Tim Carter in this video explains why houses feel cold even when the furnace is operating properly. Tim explains some of the reasons for heat loss in his December 28, 2017 AsktheBuilder Newsletter. In his February 21, 2016 AsktheBuilder Announcement, he explains the perspective differences in temperatures. He has a 47 degree swing in one week!
Installing a New Window Video 2 of 4
Tim Carter demonstrates in this second video of a four-part series how to create the actual rough window opening.
Tim has removed the drywall and starts to install the king studs that run from the wall top plate to the bottom plate.
Then he shows how to install the header across the top of the window. The header is like a steel i-beam that captures the load or weight of the wall above the new window.
The header is supported at either end by a trimmer stud. These short studs are like steel columns that support a steel i-beam.
The trimmer studs rest on top of the bottom rough window sill and two other trimmer studs extend from below the ends of the sill down to the bottom wall plate.
Once the complete rough framing is done, then you can get ready to cut out the section of the wall where the window will be.
Installing a New Window Video 1 of 4
Tim Carter shows in this first of four videos how to install a new window in an existing wall. This first video covers the planning and important tips to consider before demolition begins.
Installing a new window is not as simple as you might think. There's much involved, even for a simple wall with wood framing.
February 13, 2016 AsktheBuilder Newsletter
It's coooooooold here this morning in New Hampshire. When I woke up it was 7 F. Brrrrrrrrrrr
Yes, I'm waiting for all the teasing comments from you snowbirds down in FL and AZ and way Down Under where you're enjoying your last days of summer! Blah blah blah.....
The next 48 hours promise even colder WX - that's a Morse code acronym we radio operators use.
Two days ago, I launched Ellen, AsktheBuilder.com's first employee, on a huge project. It could take her at least a month to finish it.
I felt you need to know about it because it's going to help you solve more problems and help you SAVE money and TIME.
Years ago, YouTube created some crude technology to add extra information to videos. Think of it as a semi-transparent overlay that showed up while the video was playing. They were called Annotations.
They've been replaced with Cards.
Let me show you how it works and how you view the cards when watching a YouTube video of mine. Look at this first image:
The above is a simple screen shot from my latest video, a super cool wall framing trick I'll bet you've never seen.
See how the yellow arrow is pointing to a tiny circle in the upper right corner of the video? Here's an enlarged image of that:
These little white circles will appear then DISAPPEAR as you watch the video.
When you see that little white circle appear in the upper right corner of any of my videos, it's SCREAMING at you:
"Hey, CLICK ME! There's all sorts of EXTRA INFORMATION here!!!"
When you click the little white "i", the cards appear on the screen on the right side of the video.
I'm allowed to put up to FIVE cards in each video so often you only may see three - you have to SLIDE your mouse along the cards to see all of them.
Here's what it looks like when you click the little white circle:
These cards can LINK to other pages.
I'm allowed to take you back to RELATED pages at my website that have more content that helps bolster what you see in the video.
Can you see how beneficial this is to you?
What's more, I can link to a page at my website that shows the TOOLS or products I'm using in the video so if you want what I have, then you can purchase them right away.
These Cards work on your computer screen, your tablet and your smart phone.
I URGE you to try it.
CLICK HERE now and watch my latest video and then click each card to see how it works.
From now on, be SURE to click the Cards in my videos so I can share with you valuable tips that I can't talk about in the video for one reason or another.
LAST CALL for SOFT-Close
Have you played the LE Johnson SOFT-Close game of mine yet?
You have one more day.
I've decided to lure you to play it by adding some PRIZES!
I didn't announce these prizes last Sunday when the game launched.
TEN people - you could be one! - are going to win Stain Solver!
Stain Solver is my Certified organic oxygen bleach that deep cleans anything water washable.
If you've already played the game, you're entered.
When you play the game you're going to see some STUNNING photographs of some clever uses of pocket doors.
CLICK HERE NOW and be amazed my Padawan!
Defective Asphalt Shingles Book Update
I wanted to give you an update about my book.
I've cleared the legal hurdle. This is huge.
I had to have a top libel attorney review the book to ensure my legal exposure is minimized.
The only way to eliminate my exposure is to NOT publish the book.
The ultimate defense in a libel case is the truth. Everything in my book is truthful.
When you read the truth, I guarantee you'll be SEETHING mad.
Here's the BEST part.
In the book I answer the only two questions you probably care about:
- Are there shingles out there you'd buy Tim?
- Is there anything I can do to EXTEND the life of the asphalt shingles I just put on my home?
I've got great news for you on both fronts.
If all goes well, I hope to have this book in your hands no later than April 1st - hopefully much sooner.
Battery and Solar Charger Review
I'll be testing some very cool new technology batteries and a FOLDING roll-up solar charger soon.
These can absolutely help you in any number of ways.
Watch future issues for these reviews and videos.
That's enough for today.
What did you think about the Cards in the videos?
Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com
Do It Right, Not Over!
Wall Framing Trick Video
Tim Carter shows a nifty trick when framing walls for a house. Don't allow an interior wall to touch an exterior wall. Leave a 3/4-inch gap so you can slide drywall in one giant piece instead of having to cut it at the corners.
This wall framing trick also helps prevent air infiltration because the vapor barrier and drywall are solid along the entire exterior wall surfaces of the entire house.
You save lumber too because there's no need for lathe catcher studs at the intersection of the two walls.
Reference: February 13, 2016 AsktheBuilder Newsletter
February 11, 2016 AsktheBuilder News
If you're a new subscriber, this is NOT a normal newsletter.
On rare occasions when I discover something special, I put out an ALERT.
I happen to read lots of books, so I get announcements from Amazon.com.
This could be the deal of a lifetime.
What if I told you that you could get ALL of the Harry Potter books right now for just $14.99.
Back when they came out, they cost that, or more, for EACH ONE.
This deal is for Kindle people. You don't get seven of the physical books for this price.
But if you don't own a Kindle, NO SWEAT. You can download Kindle readers for most tablets, etc.
This is a FANTASTIC buy if you have kids, grandkids, etc. You'll have these books forever because Amazon does not FORGET that you bought them.
In case you do forget, you just go back to Amazon and they *remember* they're in your storage locker.
CLICK HERE now to get this amazing deal on all the Harry Potter books. Wow is all I can say.
Oh, I can't believe this deal is going to last.
THAT'S why I put out this announcement. I've seen deals like this disappear on Amazon after a few days.
Don't delay. It could cost you big time.
The Amazon Echo
While on the topic of Amazon stuff, did you see the hilarious commercials during the Super Bowl about the Amazon Echo?
The first one had me on the floor when Alec Baldwin asked the Amazon Echo machine how many Championships Dan Marino won.
WATCH this commercial. You may have to watch it twice to catch all the puns.
BWAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAA
CLICK HERE to see all that the Amazon Echo might do for you around your home!
It would be a huge hit around my dinner table where we constantly are debating who's right about this or that.
Quick Building Tip
Are you thinking about buying a vacant piece of land to build a new home?
If so, you MUST READ my tips so you don't make a mistake!
CLICK HERE to read Part One of Three.
I'll have a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT tomorrow about the SOFT Close game. It's GOOD NEWS.
Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com
Do It Right, Not Over!
February 9, 2016 AsktheBuilder Newsletter
I'm so lucky you're part of my life. You're probably wondering why.
Relax, this isn't going to be mushy.
Two days ago I announced the beginning of the LE Johnson SOFT-Close game. It runs for just another five days.
"What's in it for ME, Tim? Why should I click that link and play some dumb game?"
Take a few moments and read the following. If that doesn't convince you, then you and I may have to share an Aglamesis hot fudge three-step sundae made with mocha chip ice cream at your dining room table.
Three years ago, quite by accident, I discovered two things:
- You love to discover new products wrapped up in a game
- You enjoy leaving witty replies about how you like the new products
I read each and every reply because many bring a huge smile to my face.
I just had to share a few because they made me laugh out loud and brought me all sorts of joy.
We need more laughter and joy in this world and you're a wonderful fuel source!
After playing the SOFT Close game, here's what folks like you wrote to me.
Robert Porter wrote: "I'd imagine it's like trying to describe love... can't really understand it until you "feel" it... and I have yet to "feel" the Soft Close hardware, but I imagine it will be WAY COOL when I do!"
Terri McIntyre shared, "Smooth operation and the 007 thumbprint option!"
Chad Donley commented, "I love the invisible hardware and subtle design. It is secret-agent cool."
Laurie Bozych replied, "The pneumatic close is really amazing! I never knew it was available!"
Doug Smith exclaimed, "I never knew pocket doors could look so good!"
I think Doug's comment does say it all.
You just have no idea what might happen when you hand a LE Johnson pocket door kit to a clever woman on a mission, an architect that is overflowing with talent, a seasoned remodeler, and / or a builder who treats his calling as a vocation instead of a job.
What is it that got Robert, Terri, Laurie, Chad, Doug and a few thousand others all excited?
CLICK HERE and find out for yourself!
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Stan's Lawn Spreader Rust Stain
This morning I received an Ask Tim question from Stan down in Florida.
It turns out he was fertilizing his lawn, finished the job and left his lawn spreader out on his pool deck. He went inside to take a break, forgot about the spreader and went to bed.
It rained overnight and when he awoke from his slumber, he discovered a nasty rust stain on his pool deck.
So he said to me, "I looked all through your website and couldn't find anything to help me solve my problem."
I was perplexed. Why?
His problem jumped out at me: rust stain
I wondered if Stan had really typed his problem into my search engine at AsktheBuilder.com.
So I typed rust stain into the search engine at my AsktheBuilder.com site and came up with the following results.
CLICK HERE to see how it all works.
Much more importantly CLICK HERE and then READ all of my past columns about the topic to discover the EASY way to remove RUST STAINS from exterior surfaces!
How to Vent Plumbing
How would you like to watch RARE video footage of a plumbing vent system in a new home that I installed?
Yes, you might not have known I'm a master plumber as well as a builder and carpenter!
About two weeks ago, I installed the plumbing drain and vent lines in a new home here in central New Hampshire for Gary and Julie. They're friends of mine and they're building a new home.
They asked me if I'd help do the plumbing and since I do love installing that type of piping, I said "Yes!".
I GUARANTEE you'll discover quite a few things you didn't know.
SOFT Close Baby, Yes So So Soft
I need you to do me a favor.
Go play this simple game and tell me if the nutty multiple-choice answers made you:
- LOL
- ROFLYBO
- Search: top mental clinics NH
- Search: best psychologist NH
- want a very cool LE Johnson SOFT-Close pocket door!!!
That's enough for today.
I need to go VOTE with Kathy in the NH Primary!
Each voting day I'm reminded of how my Dad used to tease my Mom at the dinner table the days surrounding election day.
"Jeane, you might as well not go vote. My vote is going to cancel out your vote."
He'd say that with an impish grin on his face.
My mom would get so flustered.
To this day I don't know how they voted. I think my mom was more liberal than my dad, but I've got no recollection of any discussion they'd have about candidates and who they liked.
But my dad sure knew how to push my mom's buttons!
Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com
Do It Right, Not Over!
How to Vent Plumbing Video
How to Vent Plumbing
AsktheBuilder.com founder, Tim Carter, is also a master plumber. He shows RARE video of plumbing vent pipes in an attic and walls before they disappear forever behind drywall.
Carter installed the vent pipes for this plumbing himself in a new home in central New Hampshire in the winter of 2016. (Read his May 31, 2020 Newsletter about this build and how he helped another couple.)
He talks about the importance of installing a full-sized vent on at least one stack all the way from the base of the stack up and through the walls and then through the roof.
There's been a disturbing trend away from using a full-size vent in new homes. Many plumbers feel small 1.5 and 2-inch vent pipes will be enough to vent an entire home.
Small vent pipes can choke off on the inside with ice in bitter cold climates. When you use a full-sized 3 or 4-inch vent, it takes much more ice to close off the vent pipe.
The plumbing vent pipes create a pathway to let air from outdoors back into the plumbing system when water is rushing down the drain pipes.
This column was so popular, it appeared in the February 9, 2016 AsktheBuilder Newsletter also.
Paslode Cordless XP Framing Nailer CF325XP Review
You want one. That's okay. Just CLICK THE IMAGE NOW and buy it.
Paslode Framing Nailer Model CF325XP
The Paslode CF325XP framing nailer is a dream tool. It's a rough carpenter's go-to tool once he uses one for just ten minutes. This tool was so popular, I shared it with all my readers in my February 16, 2016 AsktheBuilder Newsletter.
Paslode CF325XP Benefits:
- no heavy noisy compressor
- no hoses
- drive nails within 10 seconds of taking out of case
- durable
As you might imagine, this is why I switched to Paslode guns for the remaining 40% of my career.
Paslode Framing Nailer Needs No Hoses
The first one I used was air powered and you simply can't believe how much work this tool could do in an hour.
After using the gun just ten seconds I knew I'd use them forever because they save so much time.
How Long Have You Used Paslode Guns?
I've owned and used Paslode nail guns for over 30 years. (That sentence was written in 2018.)
I remember decades ago when the first Paslode impulse guns came to market. I was intrigued by them because air-powered guns require hoses, a large noisy compressor and lots of effort to connect everything together.
The Paslode framing nailer and all other Paslode guns just needed a tiny fuel cartridge and a battery. Once I saw this, I bought my first one. A few months later I purchased their finish nailers.
Related Links
Paslode Roofing Nailer - Coiled Nails Work
Milwaukee Finish Nail Gun Review - #TotalFAIL #StartOver
I was in love with these guns that worked instantly as soon as you opened the case. I've driven well over 100,000 nails with my Paslode guns.
Gone forever was the need for the cumbersome air hoses, gasoline for a compressor and the backaches of lifting the heavy compressor in and out of the back of my truck.
New Paslode CF325XP Framing Nailer
You can say all the same great thing about their latest model, the Paslode XP Framing Nailer.
You want one. That's okay. Just CLICK THE IMAGE NOW and buy it.
However, times have changed and the battery that provides the needed power to run the exhaust fan and provide a spark to ignite the puff of gas inside the tiny combustion engine is now lithium ion.
Cold Won't Stop Paslode
I now live up in central New Hampshire and believe me, it can get cold. This new Paslode framing nailer is certified to work at temperatures as low as 14 F. That's a huge plus and you'll rarely miss an hour's work with this new functionality.
You know, that old saying is true. A picture is worth a thousand words. So here's several thousand words for you!
CLICK HERE to BUY this new Paslode gun now if you don't need to see the photos.
This gun will work for you day in day out. In all my years, I never had a failure. But you need to know that I followed the instructions and kept the gun clean and oiled. You need to do the same.
You can squeeze another 4 degrees from this fuel cartridge. The gun can't tell the difference between 14 and 18 F! LOL!
The magic happens with the nails. See that black coating? It's a high-performance adhesive that melts from the friction of the nail being driven. READ all the safety instructions before using this great tool.
You'll get tired driving nails before the gun will. Don't think for a minute you can beat the gun. It will mock you as you sit down taking a break.
You can keep the battery in the tool and slide it to the OFF position to not waste electrons.
The small battery is the new Lithium-ion technology. The long bulky battery is decades-old technology. The old battery is great, but the new smaller battery is better!
Memorize these specs. There will be a test later.
This is a handsome gun. They decided on 30 degrees for a reason. Twenty-nine was already taken and thirty-one is just not cool.
You want one. That's okay. Just CLICK THE IMAGE NOW and buy it.
The lithium-ion technology give you more power when you need it.
Don't let this little guy fool you. He can last longer than you'll ever dream of lasting.
Replace Tub with Walk In Shower
This tub is being replaced with a walk-in shower. What’s the best thing to do about the stained-glass window? Photo Credit: Robin Pattison
DEAR TIM: We are about to remodel our master bath and have a round stained glass window over the current tub. We want to remove the tub and have a large shower put in it's place. I would love to keep the stained glass but, as it is not energy efficient, would like to have an insulated window put in it's place. At your website, I read your past article regarding placing a stained glass panel in front of an existing window. I was not sure if this could be done in a shower or if the stained-glass window can be removed without damage. What are your thoughts on this issue? What other tips do you have about this big project? Robin P., Carrolton, TX
DEAR ROBIN: I’m about to embark on my own bathroom remodel project, but I don’t have to solve a window problem like you do. My challenge is to fix all the wasted space in my basement bathroom that was caused by poor planning on the part of the homeowner and architect that built the home I live in. In my case, I’m taping a huge video series about my project and intend to put all of the videos up on my AsktheBuilder YouTube channel so folks like you don’t ever make mistakes in your bathroom projects.
The photo (see above) you sent of your current bathroom with the stained-glass window over the tub is stunning! This window is going to provide you with more than one challenge and you’ve got lots to think about before making your final decision.
Over the years, I remodeled many a home that had a window in a tub / shower area. I can tell you that I discovered problems in all of the houses that were wood framed. Leaks and condensation wreaked havoc inside the walls around and below the windows. The only houses that were immune to damage were ones that were solid masonry and it didn’t matter if water splashed onto the window and / or condensation dripped down the window seeping into the wall cavity.
I can tell you what I’d do just for starters and I want you to chew on this idea. There are any number of tile manufacturers that can take a high-resolution photo of anything and put that image on any number of ceramic tiles much like you see how jigsaw puzzles are made. Doing this you could create the illusion of that gorgeous stained glass window inside your new shower, but it wouldn’t be a real window.
You have so much natural light coming in from your overhead skylight that’s immediately adjacent to the shower area, that it may fool some into thinking the image on the tile is real!
If you were bound and determined to keep the window in your new shower, you’re going to need an expert involved in the project who can create a special leak-proof flashing that will conform to the circular opening you have. The entire wall will need to have a flashing, or high-performance vapor barrier that collects and diverts any water back to the shower base where the water would eventually get to the plumbing drain.
Don’t underestimate the complexity of all of this working together. If you make one mistake with one part, you’ll have a leak down the road. It will be very expensive to fix the problem especially if the defect creates a latent defect where the damage doesn’t show up for years.
No matter what you decide to do, here are a few tips to help you have a shower that will not leak. First and foremost, understand you need to control both liquid water and water vapor. This means you must not allow water vapor into your wall cavity on the exterior wall. Cross-laminated vapor barriers offer, in my opinion, the best protection.
If you have a wood subfloor under your current tub, then consider cleaning it well after the demolition and coating it with two or three coats of clear urethane. Do the same with the wall studs. This may seem crazy, but anything you can do to slow or stop water from soaking into the wood in case of a leak will help prevent rot.
Before coating the wood with urethane, I’d spray on two coats of a borate solution and allow that to dry. Borates are great products to prevent wood rot, but they’re water soluble. The urethane will lock in the borate into the wood for many years.
Think about water that might get behind the finished wall of your new shower. What can be done to FORCE that water into the shower pan so it ends up in the shower drain? Make your contractor do that. Do not listen to his reply that caulk will stop these pesky leaks. You want a permanent solution that’s hidden behind the walls.
Do whatever you have to do to install a traditional access panel on the other side of the wall where your new shower faucet will be. You want to be able to have full access to your shower valve in the future. Don’t allow the contractor to talk you out of this. Access panels to tub and shower plumbing were standard equipment in just about every old house I ever worked on, including the one I grew up in.
Read the installation instructions yourself that come with the new shower. If you’re installing one that’s preformed acrylic, be sure the base is supported so it will not flex and oilcan as you stand in the shower. This movement causes cracks and leaks down the road.