Tyrone Roberson and Bob Sumerel Tire Company

Posted on by Tim Carter

On Saturday morning November 12, 2016, I was getting ready to pack up my car to leave Cincinnati, OH. I was at the Embassy Suites hotel in Blue Ash, OH, a northern suburb of Cincinnati.

When I walked to the car in the parking lot, I immediately saw it leaning and knew the right rear tire was flat or soon to be. I needed to react so as to minimize the delay of Kathy and I driving to Scranton, PA.

My auto insurance includes roadside assistance, so I called them and help was soon on the way. While waiting for the tow truck, I looked up the closest tire repair shop. It was Bob Sumerel Tire in downtown Blue Ash.

For the rest of the story, read the letter I sent this morning, November 13, 2016, to the CEO of AAA Allied Group, the company that owns Bob Sumerel Tire Company:

Dear CEO of AAA Allied Group:

I'm sitting in the lobby of a Springwood Suites Hotel in Scranton, PA, right now approximately 500 miles from Blue Ash, OH refreshed and rested.

One of your employees, Tyrone Roberson, made it possible.

Yesterday morning, I awoke to pack my car to leave Blue Ash to drive back to New Hampshire. I groaned as I approached my car only to see a flat rear tire.

After a phone call to my insurance company that provides roadside assistance, I looked up the closest  tire repair shop. Just a mile away was your Bob Sumerel Tire Shop in downtown Blue Ash, OH.

I called ahead to see if they were busy and how long the wait might be as I needed to get my wife back home. She was very distraught about the funeral of her father the day before and getting her home as soon as possible was my goal.

Tyrone Roberson answered the phone and I told him of my plight. He said get down there as soon as possible and he'd get me on my way.

About thirty minutes later, I walked through the door and Tyrone said, "Good morning, how's it going today?"

"Well, it's not going too bad, but I'll be even better once you get me back on my way to New Hampshire," I responded.

"Oh, I just talked to you on the phone. Let me have your key," Tyrone said.

Here I am with Tyrone Roberson after he made sure my tire repair happened faster than you can say "Two cheese coneys no mustard heavy onion."

Here I am with Tyrone Roberson after he made sure my tire repair happened faster than you can say "Two cheese coneys no mustard heavy onion."

After handing him the key, he disappeared into the shop and moments later I saw my car inside one of the bays.

Another customer heard me say 'New Hampshire' and we proceeded for about five minutes to talk about the delightful weather up there, even in winter.

The next thing I knew Tyrone said, "Sir, you're ready to go."

I thought he was talking to someone else because there's no way a flat could be fixed that fast.

But I was wrong. Tyrone was talking to me.

"How much do I owe you?"

He just smiled.

"Seriously, what do I owe you?", as I pulled my wallet from my pants.

"Nothing sir. I hope you have a safe trip back home."

I was astonished and pulled out a $20 bill and handed it to him saying, "Here you go. Treat yourself and the rest of the team to something."

If it's your company policy to offer this generous service to out-of-town travelers, it's not only smart, but it's appreciated.

I walked outside to leave, but decided to go back in and say something to the manager, Matt Liviskie.

"I wanted to thank you and let you know something if you don't already know it. I feel it's very important for you to know who might be on the other side of the counter from you.

I produce a newsletter that goes out to 51,000+ consumers two times a week, I write a syndicated newspaper column that's published by sixty newspapers and I produce videos on for my YouTube channel that has over 66,000 subscribers."

"I'm going to spread the word in my newsletter about what happened here moments ago and make Tyrone a hero in the next issue."

"Realize that you never know what a customer might do after interacting with you."

I share all this with you on a busy Monday morning only to let you know that Tyrone completely turned around a stressful start to the day and made it into one where I'll go out of my way to do business with your company.

If you have an internal newsletter or other way to honor employees who provide outstanding customer service, please consider including this story so other employees can mimic the good will of Tyrone.

Tyrone was featured in my November 16, 2016 Newsletter.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

Electric Floor Heating

Posted on by Tim Carter

DEAR TIM: I’ve read about electric floor heating and wonder if it will really do the job. Growing up I lived in a home that had electric coils in the ceilings of the rooms. The house was never really comfortable so I’m skeptical of the claims of the radiant floor mat manufacturers. If they do work, is it an expensive way to heat? Can you control the temperature easily? How is it installed? Donna B., Rochester, NY

DEAR DONNA: Let’s cut to the chase. Do you like to eat toast? Have you ever burned a piece of bread in a toaster? That’s the proof you need to know that electric heating works and can work quite well.

But realize that electric heating systems made to be in a ceiling or a floor do NOT glow red or orange and cause things to catch on fire. The coils in these systems produce a heat that’s more like a warm moist towel a flight attendant gives you just before landing when you sit up near the front of the plane.

The most likely reason your childhood home was uncomfortable was that not enough heating coil was put into the house and there weren’t enough heat BTUs to offset the heat loss that was happening in cold weather. To give you an extreme example, think about how futile it would be to heat a large warehouse with a tiny campfire.

Here’s what you need to know about electric floor heating. I’m writing this column right now in my cozy warm man cave ham radio shack with it a comfortable 72 F inside the room while frost is coating everything outdoors as I look through my large picture window in front of me.

This fabric mat contains a continuous heat coil that uses frugal amounts of electricity to heat a room. © 2013 Tim Carter

This fabric mat contains a continuous heat coil that uses frugal amounts of electricity to heat a room. © 2013 Tim Carter

There’s a wonderful electric coil floor mat under my handsome rough oak laminate floor. This heating system keeps my room warm even if the temperature outdoors drops below zero.

It works it my situation because the floor heating mat was designed for my heat loss. It can easily produce more heat than is lost through the walls, floor, ceiling and window. The same would be true for your home or your room where you might use this product.

My radiant floor electric mat came with a dandy wall thermostat that contains a tiny computer. You can program the thermostat to turn on and off depending on your schedule of when you want the room to be heated. You can override the computer and just set the temperature to be constant if you desire.

The cost to heat with electricity depends on where you live. There’s a wide range of prices people pay for electricity. The key to keeping your costs low is to invest heavily in insulation so the heat you create with the electricity slowly seeps outdoors. That’s what I did in my man cave. There’s lots and lots of insulation.

Be sure any windows and other openings are sealed well against air infiltration. Air leakage is one of the biggest enemies of any heating system. Tiny vampire air leaks that may seem innocent add up and rob you of both comfort and sweet moola - money.

Each of the electric floor heating systems works the same, but the installation may be different. You need to research exactly what’s required before you start.

In my situation, the manufacturer of the fiberglass mat that contained my heat coils required that the mat be set in wet thinset that’s used to install ceramic tile. This was easy to do.

After that step, I had to cover my mat with an additional one-quarter inch of thinset. My floor looked like a cement slab after I was done. This thinset protects the coils from damage caused by the finished flooring that lays on top of them, but it also spreads out the heat under the entire floor because the mortar conducts the heat. There are no hot or cold spots in the floor if you lay on it. It’s luxurious heat to say the least.

The most critical thing to consider when installing electric radiant floor heating mats, in my opinion, is the soundness of the sub-flooring. You don’t want the floor to flex or bend as over time this could cause the electric coils to break. If you have any doubt about this, have a conversation with the manufacturer of the electric floor mat you decide to install.

I’d read all the instructions that come with the product and do not deviate from them. Don’t assume that you know better and that what’s recommended is overkill. Realize that once this mat is installed, it’s virtually impossible to replace it without great effort and expense.

It’s very wise to read all the instructions even if you intend to have another person install the mat. If you do this, you’ll be able to make sure everything is fine and that you’ll not have issues down the road. The other benefit of doing this is that you can ask pointed questions of the contractors who are bidding your job. Don’t assume for a moment that the contractor, or sub-contractor, will know exactly how to install the electric heating mat!

Column 1170

YardMax 35 Ton Log Splitter Review

Posted on by Tim Carter

I had the distinct pleasure to test the Yardmax 35-ton full-beam log splitter in November of 2016. Having used many different types of log splitters, including a sledge hammer and wedge, I felt I could give an honest opinion as to how well this massive tool works.

The bottom line is it's unbelievable. I've owned a 27-ton hydraulic splitter for about eight years and the new Yardmax splitter has much nicer features.

Here's what I love about the Yardmax splitter:

  • It's beefy - weighing in at just under 700 pounds.
  • It's built TOUGH. I didn't see any shortcuts at all.
  • It's got a Briggs & Stratton engine. I don't know if you can get a better engine.
  • It tilts 90 degrees so the splitting ram goes up and down instead of sideways. This saves your back!
  • It's got oversized hydraulic components that translate to faster cycle time. Work gets done FASTER.
  • It's got a nice 4-way splitting head so you get four pieces of wood from each ram cycle.
  • The owners manual stores in a waterproof tube on the tow bar. INGENIOUS!!!!! All large equipment should have this feature so the manual is with you at all times! BRAVO Yardmax for thinking about this!

I'd rate this splitter five hammers out of five. hammer-5-5

It's a dandy power tool and if you keep the engine filled to the brim all the time - even when in not in use - with ethanol-FREE gas (get this at small airports from the FBO) that has Briggs & Stratton fuel stabilizer in it, the engine will start all the time. If you want the engine to be trouble-free for YEARS, then change the oil each season and put in a new air filter. Do these three things and the engine will run for thousands of hours with no issues.

CLICK HERE to see all of the Yardmax splitters.

To BUY one, just click the following Amazon affiliate link.

The above is an affiliate link. I get a tiny commission if you purchase this item from Amazon.

Ceramic Tile in Shower

Posted on by Tim Carter

If you can stretch your budget you can have fancy ceramic tile in a shower. © 2016 Tim Carter Builder

DEAR TIM: I’m remodeling my bathroom and want the WOW factor when I see it each day. Regular square tile seem so boring.

What would you suggest to create a look that will put someone’s head on a swivel when they see it?

What are the best practices, in your opinion, when it comes to installing ceramic tile that will not fall off the wall and not leak?

I don’t want any issues and want this tile to look as good as the 100-plus-year-old tile in my grandmother’s distinguished old home. Sara J., Lincoln, MA

DEAR SARA: You’ve given me a tall order to fill. I can remember, as if it happened yesterday, similar questions from my customers. Some knew exactly what they wanted and others required some inspiration.

One thing’s for sure. You get but one chance with ceramic tile, so what you decide to do better be right. It’s prohibitively expensive to remove tile and start over!

I’d start the idea process by visiting several ceramic tile showrooms in, or around, your town or city. Some modern showrooms have created full wall panels and even full showers within the showroom that incorporate many of the products they sell.

In the old days, you’d look at a few sample boards that had tile pieces affixed to them. You’d have to use your imagination to try to dream up what they all might look like once installed.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local contractors who can install ceramic tile in your bathroom!

Some specialty tile stores, and big box home centers, still sell tile this way and I’d avoid them. You need to see several different specialty tiles, as well as different types of tiles all used together in one motif.

If this requires an all-day journey to a store many miles away, then call the showrooms to ensure they have full-blown shower and bath enclosures constructed in the showroom.

I’d also spend hours online looking at photographs of ceramic tile showers and bathrooms. You can do this by visiting the websites of ceramic tile manufacturers. Another clever trick is to use image searches on websites that just curate photographs. Use keyword search phrases like: decorative shower ceramic tile, border ceramic tile, tile insets for showers, etc.

In my opinion, the WOW factor happens when you blend different materials, shapes and colors. For example, if you’ve not seen ceramic border tile that looks like the wood trim you see around doors and windows, then by all means get to a showroom. Be prepared to have your eyelids open to the full and upright position! Some of these borders are stunning.

You can achieve a dazzling shower by blending marble, granite, border tile and even some regular ceramic tile in the same shower. Subtle color tones that compliment one another can draw out the color and texture of adjacent materials.

Inset panels surrounded by the border tile within the shower can create a dramatic layered effect on what otherwise might be a flat, plain wall. Don’t forget to incorporate accessory tile for soap dishes, shampoo shelves and any other body care products you want to store within the shower area.

Stop and think for a moment about your grandmother’s bathroom tile that’s not only stood the test of time, but it looks as good as the day it was installed. This didn’t happen by accident. The builder and master tile setter who worked together to create the masterpiece did so using materials that were waterproof.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local contractors who can install ceramic tile in your bathroom!

Behind that tile I’m quite certain you’ll discover concrete made from Portland cement and coarse sand. This concrete mix was was applied to steel mesh that had been fastened to the wood studs. The waterproof tile was bonded permanently to the concrete with a slurry of Portland cement that may have contained fine pure silica sand.

Plumb Walls

It’s also mission critical for the wall surfaces to be perfectly flat and plumb. The master tile setter achieved this goal by installing the wet concrete with straightedges that created the perfectly smooth surfaces.

Tile does not tolerate being placed on wavy surfaces. The glossy surface of most tile will telegraph, due to light reflection, the fact that the substrate is not smooth.

You can obtain the same results today as the craftsmen of old using modern materials. I’d give serious consideration to using steel studs to frame the shower area. These galvanized framing materials are straight and will not twist or bow over time.

Water will not harm them should a leak develop. Sheets of cement board, or other fully waterproof material, can be screwed to the steel studs to create the perfectly flat substrate tile desires.

A cross-laminated vapor barrier can be placed on the steel studs before the substrate boards are applied. This will capture both liquid water and water vapor. The liquid water will drop down to the shower pan and eventually travel to the sea.

Be sure to also incorporate solid blocking that may be required for shower grab bars. Take lots of photographs that show the location of the blocking. Write on the blocking the distance to the centerline from the floor and be sure you can see this in the photos.

Tile Tools

What tools do you need to complete a simple tile job? Here's a list:

  • tape measure
  • pencil
  • tile cutter
  • nippers
  • a 1/4 by 1/4 inch v-notched trowel
  • a hammer
  • some 6d finish nails
  • 8 lineal feet of straight 1/4 inch wood lattice strip
  • putty knife
  • 3-inch wide-bladed scraper
  • grout sponge
  • rubber grout float
  • several buckets
  • accurate 4 foot level

Click the image below to BUY all, or some, of the tools in the above list.

ceramic tile tools list

CLICK THIS IMAGE NOW TO ORDER ALL THE TOOLS YOU NEED TO DO CERAMIC TILE.

Use thinset mortar, it’s waterproof, to adhere your new tile to the substrate. Mix the grout so it’s the consistency of warm cake icing. Squeeze all water out of the sponges you use to strike the grout joints.

If you get the grout too wet during the finishing process, the water dilutes the Portland cement in the grout making it weak and susceptible to cracking and flaking.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local contractors who can install ceramic tile in your bathroom!

Column 1169

November 5, 2016 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on by Tim Carter

If you're a new subscriber in the past two or three weeks, I need to WARN you.

This is by no means a normal AsktheBuilder.com newsletter. If you're a seasoned subscriber, I believe you'll appreciate this issue.

A Strange Three Weeks

I can't quite put my finger on it, but several non-connected events have caused me to get into a deep-thinking mode.

The run up to Halloween was part of it as was my lightening fast trip to and from Dallas, Texas, where I had the pleasure of meeting two great subscribers, Bob and Tom.

Autumn is my favorite season and the leaves this year in New Hampshire were spectacular. I took a hike with two good amateur radio friends of mine in the small period of peak color here just over two weeks ago.

It was surreal. CLICK HERE to see the eye candy I saw that day.

While standing on the bedrock ledge, I did some reflecting.

I knew that Thanksgiving, my favorite meal of the year, and Christmas were roaring at us faster than the Acela races south from New York down to Washington DC.

While standing alone on the ledge that day, an alternative ending scene to the movie Titanic washed over me as I stared out at the mountains and mystic-colored trees.

Parts of this scene are so meaningful to me, I've watched it countless times. Two lines of the script are seared into my brain because they pave the pathway to true happiness.

©1997 20th Century Fox - Paramount Pictures All Rights Reserved

In this scene, the old Rose, who's lived a rich and full life because she listened to what Jack told her, teaches a young explorer in just a few seconds what he should be doing each day. She says to him,

"You look for treasure in the wrong place, Mr. Lovett. Only life is priceless, (pause) and making each day count."

CLICK HERE to view the scene and be sure to watch it until the end.

If you saw Titanic all those years ago and paid attention to the conversation Jack and Rose had on the deck just after Rose looked at Jack's pencil drawings, then you know why James Cameron, the director, stopped for those three seconds to view the photo of the younger Rose sitting "like a man" on the horse standing in the surf.

Are you riding horses on the beach in the surf or are each day's wonders slipping through your fingers?

I was in the right place looking at treasure that day with Jim and Dave. I'm now hyper-focused trying to do it each day.

You should be too.

Heading Into the Maelstrom

Major events each year, and in life, almost always present one of two things depending on how you look at them.

Opportunities or challenges.

Do you look forward to getting together with your family or does it cause your stomach to get tied in a knot of anguish, fear or bitterness?

Did you see the old movie Little Big Man with Dustin Hoffman?

In this movie, there's one line of the script that's exceptionally powerful.

Chief Dan George says to the young Hoffman after a gruesome event in the movie,

"Your heart may never be as soft as it is today."

What does this have to do with you?

I think everything, but you'll be the judge.

The most recent event happened just under 24 hours ago when Kathy and I received news that her father went up to Heaven to be with Kathy's mother.

Dr. Daniel Whalen, my father-in-law, was a great man. He taught me many things and he's directly responsible for Ask the Builder, although that's a long story for another day.

He had a long stay here on the planet - 97 years.

Kathy is at peace with all of this because we've made repeated visits to see him as his health deteriorated.

Suffice it to say the next week is going to be challenging.

Do you harbor ill feelings in your heart that cause great discomfort to others when you see them at special occasions like the holidays, funerals or weddings?

Has your quest for the wrong treasure caused your heart to become harder than granite?

It's never too late to forgive.

It's never too late to start a "new life" as did Rose.

It's never too late to discover the real priceless treasure in life.

Are you making each day count?

Don't let your fragile ego get in the way and/or distract you.

You'll be amazed at how refreshed you feel when you dump all that old mental baggage into the sea and it bobs up and down like so much jetsam and flotsam.

I'll have a normal newsletter for you in a few weeks.

After I click the SEND button so you get this message, I'm editing a wonderful video I shot yesterday about a marvelous log splitter. Wait until you see what this amazing machine can do.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

Poured or Block Foundation

Posted on by Tim Carter

While this poured concrete foundation looks substantial, a concrete block one can be stronger. © Tim Carter Builder

"You can build a concrete block foundation that’s stronger and more durable than a poured wall so long as the block foundation has lots of vertical and horizontal steel in it and the void spaces in the concrete block wall are filled with pea-gravel concrete."

Poured or Block Foundation Checklist

  • Both foundations need lots of reinforcing steel
  • Block needs to have cores filled with pea-gravel concrete
  • 10-inch block needs to be used on any wall taller than 8 feet
  • Use hydrated-lime mortar for block foundations

Related Links

How to Reinforce Concrete Block Foundations SECRET Information - Do NOT Share

How Thick Should Poured Concrete Walls Be?

Concrete Block

DEAR TIM: I’ve got a choice to make about my new home. The builder is giving me an option as to going with a poured concrete or concrete block foundation. There’s not a huge difference in price, but I’m more concerned about the durability and strength over the long run. If you were given a choice, which one would you select and why? Is one, hands down, better than the other? Rose D., Staten Island, NY

Free & Fast Bids

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

Block Foundations Can Be Better

DEAR ROSE: Congratulations on your new home! As you’re discovering, or have already, there are many decisions you need to make. It’s best to make all the decisions before you even go out to bid, but few new homeowners are that disciplined. When all decisions are made in the planning stage, the bids you get back from the builders are much easier to compare.

Have You Built Both Types, Tim?

I think the best way for me to answer your question is to share a few stories about my personal experience with both types of foundations. I was lucky enough to live in a part of the USA where both poured concrete and concrete block were in use.

What’s more, there were tens of thousands of homes that had stone foundations and almost all of these were in excellent shape after 100 years. Therein lies a clue to help you.

What Material Was Used Before Block?

I grew up and had my business in Cincinnati, Ohio. Interbedded limestone and shale made up the bedrock geology of the area. Early settlers could harvest wonderful pieces of durable stone from the hillsides along the Ohio River and the nearby tributaries. This stone was easy to shape and just the right thickness to use for building home and large building foundations.

Limestone Retaining Wall

This is exactly how a limestone foundation would look. This happens to be a retaining wall, but imagine a house resting on top of the wall. Copyright 2018 Tim Carter

How Were Stone Foundations Created?

The masons stacked the stone and use a lime mortar to hold the stone together. This same method of construction was adopted by masons who would later use the manufactured concrete block. The difference between the stone and block was that the stone was solid all the way through. The concrete block had void spaces to make them lighter and easier to lay in a wall.

When Did Poured Concrete Walls Start to Show Up?

Poured concrete started to be used in the early 1900’s in the Midwest in both residential and commercial construction. The only thing that limited the final shape of the foundation was the design of the wood forms that held the wet, plastic concrete that was placed in them. With enough labor on the construction site, builders could form and pour a new foundation in just two or more days.

Did Block Foundations Require Forms?

Concrete block didn’t require any forms to be built. A block foundation contractor that had enough masons and hod carriers could complete a large foundation in one day! It was a revolutionary building material.

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

Do Block and Poured Foundations Crack?

All that said, what all builders, masons, architects, and homeowners discovered is that both poured concrete and concrete block could crack and fail unless they were designed and constructed properly. The secret ingredient was steel. Concrete and concrete block have enormous strength when you squeeze or compress them, but if you attempt to bend or stretch either, they usually only have one-tenth the strength when compressed.

Does Soil Against a Wall Cause Problems?

Soil pushing against a foundation wall causes them to bend. Soft soil under a foundation can cause the same bending stress.

This is why reinforcing steel rods placed at precise locations in poured concrete footers are so important. This same steel needs to be placed in the poured concrete or block walls if you want to prevent cracked walls that bow inwards. Believe me, I’ve seen both poured concrete and concrete block wall failures where no steel was used. The cost to fix them is extraordinary.

Can Reinforcing Steel Be Used In Block Foundations?

Reinforcing steel can also be placed in concrete block foundations. Vertical steel bars can extend upward from the poured footer and be woven into the voids of the concrete block. Thin reinforcing steel that resembles a bar joist you often see in a large warehouse ceiling just under the roof can be placed in the horizontal rows of concrete block.

Can Block Be Stronger Than Poured Concrete?

You can build a concrete block foundation that’s stronger and more durable than a poured wall so long as the block foundation has lots of vertical and horizontal steel in it and the void spaces in the concrete block wall are filled with pea-gravel concrete. I make this statement assuming the same exact poured foundation has no steel in it.

Just last week, I saw a foundation footer be installed that had no reinforcing steel. So don’t think for a moment that all footers and poured walls have this all-important steel.

Is Concrete Block Labor Intensive?

The other issue is the cost of labor in your area. To build a stronger concrete block foundation as I describe is very labor intensive. There are many steps and each one needs to be done right.

Can Poured Foundations Be Done in One Day?

On the other hand, a poured concrete foundation can be formed and poured on the same day. The foundation that is now sitting on top of the footer that has no steel was formed and poured in just seven hours! I was out of town on business the day this happened so I can’t tell you if the walls contain the needed steel. I hope so for the sake of the homeowner.

At the end of the day I feel your decision will be based on a cost comparison, but both the concrete block and poured walls need to have the mission-critical steel in them and designed correctly so you can compare the real cost between the two. Good luck!

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

Column 1168

Titanic Movie Alternative Ending Scene

Posted on by Tim Carter

Titanic Movie Alternative Ending Scene - Old Rose

You may not have seen this romantic movie, but the beginning part of this scene didn't make the final cut.

"You look for treasure in the wrong place, Mr. Lovett. Only life is priceless... and making each day count."

Pay attention to what Rose says starting at 2:31 when she has Brock Lovett's full attention. If you grasp what she says and begin practicing it as she did by looking at the photos on her nightstand, you'll discover the true path to happiness in your life.

Do you understand the symbolism of what happened after the panning of the old photos is over and you see the last of the clip? Rose was the last living survivor of the Titanic sinking in this movie.

Linked from the November 5, 2016 and the December 23, 2016 AsktheBuilder Newsletters.

Another great short movie scene is from the Game of Thrones. The evil Cersei comes to the garden wondering why Lord Ned Stark might be "posing me riddles." Wait for it at the end! CLICK or TAP HERE.

titanic blue diamond

How to Fix Crumbling Concrete

Posted on by Tim Carter

DEAR TIM: I work at a smaller municipal airport and need your help. The concrete inside some of the plane hangers is crumbling at the straight lines where one giant slab of concrete touches up against another slab. There’s a metal strip in between the slabs if that makes a difference. What’s the best way to repair this concrete? Our previous repair attempts have all failed. If you have a magic method that will not fail, will it work at my home too as I have similar issues there? You can make me look good in front of my boss if you solution will support the planes and tractors that cross over the joints. Zack K., Troutdale, OR

DEAR ZACK: I’ve been in a few airport hangers and the size of the concrete slabs is quite impressive. What’s more, the concrete is usually quite thick and formulated to be exceedingly strong. While smaller private jets may only tip the scales at just under seven-thousand pounds, a mid-sized Boeing 737 passenger jet weighs over thirteen times that! I doubt a 737 can land at your airport, but you may have larger private aircraft that weigh much more than 3.5 tons.

When you do the math about how much weight is pressing on the concrete under the small footprint of the tires at each landing gear, the numbers can be quite large. Think of a woman wearing spiked high-heel shoes and how much concentrated weight is on that tiny pad under one heel as she walks and has one foot up in the air. This is the same issue with airplanes.

This crumbling concrete can be fixed by the average person with the correct tools and materials. ©Copyright 2016 Zack Kenney

This crumbling concrete can be fixed by the average person with the correct tools and materials. © 2016 Zack Kenney

The good news is you can repair the crumbling concrete in your hangers and the method will work just as well at your home or that of any other homeowner. All you need is an old circular saw or you can rent a special saw that will make the required cut into the concrete so you can proceed with the repair.

There are many reason why concrete patches fail. It’s important to use the correct patching mix. You also need to make sure the shape of the area being patched will ensure the patch won’t pop out. Most patches fail because a very important simple bonding material is not used. There are more reasons, but let’s concentrate on how I’d proceed.

The first thing to do is to prepare the area to be patched. You need to remove all bad concrete and cut into the slab away from the metal joint so that your patch is in contact with solid concrete.

The shape of the patch needs to resemble a dovetail joint that finish carpenters use to join two pieces of wood. Dentists use this same technique to install amalgams in a decayed tooth. In other words, the bottom of the area being patched needs to be slightly wider than the top of the patch at the surface. If road crews did this same thing, pothole repairs in blacktop would last so much longer.

I would make sure that the depth of the repair patch is no less than one inch. If you’ve tried to just apply a thin coat of stucco or mortar mix previously, I can understand why your patch attempts have failed. The strength of concrete relies, for the most part, on the size of the stones that are in the mix. Small grains of sand at the edges of a very thin patch are not as strong as you might think.

Use an old circular saw you might find at a yard sale equipped with a blade that will slice into concrete. Tool rental stores have special saws made to cut into concrete. There are abrasive blades made for this or you can buy blades that have tiny diamonds embedded in the blade. Wear special masks so you don’t breathe in the silica dust and take whatever precautions are necessary so this dust is not ingested into any airplane engines!

Tilt the saw blade so it makes an angled undercut into the good concrete. Once the cut is made, carefully chip out the concrete to a depth of at least one inch. Use a wet-dry vacuum to extract all chips and any dust. I’d clean the hole with water and a scrub brush to ensure all dust is removed.

Your concrete repair mix should have stones in it no larger than 1/3 the minimum thickness of the repair area. This means if your repair patch area is one inch deep by one inch wide by several feet long, no stone in the mix can be larger than an average green pea!

I’d make a high-strength patch mix using three measures of small stone, two measures of medium clean sand and 1.5 measures of Portland cement. Add just enough water so the mix resembles stiff applesauce.

The secret step to ensure the patch bonds to the existing concrete is to add a thin layer of cement paint to the existing surfaces of the concrete just before you add the new patching material. You make cement paint by mixing pure Portland cement with clean water. Mix until it’s the consistency of regular paint. Spritz the existing concrete with a small amount of water before applying the cement paint. Immediately cover the cement paint with the patching concrete mix never allowing the cement paint to air dry.

Finish the patching material to the desired smoothness and spray on a concrete curing compound or cover the patch with plastic for 72 hours. You need to keep the patch damp for at least this much time so the concrete patch cures to the desired strength.

Column 1167

October 23, 2016 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on by Tim Carter

Two days from now I'll be in the Big D.

Dallas, Texas

I'm there as a guest of Honeywell. They want me to look at some of their newest home comfort and technology products.

I promise to take great photos and come back with a full report on what I saw.

COME TO THE MEET UP!

I'm doing an AsktheBuilder.com meet up there. I'd love to meet you if you have a few hours in the afternoon of Tuesday, October 25th.

Be at Dave & Buster’s in Dallas, 9450 N Central Expy, Dallas, TX 75231, at 2 pm.

I'll meet you in the lobby. If you run late, ask for the Tim Carter table. We'll have about two hours to chit chat and exchange tall tales!

At an AsktheBuilder meet up, you're allowed to ask any question you desire. Nothing is off the table.

If you want to make sure I'll be there, just track Southwest Flight 2703 out of Baltimore into Love Field.

If that flight is on time, then that means I'll be at Dave and Buster's on time.

Tub and Shower Grab Bar SAFETY

As you might expect, I get lots of questions at AsktheBuilder.com.

Ruth Ann emailed me a few days ago and I hope that she took my advice.

CLICK HERE to see what I told her to do so she WOULD NOT FALL in her tub and shower.

This page has a GREAT VIDEO you should watch.

Leaking Windows

Maureen lives in Virginia Beach, VA. I was just there about three weeks ago. Too bad I couldn't stop by.

She had a new vinyl window installed in her home and it's leaking worse than the RMS Titanic after it scraped against the iceberg.

The contractor has tried to repair it and nothing has worked. The big storm two weeks ago brought all sorts of wind-driven rain.

She asked for my help. As you might imagine, it's hard to help being 660+ miles away.

In a nutshell, here's where I'd start:

  • Look for obvious gaps between any part of the window or where the window touches up against the outside wall covering
  • Start low on the window and run gentle hose water on the sill to see if you can recreate the leak
  • Continue to raise the hose water higher on the window until the leak shows up

Before you sign a contract for replacement windows, be sure you're getting the BEST ONES.

The BEST WINDOWS are designed not to leak water.

They're made with the BEST materials and they're CERTIFIED by an independent organization.

If you have the best windows, then a leak is happening someplace other than the window itself.

Great windows last longer, they let less air leak into and out of your home and they're a far better investment.

How do you know the windows you're getting are the best? You knew this was coming, didn't you?

CLICK HERE to discover the SECRET to selecting the best-made windows.

New Quiz!

The positive comments about my new quizzes are off the charts. Here's one of my favorite ones:

Barbara Paulson said, "Thanks, Tim ... I hope I'm not one of those dumb 72-year-old broads."

No, Barbara, you're one of the SMART and SASSY 72-year-old broads that's willing to DISCOVER new and helpful information that will save you time and sweet moola!

The quizzes are designed to make you laugh - out loud preferably! Do they make you laugh? If so, tell me.

At the top of each quiz I have a line about " ... testing the depths of your ignorance."

I feel it's VERY IMPORTANT for you to know why I say it that way. That line was seared into my brain back in 1972 by Dr. Ken Caster.

CLICK HERE to read a story about Dr. Caster that will enlighten you, especially if you're a teacher or know one.

I've added a NEW FEATURE in the quizzes.

Color photos!!

This should make the quiz easier and help you discover more new things.

CLICK HERE to take my new Basic Plumbing Quiz Level 1.

Once again, please leave a comment under the quiz to let me know if you like them or have a helpful suggestion.

Also, would you be interested in a real online study course for various topics? I mean a real step-by-step quiz process that allows you to get up to speed on certain topics? If I do this, there'd be a modest fee involved just like when you pay tuition at a college.

The study guide would be designed just like this quiz with the explanations on the page AFTER you view your score.

That's enough for today.

I'll have some news about my trip to Dallas for you soon.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

Basic Plumbing Quiz Level 1 AsktheBuilder.com

Posted on by Tim Carter

Here's a fun short quiz and I guarantee you'll discover something new about plumbing around your home.

Be sure to SCROLL to the top of the page after you CLICK SUBMIT.

When you do that, you'll see a link to View Your Score.

You want to do this because the next screen will have HANDY LINKS that help explain more about each of the questions.

If you like the quizzes, be SURE to comment below.

Thanks and have some FUN!

P.S. I've already been told this quiz is too easy. Enjoy it while you can because from now on I'm really going to test the depths of your ignorance. Where does that come from? CLICK HERE to read a great story.