray and they don’t crumble easily. I suggest we make a mortar mix that resembles tough limestone.

Mythical Lime Mortar

There are ancient buildings and probably castles across the UK that are made using a mortar mix that’s lasted for hundreds of years. Sadly some masons have forgotten about this super-strong mortar by favoring bags of mortar mix sold at building supply stores.

The masons of old use just hydrated lime and sand. Once mixed with water, the hydrated lime and fine sand creates actual limestone. You know how durable this stone is so your new mortar will be exceedingly strong.

CLICK HERE to get FREE AND FAST BIDS from local masons who can tuck point your mortar joints.

Hydrated Lime

I suggest that you purchase some bags of hydrated lime.

This is excellent hydrated lime. It's a fine white powder and it's going to look great on your home. CLICK THE IMAGE TO ORDER SOME RIGHT NOW.

It’s a cheap material and it’s what was used hundreds and thousands of years ago to make mortars that have stood the test of time. You can mix the hydrated lime with clean sand that will match your existing mortar. The proportions can vary but I’d recommend you mix two parts clean sand to one part hydrated lime.

Strongest Lime Mortar Mix

To create the best mortar mix, add some volcanic ash that’s high in silica content to the mix. I’d mix 1.5 parts sand. 0.5 parts volcanic ash to 1 part hydrated lime.

You can buy bags of volcanic ash high in silica content with ease. Here's a great one. CLICK THE PHOTO NOW TO HAVE THIS DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME.

Mix Small Amounts

Only mix as much mortar as can be applied in an hour. You never ever want to add more water to a mortar mix if the mortar starts to get hard. This is called re-tempering the mortar and it fractures the invisible crystals that formed. Once those crystals are broken, they don’t always grow back.

Mortar Consistency

The fresh mortar should have a consistency that resembles a stiff applesauce, not a runny one where liquid collects on the plate. If you add too much water to fresh mortar you simply dilute the amount of lime or cement that’s required to hold the sand together.

Grind Out Old Mortar

To get the best results, I feel you need to grind out some of the old mortar in between the brick. It would be ideal if the new mortar was at least 3/8 of an inch or about 9 mm in thickness. It’s a mind-numbing task to use a grinder equipped with a diamond blade to remove the existing mortar. Wear a mask in case your existing mortar contains silica.

Here's a perfect Bosch grinder that will be easy to handle and will get rid of old mortar FAST. CLICK THE PHOTO NOW TO HAVE THIS TOOL DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME IN DAYS.

Mortar Grinding Video

Here's a fast video that shows how a great grinder with the right diamond blade can QUICKLY cut out old mortar.

Correct Cutting Wheel

Be sure to get the correct diamond blade that's meant to cut out mortar. Usually they're thicker so you just have to make one pass through the mortar joint. Here's a good one:

Here's a great diamond blade to put on the Bosch grinder. You want a blade that's at least 1/4-inch wide. CLICK THE PHOTO NOW TO HAVE THIS BLADE DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME IN DAYS.

Get Rid Of Dust

Once you’ve ground out the mortar, you want to rinse off the brick and squirt out the mortar joints to remove any and all dust. Dust will interfere with the growth of the lime crystals as the new mortar tries to bond to the existing mortar and the brick.

Cool Overcast WX

Try to work on a cool overcast day with as little wind as possible. I realize these conditions may be hard to come by along the seashore as wind seems to be a constant. Wind can suck out the water from the new mortar too fast causing it to not become as strong as it might.

Dampen Brick & Old Mortar

Slightly dampen the old mortar joints and brick before you add the new mortar. This water will prevent suction from drawing too much water from the fresh mortar into the old mortar and brick.

You need the new mortar to cure and harden as slow as possible so it attains full strength.

Concave Joints Are Best

Use a curved mortar joint tool to create a slightly concave profile to the new mortar.

This simple tool creates the best mortar joint that resists water and all other nasty assaults from Mother Nature. CLICK THE PHOTO NOW TO HAVE THIS TOOL DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME IN DAYS.

You often need to tool the mortar within ten minutes before it gets too hard.

CLICK HERE to get FREE AND FAST BIDS from local masons who can tuck point your mortar joints.

Column 1206

Drain Cleaner Tips

Posted on July 24, 2017 by Tim Carter

Drain Cleaner TIPS for Clogs

Get a wet-dry vacuum handy
Stain Solver works and some liquid cleaners
WATCH drain-design video for reference
Suck out yucky water from drain before using clog-removal products
CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter!

DEAR TIM: My plumbing drains occasionally clog. Do the chemical products really remove clogs from plumbing pipes?

Are there safe products to use for septic systems? Do some types of pipes clog more readily than others? How can I prevent those pesky bathtub clogs? Shirley P., Marshall, MN

DEAR SHIRLEY: Welcome to the club!

Master Plumber Pipes Clog Too

When I built my house years ago, I was sure I would never have a clogged plumbing pipe. After all I installed the plumbing drain pipes and I'm a master plumber.

I used smooth plastic drain lines and sized all pipes according to code. It turns out, this wasn't good enough.

Kids Tub Clogged Solid

Several weeks ago, I took a bath in my kids' bathtub to soak my aching feet. Upon exiting the tub, I operated the drain lever. The water in the tub didn't budge! The drain was completely clogged. Attempts to remove the clog with a plunger and a drain cleaning snake were futile.

Free & Fast Bids

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local drain-cleaning plumbers who can save you lots of time.

Black Goop = Biofilm

Drano Foamer box

Every time I plunged, black goop came back out through the drain opening. This goop is biofilm.

It can be a combination of bacteria, old food particles, soap film, cosmetic ingredients, toothpaste, shampoos and conditioners, and actual body oils. The film is quite sticky on the surface and hardens as successive layers begin to build on top of one another.

It's not uncommon for biofim to accumulate and choke off a 1.5 inch diameter drain in just 25 to 30 years. The biofilm also emits mold spores when water goes down drains. The gas that ejects the mold spores from the biofilm has an offensive odor.

Hair Clogs

Hair - especially long hair - is also a major clog source for drains. Strands of hair can attach themselves to the biofilm and any rough surface or object in a drain pipe.

The mechanism within bathroom sinks and bathtubs that operate the stopper are favorite collection points for hair. I believe the clog in my bathtub drain was a combination of biofilm and my teenage daughter's long hair.

Grease Clogs

Grease can also clog drains. Pouring liquid grease down a kitchen sink or any drain is a big mistake.

It can solidify and choke off the drains or the main building drain line. Pour lukewarm or cool grease into paper towels or old newspapers and throw it away with your normal garbage.

Easy Drain Cleaning Video

Watch this video to see how to design drain pipes so you can clear clogs FAST.

Powdered Oxygen Bleach

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

Stain Solver is a powdered oxygen bleach that can do a great job of clearing drains. It dissolves grease and softens biofilm. Stain Solver is certified organic, made in the USA and has no odors like offensive chlorine bleach.

You mix the Stain Solver powder with hot water, stir until it's dissolved and then pour it into the clogged drain.

It works best if you use a wet-dry vacuum first to suck out as much water from the clogged drain as possible.

Use small extension tubes or plastic tubing taped to the vacuum hose to get water out of drain pipes.

Doing this allows the concentrated Stain Solver solution to get in contact with the clog.

Liquid Drain Cleaners

The liquid drain cleaners can work very well too. I decided to try a maximum strength off-the-shelf product purchased from a local grocery store even though I knew my Stain Solver would work.

I always love to try new methods and products.

It was a thick product that poured like maple syrup. These common drain cleaners are actually a combination of regular household bleach, alkali chemicals (sodium hydroxide) and other ingredients.

Here's the product I used to clear the tub drain. There are several different formulations. CLICK the PHOTO NOW TO SEE THE ONE THAT'S BEST FOR YOU AND HAVE IT DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME.

The bleach component works great to dissolve hair, cosmetics and soaps. The alkali ingredient works with the bleach to actually soften and dissolve the biofilm deposits.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local drain-cleaning plumbers who can save you lots of time.

Foaming Drain Cleaners

New foaming cleaners are now available that coat the entire inside of the pipes. The foam attacks biofim buildup on the side walls and top of the pipes. These surfaces are usually left untouched by the liquid drain cleaners.

I've used this foaming drain cleaner on my slow-draining kitchen sink. It seems to help. CLICK THE PHOTO NOW TO HAVE THIS PRODUCT DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME.

Wet Rags & Vacuums

To make sure I got the most punch from the product I purchased, I did something different. With a wet rag stuffed down the tub overflow tube, I used my powerful wet-dry vacuum to suction out all of the water from the drain pipe and the bathtub drain trap.

This allowed me to pour the contents of the drain cleaner directly up against the clog. Within fifteen minutes, my bathtub drain was flowing like new!

Limit Use In Septic Systems

Regular chemical drain cleaners contain ingredients that are harmful to septic systems. The chemicals can kill off beneficial bacteria within the septic tank.

If you have a septic system, you should use Stain Solver on a regular basis. It can prevent clogs before they happen. When used on a regular basis and according to manufacturer's recommendations, it will not harm your septic system.

Stain Solver oxygen bleach will help to minimize biofilm buildup on the inner walls of pipes. It also adds beneficial oxygen to your septic tank.

Copper = Natural Biocide

Copper drain lines seem to have the fewest clogs. The copper actually poisons the biofilm slowing its growth and buildup.

Plastic drain lines are also resistant to clogs although biofilm will attach itself to the smooth insides of these pipes.

Galvanized iron and cast iron pipes clog most frequently due to their rough inner surfaces. If you're installing a bathtub in a new home or remodeling project, put in a 2 inch diameter trap and 2 inch drain line. The larger pipe size will be more forgiving and easier to clean out.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local drain-cleaning plumbers who can save you lots of time.

Column 246

Lot Clearing Tips

Posted on July 24, 2017 by Tim Carter

Lot Clearing Tips

DEAR TIM: I'm going to build a home on a wooded lot that I own. To save money, some friends and I intend to do all the clearing ourselves.

What's should I know about lot clearing? Do you think this is a good thing for me to do?

What are the biggest challenges and how might you best prepare for them? The estimates I got for this task took my breath away, so I'm trying to save money. Randy C., Moultonboro, NH

DEAR RANDY: I understand your desire to save money.

Get Some Estimates

With the economy sputtering along it makes sense to be as frugal as possible. As crazy as this sounds, I wonder if it might not be worth the time to get a few more estimates. Many contractors are not too busy, and you could get some really competitive prices. I'd exhaust that avenue first before I'd do anything else.

Free & Fast Bids

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local excavation contractors that know how to clear lots.

Create Simple Specifications

If you do decide to go get more estimates, be sure that each contractor is bidding the same thing. This means you must write out a very accurate job description that says exactly what you want done.

You must specify what happens with the trees, the branches, the stumps, and any large rocks that might be in the way. You need to describe exactly what the lot will look like, using photos if possible from other cleared lots, when the job is finished.

Timber = CASH $ $ $

Be aware that you could have a substantial amount of money in the trees on the land and not be the wiser. It would not be the first time a naive land owner was taken advantage of by a contractor that cut down valuable timber.

I know of land owners who paid to have high-priced timber cut down and carted away, and then the contractor makes additional money selling the logs to a timber mill!

Get Bids From Brokers

If you think you have valuable timber on your land, then you need to call in lumber brokers to get quotes on the value of the timber. Once again, you need to be very careful and have them mark exactly what trees are the money trees and how many of each there are.

Understand most loggers are going to leave your land looking like a moonscape with lots of slash left behind and ruts from the giant skidders that move the logs from the forest to the logging yard where the logs are loaded onto street-legal trucks to be carted away.

Skidder Video

These odd-looking machines can traverse just about any land. If it's muddy, they tear up land.

Let's say none of this works out, and you and your buddies become weekend lumberjacks. The first thing I want you to know is this is very dangerous work, it's hard, and if you're not used to it, it will wear you out faster than running up the Mt. Washington Auto Road.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local excavation contractors that know how to clear lots.

Here's a short list of the equipment you'll need to make a dent in this project. You'll need several powerful chainsaws with 18-inch blades, all the safety equipment for each saw operator (chaps, helmet, visor, heavy gloves, etc.), a timber jack tool that will allow you to lift logs to cut them, chains, a tractor, possibly an excavator, etc.

The odd tool with the lime-green handle is a timberjack. It has a moveable claw that has bitten into the log. You roll the log about 90 degrees and it elevates the end of the log up in the air so you can cut off links without getting the chainsaw blade in the dirt. CLICK THE IMAGE TO HAVE ONE DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME NEXT WEEK.

Tool rental businesses should be able to rent you all the mechanical equipment you need, but you'll have to be trained on how to operate them. Be aware that these machines are extremely dangerous, and if you don't know how to make them stable in wet, slippery or sloped ground, be extremely careful.

DIY Excavator Video

You can rent a machine like this to help you clear your land. It takes about 30 minutes to discover how to manage the joystick controls.

As for a plan of attack, you should think about the best way to access the building area so you put the driveway or road in the right spot. Think about drainage and ensuring the road is slightly elevated so it doesn't wash out.

Small Ones First

You should go in and cut the smaller trees out of the way first so you have room to work when you have to bring down the larger trees. Think about what you're going to do with all of the slash.

Slash is all of the tree material that's not taken away to a lumber or pulp mill. You generally have to burn it, grind it up or pile it on the lot so it naturally decomposes. If you decide to burn it, be sure to find out what the laws are about this. You'll undoubtedly need a permit to burn slash.

Firewood Plan

If you're going to turn the trees into your own firewood, you can either cut the logs up into links as you work, or stack the long logs off to the side to cut up later. Be sure you stack the logs at least 20 feet away from where a foundation wall might be.

You have to make sure you give the builder room to work. The last thing you want to do is move giant logs twice.

Stump Removal

Stump removal is an art. If you want to do it quickly you'll need large heavy equipment. It can be done with a bulldozer, but you must plan ahead. If you use a bulldozer to remove stumps, you need to leave about 3 or 4 feet of the tree sticking up out of the ground.

The bulldozer raises its blade and leverages the stump out of the ground. It can't do this if you cut off the tree close to the ground.

If you have access to a large tracked excavator machine, the bucket on the arm can be removed and in its place a large single-toothed blade can be installed. This monster claw looks like that of a raptor and within seconds an experienced operator can make three swipes and the stump is out of the ground. It's both an impressive and terrifying thing to watch thinking of the raw power those machines possess.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local excavation contractors that know how to clear lots.

Column 933

Patio Paver DIY

Posted on July 17, 2017 by Tim Carter

Patio Paver DIY | This patio paver job is being done by a 65-year-old man. If he can do it with no helpers, so can you! The large-format pavers can be heavy so only buy what you can hold and place with relative ease. This was featured as "Quick Story" in the July 30, 2017 AsktheBuilder Newsletter. (C) Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

"Ask five different paver contractors the way to install the paving stones and you might get five different methods. What really matters is the strength of the underlying soil under your patio, the size of the pavers you intend to use and how much weight will be placed upon any given paver."

Paver Patio DIY TIPS

Visit different suppliers to see all the varied pavers
Lift the stones to see if you can handle them
WATCH the videos below to help you understand sand strength
Use concrete sand for simple backyard patios and walkways
CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter!

DEAR TIM: I’ve decided it’s time for a patio in my rear yard. After visiting a local business that sells a vast variety of different patio pavers, I’m ready to start.

Do you think this is a real DIY job or am I being too ambitious? After watching a number of videos on YouTube, I’m more confused than ever about the best base material.

Have you installed these patio stones and what method do you recommend? Are there any hidden surprises with precast concrete patio pavers? Sue T., Racine, WI

DEAR SUE: You must have been in contact with my wife. She loves patios and has been wanting one here at our New Hampshire home for a few years. I had constructed a huge brick patio for her many years ago at our last home and she misses it.

I'm using 2x4s to guide me so I don't dig out too much dirt.The parallel 2x4s have been set using a builder's level and slope away from the house. The 2x4 on top allows me to ensure I only dig out 3.5 inches of dirt. Next to the deck you can see how the loose dirt was compacted using the heavy steel hand tamper. Copyright 2018 Tim Carter

Where Do You Purchase Patio Pavers?

We did the same thing you did just a week ago. We went to a large local business that stocks just about any type of natural stone or precast concrete paver that’s available. It was exciting for me to see how the patio paver industry has matured.

I can clearly remember how limited the selection was many years ago when the first generation of this building material hit the marketplace. Decades ago all you could get were simple brick that measured about 4 x 8 inches. Now there are dozens of shapes, colors and textures.

Free & Fast Bids

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local paving stone contractors in case you feel like you can't do your own pavers.

What Type of Textures Are Available?

Kathy decided to go with a stunning paver that has a textured top surface that resembles slate. This design creates a random texture with deep shadow lines that might fool some into thinking it’s real slate.

Be sure you visit several stone and paver suppliers to see all the different patterns, colors and textures that are available. Not every business stocks every precast concrete paver.

Conflicting Installation Information Out There - BEWARE!

I happened to watch some of the videos online and shook my head. Installation methods meant for city streets were being touted as the way to do a small residential backyard patio that may have a lawnmower ride over it instead of a 40-ton loaded concrete truck!

Here's an example of a somewhat confusing video. This is a great video, but the deep gravel base they used will work to support large trucks on a driveway. The work being done was for a backyard patio that will just support the weight of people walking on it.

If you're a contractor reading this column, before you get your knickers in a knot, think about driving your car or pickup truck on nothing more than sand.

Yeah, I'll bet you never gave that a thought. Watch the following video and think about the concentrated loads at each tire. Some of the pickup trucks you see in this video weigh about 6,000 pounds.

The contact area where each tire touches the sand is only a small square about 6 inches on a side! Compacted sand that can't move sideways is very strong!

That means compacted sand alone would work fine for a simple backyard paver patio. Read more of Tim's comments on compacted sand in the May 13, 2018 AsktheBuilder Newsletter.

Do You Have To Put Gravel Under The Patio Pavers?

Ask five different paver contractors the way to install the paving stones and you might get five different methods. What really matters is the strength of the underlying soil under your patio, the size of the pavers you intend to use and how much weight will be placed upon any given paver.

Realize that compacted sand can be incredibly strong and is an easy material for a DIY person to handle.

Do Driveways Require the Gravel Base?

Precast concrete pavers that have to support the weight of cars, trucks and the like need a deep compacted base of crushed gravel. Compacted concrete sand is often placed on top of this. A thin final layer of setting sand is the actual surface you place the pavers onto.

Are Large Pavers An Advantage?

Larger paving stones act like building footings. They spread the weight put upon them across a greater area. This is why Kathy and I decided to use a three-piece set of pavers where the largest one measures 16 by 24 inches! Because our patio measures 10 by 24 feet, the large format also looks more to scale.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local paving stone contractors in case you feel like you can't do your own pavers.

Can Just Sand Support A Car or Truck?

Here’s something that many installers seem to forget. You can drive your car or truck on many sand beaches here in the USA.

I’ve done it with my full-sized pickup truck!

Sand Is Just Small Rock

Realize the vast majority of sand you see is just small pieces of rock. On some beaches it can be tiny pieces of sea shells or broken coral. In other words, compacted sand can provide a sufficient base for a paver patio that’s just going to have you walking across it.

Is a Paver Patio Really a DIY Job?

I fully believe if you’re in decent physical condition you can do this entire job yourself. Your only limitation is going to be if you can lift and hold the paving stones with your two hands. You need to be able to place the pavers very carefully so they drop onto the final layer of sand as flat as possible. When you visit the businesses that sell the stone, try to lift the largest paver you’re thinking of using.

Many Patios = Tested Methods

I’ve installed many paver patios. As you might suspect, I decided to test different methods for patios trying to discover the best method requiring the least amount of work. Using my geology degree and some common sense, I finally settled on using concrete sand under my patio pavers. The method I’d use for a paver driveway differs from what I’m about to share.

How Much Sand Is Needed?

Just a few days ago, I excavated the soil and then used a hand tamper to compact any disturbed soil. I then set wood forms on the soil that extended a minimum of 3 inches beyond the edge of the finished pavers. Just as roads have shoulders to support the pavement, I wanted my compacted sand to extend beyond the patio edge.

The upper left of the photo shows 3.5 inches of uncompacted sand that was dumped in between the two parallel 2x4s. I used the other 2x4 to scrape off any excess. Then I used the hand tamper to compact it. You can clearly see I was able to get it to compact 1 inch. I then gently sprinkled it with lots of water to help further compact it. Copyright 2018 Tim Carter

Concrete Sand Is Best

I like concrete sand because it has a wide variety of rock particles in the sand that range from fine sand all the way up to stones that are about the size of green peas. This sand is easy to shovel and place. I put down 3.5 inches and used my hand tamper to compact it. The tamper compacted this at least 3/4 of an inch. In some areas the sand compacted 1 inch.

Is It A Good Idea To Water The Sand?

I then used my garden hose with the garden nozzle set to shower to thoroughly wet down the compacted sand. The water flowing through the sand further consolidates the sand just as the sea water does at the beach.

The next step is to place the final thin layer of concrete sand on top of the compacted sand. You set your pavers on this layer gently making sure the edges of the pavers touch one another and they are set flat on the sand.

What Is Polymeric Sand For Joints?

The final step is to use new polymeric colored sand to fill the joint between the pavers.

Here's but one type of polymeric sand. This is very fine sand, usually silica sand, that's got Portland cement or other polymer adhesives that work like cement. They come in different colors to match the color of your pavers. You broom the sand into the joints between the pavers then wet it to activate the polymers and cement. CLICK THIS IMAGE NOW to view all the different brands and colors.

This special sand helps prevent weeds from growing in the cracks. My only complaint about the precast colored concrete pavers is they eventually change color as the colored cement paste wears off the top surface of the pavers. Do NOT pressure wash your paver patio as this accelerates the loss of the colored cement paste.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local paving stone contractors in case you feel like you can't do your own pavers.

Column 1205

Air Filter Particle Size Chart

Posted on July 17, 2017 by Tim Carter

Air Filter Particle Size TIPS

Cheap fiberglass furnace filters are for catching HUGE things
Paper pleated filters are superb
WATCH filter VIDEO below
HEPA filters are affordable and they work.
CLICK HERE to Get Tim's Free & Funny Newsletter!

Dust. pollen, mold float around your house every day in massive numbers. Now, I'm not trying to scare or upset you, it simply is a fact. Well, how would you like to be able to sift many of these particles from the air economically and efficiently?

Planes, Trains & Cars

What in the world do these things have to do with air? Well, all three of these massively complex machines have engines which use sophisticated air filtration equipment. Most of these filters are pleated paper filters, not spun glass. These paper filters easily trap extremely small pieces of dust and dirt that can cause costly damage.

What's more important? An engine or your lungs? So, why in the world are you still using one of those inexpensive fiberglass filters in your furnace or air conditioning equipment? I'll tell you why. For years, we (you & me) thought that those were the filters to use.

Did you know that those filters are not meant to purify the air you breathe? I'm serious. Their sole function is to keep LARGE particles of dirt, dust, hair, etc. from clogging the furnace and air conditioning equipment. Dirt, hair, etc. can clog coils, coat electric motors (causing overheating), and coat fan blades (causing inefficient air movement). It's your job to watch out for your own body.

Great Filter Overview Video

Watch this video to get an idea of all the different filters. You'll see how the crap fiberglass ones have low MERV ratings.

Free & Fast Bids

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local HVAC contractors who can install HEPA filters in your equipment.

If you want to STOP things from getting into your lungs in your house, then you need HEPA filters like this. CLICK THE PHOTO now to have these delivered to your home.

If this is a shock to you, well, welcome to the club! Until I did the research for this particular column and bulletin, I too, thought that the spun glass filters did a fairly decent job of air filtration. They do, it just depends upon who they are working for (the furnace or your lungs!).

Efficiency vs. Arrestance

Air filter performance is measured using a quite sophisticated testing procedure. Two of the things that are measured are the filter's efficiency and its ability to "arrest" or stop particles dead in their tracks. This is called arrestance. These two things are really quite different.

Efficiency is a measurement of how quickly a filter is stained by test dust. The measurement is determined by how much light passes through the filter at different time periods. As the filter gets more clogged with dirt, the less light it will transmit. Spun glass filters are so inefficient, that they do not even qualify for this test! They simply don't have the capability to trap enough fine test dust particles.

Arrestance a very interesting test. In this test, a certain weight of very specific test dust is fed into the test chamber. This test dust is made up of dust gathered from the desert area of Arizona, powdered carbon, and cotton linter fibers.

Prior to the test, the filter is accurately weighed. After the test, the filtered is weighed again. It's increase in weight is compared with the total weight of the test dust introduced. Comparing these two simple numbers enables you to see how effectively the filter traps or "arrests" dirt and dust.

You really need to pay attention to how a filter is advertised. Most good paper filters can arrest maybe 90% of the particles, however they may only have an efficiency of 20 - 30%. Purchasing a filter that is 20 -30% efficient is a huge improvement over the spun glass filters. Some of these filters are only 6 - 8% efficient. That is a HUGE difference!

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local HVAC contractors who can install HEPA filters in your equipment.

Pleats

The paper filters are made like car air and oil filters. These filters use pleated paper. By folding and pleating paper, you dramatically increase the square foot area available to trap dirt, dust, and pollen.

The pleats work to your advantage with respect to periodic replacement. Often a pleated paper filter might have 2 - 4 times the square foot area of a similar spun glass filter. This means that you quite possibly can leave it in your furnace for 3 - 4 times longer than a spun glass filter. When this is considered, these paper filters cost just about the same per month, as a spun glass filter.

Even if you have to spend twice as much per month, they are worth it. These pleated paper filters can keep your house and lungs quite clean.

Synthetic Fiber Filters

You can also purchase efficient air filters made from synthetic polyester fibers. Sometimes these filters are treated with an adhesive which helps trap dust and dirt particles. Efficiency and arrestance capabilities can match those of the paper filters.

Microns

A micron is a form of measurement, just like an inch or a mile. But, it is much, much smaller than both of those. A micron is one-millionth of a meter or equivalent to 1/25,400 th of an inch. Man, that's small!

The filters we have been talking about can trap some pretty small particles. For example, some of these filters can trap mold spores and pollen. These particles often range in the differ size from 5 - 10 microns in diameter. To put that in perspective to things we are more familiar with, lets look at a strand of ordinary hair. I think you will agree that a piece of hair is pretty darned thin. Guess what, an average hair is approximately 150 microns wide!

That should give you an idea of how effective some of these paper and synthetic fiber filters can actually be.

If you want to STOP things from getting into your lungs in your house, then you need HEPA filters like this. CLICK THE PHOTO now to have these delivered to your home.

Bacteria, Viruses, Mold, etc.

If you suffer from allergies related to the above items, these filters may be of interest to you. In certain cases, they can stop certain molds and fungi. They are somewhat less effective in stopping bacteria, as bacteria range in size from .1 microns all the way up to 60 microns. Viruses are another story. Most of these are quite small. They usually range in size from .01 to .2 microns in size. To trap viruses, you need special air filters and modifications to your furnace blower. The filters that trap viruses are also expensive. They are used in hospital environments to limit the spread of disease.

Most of us do not need this level of protection. Shop around for a pleated paper filter and the trip will be worth it. Once installed, you will readily see the difference in your home. No more dusting of the furniture!

Particle Size Comparison Chart in Microns

The below chart illustrates the relative size of some common dust, dirt, pollen, mold, etc. particles that you might recognize by name. Particles of the same thing are not always the exact same size. In fact, there can be huge variances. That is why they are shown, on this chart, by a line. The line dictates the size range of each particle.

Air Filter Particle Size

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local HVAC contractors who can install HEPA filters in your equipment.

Column B79

Fixing 3 Way Switch & 4 Way Switch Wiring Problems

Posted on July 15, 2017 by Tim Carter

Fixing a 3 Way Switch TIPS

Use a voltage tester to help with this job
You just need to identify the continuous hot wire and the wire that goes to the light fixture
WATCH the EASY VIDEOS below
Be careful working with energized conductors
CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter!

Existing 3 Way Switches

Virtually every house has at least one set of three way switches. They may be at the bottom and the top of stairways. Often they can be found at either end of a hallway. If one breaks or you wish to replace them with more decorative switches, you can often confuse the wires.

How to Wire a 3 Way Switch Video

If you hook up either one or both of the three way switches incorrectly, they will not operate properly. One switch may turn the lights on and off, while the other switch does nothing.

Which Wire is What?

Let's assume you are in a mess right now. The switches don't work. You don't have a continuity tester. Here is how to fix them. The first thing that must be done is to identify the two common or traveler wires. WATCH THE ABOVE VIDEO to see what those wires are.

FREE & FAST BIDS

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local electricians in case you're too scared or frustrated to fix your 3-way switch.

Find the HOT Wire First

Identifying the travelers at each switch is done by finding the continuous hot wire at one switch and then discovering the wire at the other switch that goes to the light fixture.

One of the wires in the two three-way switches is ALWAYS hot assuming the circuit breaker is on.

Start by turning off the power to the switch circuit at the circuit breaker.

Disconnect all the wires from BOTH switches.

Be sure the wires are NOT touching anything and the bare copper ends are sticking out of the boxes and not touching anything.

Using a Voltage Tester

Use a voltage tester to find it. Watch this video to see how to use a voltage tester while a wire is HOT:

Be Careful

To identify the hot wire with a voltage tester, you need to work with the electric while it's energized.

Once you identify the HOT wire, connect that wire to the black screw at the switch you're working on. Refer once again to my own video above. Watch it again.

Go to the other switch and now find the wire that goes to the light fixture. You can do this using an extension cord that's plugged into an outlet. When you insert each of the wires at the second switch ONE AT A TIME into the hot plug socket on the extension cord, the light above will come on.

Take this wire and attach it to the black screw on the switch.

Attach the remaining two wires at each switch to the brass screws. It doesn't matter which wire goes to with brass screw.

VICTORY!

Congratulations on your success!!!!

Column B141

July 13, 2017 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on July 14, 2017 by Tim Carter

I think it's been three weeks since we last communicated, unless of course you're a new subscriber and this is your first issue! Welcome!

The last week of June, I was on the Norwegian cruise liner Dawn and had a marvelous time. It was my first cruise and WOW was I impressed. The Dawn left Boston at 4:00 p.m. on June 23rd and arrived in Bermuda the morning of June 25th.

I had the unique opportunity to interact with many of the crew, including Alain Magnier, the Hotel Director. The hotel director is just below the captain on the ship's organizational chart. Alain is completely in charge of the passenger and crew experience on the ship. It's a huge responsibility.

I'm in the process of writing a big story about the Dawn and how it compares in a way to your home. I know that seems crazy but wait until you read my story, see my photos and videos.

I had the pleasure of conducting a one-hour interview with Alain and then we ate a delicious lunch in Cagney's Steakhouse on board the ship as it made its way back to Boston from Bermuda.

In addition to speaking with Alain, I also had the great good fortune to meet and talk with:

CLICK each of their names above and read the stories about each of these super professional crew members. If you go on cruises and don't reach out and talk to the crew, I feel you're missing something. Most are very congenial and will engage you in conversation.

Here's a photo of Linda and I taken the night before we got back to Boston:

Electronic Stove Igniters

Yesterday I solved a pesky problem with Kathy's stove. The gas burners ignite using a spark igniter. The igniter is supposed to stop clicking and sparking once the flame starts.

Well, ours kept sparking. I was able to solve the problem in minutes using some rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs.

All you do is soak the tip of a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and rub the grease and dirt off the tip of the entire igniter and the burner area where the spark jumps to from the ignitor.

It only took me about five minutes to clean all eight ignitors.

Try this is you're having issue with your stove.

Car Rental Experts - Please Help Me!

My next adventure is in one month. I'll be doing a factory tour where the magnificent KEEN shoes and boots are made.

CLICK HERE to understand why I'm investing the time to travel 3,000 miles to this factory.

The KEEN headquarters are in downtown Portland, Oregon. WOOT! The list of US states I haven't visited will now be down to three after this trip! I've never been to Oregon. After that I need to get to North Dakota, Alaska and Hawaii. But I digress.

About ten days after the KEEN tour ends, I need to be in San Francisco for a meeting. It seemed nuts to fly all the way back to New Hampshire and then a week later fly back out, so I'm staying out west.

This is where I need you if you're a SUPER EXPERT about renting cars. I'm looking for the absolute best deal on a one-way car rental from Portland, OR down to San Francisco. I already know you can usually get better deals not picking the car up from the airports.

But what are the other secrets?

If you're a car rental expert, please consider reaching out and help me get a super deal. I'd pick up the car mid morning of August 4th in Portland and I'd return it to the SFO airport early on the morning of August 16th.

It can be a tiny car. I'm not particular.

Oregon / N. California Meet Ups???

This trip will produce opportunities for a few meet ups if you live in Portland, OR or San Fransisco, CA or in between these two cities. Reach out to me if you want to do a meet up and let me know where you are so I can see if we can make it work.

Dishwasher Money-Saving Tips

About two months ago, I noticed that the glasses coming out of my dishwasher were not really clean. They had a film on them.

I do have a water softener and it was operating just fine. The rinsing agent reservoir in the dishwasher was also filled with the magic blue liquid.

I traced the issue to a DISGUSTING grease-clogged filter in the bottom of the dishwasher under the rotating arm that squirts water.

GROSS!!!! I was able to get the filter looking like new soaking it overnight in my Stain Solver oxygen bleach.

Stain Solver really does a great job of attacking grease. Once the filter was clean, the glasses looked great again.

While we're at it on dishwashers, here's another tip.

You know the little dispenser you fill with detergent that gets the dishes clean? Do you fill those all the way each load?

STOP doing that. Start TESTING NOW.

I've discovered that I only need to fill the main reservoir only about 1/3 of the way with a name-brand liquid cleaner to get perfectly clean dishes.

I also fill the pre-wash reservoir only 1/2 way.

You'll end up buying far less detergent if you find the sweet spot for your machine.

My guess is the dishwasher manufacturers oversize the reservoirs in case you buy a crap detergent that doesn't work so well so you need to put more in.

New Columns For You

Here are a few new columns for you to help increase your knowledge:

Tub Tile Grout Repair

Treated Wood Rot

Blacktop Driveway Types

New Videos Coming

I'm about to tape a series of videos showing how to cut and thread black iron pipe. I think you're really going to be amazed at how SIMPLE it is.

That's enough for today. Help me out on the car rental please if you like challenges.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

Do It Right, Not Over!