March 17, 2012 AsktheBuilder Newsletter And Tips

Posted on by Tim Carter

This is NOT a normal newsletter if you just subscribed in the past few days.

A real newsletter is coming out on Tuesday, but I had two things to share this weekend.

Happy St. Patrick's Day by the way!

New Website Design

How do you like the new website design at AsktheBuilder.com? We've been working very hard on it for months. Tell me if you think it's faster.

You do know that you can adjust the size of the type you see on your monitor by adjusting the Preferences in your browser software, right? I often get complaints about that. You can make the type font bigger or smaller at your end within seconds by navigating to where you adjust the font size.

If you need to find an answer to your question(s), ALWAYS use the search engine box that's now at the bottom of your screen. It floats along with you as you scroll down the page. We're making it more prominent today.

I'm also loading a new Welcome video that will be in the upper right corner of each page. That should help educate visitors on how to best use the website.

See the social media tool in the upper left of each page? I would *really* appreciate it if you would use this heavily. Please Like each page you're on Facebook assuming you find the information on that page helpful.

Do the same with the Twitter button. Use the Share button to email the page to yourself, a friend or someone else. If you're a Google Plus person, click that button on each page you're at assuming you feel that page is useful to others. That's what it's all about. I'm trying to help you with great free information, and I'd appreciate it if you would help me in return. You do just that by clicking those buttons each time you're at the site.

I'm going to explain why clicking these buttons on each page is so vitally important in a blog post on Tuesday. There's big search engine change in the wind, and I absolutely need your help now.

The Tool Review section is empty right now, but you'll see the first review up on Tuesday. I started testing the Senco Lithium-Ion F-18 Finish Nailer yesterday. Early Line: WOW! You'll not want to miss that review.

If you work for a PR firm that represents a tool manufacturer, or work for the actual manufacturer, you'll want to start sending me tools to review.

They can be hand tools or power tools. Send any tool that's of great quality and people can buy now. You have to fill out the form at this page to do it.

Deck Cleaning and Sealing eBook

About ten days ago, I did an overview from 45,000 feet on deck cleaning and sealing. That's the altitude private jets travel. I discovered that fact from a friend last fall. They fly higher than commercial aircraft because the air is thinner up there and the private jets can go faster. Isn't that amazing? I never knew that. But I digress.

I got SO MANY questions from subscribers like you after that feature in the March 6th newsletter, that I decided the topic is worthy of a book.

I'm soliciting questions from you right now. Please send me your burning questions about deck cleaning and sealing ASAP.

Please do not ask questions about Building a Deck. That's going to be a future eBook.

I'm just looking for questions about cleaning, sealing and minor repairs you have to make before you clean and seal. You can ask questions about regular care or things you feel might harm a deck. Or maybe it's about snow and ice.

I already have all the normal ones like:

  • What's the best sealer?
  • What's the best cleaner?
  • How do I remove tough stains?
  • Ventilation questions
  • etc.

Please list each of your questions on a separate line in your reply. Please change the Subject Line to: Deck Questions.

Finally, I've been searching for a deck flossing tool. I can't seem to find it. This is a tool that would remove organic debris from between tightly spaced decking boards.

Do you know of such a tool? Yes, I realize you can blast away at this with a pressure washer, but that can damage wood surfaces.

I'm looking for some sort of thin metal tool that can be put in the groove.

Ugliest Bathroom Makeover

Posted on by Tim Carter

Joel Williams responded to my request for Before and After pictures. He provided this story and the related photos for the winner of the Ugliest Bathroom Contest. Here is his email. Click on any of the images below for a higher resolution view.

"Tim:

In a recent newsletter you requested before and after images of bathroom remodels.

Attached are some additions to your website from a winner of America’s Ugliest Bathroom contest, by American Standard Brands.

As the contest winner, homeowner Darlene Wetzel received $10,000 in new plumbing products and fixtures to upgrade her family’s eyesore to what she calls, “right out of a magazine.”

Contractor Shane McGarvey (Campbell, NY) helped Wetzel design a multipurpose bathroom for her family that included a stacked washer and dryer and laundry folding table. The goal was to create a bathroom with very clean lines that was both modern and welcoming. Wetzel, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, opted for a walk-in bathtub, “that would be easy for me to use when I wasn't feeling well.” She says she is now able to enjoy relaxing heated baths and appreciates muscle therapy offered by the whirlpool jets. McGarvey added a pocket door to free up space and allow for wheelchair accessibility.

Wetzel also fell in love with the warmth of the dark vanity and the clean lines of the white sink/top. In particular, she appreciates the vanity’s storage drawers that put daily essentials right at her fingertips but allow her to tuck them away to maintain her “right out of a magazine bathroom.”

Tim, as I mentioned, we’ve included several before and after images for your consideration. Like me, I’m sure your viewers would be interested in seeing this transformation from ugly duckling to magazine style. Come to think of it, I could use a similar transformation….

This hasn't been published anywhere; thought you might be able to use it.

Thanks,"

Joel Williams

 

If you want to submit pictures and the story behind your project, CLICK HERE to go to the Before & After Submission Page.

Main Circuit Breaker Shut Off Tip

Posted on by Tim Carter

After reading my Tip of the Week on shutting off the water main, Don of Kitty Hawk, NC, provided this tip on your electric service.

"While you are showing those concerned how to shut off the water - how about also showing them how to shut off the power?

After a near disaster, I labeled our breaker box - just in case I am not close-by.

Regards,"

Don

Main Circut Breaker

Where’s the Water Shut Off Valve?

Posted on by Tim Carter

How many times have you received a reminder about fire drills in your home? Have you disregarded those? Shame on you. We talked about that all the time when my kids were small. They knew if there was a fire in our home exactly what they were supposed to do.

But what about a simple thing like a water leak? You may know where your water shut off valve is, but does everyone in the family? Does everyone know how to turn or operate the valve? Is it blocked by all kinds of stuff in a closet or is it in the basement? Does the valve even work? When was the last time it was exercised? Oh, you didn't know you have to exercise a valve?

Do you turn off your water if you're leaving your home for an extended time? Why not? Do you already have a great relationship with a plumber if you need one in a hurry? Why not? The list of questions is endless.

This is just another reason why I beg you to open each newsletter and read it. I'm trying to help you save thousands of dollars with all the information I'm sharing. You must know how to turn off your water FAST in case of a major leak.

March 14, 2012 AsktheBuilder Newsletter And Tips

Posted on by Tim Carter

What's in this Issue?

Latest News
Free eBook
Impact Driver Tools
Tip of the Week		 eBook Survey
Video of the Week
Did I Pick the Right Roofer?
Q & A of the Week

Last Sunday I completed three weeks of crazy travel. I was gone for 18.5 of 21 days. That's pretty insane if you ask me. While I had many ups and downs emotionally in my travels, perhaps the strangest thing happened this past weekend in San Francisco. I was there attending a publishing conference.

The conference was hosted at the Sheraton at Fisherman's Wharf, just one block from the bay. If you've not been to Fisherman's Wharf, it's absolutely the quintessential tourist trap with the wax museum, gift shops, street performers, theme restaurants, etc.

The weekends are packed with people, and at lunchtime I wandered down to the wharf as we had an extended lunch break during the conference. All of a sudden 30-35 naked adults, of all ages, rode by on bicycles in a pack hooting and hollering.

I was so stunned that I couldn't get out my cell phone fast enough to get a video. All you would have seen in the video, had I got it operating, would have been some bum and rump shots and believe me, that was not a pretty sight. Only in San Francisco!

Also, be aware that links at my website MAY BE acting funny today (March 14, 2012). If you experience that, just be patient. There's NO NEED to email me about broken links. My crack technology team is working hard on any issues.

The Free How to Grout Ceramic Floor Tile eBook

I want to thank you if you were one of the thousands that downloaded my How to Grout Ceramic Floor Tile eBook from Amazon this past weekend. It's a very long story and the promotion was last minute. I realize that some were unable to make Amazon's deadline and didn't get a free copy or had technology issues. I apologize for that.

That's one reason why it's really important to open and read each issue of this newsletter. You'll never know what's inside. In the future, I'll try to give you more advance notice.

Also, as I publish more new ebooks, be aware they may never be part of a free promotion. When I uploaded this eBook to Amazon, I gave them the exclusive rights to carry the eBook for the first 90 days. Part of that program includes days when the eBook can be given away for free.

In the future, I may not give the exclusive rights to Amazon and upload it to the other online stores that sell eBooks. If I do this, I'll announce it in this newsletter and tell you that it probably will never be for free.

Thanks for your review if you left one at Amazon for me. I sincerely appreciate it.

I had quite a few folks who wanted to be on the exclusive new email list where you discover what I'm working on. The other benefit of getting on this new list is that you can help collaborate on all new eBooks. You get to tell me what you want to see. Go here to sign up for this new premier AsktheBuilder.com newsletter.

Impact Driver Power Tools

Two weeks ago, I wrote a column about impact drivers. I have a cordless one that has become my best tool buddy. These tools look like a drill, but are really a powered ratchet or screwdriver.

If you're looking for a gift idea for yourself or a loved one, you want to give these tools serious thought. Here's the cordless impact driver I've been using. It's absolutely amazing. There are other ones at Amazon that you may like. Be sure to read the reviews!

Tip of the Week - Where's the Water Shut Off Valve?

How many times have you received a reminder about fire drills in your home? Have you disregarded those? Shame on you. We talked about that all the time when my kids were small. They knew if there was a fire in our home exactly what they were supposed to do.

But what about a simple thing like a water leak? You may know where your water shut off valve is, but does everyone in the family? Does everyone know how to turn or operate the valve? Is it blocked by all kinds of stuff in a closet or is it in the basement? Does the valve even work? When was the last time it was exercised? Oh, you didn't know you have to exercise a valve?

Do you turn off your water if you're leaving your home for an extended time? Why not? Do you already have a great relationship with a plumber if you need one in a hurry? Why not? The list of questions is endless.

This is just another reason why I beg you to open each newsletter and read it. I'm trying to help you save thousands of dollars with all the information I'm sharing. You must know how to turn off your water FAST in case of a major leak.

eBook Survey

I'd be very interested in your opinion about eBooks. Would you please take this quick survey?

Video of the Week - Bearing Wall or Not?

I get lots of email about how to tell whether or not a wall is a bearing wall. This bearing wall video may help you figure it out at your own home.

Did I Pick the Right Roof and Roofer?

Kevin, from Pennsylvania, emailed me last night:

"Tim, I hope I didn't blow it. I just signed a deal with Futureroof systems to install their steel roof product on my home. They are based out of Canada, with regional offices in PA and other states. Looking at about $15k for a tear off and installation of the metal roof. Thanks," Kevin

I responded to Kevin asking him if he had used my Roofing Checklist and Contractor Hiring Guide to help him make the right choice. Sadly he answered "No."

Don't make the same mistake as Kevin. Get my Roofing Contractor Hiring Guide & Checklist and use it to give you the Confidence you've made the right choice.

Q & A of the Week - Adding a New Tub or Shower

DEAR TIM: I would like to add a bathtub in a room that has an existing walk-in shower. The floor of this room is a concrete slab poured directly on the ground. There is a floor drain within 4 feet of where I would like to add the tub. Can I just allow the tub drain to flow over to the floor drain? It seems that would work just fine to me. Or do I have to connect it to the pipes below the slab and add vent piping? I live far out in the country and I doubt an inspector would ever know what happens, one way or the other. Brad G., Waldo, AR

DEAR BRAD: Plumbing codes were not enacted to simply create work for people who might otherwise not be able to....

To discover more about adding a new tub or shower, CLICK HERE.

Custom-Made Bookcase

Posted on by Tim Carter

David Kirby shares his story of a bookcase for his granddaughter. His project had to be built in one location and transported to the granddaughter's house for installation. Besides fitting into the opening, David had to route a floor vent and electrical outlet through the unit. Here's his story.

"Dear Tim,

My granddaughter wanted a wall-covering bookcase for her new house (similar to the one I had made for her mother years ago) in her living room. The biggest problem was that the wall area was like an alcove, almost 12 feet long, and the unit needed to fit flush to the side walls. Not a big problem if built on site, but that house is 80 miles away. I needed to build it at home where I have the proper tools and transport it there. A single unit 12 feet by 8 feet by whatever depth was deemed undoable - at least - untransportable. So it was built in six sections: a 2x4 base, two lower cabinets, a one-piece top, and two upper shelf units. A floor register needed to be redirected through the base, a wall outlet needed to be relocated above the cabinet top, a security motion detector needed to be relocated, and the carpet and base trim needed to be cut back and reinstalled against the base when it was in place before the cabinets and shelving could be installed.

The cabinets and shelving units were constructed of 11/32" Baltic plywood (seems 3/4" ply isn't very available). All visible plywood edges of the cabinets and horizontal shelves were faced with poplar strips. The shelving uprights were faced with 1x2 poplar strips, dadoed with an 11/32" router bit bought for the occasion. At the center where the two shelving units met, the plywood uprights were 3/8" thick, and only the right-hand unit was attached to the facing strip. The dado was made wide enough to accept the left-hand end upright, and the result looks like continuous construction. The cabinet top was covered with Formica in a pattern that my granddaughter chose.

The cabinet doors are poplar frames, corners mitered and biscuited, all edges mitered 45 degrees, and 1/4" plywood inset in the back. Euro hinges with 3/8 overlay were installed. The cabinets have a middle shelf, and are sized to hold vinyl records in dust jackets. The drawers have full-extension glides and have compartments sized for (lots!) of CDs and DVDs. Everything was finished with sanded primer and two coats of eggshell acrylic latex paint to match the room trim.

Everything made a full 4'x8' utility trailer load, and made the trip well. The installation went better that feared - everything fit snug and tight. The trim board across the top of the shelving is not the final piece: my granddaughter wants crown molding for the room, which of course had to wait until the bookcase was in place. But that's not the last thing for her house, and may not even be the next! My wife says that she is next on a remodel of the master bathroom. (I've taken a before picture.)

I've included a picture of the set-up for painting panels, pretty self-explanatory. One other tip I'd like to pass on: an applicator/container for gluing. Through the years I've bought and tried many different applicators for board edges and biscuit slots and such, but the best I've ever found is the 11-ounce container for dishwashing liquid from a dollar store. The hole size in the cap lays down a perfect line of glue for edges and slots and the snap cover works - doesn't stick and is easy to clean. Best of all - the dishwashing liquid is not wasted - I keep a larger bottle in the set tub with a dilute solution of the liquid for easy clean up, and all for one buck.

Thanks for the web site. Your column in our local paper is one of the main reasons I keep the subscription." - David Kirby

Before the bookcase

Before the bookcase

Frame for painting

Frame for painting

Finished bookcase

Finished bookcase

 

If you want to submit pictures and the story behind your project, CLICK HERE to go to the Before & After Submission Page.

Bathroom Shelves

Posted on by Tim Carter

Lewis Allen needed some shelves in his bathroom. He had several small items that required shelf space. Below are Lewis' photos of his bathroom corner before shelves and after installation.



 

If you want to submit pictures and the story behind your project, CLICK HERE to go to the Before & After Submission Page.

Ladder Safety Tip

Posted on by Tim Carter

After reading last week's tip, I got this sobering email from David Wick who's recovering from injuries in Molalla, OR:

"I was on an old aluminum 6-foot ladder on a flat sidewalk by our front door. The task was to clean out the gutter screen we have. I climbed up and was at the top (usable) step and the ladder buckled. The next thing I know I was on top of the crumpled metal, with one broken rib and a slight puncture of my lung.

I ended up being flown by helicopter to the ER. I am home recovering now, but I would like you to stress to your other newsletter subscribers to really consider throwing out the old ladders and getting a new one.

I should have tossed that one a year or two ago. I also now want a spotter when I use one because my wife was home, but upstairs, and I had to pick myself up and get inside which was hard to do after a fall. When on the ladder, I didn't reach out and change the center of gravity of the ladder. It just buckled. It's amazing how hard you hit when you only fall 5 feet."

David, that's a great tip and by all means get better soon! Thanks for sharing. On a personal note, I inherited a similar 8-foot aluminum ladder from my father-in-law years ago.

The spreader arms had a horrible habit of bending. I never fell, but it was a very dangerous ladder. I ended up taking it to the recycle center cut in pieces so no one else could be hurt by it.

Building Steps Tip

Posted on by Tim Carter

I shared this one on Facebook on Super Bowl Sunday:

"Don't take the easy way out of building steps by making those sawtooth notch cuts. Create rabbets in the sides of the stringers so you maximize the strength of the set of steps."

You've seen steps cut the wrong way. Those are the ones that look like a saw blade. Remember, stair stringers are the beams that support your weight, that of the refrigerator, and the other person helping you. When you cut the sawtooth configuration, you turn a 2x12 into a 2x6!

Want to see how to layout, cut and make rabbets in stair stringers the way I do? Do you want to discover the most comfortable riser/tread combination for a new set of steps? You know, the perfect set of steps that are safe and easy to go up and down?

All of that and more are in this Building Deck Stairs eBook of mine.