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.

 

Tub and Shower Grab Bars Tips

Posted on by Tim Carter

Ruth Ann, who lives in Lincoln, MA, wrote to me about grab bars.

Here's what she had to say:

"We are installing safety bars in our tiled bath, tile over rock lath plaster (1927). The installer plans to use wall anchors, not toggles or into studs. He insists this will hold, been doing it for years. Is it really OK? I did try your search engine but got no results."

I responded immediately to Ruth Ann because this is a major safety hazard. I mentioned this in my October 23, 2016 Newsletter.

Although she stated that she's got plaster and lath in her home, I don't feel for a moment that's what's in the tub and shower area. Years ago the ceramic tile was set on top of solid cement mortar that was put over wire lath. It's incredibly durable and strong. It's also very heavy.

There's NO WAY I'd ever rely on simple friction anchors that just contact the sides of the drilled hole for grab bars. These anchors are not a bad choice for an up/down force on a wall, but for PULL OUT force, no way Jose′.

The best option, if one can make it work, is to install the grab bars into the wall studs.

The second-best option is to install the grab bars into solid-wood blocking that may have been installed in anticipation of installing grab bars.

The last option is some sort of magic, strong toggle bolt that expands once it passes through the back of the drilled hole.

I like the Moen SecureMount anchor system. CLICK HERE to see all of the different styles and finishes.

Watch this video to see how beefy the giant toggle-type anchor is.

October 18, 2016 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on by Tim Carter

This is my favorite time of year. The eye candy around me is beyond belief.

Autumn in the Northeast United States, I'm told, is like no other place on the planet. I believe I've heard there's a part of Japan that gets the same vibrant color.

If so, those people are lucky, very lucky.

This month has been filled with travel, and another short trip to Dallas, TX happens a week from today. More on that below.

Add to that a special amateur radio event I did ten days ago and my oldest daughter Meghan, see her just to the right with the words Meghan Method over her, is here to visit right now and one can see how it adds up to one busy past three weeks!

CLICK HERE to see unbelievable fall color photos I saw on my trip up into Maine for my radio event. The colors were that vibrant.

Dan's Deck Over Dilemma

Dan lives in CT. He wrote to me overnight. I've been waiting for his question to come in for over two years.

Why?

I took this photo over two years ago and have been waiting and waiting for the perfect question to come in so I could use it. CLICK HERE to see why it was so important to save.

Dallas TX Meet Up

A week from today right now (it will be October 25, 2016), I'm typing this just after 8 am ET, I'll be in an airplane headed to Dallas, Texas.

I'm attending a special event put on by Honeywell to see some of their latest technology products. You know I'll share with you what I discover.

It's a fast in-and-out trip as I'll be taxiing for takeoff from Dallas at 7:15 am the following morning to get back to NH!

But, I was lucky enough to schedule my incoming flight so I can spend two hours with you!

If you want to attend one of the FUN AsktheBuilder.com meet ups and you live in the Dallas / Ft. Worth area, this could be your LAST CHANCE.

The meet up will be at Dave and Buster's at 9450 N Central Expy, Dallas, TX 75231 at 2 pm. I need to scoot at 4 pm, so we've got two hours.

We just chit chat at a meet up and you're allowed to ask any question you want. Many are fascinated by what's behind the magic curtain of AsktheBuilder.com and how the operation works.

If you have a problem at your home, you can come and I'll try to solve it. Bring photos!!!!

If you plan to attend, let me know. We already have a group and there's room for more! REPLY to this email and let me know. Once I have the final list, I'll share my incoming flight details with you and you'll be able to track me to ensure I'm arriving on time.

If you want extra quality time, you can pick me up from Love Field in Dallas for the ride to Dave and Buster's.

New Quizzes

I promised you a new quiz with each newsletter, but alas I've fallen down.

With all that's been going on, I didn't want to rush one out the door and it not be up to snuff. Believe me, there's going to be quite a few new ones coming at you.

In fact, my daughter Meghan suggested I take these fun quizzes to the next level. I'd still do the fun quizzes but she suggested that I offer a more in-depth online study course where you get certified as an official AsktheBuilder.com Master Craftswoman or man. More on this possibility in a few weeks.

If you're a new subscriber in the past two weeks, or a seasoned subscriber and you missed this, here's an example of a FUN QUIZ.

CLICK HERE do discover the depths of your Rough Carpentry Ignorance. That's a reference to one of my most memorable college professors.

Okay, I need to scoot because it's time to spend more time with Meghan before she heads back to California this afternoon.

SEE YOU IN DALLAS next week hopefully!

Tim Carter

Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

Behr Deck Over

Posted on by Tim Carter
Behr Deck Over

That's Behr Deck Over on the treated wood. My left foot is what you see in the lower-left corner. See how this thick coating over the wood deck is peeling? What a mess! Once this happens, what do you do? Rip off all the wood? Do you think you can sand this mess? No way. (C) Copyright 2018 Tim Carter

"I knew the Deck Over product would FAIL at some point because it was a film-forming product meant to completely cover the wood much like a clown applies makeup to completely hide their face/skin."

Beware Behr Deck Over - It Will Peel

Dan lives in Norwalk, CT.

He emailed me overnight and needed immediate help.


His question was so good, and I happened to have a photo I took three years ago, that I decided to publish it. Here's what he sent:

"Wondering if Behr Textured Deck Over stain would be recommended on a freshly sanded 24-year-old pressure treated deck here in southeastern CT?  Some new, non-pressure treated boards were just added. Basically, all the prior stain either peeled off or was sanded off with a rented large sander.

We already bought the stain (Behr DeckOver), but I guess it could be returned.  I just read some poor reviews on Behr deck stain.  The contractor will start painting tomorrow.  Also, should the deck be treated with anything (i.e., cleaner) before painting if the top surface was sanded off?"

Dan Deck

Here's Dan's deck. Yes, the wood is different color, but he can get the old to look much like the new cleaning it with Stain Solver. (C) Copyright 2016 Tim Carter per the AsktheBuilder.com Terms of Service

Behr Deck Over Reviews Are Telling

The Behr Deck Over reviews Dan is talking about tell the tale. The deck over will peel.

Realize that wood expands and contracts with changes in humidity. This means the thick coating needs to constantly stretch.

Free & Fast Bids

CLICK HERE to get FREE& FAST BIDS from local deck restoration companies.

Will Behr Deck Over Stick to Dirty Decking?

Behr Deck Over will not stick well to dirty decking. My guess is the reason there are so many failures of this product is that the homeowners are not applying the product to clean wood.

Behr Deck Over Reviews - I Was A First User

Here's the first thing that you and Dan need to know about Behr DECKOVER.

I attended the first-ever Behr Editors Conference about two years ago. They demonstrated this product in one of the workshops and asked for volunteers to apply it to wood. I jumped up like I was sitting on a spring.

Before I put the roller in my hand, I knew this product would be an issue for many homeowners.

It was thick, very thick. It was like applying a very thick applesauce to the surface.

Why Is Behr Deck Over Failing?

Behr Deck Over is failing on wood decks because it's not sticking well to the wood.

I knew the Deck Over product would FAIL at some point because it was a film-forming product meant to completely cover the wood much like a clown applies makeup to completely hide their face/skin.

ALL FILM FORMERS eventually FAIL. They fail because of what's known as the adhesive chain. CLICK HERE to read a column I've written about this unavoidable phenomenon.

As you read that column about adhesive chains, realize there'd be only ONE LINK in the chain between Dan's deck and the Behr DeckOver product.

Deck Over Failure in Rhode Island

A few months later, I had to move my daughter from an apartment she was renting down in Providence, RI. Guess what was on the steps of the small back deck? It was either the Behr product or some similar product - there's at least one other one just like it out there in the marketplace.

I'd NEVER install a film former like this on any wood I own. If you have a wretched, thick product on your deck and it's failed, your only hope is to somehow sand it off. It's going to be a mess, especially that product that's dripped down in between the wood decking boards. Forget about chemically stripping it off. That would be an even worse nightmare.

There's a very good chance Dan can get the color of the old wood to MATCH the new boards by deep cleaning the wood with my Certified organic Stain Solver oxygen bleach. It always returns old wood to its original color. The sun's UV rays discolors wood.

CLICK HERE to get FREE& FAST BIDS from local deck restoration companies.

Driveway With Grass

Posted on by Tim Carter
driveway with grass

This precast concrete paving material allows some rain water to soak back into the soil. While you don’t see grass in between the concrete squares, it will start to grow once seed is broadcast. (C) Copyright 2016 Tim Carter

DEAR TIM: I recently saw a new paving system that I thought was ingenious. Instead of a solid driveway there were two strips of some precast concrete, each about 2-feet wide for the car tires. Grass was growing within the concrete strips and the area between the concrete was just lawn. Back by the person’s garage the entire area was covered with this amazing material allowing grass to grow where the cars would park. What is this new material, is it really strong enough to last and how is it installed? Laura S., Grand Rapids, MI

DEAR LAURA: Believe it or not the idea of just installing strips of paving material instead of solid paving for a driveway is by no means new. It was a very common method of providing a solid driving path for cars in the residential neighborhoods of many of the older cities in the Midwest. Homes nearing 100 years of age had these two strips of concrete and they performed well.

What’s more, the concept of a partial pavement with open spaces for grass or gravel has also been around for many years. There are a host of brand names for this type of paving material and there are some new twists on the original invention that have come to the marketplace. What you saw might have been one of the newest materials.

Recently on a business trip back to my hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, a very good friend of mine just installed one of these porous paving systems at a small piece of commercial property he owns. The surface reminded me of my wife’s waffle iron.

If you start to do some research into these precast porous paving systems, you’ll quickly discover there are many clever uses for them and they help to recharge the ground water in and around your home and community.

In densely populated urban areas, the vast amount of roof surfaces, sidewalks, streets and parking lots drastically limits the amount of rain that can get into the soil. Paving that’s got holes in it allows lots of rainwater to soak into the soil if it falls slowly enough from the sky.

While I can’t tell you exactly what your material is made from because you didn’t send me a photo, I can say that most are made from high-strength precast concrete. All the products that come in mats or rolls undoubtedly contain reinforcing steel to hold them together. Individual smaller concrete bricks or blocks may not contain steel.

Some of the products can be ordered in different colors other than the standard light gray you see when looking at a new concrete sidewalk, street or driveway. The space and shape between the concrete is different for most of the products. Some will allow more water to soak into the soil faster than others.

The precast concrete is strong, but the thickness of the material alone is not sufficient to support cars and trucks. These thin precast products must be installed very similar to the way you’d install an asphalt or blacktop driveway. The crushed gravel base under an asphalt or blacktop drive or parking lot is what gives it its strength.

The thickness of the crushed gravel under paving material depends on the weight of the vehicles that will drive onto the finished surface. For example, if you use these unique precast concrete pavers on a golf course where lightweight golf carts travel with wide balloon tires, you might get by with just 3 inches of crushed gravel. If you want to use these materials on a city street where large heavy trucks travel, an engineer might specify 12, or more, inches of special compacted crushed gravel!

The actual installation method varies for the product you decide to use and what you want the finished surface to look like. You may desire grass to grow in between the blocks of precast concrete, but this would never work for someone who wants to use these in an arid climate where it rarely rains. They’ll probably install small colorful crushed gravel in between the concrete the car and truck tires contact.

Realize these materials get their strength from the base beneath them. This means that their long-term durability depends on how well you, or your contractor, follows the instructions for installing them and how strong the subsoil is under the surface.

Most installations call for you to excavate away any top soil that contains organic material. The depth of the excavation depends on the combined thickness of the crushed gravel, any special soil and sand mix that might be called for, and the actual pre-cast paving material. Pay very close attention to any instructions with regards to the maximum thickness the crushed gravel layers can be should you have to install lots of the material. Often it should not be installed more than 4 inches at a time.

Sprinkling water on the crushed gravel as it’s being installed and compacted might be in the specifications. This helps make it very strong, but don’t overwater it.

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