Repair Broken Double Pane Window Glass

Posted on by Tim Carter

Repairing a Broken Double Pane Window Glass

Rich Sinclair who lives in Hainesport, New Jersey emailed me asking the following question:

"Can you replace only one broken pane of a double pane window?"

The answer is simply: No

Double pane, or insulated glass, is made by taking two pieces of glass and separating them with a special spacer that has an adhesive on it. The space between the two panes of glass is filled with argon gas at the factory.

It's virtually impossible to peel off the broken glass from the seal spacer and then install a new piece of glass.

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You ruin the spacer in the process.

You can't apply a new piece of glass to the special spacer.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local glass companies that can make a NEW insulated glass panel for your window.

What is Smokey Film on Car Windshields and Windows

Posted on by Tim Carter

Smokey Film on Car Windows TIPS

You might think that smokey film on car glass comes from all the bacon and eggs you have in your house. Not true!

Vicki Mead, who resides in Jonesboro, Arkansas, asked me with a tinge of smoker's guilt this question:

"First of all:  I don't smoke, so that is not an issue.  But there is a film that develops on the INSIDE of the car window.

I live in the sunny south and when the sun strikes that film, it is blinding!  Do you have a solution for that? I don't think the ideas given in your window cleaning videos (which are great for outside windows) would be good for the inside of a car window."

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Here's my response to Vicki:

Vicki, maybe someone is borrowing your car and they're smoking. Just kidding!

The film you see is created by all the plastic that's inside your car.

When your car is out in the sun, the sun heats up the interior to 130-145F or so. This heat creates off-gassing of the plastic dashboard and all other components.

The plastic molecules get into the air and then settle on the glass surfaces.

It's easy to remove it with just a soap and water solution. I use any decent liquid dish soap and water.

It's important to wash the glass when it's cool and in the shade. I prefer to wash my truck glass in the morning when I know the glass is cool.

I wash it twice with soapy water made from Stain Solver and a regular liquid dish soap. Rinse out the sponge well in the soapy solution as you wash.

Stain Solver black background yellow scoop

Stain Solver is formulated to RAPIDLY CLEAN the smokey film on auto glass.  It's MADE in the USA with USA ingredients that are food-grade quality.

Then you need to rinse well with clear water. Rinse twice using fresh water each time.

Dry the glass with an old, but a decent, bath towel.

The glass will look like new. If you get streaks, that means you don't have all the plastic crap off the glass yet. Repeat the cleaning process.

IMPORTANT TIP:  NEVER get into your car if it's been sitting in the sun without opening both doors and allowing fresh outdoor air to replace the polluted air in the car. Inhaling that plastic could cause lung cancer or cause you to grow a tail, fins or something!!!!

CLICK HERE  to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local window cleaning companies - seriously - that can get your car windows perfectly CLEAN!

Replacing A Window Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Replacing a Window

Before you start to take out an old window, be sure you have the correct new window ready to go. Double check the measurements to ensure it will fit. At the very least, have a piece of plywood or OSB to cover the opening in case something goes wrong.

1/2-Inch Gap

When a window is placed in a rough opening, it should sit level on the sill and there should be a 1/2-inch gap on the sides and top of the window frame. This gap is filled with a special expanding foam after the window has been fastened properly according to the written installation instructions.

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AAMA Gold Label

Click here to read a past column I've written about the benefits of getting an AAMA-approved window.

Great Foam Sealant

After the window is installed, use this foam to stop air leaks around the new window.

Touch-n-Foam

This is a brand-name foam that's meant to be sprayed around the frames of windows and doors. CLICK THE IMAGE NOW TO BUY IT.

After removing that old window, you have to replace that opening with a new window. The new window with the glass in place will be very heavy. It is best to remove the windowpanes from the frame. This will make handling the frame a lot easier.

Take the frame and gently tilt it into place and stay the process of leveling and squaring it up. Using levels, get the frame level and plumb in the opening. Use shims to hold the frame in place. Put the window panes back in. This will help in squaring up the window frame. Once back in place, check along the bottom of the windows to be sure the reveal is the same. Now, start nailing the window in place.

Use 10 or 12 penny finish nails in the sides of the frame. Check the window manufacturer's recommendations for the number and placement of the nails. The next step is to place installation around the window frame and cover the outside with special tape to stop air infiltration. Replace the window trim and you are done.

Follow these steps, and take your time. The window replacement project will go quickly and easily.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local replacement window contractors. Be sure to ask about AAMA gold-label windows. They're the BEST.

Condensation on New Windows

Posted on by Tim Carter
590 tim installing window on ladder

Installing new windows does not guarantee that your condensation problems will disappear. PHOTO CREDIT: Kathy Carter

Condensation on New Windows TIPS

  • New windows cause indoor humidity to go UP - SEE BELOW
  • AAMA gold-label windows are best and have least condensation
  • Trace cause of high indoor humidity - could be houseplants or cooking
  • Check humidity with high-quality hygrometer - see below link
  • CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter!

DEAR TIM: I'm at my wits end. The new replacement windows in our home are fogging up and some have dripping water on the inside pane of glass.

I thought by buying new windows I would eliminate condensation forever. Are the windows defective?

What's happening and what, if anything, can be done to minimize the problem? Pamela S., Gatlinburg, TN

DEAR PAMELA: The condensation on your new windows is very unfortunate.

Multiple Moisture Sources

The source of the problem is not easy to trace and to make matters worse, there can be multiple things that are happening that can contribute to the problem. It's my opinion that you will solve the problem using old-fashioned detective work that employs the process of elimination.


Related Links

Window Condensation is Common

Simple Science of Condensation

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Water Vapor + Cool Glass = Condensation

Let's start the investigation by reviewing what causes condensation on windows, in crawlspaces, on air conditioning ducts and even in attics. The air inside your home contains moisture. It is invisible water vapor, but it is there.

You and all of the people in your family contribute to this moisture each time you exhale. Try fogging a mirror with your breath and you will see what I mean.

condensation new windows

This is condensation that's turned to frost on new windows. It's a piece of high quality insulated glass in my man cave. The outdoor temperature was minus 6 F and there's NO humidifier in this building! The same frost on nails could be happening in my attic! Copyright 2018 Tim Carter

Sources of Water Vapor

Lots of other things around your home also contribute to the addition of water vapor in the air. Uncovered ground in crawlspaces, indoor plants, laundry hung out to dry, cooking activities, aquariums, humidifiers, etc. all add water vapor to the air.

Add to this the natural humidity that Mother Nature contributes to the air all around us and you can see that humidity is a very common thing.

Warm Air Holds More Water

The amount of humidity in the air can rise and fall depending upon the temperature of the air. Warm or hot air has the ability to hold much more water vapor than cool or cold air.

So the humidity in air is relative. Relative humidity is defined as the percentage of water vapor in a given amount of air at a given temperature.

Dew Point

When this percentage gets to 100 percent, the water vapor, a gas, changes from a gas to a liquid. Meteorologists refer to this complete saturation as the dew point.

Cool Glass

Water is forming on your new windows because one of several things is happening. The temperature of the inner glass surface is at or below the dew point for the amount of humidity in your inside air.

New Windows Cause Humidity To RISE

The humidity of your indoor air is quite possibly much higher now with your new windows because the air leaks around your old windows were eliminated once the new windows were installed. Cold, drier air that leaks into homes from the outdoors lowers the relative humidity indoors.

This is one reason people have static electricity problems in drafty homes during the winter months. Dry air makes it very easy for the static sparks to transfer from your hands to grounded objects.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local window replacement contractors. Ask about AAMA windows. See below.

Test Humidity With Hygrometer

I suggest you purchase a decent hygrometer for under $50.00. This tool will allow you to get accurate readings of indoor humidity.

Start to take daily readings and then look around to see if you have things that add too much water to the air. Make sure crawlspace soil is covered with high-performance vapor retarders.

This is a fantastic high-quality hygrometer. It says Psychrometer on it, but that's the fancy name for hygrometer. CLICK THE IMAGE NOW TO HAVE THIS DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME.

Eliminate Humidity Sources

Minimize the number of indoor plants you might have. Run kitchen exhaust fans if you boil lots of water when you cook. If you have a vent-free fireplace, limit its use as it produces vast amounts of water vapor when it burns natural gas.

Be sure to operate bathroom exhaust fans during bathing activities and pipe this humid air directly to the outdoors.

Blow Air Across Windows

If you discover that your indoor humidity is not too high using your hygrometer, then you can minimize or eliminate the condensation by creating air movement around the windows. Just as blowing air dries say laundry things outdoors, air blowing over the interior glass will act just like the defroster does in your automobile.

Dangers Of Stopping Air Infiltration

Efforts to stop air leakage into homes can create all sorts of secondary effects. One of them is potential increases in indoor relative humidity levels. Indoor air pollution levels can also rise.

Tightly-constructed new homes or older homes where energy-savings measures are employed create situations where little fresh air enters a home to equalize humidity and freshness.

AAMA Windows Have Least Condensation

Not all windows are made to the same standards. Some new windows may use poor-quality parts and poor construction methods that allow the glass temperature of the inner pane of glass to be much cooler than a well-built window. The best windows are those that come with the AAMA Gold Label on the frame.

The cooler pane of glass will show condensation before a warmer pane of glass. This is why an empty drinking glass on a kitchen counter or a piece of glass in a picture frame has no condensation while a window two feet away is fogged up or dripping with water.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local window replacement contractors. Ask about AAMA windows.

Column 590

Brick Window Sill Leaking

Posted on by Tim Carter
Brick Window Sill Leaking

Water will obviously pour into the holes in the mortar joints in this brick window sill. It will also seep through where the mortar touches the brick. Look below for the best brick mortar. Photo Credit: © Copyright 2020 Tim Carter

Brick Window Sill Leaking TIPS

  • Leak-proof brick sills are ones that have flashings under them
  • Hard to retrofit existing brick sills
  • Use thin bendable stainless steel for best flashings - SEE BELOW
  • Solvent-based silane siloxane sealer could help stop leaks
  • CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter!

DEAR TIM: After noticing some bubbled paint inside my home under a few windows, I did an inspection of the outside of my home and discovered holes in the mortar of my brick window sills.

It’s obvious water is getting into the walls at these entry points. If I just caulk these will my water leak problem be solved?

I’m beginning to wonder if the brick sills were installed correctly for this to happen. What’s the best practice for installing brick and door windows sills so there’s no water leakage? Maria S., Parma Heights, OH

DEAR MARIA: I commend you on noticing the problem in your home and then taking action to determine what might be the cause. All too often people ignore warning signs about things happening to their homes that might eventually turn into serious problems.

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How Do You Build Sills That Don't Leak?

I’d like to start by saying it’s going to be impossible for me in this limited space to provide you with the step-by-step process to create leak-proof brick window and door sills. One could easily write a book about the topic. But I’ll provide you with plenty of information so you have a crystal-clear understanding of what’s involved.

Do All Brick Buildings Leak?

Let’s start by discussing the water-resistance of brick buildings. I often find that most homeowners and business people consider brick structures to be waterproof. The truth is water enters into brick walls with relative ease.

In your case, with the holes in the mortar, it’s quite obvious water will pour into the cavity behind the brick.

Is Brick Veneer The Worst Leaker?

Yes, a brick veneer building is the worst leaker if not built correctly. Many modern brick homes and some commercial buildings are constructed with a brick veneer. This means the brick is just one wythe thick. The brick is just a facade and not offering any structural support whatsoever.

Older brick homes and multi-family structures you might find in just about any older city or town were often two, or even three, wythes thick. These thicker walls were not only structural in nature, they were designed to be highly water resistant.

Where Does the Water Leak?

While the brick itself is very resistant to water passing through it, and to a degree the mortar between the brick, the interface where the mortar touches up against the brick provides a pathway for water to enter into a brick wall. You can’t see this crack because it’s often very small, but it exists.

Why Don't Old Brick Buildings Leak?

Years ago, builders and brick masons observed what was happening and they used different brick in an exterior wall to help stop water from getting inside the structure. The brick that you’d see on the outside of the building was harder and denser than the brick hidden inside the walls.

This softer brick acted like a sponge to absorb water during a rainstorm. After the storm passed, it the water would be sucked from the inner brick by wind and sunlight that washed over the exterior brick facing.

Why Is Brick Veneer Bad?

Brick veneer buildings lack this soft inner brick and the water can flow down the back of the single layer of brick. If the structural wood-frame walls are not covered with a waterproof membrane, or this membrane has a leak in it, then water can get into the wall. This can cause wood rot, mold, mildew and bubbling paint as you know all about.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local brick masons who specialize in tuckpointing brick sills and walls.

What is the Best Silane Siloxane Sealer?

You may be able to stop brick sill leaks by ensuring all cracks and holes are filled. Then you can apply multiple coats of the below solvent-based silane / siloxane sealer. Read the instructions to ensure you're doing the job right.

silane - siloxane water repellent

This is a magnificent silane - siloxane water repellent that soaks into concrete. CLICK THIS IMAGE NOW TO ORDER IT.

What are the Best Practices Flashings?

The best practices published by the Brick Industry Association call for flashings under window and door sills. These flashings collect the water that leaks through the mortar joints and redirects it to the outside of the wall.

stainless steel flashings

This is a fantastic stainless steel flashing you can mold yourself to fit any brick sill opening. CLICK THE IMAGE NOW TO ORDER THIS AMAZING NO-RUST PRODUCT.

Base flashings are also required under the first course of brick as well as at other locations on brick veneer walls. NEVER use aluminum for flashing with brick. The alkali chemicals in the brick and mortar will cause the aluminum to corrode over time.

It's better to use stainless steel as it will never corrode in most locations. The only place you need special stainless steel is brick that's exposed to direct salt spray or salt fog near the ocean or a sea.

Water Channel Products

Other materials are often placed behind the brick veneer to ensure that wet mortar falling behind the brick doesn’t block the flashings and any weep holes at the base of the brick walls. These weep holes are installed on purposes and allow the water to flow out of the wall.

It requires a significant amount of skill and attention to detail to do all the things needed to ensure a brick veneer wall does not leak.

Should I Caulk Holes?

I’d not caulk the holes. I’d fill the holes with mortar that matches what you have. To match mortar, you need to get sand that matches the sand the original bricklayer used.

Look closely at the mortar joints paying attention to the size and color of the individual grains of sand. Realize when you mix up the new mortar the cement paste in the mortar mix will coat all the sand making the color of the mortar all the same shade.

Over time, natural weathering washes away the thin mortar film revealing the sand. If you wait thirty days, you can do a mild acid wash of the new mortar patches so you see the sand without having to wait decades.

Apply the acid/water solution very carefully to just the new mortar using a small brush. You’ll see the acid start to bubble as it reacts with the alkaline mortar paste. Rinse well with clear water.

What is the Best Mortar?

If you ever build a brick veneer home again, you can help minimize water leaking into the wall cavity by using the same mortar masons used well over a hundred years ago. Modern mortars have a high Portland cement content. Old mortars had minor amounts of Portland cement and much more hydrated lime.

The best mix for a lime mortar is to blend 8 parts hydrated lime with 2 parts of fine volcanic sand that has a high silica content. Light-colored volcanic ash usually has a high silica content. You then add this blend to the normal amount of sand you'd use to create traditional mortar.

Hydrated lime is a magical ingredient because if a small tiny crack develops after the brick is installed, water reacting with the lime causes new microscopic crystals to grow filling the crack in many cases. I urge you to find a mason that’s familiar with hydrated lime mortars.

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.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local brick masons who specialize in tuckpointing brick sills and walls.

Column 1165

 

Remove An Old Window Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Remove An Old Window

Not all windows are easy to remove. Perhaps the hardest ones are old steel casement windows set in a masonry wall.

These steel windows have fins that fit in a groove between the layers of brick and block. You need to cut the bottom and top of the window frame with a sawzall, pry up the frame, continue to cut the fin and then try to pry the window out of the opening.

Wood Windows Easier

Removing a wood window is far easier. Watch the video to see how easy it is.

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Thinking about replacing the windows in your house? Is it a tough project? Well... It can and it can't be. You have to be sure you have everything ready so you can do the job right away.

First step is to remove the old window from the house. On a wood house, you start by removing the wood trim on the outside of the house. Use a wide pry bar to gently pry off the wood trim. Once the outside trim has been removed, go inside the house and remove all the trim inside.

Next, take a sawzall with a metal cutting blade and place it between the wall studs and the window frame. Use the saw to cut the nails holding the window frame in place. After all the nails have been cut, remove the window sashes from the frame. Use the sawzall to cut the bottom of the window sill. This will allow you to pull the frame out of the window opening.

Now that the old window has been removed, it is time to install the new window. You did order the new window?

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local replacement window contractors.

Patio Pavers

Posted on by Tim Carter

Patio Pavers

This is a patio at my last home that was built with traditional clay brick pavers. They could have been set in sand, but laying them in mortar creates a traditional look and feel. You can see how my wife has continued the tradition of potted flowers on the edges of the patio. She knows my favorite ones are the small red flowers. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

Patio Pavers TIPS

  • Concrete paving brick will fade in time looking ugly
  • Clay paving brick have solid color through and through
  • Set brick on concrete or a sand/cement blend base - SEE BELOW
  • Mortaring brick to concrete is hard work but gorgeous
  • CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter!

DEAR TIM: I've decided to use patio pavers to build a nice outdoor space. Installing patio pavers seems easy enough.

I don't want to make a mistake, so can you tell me how to install patio pavers? What method would you use?

What should I be concerned about if I want a patio that looks good and is as maintenance free as possible? Kay H., Rochester, NY

DEAR KAY: Just before I was married, I got my first taste of patios made with paver brick.

Future Mother-In-Law Project

My future mother-in-law wanted a red-brick patio and discovered some used paving brick for the job. I installed them using some common sense and lots of luck and sweat. The full-sized brick were set on a compacted base of dry sand mixed with cement. Believe it or not, that patio looks like the day I finished it, and that was decades ago!

I built this patio in 1973 a year before I got married. We had our wedding reception at the house and many sat on this patio. The photos below were taken in September of 2016 when I visited the house to help close out the estate of my in-laws. You can see the patio is still in fantastic condition considering the simple base of coarse sand and Portland cement.

wide shot of patio with Patio Pavers

This is a wide shot of the patio. My mother-in-law at the time didn't want all the brick to be perfectly flat. She wanted a weathered look as if the patio had been down for a hundred years. When she was alive and had her potted flowers around it, it was gorgeous. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter RIP Mary Jane!

close-up shot of the paving brick

This is a close-up shot of the paving brick made with clay. These were salvaged from some other job and I chipped off the excess mortar from all of them. My mother-in-law used to sit on this patio each spring, summer and fall morning in good weather drinking her steaming hot coffee. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter RIP Mary Jane

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Concrete Patio Brick - Not The Same

Since then, the concrete industry got involved in the patio business. I distinctly remember when colored concrete interlocking paving brick became the belle of the ball.

They were the rage, and are still quite popular. But I feel the mortarless concrete products do not have the character of a real paving brick made from clay. When you go the next step and add mortar in between red-clay paving brick, you really have a classic look. Refer to the picture at the top of this column.

Concrete Brick Patio Video

Here's a video I taped back in 2009 with a horrible Flip video camera. The camera is moving too much and it's hard on your eyes. But you can see a version of concrete paving brick and how it might fade over time.

Onions and Watermelons

What's more, you can't really compare traditional clay brick with the newer colored concrete interlocking pavers. The concrete brick start to lose their color as the colored cement paste begins to wear off the surface of the brick revealing the sand and gravel in the brick.

To me, traditional clay brick reminds me of watermelon because it's red through to the core. If you chip a traditional clay brick, the color is the same. I don't want my patio brick to change color over time.

Traditional Brick Requires Skill

But constructing a brick patio in such a way as to create a traditional look takes skill and lots of time. I know, as my wife had me do this on our two patios as well as our front sidewalk at two different homes!

First Attempt - Big #FAIL

The first time I did a paving-brick job at my own home, I tried a new method of setting the brick in sand. It was a dismal failure.

Weeds grew in between the brick and each time it rained, the water would bring sand up to the surface from between the small cracks. This sand got tracked inside our home making a mess of things. When the moles showed up and pushed up the brick, that was the final straw.

Redo

I tore up that sidewalk and taught myself how to install patio pavers over concrete. The sidewalk and patio I did at my second home are still in fantastic shape today, and get all sorts of compliments from the present owners as well as the neighbors.

Field Trip - Look At Patios

My suggestion to you is to talk with friends and go see if you can visit different patios that have been down for twenty or more years. See what they look like after Mother Nature has had her way.

As I said above,  I don't like about the colored concrete paver patios because the brick change color.

The pigmented cement paste does wear off the sand and gravel in the concrete, and when this happens the color appears to fade. This color change is actually caused by you seeing the true color of the aggregate in the concrete.

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

Fade-Free Clay

This is but one reason why I prefer traditional clay-brick pavers. The color never fades, as the clay is the same color through the entire brick. When you purchase paver brick that have been fired to resist weather, the color is locked in and does not change.

The clay in the brick actually becomes like rock, and weather and oxidation seem to have no effect on the appearance of the brick.

Mortar Brick to Concrete

To achieve a traditional look for your patio that will not produce loose sand and is mole-proof, you mortar the brick to a concrete slab. This process is time consuming and expensive, but it produces a stunning look that can last decades with no maintenance other than an annual cleaning to remove dirt and any algae.

Look At Old Patios

The key thing to remember is that all new patios look really good once they are complete. But I feel you should think about what will it look like in 10, 15 and even 25 years.

Why not invest in a patio surface that will have a rich and traditional appeal and be one that requires virtually no work once it is installed? That is what I have at my home and you could never convince me to install anything other than traditional clay paving brick.

Hard & Heavy Work

Installing any hard patio surface will be lots of hard work. There are new tiny excavating machines that allow you to dig with ease. Be sure to visit a tool rental store to see what kind of machinery will allow you to do the work with a minimum of effort.

Concrete With Steel Rods

If you decide to pour a concrete slab that will serve as the foundation for your patio, be sure the concrete is at least 4-inches thick and has steel rods in it. The steel minimizes cracks and holds the concrete together in one giant piece.

The half-inch-diameter steel rods need to be in the center of the concrete and spaced at 2-foot on center both directions. The steel mat should resemble an empty crossword puzzle.

Slope For Drainage

Be sure to slope the patio away from your house. The slope should be about one-eighth inch per foot. This slight slope will give the appearance that the patio is level, but is enough that water readily will flow out into the yard.

Plan For Utilities

Before you pour the concrete, think about installing any underground utilities. Now is the time to run conduit or new downspout drain lines.

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

Column 727

Roof Shingles with Copper – Algae Resistant

Posted on by Tim Carter

Roof Shingles with Copper TIPS

Asphalt shingles are a very common building material in many new homes built in the Midwest. Even homes that cost a cool seven figures can sport premium cut shingles that look like slate or cedar shakes.

Black Stains & Streaks

But no matter how much you spend on your new home or its roof, the shingles can develop ugly black streaks in short order if you don't purchase special algae-resistant shingles. That said, there's a better way to prevent the black stains. I cover it below, so keep reading.

The ugly stains I am talking about often look like upside down ice cream cones. Far up on north or east facing roofs, you may see a small black spot and a widening fan of black that grows and spreads as it heads towards the gutter line. There can be multiple areas of this streaking.

In the photo below, the algae stains have consumed the entire roof except for two areas. You don't see the ice-cream cone look here.

 

Shingles with Copper

Much of this roof is covered with black algae streaks. But two areas are not because of the metal that washes onto the roof each time it rains. At the top of the roof is a cupola with a copper roof. Copper is the key to stopping algae stains.  Copyright 2017 Tim Carter ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

 

In the worst cases, the entire roof turns a disgraceful color of deep gray or black.

Microscopic Algae

The cause of this streaking is a simple organism - Gloeocapsa magma. This microscopic organism or algae actually eats an ingredient found in many asphalt shingles.

The algae is harmless and the feeding does not cause any damage whatsoever to the shingles. The dark coloration is simply a buildup of the dead dark discolored cells that sluff off of the actively growing algae.

The algae organism has been around for years but it only recently became a problem because of a significant change in how asphalt shingles are made. Years ago a heavy felt paper was used as the foundation of the shingle.

This thick felt mat absorbed the liquid asphalt that creates the waterproof barrier on your roof. The felt was made from cheap cotton rags. But the introduction of polyester fabrics decades years ago caused the cotton rag market to shrink. Due to a dwindling supply of raw materials, the felt manufactures developed fiberglass mats and thus fiberglass shingles were born.

Too Much Limestone?

But the trouble with fiberglass is that it didn't absorb as much asphalt and the resulting shingle was simply too lightweight. Shingle manufacturers decided to add weight to the shingles by combining powdered limestone with the liquid asphalt.

It worked. The resulting shingles were close to the original weight of those made with the traditional thick felt mats.

No Black Decades Ago

But the evidence suggests that some shingle manufacturers might be adding too much limestone to their shingles. Black algae stains were not normal decades ago. Limestone is cheaper than asphalt.

If you were a publicly traded shingle manufacturer and Wall Street analysts were on quarterly conference calls probing how you were going to increase profits, what might you do? 

Would you start to lower the cost of making your shingles? Would you take shortcuts?

Heat & Humidity

Everyone seemed to be happy for a few years but all of a sudden roofs in humid climates started to develop the black streaking. Upon investigation, it turns out that the powdered limestone was a scrumptious food for the algae!

The algae had been on roofs for years, but it never was able to grow as there was not enough to eat. It's my opinion that decades ago there was a lower amount of limestone in the shingles and the asphalt coated it so well the algae couldn't get to the food.

If there's a higher amount of limestone in the mix as a filler, then there's a greater chance some of the limestone will be at the surface of the shingles and/or have a lighter coating of asphalt that wears away exposing the limestone to the algae.

Copper = Natural Biocide

It didn't take too long to figure out how to prevent the growth of algae on roofs. Those roofs that sported copper or zinc metal flashings at plumbing vent pipes, chimneys or ridges had no algae growth below those areas where the flashing was exposed to the weather.

copper strips on roof

If you want to STOP algae staining just install copper strips on your roof. On most roofs you can't see these from the ground. The copper weathers FAST to a gorgeous nut brown in a few months. Click on the image to purchase copper strips for your roof.

These metal flashings sacrifice small amounts of the actual metal due to the ultraviolet light of the sun. About five percent of the UV rays contain energetic photons that blast apart the copper atomic bonds. Each time it rained, some of the copper or zinc washed down on to the roofs. This microscopic bits of metal poisoned the algae and it simply would not grow.

Roof Algae & Moss Removal Video

Watch this video for proof positive about how well copper works to keep algae and moss from a roof. It's my own home!!!

Best Protection

The good news is that you can buy new shingles that have copper built in to the colored granules. You can't see the copper, but it is there. It weathers just the same as a solid metal flashing and the entire roof surface becomes unpalatable to the algae.

The issue is I bought some of these shingles to put on my own garden shed and it still developed the black algae. It's my belief the manufacturer didn't put enough of the copper-coated granules in the shingles.

The best way to STOP the black stains is to install solid copper strips up at the ridge line of your roof or along the angled hips if you have a hip roof.

If you do this, you'll also extend the life of your asphalt shingles by decades.

I wrote a book about why asphalt shingles are falling apart and discovered in the process how copper can slow the oxidation of asphalt. You can get all the details in my Roofing Ripoff book.

Source of BEST Copper

I tried to get a patent on my discovery but it's not possible. So I decided to come up with a way for you to get the best copper for the LEAST amount of money.

You can buy the copper you need to prevent the black stains from me or anyone else you choose. 

I sell the perfect weight of copper and mine comes with the correct nails you need to install it.

Go to www.copperroofstrips.com to get it.

Clean With Oxygen Bleach

If your existing roof is stained with the algae and you need to clean it so you sell your house for more money, you can clean the roof. I have found that oxygen bleach is the safest way to do this job. Oxygen bleach is a powder that is mixed with water.

Watch the video just below to see how to remove algae stains from roofs using Stain Solver oxygen bleach.

You apply the solution to a cool roof and let it soak for 20 to 30 minutes. It is important to keep the roof surface wet with the solution. At the end of the wait period, lightly scrub with a push broom and rinse with a garden hose.

Difficult stains may require multiple cleanings.

Once the existing roof is clean, you can keep it algae-free by installing strips of copper at key locations. You simply want rain water to be able to hit a 6-inch wide area of copper.

Install the strips at the top roof ridge and any other place at the top of a roof so that you are fully protected. PURCHASE the copper strips you need using this link.

 

For more, read Tim's Beware Miracle Transformation Products.

Bulletin 082

Whitewash Fireplace DIY

Posted on by Tim Carter

Whitewash Fireplace Brick

Here's the fireplace once finished. Maggie and her daughter did a magnificent job and the hydrated lime will look this good for decades. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

"When done right, whitewash produces a brilliant white finish that bonds tenaciously to any masonry or coarse wood surface. You can add dry pigments to the whitewash to create unlimited color possibilities."

Whitewash Fireplace DIY TIPS

I’m departing from my usual question/answer format this week because I was blessed to have a unique back-and-forth email exchange with one of my newsletter subscribers. I wanted to share it with you as an inspiration to tackle a job at your own home.

Can You Whitewash a Fireplace?

Yes, you can whitewash a brick fireplace or any other surface you'd normally paint.

I’ve been publishing a FREE weekly newsletter for over twenty years and along the way I’ve made quite a few virtual friends. One happens to be Maggie S. who lives in Raleigh, NC. I looked back through my email files and I see emails from Maggie that stretch back ten years.

When I travel on business, I always try to set aside time to do face-to-face meet-ups with my readers but I’ve not yet had the pleasure to meet Maggie. After you read this story I think you’d like to meet her and her daughter too!

Free & Fast BIDS

CLICK HERE if you feel you can't do this job and want FREE & FAST BIDS from local painters that can apply real whitewash.

Whitewash a Red Brick Fireplace

Stain Solver

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

Less than two weeks ago Maggie reached out to me with a simple email. She said, “I am planning to whitewash (true whitewash, not paint) my fireplace brick. To clean it first, can I use Stain Solver? If so, what is the process?”

I answered her question telling her to mix the Stain Solver powder with hot tap water. Stain Solver is a certified organic oxygen bleach that does a remarkable job of getting rid of smoke and soot stains on fireplaces. It also gets rid of regular dirt and oils.

It's best to put one cup of powder in a gallon of water and stir it until it dissolves.

It can take up to two minutes to get it to dissolve. Don't skip this step because you have to put the solution into a hand-pump garden sprayer to saturate the fireplace brick. If you don't dissolve the powder, it can clog the tip of the sprayer.

Just a few months before, I had shared with my newsletter list that I was in the process of revising all my past columns on my AsktheBuilder.com website. Three of the columns I had recently revised were about whitewashing.

CLICK this image and listen to the first call on the podcast. I talk to Vic about how he can use a concrete overlay to save THOUSANDS of $$$. Copyright 2018 Tim Carter

Maggie must have read them and decided it was time to transform her dated living room fireplace. The links to them are just below this photo.

Whitewash Fireplace Brick

Here's Maggie's fireplace before she started the whitewashing. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

What is a Recipe for Whitewash?

There are several recipes for a whitewash. I list all of them in another past column below.

Here are the past three columns I've written about the true whitewashing process. Do NOT try the short-cut method using latex paint. That's NOT whitewashing.

Whitewashing Brick

Whitewash Recipe

Whitewash Tips

Is the Whitewash Advice on Cable TV and Pinterest Correct?

The advice on cable TV shows and Pinterest, based on the emails I receive, is wrong. Most people in those two venues suggest using latex paint as the whitewash.

Evidently, there’s been a trend of cable-TV hosts and photo-sharing websites that have been abusing the whitewash process. These people are using paint they thin down with water to create the look one might achieve by applying real whitewash.

Whitewash is a Timeless True Method

My past columns describe how I used the age-old process of whitewashing on one of my jobs. Not only did I share the process of applying it in the columns on my website, but I also have the exact recipe I used. It’s caveman simple to mix and apply true whitewash.

CLICK HERE if you feel you can't do this job and want FREE & FAST BIDS from local painters that can apply real whitewash.

What is the Main Ingredient in Whitewash?

Hydrated lime, a powder, is the main ingredient in whitewash.

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.

Maggie knew it was far better than applying thinned paint. True whitewash is just a mixture of hydrated lime, salt, and water.

CLICK HERE to purchase hydrated lime. Even if the bag says it's for use in garden soil, it's the right stuff.

When done right, whitewash produces a brilliant white finish that bonds tenaciously to any masonry or coarse wood surface. You can add dry pigments to the whitewash to create unlimited color possibilities.

I answered Maggie’s question about Stain Solver. It’s one of many powdered oxygen bleaches you can purchase at grocery stores or online to deep clean just about anything. Maggie knew she’d get the best bond if the brick was clean. She told me the brick had never been cleaned in all the time she’d lived in the house.

The back and forth email exchange happened after she and her daughter finished the project. Maggie was so pleased with the job she shared a series of before, during and after photos.

How Do You Apply Whitewash?

You can apply whitewash with a stiff brush or paint roller.

I decided to probe and ask her how she adapted my instructions to make it work at her home. Maggie was only too happy to share her experience.

The first thing she mentioned was she wished she had worn rubber gloves while doing the job because her skin got abraded wringing out the old coarse rag she used to dab the whitewash. What’s more the hydrated lime is very alkaline and can cause significant irritation.

What are the Best Whitewash Brushes?

The best whitewash brushes are those used by master wallpaper hangers. CLICK HERE to see one I love.

whitewash brush

This is the perfect brush to use to apply whitewash. CLICK THE PHOTO now to have it delivered to your home.

I was very curious about how she applied the whitewash and how she achieved her mottled look. Maggie and her daughter used two brushes, one an angled brush for the critical areas where the brick touched up against the drywall walls and moldings and a wider masonry brush for the large open areas of brick.

Whitewash Fireplace Brick

Maggie's daughter is applying the thick real whitewash. Don't use paint like the wanna-bes do. Paint is for losers. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

Does the Brick Need to be Damp?

Yes, it's best to spray a little bit of water on the dry brick before applying the whitewash. It will bond better.

I had advised her to make sure she spritzed the brick with clear water so the whitewash wouldn’t dry too quickly and set up. She discovered that she could only do a few rows of brick at once and then had to start to pat off the excess material to produce the transparent look she desired.

Should I Work Top To Bottom?

Yes, always work from the top to the bottom so you don't ruin completed work.

Maggie and her daughter used common sense and started at the top and worked down. This was very smart because they knew they would be dabbing and patting the fresh whitewash. They didn’t want to drip any water or whitewash on completed brick below where they were working.

How do You Control the Thickness of Whitewash?

The amount of water you add while mixing the whitewash is one way to contol the thickness of the coating. You want the whitewash to have the consistency of thin turkey gravy.

You can make the patting process easier by controlling the thickness of the whitewash you apply. The thicker you make it, the more you need to pat and dab! What’s more, the whitewash tends to dry to a more opaque look than when it’s wet. I had shared in my columns that it’s always best to whitewash a few scrap brick and let them dry to see what the final real look is a day or two later.

Whitewash Fireplace Brick - After

Here's the fireplace once finished. Maggie and her daughter did a magnificent job and the hydrated lime will look this good for decades. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

Is Whitewashing a Fireplace a One Day Job?

Yes, you can whitewash a simple brick interior fireplace in one day.

When I asked her how long the total job took, she said two days. Maggie spent the first day cleaning the brick fireplace as it took several rinse attempts to get it squeaky clean. The actual process of whitewashing the fireplace only took about seven hours with two people.

Why Are Professional Whitewash Bids High?

Maggie had received a bid from a professional for $800 to do the job. She shared this insight, “As my daughter and I were working on the job yesterday, we came to conclusion, aside from that ridiculous expense, that it’s much better that we did it ourselves. It’s not likely that someone else can achieve the exact look you’re aiming for without your being there to totally supervise the job. And I suspect they would have used paint anyway!”

I’m sure you’ll have great success as did Maggie!

CLICK HERE if you feel you can't do this job and want FREE & FAST BIDS from local painters that can apply real whitewash.

Column 1190

April 2, 2017 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on by Tim Carter

It shouldn't be a surprise to you about the number of people that have a fascination with the weather.

That's one of the reasons there's a very popular channel on most cable TVs about it and any number of very good websites about the topic.

I happen to gravitate to Accuweather and WeatherUnderground. The other big one and I don't get along too well so I'm not going to mention them.

Here it is April 2, 2017, in central New Hampshire and I have DEEP snow everywhere around me. I'm talking piles 7 and 8-feet tall.

Yesterday morning, I was up at 4:45 a.m. blowing snow so I could drive my youngest daughter to work. She had stayed the night and there was no way her low-clearance car was going to navigate the 8 inches already on the ground.

Four more inches fell before the storm had spun off over Nova Scotia.

I had to fire up my Ford Super Duty F-250 4x4 and claw through the deep snow. I love doing it and if you've never driven a 4x4 in snow, you should. You'd be stunned how stable a 4x4 vehicle is in snow as the wheels on both axles churn.

That said, you just have to watch your speed in slush as it's easy to get over confident and loose control. Stopping 6,500 pounds of metal is also nothing to shrug about. But I digress.

Here are two photos I took yesterday around Noon. If you're playing my Snow-Be-Gone Contest and picked an earlier date in April, the pile GREW by 16 inches yesterday!

The first photo shows how the snow slides off my Davinci Roofscapes synthetic slate roof.

No need for me to rake it like all my neighbors have to do!

All that snow funnels down to the ground from the main house, the connector between the house and garage, and the north fourth of the garage roof. You can just see the tip of the pile that's part of the Snow-Be-Gone Contest under the one window.

That pile yesterday, when I took the photo, was just under seven feet tall. Because the snow was so wet and heavy it compressed within a few hours.

Just before taking the first photo, the roof had released all the snow except for what you see trapped by the skylight.

The snow was at least 8 inches deep on the roof. Believe me, it's a lot of snow as that's a big roof.

CLICK HERE to enter my Snow-Be-Gone Contest. It's just a fun thing to do. You'll be asked about your favorite color.


Spring Means SHEDS

Is this the year you're finally going to build that shed so you can reclaim all that space in your garage?

Are you tired of parking your car or truck outside?

Did you know a large percentage of people build or buy a shed that's WAY TOO SMALL?

On Friday I revised one of my How-to-Build-a-Shed columns and LOADED it with new content, videos, and a great link to the best plans I've ever seen for a shed!

At the VERY LEAST go watch the simple video where I show you how EASY it is to determine what size shed you need.

What I show in this video helps you plan for the perfect sized patio or deck.

CLICK HERE if a shed is in your future this spring.

Here's a screen shot from the video about planning the perfect sized shed.

LAST CALL - STAIN SOLVER SALE

Today is the LAST CALL for the Spring Stain Solver SALE.

That means the sale ENDS at midnight tonight Eastern Time.

Use the following PROMO CODE to get 10% off and FREE SHIPPING to anyplace in the lower 48 states.

Spring1710

I warned you that some sizes would run out.

The 18-pound size is gone. It NO LONGER exists.

We're running SHORT on the 50-pound container. This size is your BEST BUY on a per-pound basis.

You can get one and share / split it with a friend or relative if you still speak to them.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER NOW.

Do you need inspiration? Want to see a sampling of ALL THE THINGS you can clean with Stain Solver?

CLICK HERE and scroll down looking at the photos.

When you see one that interests you, CLICK IT and look at the before-and-after photos. The customer also shares what they did to get the amazing results.

Here's a fantastic one sent in by a professional carpet cleaner named Justin. He buys from us all the time.

You'll not believe the carpet he SAVED using Stain Solver. CLICK HERE to see unbelievable before and after photos.

Here's my all-time favorite before-and-after photo.

I LOVE THIS PHOTO!

Ceramic Tile Installation Tips

Are you thinking about doing DIY ceramic tile?

If not, and you're going to hire a pro, how do you know if it's going to be done RIGHT? Especially the grouting?

You don't want your grout to crumble and fall out, right?

WATCH the videos I embedded in this revised column.

CLICK HERE now to discover valuable tips about installing ceramic tile.

Soundproofing New Flooring

How would you like to deaden sound under floors as people walk across them?

Yeah, that's pretty important.

CLICK HERE to see how I've done it with great success.

Okay, that's enough for a Sunday morning.

REMEMBER LAST CALL for the SKU-WIDE Spring Stain Solver Sale.

CLICK HERE NOW to order Stain Solver.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

Do It Right, Not Over!