What's In This Issue

I'm back in New Hampshire after a two week solo road trip down and back to Savannah, GA. It was primarily a business trip, but I did make numerous stops to visit old friends who live in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern states.

There sure is some great food in Savannah, GA! I had some delicious shrimp and grits and two different pecan pies that were to die for. Oh how I love pecan pie. And then there was the sweet potato ginger soup. Wow!

Knitted Hats

Here's an update on my hat situation. Three resourceful women, Linda, Maggie, and Greta, have made hats for me. There were some sizing issues, but we just about have that worked out.

I got to meet Linda Hayes in person while in Savannah. She lives in Georgia, and was in town with her husband Tom, visiting their son I believe. Linda made three hats for me, and one of my buddies from the conference captured a quick video of the two of us just after she presented them to me.

On my return trip from Savannah to New Hampshire, I gave away one of the three hats to my buddy, Mike Wilson, who's battling cancer. A side effect of chemotherapy is being cold. He's not got a lot of hair on his head to begin with so Linda's hat made him warm and put a big grin on his face as you can see in this photo.

Here's a photo of the hat Maggie made for me. Perfect setting with the snow covering the lake behind me! Greta, we've got to figure out how to make your hat fit on my big head!

Deck Cleaning and Sealing

I promised you that this issue would be completely devoted to deck cleaning and sealing. One wouldn't think this is important right now, especially if you live up here in New Hampshire or any other state where there is still snow on the ground. Spending time on decks seems like its months away.

But my trip to Savannah, where last Wednesday I was in shorts and a tee shirt enjoying 79F weather, reminded me that millions of people are getting ready down South to clean and seal their decks.

Cleaning Decks

The mainstream media, home improvement TV shows, magazines, etc. for years have broadcast information about cleaning decks that I feel is just plain harmful and wrong.

The two primary things that are mentioned are using chlorine bleach and pressure washers to ready your deck for a sealer. For well over seventeen years, I've written about how both can do serious harm to wood surfaces and vegetation and trees near your deck.

I've received hundreds of emails from deck cleaning companies that rail on me about how I trash pressure washers. The pressure washer manufacturers are not too happy with me as well.

But I've been on hundreds of decks that have been ruined by pressure washers - some of which were cleaned by *pros*. The high-powered stream of water rapidly erodes the lighter bands of spring wood from between the darker bands of summer wood.

Realize that when a tree grows during a single year it adds two bands of wood. The light colored band is the wood added in the spring when the tree grows rapidly. It's not as dense as the dark band that represents growth through the summer months and early fall.

Understand that a high-pressure stream of water, over time, will erode the spring wood. That's a fact. Get too aggressive with both pressure, small degree tool tip and distance of wand to wood, and you can have a one-year-old deck looking like a 50-year-old fishing pier.

Chlorine bleach is highly damaging to natural wood. It removes the color of the wood turning the wood white, it's corrosive to all nails and metal framing connectors, and it's highly toxic to all plants and trees around the deck.

My neighbor in Cincinnati killed a gorgeous tree of hers next to her patio because each spring she poured 5 gallons of pure chlorine bleach on her patio to clean off the algae. I told her she was poisoning the tree, but she blew me off as if I was an idiot. The tree is gone and she paid a tree service thousands of dollars to remove it.

The best method, in my opinion, to clean a deck is to use oxygen bleach and a scrub brush. That's what my Stain Solver is oxygen bleach. Oxygen bleach does not remove the color from wood, it doesn't harm any metal and it's beneficial to all the plants and trees around your deck. It's easy to use and my Stain Solver is just days away from being certified organic.

Here's a video that shows you how I use Stain Solver to clean a deck. It's a little corny, but that's because the TV station that commissioned the video wanted me to try to add a little humor to my videos. You can see I'll never make it as an actor.

Could you do me a huge favor? If you LIKE that video, can you click the Thumbs Up button in the lower left corner of the video player? Thanks. The pressure washer people are the ones clicking the Thumbs Down. It could also be from any professional actors and actresses watching it now that I think of it.

The annual spring Stain Solver Deck Cleaning Sale is just weeks away. Be SURE to open all upcoming newsletters to watch for the flash sale that will only last one week.

Deck Sealers

I've written countless columns at my website about Deck Sealers. There are many different kinds. Some are film formers and others are penetrating sealers. They both come clear or pigmented.

Last year I intended to start a very thorough testing of deck sealers. But I got very sick in the spring and it took months to recover. By the time I felt better, too much of the summer had passed to get good first-year test results.

I'm starting the sealer test no later than May 1st of this year. I'll have the deck sealer results available starting in the spring of 2013.

But here's what I can already tell you. I've not yet discovered a clear sealer of any type that doesn't fail the first year. They all allow the wood to turn gray within months. If you know of one that does NOT turn gray, I'd love to know about it.

In fact, I'd LOVE to hear from you about any deck sealer that you've tried that has worked really well or has failed miserably. I'll be sure to include them in my upcoming test.

The pigmented sealers do a great job of preventing deck wood from turning gray. The question is how good they are at repelling water over long periods of time. I'll be testing that as well.

Caring for Composite Decking

I get many emails about composite deck care. These decks have been sold for years as being maintenance-free. The truth is you need to care for them, even if that means annual or twice-a-year cleaning.

Once again, the best cleaner is oxygen bleach. Certain composite deck materials that have a cap stock or are solid plastic or vinyl can be cleaned with a pressure washer with little chance of damage. But always test first to make sure.

The best way to test for damage is to clean side-by-side areas of the composite deck with a pressure washer and the other section by hand with a scrub brush and some soap. You can attach the scrub brush to a pole so you're not on your hands and knees.

Rinse the deck well and allow it to dry. Look closely at the section cleaned with the pressure washer to check for surface damage or color differences.

Off Topic - Scale

I sometimes talk about scale. A few weeks ago, I brought this up about cupolas that sit on roofs. Scale is important with wood trim in a home too. Talk to any architect and they'll tell you they get extensive schooling on scale.

But what about scale in everyday life? Go to this website and you'll quickly discover how big or small something is.

Be SURE to click on the descriptions of the items for a laugh.

What's in This Newsletter?

I'm writing this from rainy Okatie, SC, just west of Hilton Head Island. If you live near here, you're happy about the rain. My hosts tell me that it's been very dry here.

I'll be in Savannah until early Friday morning of this week, and then I start my journey back to NH. I'll have been gone 14 days when I get back.

I'm only home for two days and then I fly to San Francisco for a quick two-day conference. I'll be so glad to get back to NH so I can be with the family and hunker down to work for you.

I want to tell you that huge changes are coming to Ask the Builder. They'll all be good and you'll benefit enormously. Please be sure to open all future newsletters because breaking news will be right here.

Siding Survey

I'm very interested in what you want to know about any type of siding material that could be put on a home. It could be vinyl siding, brick, stucco, wood, stone, etc.

Can you please take this very simple survey so I can flood you with all you want to know?

Thanks!

Tip of the Week - Cutting the Rug

Last week on Ash Wednesday, I was invited to a first-ever-for-me visit to a United Methodist church service. I was in Richmond, VA, staying with great friends. When I arranged the visit, we both forgot that it was Ash Wednesday. They politely asked me if I would go to church with them after supper. Without flinching, I said yes.

We went to the St. Matthews Church that was close to the home of my friends. The pastor, Rev. Gordon Pruitt, gave an amusing homily where he talked about capturing monkeys with a box and how he replaced the worn-out carpet in the parsonage with a new carpet.

He talked about how he had rolled up the heavy carpet and lugged it to the garage where it sat in the way as it was such a hassle to get it to the dump. The homily was about changing bad habits and his way to ignore the carpet.

It was all I could to contain myself - not knowing the protocol about raising one's hand at a Methodist service. Of course, I would never think of doing such a thing at a Catholic mass.

I wanted to tell Rev. Pruitt that all he had to do when he removed the carpet was to cut it up in place in the living room. He just had to flip over one edge of the carpet about 40 inches onto itself and the backing of the carpet would be right there.

The backing would be elevated off the floor and using a sharp razor knife he could easily have cut the carpet into manageable 3-foot strips that could be rolled up, secured with twine or duct tape and easily put in the trunk of a car to take to the dump or recycling facility.

Don't let this happen to you. Don't break your back trying to carry the entire carpet out of the house. Only take it out in one piece if you know the old rug can be cleaned and reused by someone else.

New Work Pants

Last fall I told you about some pants I had to buy out in Montana because I had forgotten to pack them for the big trip up into Northwest Canada.

Well, last week I started testing a new set of work pants from Duluth Trading Company, and they are much better than the ones I got from Columbia.

These new Duluth Fire Hose work pants fit superbly, they have a multitude of pockets - even a hidden one on the inside of the pants, and much more.

I love the little loop that hangs down from a front belt loop that's perfect for a small carabineer you might use on your key chain or a small camera case.

I just checked the Duluth Trading website and they're on sale right now.

I do NOT get a commission for any sales. I'm just sharing this with you because they are very nice pants. There's no doubt I'll be getting another pair.

IMPORTANT Google Search History News

This is not really home improvement news, but it absolutely could affect you.

There's been a major tectonic shift in Google's privacy policy. Tens of thousands of words have been written about it.

But for years, if you've used Google search, you may have unknowingly ALLOWED Google to save and record every single search you've done on THEIR servers.

Last week, I goofed up BIG TIME.

This is important for one reason.

I never turned on this feature years ago, but you may have and forgotten about it.

You have just two more days to erase all of that history. The trouble is I don't believe that they will erase the data from their servers.

My gut tells me that everything we do online is really tracked and stored. Just be as aware as possible and know that what you do can be tracked.

For more information, click here.

Wireless Router Privacy

While on the topic of computer stuff, did you know that you may be able to add a layer of protection to your wireless router? You may have one of these in your home so you can surf the web without a cord.

Once again, I'm NOT an expert but I'm staying at a private residence here in South Carolina where the homeowner has a secondary layer of protection in his standard router.

Each computer, smartphone that has wireless, a Kindle, basically any wireless device, has a unique identifier number or code. Think of it as a social security number.

To gain access to my friend's wireless network HE HAD to enter into the router the unique address of my laptop and my new Kindle Fire. Dig into the settings or preferences of any wireless device and you'll discover this identity code.

You can learn much more about this at the websites of two friends: Ask Leo or AskBobRankin

New England Old House and Barn Tour

Do you want to see hundreds of gorgeous old Victorian houses, old post and beam barns and just travel some great back roads this summer? You can see tons of stuff and get immersed in old home improvement right here in central New Hampshire.

Want to see a fantastic old granite home built from special stone shaped in hexagons? Then you need to tour Castle in the Clouds. I could go on and on.

But if you want to stay in some quaint cottages along the placid Pemigewasset River, then you better make reservations NOW.

Last month, I met the owners of the Gilcrest Cottages here in New Hampshire at my meet up. Gary and Julie have done a fantastic job at this retro vacation haven. Want to step back in time, but have all the modern conveniences? Then stay at Gilcrest Cottages as you do day trips around New Hampshire's White Mountains. WOW is all I can say.

Video of the Week - How to Install a Kitchen Faucet

You better watch this video now. It's a long story that I'll soon be sharing here in the newsletter.

Q & A of the Week - Terrific Workbenches

DEAR TIM: I'm sure you know about workbenches. My New Year's resolution was to build a home workbench. I've seen workbenches for sale, but they seem too small for me. I'm up for the task of building a custom workbench, but am worried about the best way to do it. The surface needs to be durable, but affordable. Do you have any secrets you'd like to share about building a workshop workbench? Andy M., Enola, PA

DEAR ANDY: I have many secrets to share, and will try to give you as many as I can in this limited space. Tool workbenches are my favorite, and over the years I've built...

To discover ninja secrets about workbenches, Click Here.

What's in This Newsletter?

As you read this, I'll be on the road driving from New Hampshire to Savannah, GA. The drive will take four days because I'm visiting friends along the way and I'll try to conduct a little business.

One of my stops is in Raleigh, NC, where I'll visit a very dear friend Mike Wilson. Mike and I grew up on the same street in Cincinnati, OH, and we have stayed in touch through the years. Both of us were part of a group of WW II baby boomers living in a traditional middle-class neighborhood doing all the things you'd expect from young boys.

I thought you'd enjoy this photo of Mike and I taken in 1972 at a construction site just across the street from where we lived. Look at our hair and, yes, there were six packs under those tee shirts.

You might also enjoy this true story I wrote about one of our famous sleepovers.

I tried to pull together some meet ups along the way, but I just couldn't make your location mesh with my tight driving
schedule and timeline. I apologize for that. If you live in Hilton Head, or in Savannah, GA, and can get to either of those places between February 25th and March 1st, perhaps we can arrange a lunch. If you can do that, reply to this email changing the Subject Line to - Savannah Lunch.

My Custom Console

Last week, I mentioned I was building a special console for my truck. It was made to hold my ham radio control head, the high-output ham radio speaker, my cell phone which does double duty as a talking GPS navigation device, and all sorts of other things like my Plantronics bluetooth headset, sunglasses, etc.

I made this from some scrap wood I had and painted it to match the seats in the truck. Believe me; I'm not going into the business to mass produce them. The console is rock solid, and I'm sure will perform well.

High Water Bills

Don Grode, a subscriber to this newsletter, sent me a video that if someone told you what happened, you probably would not believe them. If you happen to have high water bills, have pets, and you're not home during the day, well ......

Tip of the Week - Fascinating Folding Door Hardware

Many homes have gorgeous wide openings between rooms. Kathy and I had that at our Queen Anne Victorian home in Cincinnati, OH, where our living room connected to our entrance hall. If you want privacy in one of the rooms, you have all sorts of options. Keep in mind that regular swing doors take up lots of room.

To not waste floor space, you can utilize great hardware from LE Johnson to quickly install folding doors that give you the needed privacy, but not eat up floor space. This is a great alternative if you're on a limited budget and can't afford all the work needed to install pocket doors to achieve the goal. What's more, you may not be able to install a pocket door in that location, much less dual pocket doors that meet in the center of the opening.

This folding door solution will work in any home no matter what the architectural style. You don't have to use flat slab doors as you see in this photo. You can use panel doors, doors with some glass, whatever suites your taste! Click here to discover more about the LE Johnson Folding Door hardware.

I've used LE Johnson door hardware in my homes for years, and when I build my next house for Kathy and me, you'll find it there because it works!

Here are two links to larger photos of the opening above showing the door open and closed.

Lead Paint Follow Up

In last week's newsletter I had a rant about costly lead-paint regulations that recently went into effect. Believe me, I know when I publish that type of stuff, I make many, many, new friends and a small handful of foes. I get that.

But here's an email I got from Don Colon, who used to own a business in Baldwinsville, NY. I simply groaned when I read it:

"I had a small garage door business. Our industry magazine came out with an article on this over a year ago. One part of the story was about a dealer being fined $10,000 because he did not have copies of the paperwork on lead for jobs he did. You have to keep this stuff for five years and it's open to government inspection. If they don't like the way it is filled out, they levy fines. (I always felt they were under orders to collect more fines than their salaries.) My solution was to close my business, disconnect the phone, and prepare to surrender my NYS tax license."

RoomtoYou.com

Last week I told you about a brand-new online design and decorating service being offered by my daughter Meghan. She's the one who authored the book, The Meghan Method.

If you struggle trying to make a room or rooms look fantastic, Meghan can help you! You can hire her for one-on-one consulting.

Meghan has a SPECIAL limited offering to just a handful of people. I'm serious. This is not some marketing trick. She can only work with so many people a month. If you want Meghan's expert help in designing or decorating the room of your dreams, now is the time. Watch one of the two videos below NOW.

Watch this video of Meghan and me having some fun about RoomToYou if you want.

If you just want to see Meghan, and not have me asking crazy questions, click here.

Deck Cleaning Myths Dispelled

Deck cleaning season is just about to start down in the southern tier of states along the Gulf Coast. I BEG you to hold off on this task for a couple of weeks.

Why? Because I'm going to devote the March 6th newsletter to this VERY IMPORTANT topic. Each spring I get lots of
email from distressed homeowners who have ruined their decks while cleaning them.

Please, do NOT clean your deck until you read my March 6th newsletter.

Q & A of the Week - Sink P-Trap Substitutes

DEAR TIM: I saw a new device on a website that says it can replace the traditional p-trap under a plumbing fixture. It has a flexible tube-like membrane that is supposed to stay closed when no water is flowing down the pipe. I'm skeptical this thing would work over the long haul. I also wonder how things like this get approved by code officials. It seems the traditional P-trap under all my plumbing fixtures works well. What do you think about these mechanical plumbing products that attach to the waste and vent lines? Julie P., Rockford, IL

DEAR JULIE: Boy, oh boy, you sure know how to stir the pot! You also did a great job of touching a nerve I happen to have about plumbing devices and code officials. Let's open the discussion with ....

CLICK HERE to read all about why you MUST think long and hard about not using a P-trap.

What's in This Newsletter?

We've had a string of bluebird days here in New Hampshire. It's absolutely glorious winter weather. I know, I can hear all you warm-weather fans chuckling now. But seriously, it's great. I really enjoyed my 3.3-mile walk around the block yesterday.

The lake's been frozen solid now for about three weeks. It's now starting to talk. That's what I call it. It makes these very low warbling noises that sound like reverb on a guitar amplifier. That's the best way I can describe it. I'm quite certain it's the wind flexing the ice and creating a harmonic with the water. Kathy says it's the aliens under the ice wanting to get out.

Last night I attended the best ham radio meeting of my life. Dale Clement, AF1T, did a talk on antennae that blew my mind. He used simple light bulbs to show that there are invisible radio waves in the air. Yes, that's a dill pickle antenna. I'm not kidding, two dill pickles make a perfect 432 MHz dipole antenna! The green LED is showing you it's picking up the signal from the antenna on the pole.

Stain Solver SHIPPING News

We got hammered with orders in the Stain Solver sale two weeks ago. We are scheduled to manufacture NEXT week. All back orders should ship by February 16th. THANKS for your patience. I'm going to have to start calling you Job.

Looking for a Knitter

I got a comment on my AsktheBuilder Facebook fan page from Rob who saw me wearing my red, white and blue knit hat. He said: "You need to get an ATB hat!"

You can see me wearing it in this video.

He's right! I'm looking for a fan who's looking for some publicity or ??? Here's the issue. My hat size is a 7 and 7/8 inches. Every knit hat, including the one in the video seems small to me and really has to stretch to fit my noggin.

I'd love a hat that doesn't fit too tightly, was colorful and had my new AsktheBuilder logo on it. Are you up for the task? Let's make a deal. Respond to this email changing the Subject Line to: Tim's New Hat. Who knows, it could get popular and we'll mass produce them!

Tip of the Week

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.

Free Online Access to the ICC Residential Building Code

Do you often have questions about the Building Code? Do you wonder if your builder or remodeler is doing the right thing? You can check online now! Click here for Code Access.

However, understand that your city or town has the right to modify, add to or delete sections of this model code. Use it as a guide and always check with your local building inspector to ensure what you're looking at online is what's in play in your area.

Video of the Week

What do you do if you need temporary heat? Yes, you can rent those large torpedo heaters, and other devices.

But what if you want to thaw the ground? Yes, it's possible! Watch this video showing a ground heater

Paving Contractors - Help!

Do you install gravel, blacktop, tar and chip, concrete, concrete pavers, poured concrete, stamped concrete driveways? If so I need you to reply to me changing the Subject Line to: Drive Prices. I'd love to know in your market WHAT it costs per square foot to install the average driveway that you do. Tell me the type of paving you do and the cost. Don't forget to tell me where you work - city and state.

If there's a price range, that's fine too. But please reach out. I want to see what it costs in your area.

Road Trip! Let's Meet Up!

On February 20th or the 21st, I'm going to leave New Hampshire on my way to Savannah, GA in my red Ford Super Duty. I'll be making a few stops on the way. I'll also be driving back to New Hampshire.

On my way down, I'll be driving straight through to the Washington, D.C. area. I'll be beat, but dinner that night is possible. Or a brunch could happen the next morning.

I'll be passing through Richmond, VA, Raleigh/Durham, NC, Greenville, SC, and then end up in Hilton Head, SC before getting to Savannah.

Reach out and tell me if you want to meet up. Let's see what's possible. I'll try to accommodate as many meetings as possible. Change the Subject Line to: ROAD TRIP

How to Grout Ceramic Tile Floor Kindle Book

Do you have a Kindle? That's the cool Amazon tablet eBook reader. Amazon's latest is the Kindle Fire which allows you to see in color and is really a full-blown tablet.

Even if you don't own a Kindle, you can read Amazon Kindle books. You can download FREE Kindle readers for your iPad or your computer. This allows you to enjoy all the content at the Amazon Kindle store without using a Kindle.

Well, yesterday I just published my first Kindle eBook! If you want to discover the way I grout ceramic floor tile so it looks great and never crumbles, this is the guide for you. Many more Kindle books from me are about to be published.

This first one contains a tool guide, full instructions, color step-by-step photos and a link to four secret videos that show you from start to finish how to get professional results the first time.

All this for less than $4. Can you believe that?

Q & A of the Week - Repair a Concrete Foundation

DEAR TIM: I'm thinking of buying a home that has significant cracks in the concrete foundation. Family members are urging me to run away from this house. I'm thinking it's a deal and the cracks can be repaired. How would you assess the situation and what are some of my repair options? Are there any unintended consequences that will come up later should I decide to purchase this home? I need some clarity to help me make the right choice. Peggy P., Rochester, NY

DEAR PEGGY: Cracks in a concrete foundation can be signs of serious structural issues. It's paramount that you . . .

Want to read the rest of the column so you know your options? Click HERE.

Don't forget - Do it Right, not Over,

Tim Carter

Founder - AsktheBuilder.com

What's in This Newsletter?

Latest News
Update on Veronica Hill
Tip of the Week
Video of the Week - Radiant Floor Heating Transfer Plates
Bath Remodeling Coaching Course Update
Basic How-To Courses
New eBook - The New Home Dream or Nightmare
Q&A of the Week - Cupola Tips and Secrets

Last week my youngest daughter transferred to the University of New Hampshire. We moved her in with no issues, and I must say it's a stunning campus.Kathy, my wife, was really impressed with what little she saw as we were pretty busy getting a parking pass, Kelly's ID, submitting health forms, going to the bookstore, and actually moving in.

We can't wait to stroll around the campus on a nice spring day.

Two weeks from today, I hope to be outdoors for three days in a row, helping to provide ham radio communications for the 83rd Laconia World Championship Sled Dog Derby, here in New Hampshire.

Any number of ham radio operators like me are put out all over the course to be able to radio for help, assistance, or to supply other logistic information about what's happening far away from the start/finish line. We need Mother Nature to cooperate and give us some more snow!

Update on Veronica Hill

You may have voted for Veronica Hill a little over two weeks ago in the YouTube "On the Rise" competition. I wanted to tell you that her CaliforniaTravelTips channel was awarded the WIN and she was featured on the home page of YouTube yesterday. Congratulations Veronica!

The YogaToday channel was disqualified for vote fraud in case you followed the results closely during the competition. At the end of the voting, they clearly had more votes, but many were cast by the same people.

Thanks for supporting Veronica. She clearly deserved the win.

Watch this special video she taped for the home page of YouTube.

Be sure to stay with it to the end to hear Veronica's magical laugh.

Tip of the Week

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.

Video of the Week - Radiant Floor Heating Transfer Plates

If you've never experienced the soothing heat produced by radiant infloor heating, all I can say is, it's glorious. As I type this newsletter, I'm enjoying it in my own home.

Radiant heating in concrete slabs works great, but there were problems in the past when it was used on wood subfloors. Stapling the tubing on the underside of the subfloor created hot and cold spots and droops in the tubing caused additional inefficiencies.

Watch this video to see the latest radiant floor-heating technology that eliminates these issues.

Once again I can really use your help. Please add your comments under the video describing how the video helped you. Thanks for doing that!

Bath Remodeling Coaching Course Update

Oh my goodness! Last week's announcement about my new Online Bath Remodeling Coaching Course struck a nerve, but not in a bad way.

I can have it ready to go in the next two weeks, but only with YOUR help. I need you to Help Me design the course. Yes, you.

There are two things you have to do. Take a quick survey and re-sign up to get the course announcement. Here's why you need to re-sign up.

Last week I goofed up BIG TIME and created the WRONG Sign Up form. So we're going to have a Do Over.

This is important for one reason. I'm going to offer registration for the course to this Exclusive List of interested people. So if you want to be one of the FIRST 25 students to take the class, SIGN UP NOW.

By the time I announce it to everyone here on the main newsletter list, I'm quite sure there will already be a waiting list for the Coaching Course. SIGN UP NOW if you want to have a chance at being in the first class.

To sign up, you have to first take the survey to help design the Perfect Course you want. It should take you less than 90 seconds to take the survey.

When you complete the survey, you'll be taken to the page to sign up so you're FIRST to get registration details.

Basic How-To Courses

I truly opened up a can of worms two weeks ago when I talked about the New Home Construction Coaching Course. But it's all good.

You may have sent to me one of the hundreds of emails that have poured in about much more focused learning. You're telling me you want live streaming TV courses put on by me about plumbing, carpentry, roofing, etc.

I hear you, and I need you to HELP design the courses. Please take this simple two-question survey and I'll get to work immediately on developing the courses. You're going to love them for sure.

New eBook - The New Home Dream or Nightmare - You Decide

Are you thinking of building a new home soon? If so, take a few hours and read a very funny and sad book. Yes, both emotions are possible when reading about the new home construction process.

If I'd Known That Was Going to Happen book was written by Andy Bozeman, and I feel it's a very accurate description of the process.

Many of the things Andy recounts in his book I've written about for years and are at my AsktheBuilder.com website. The difference is Andy tells it from his perspective of him building his own home.

It's a good winter read - actually it's a good read any season. It's a must read if you have the itch to build a home or do a large room addition.

NOTE: This is an Instant Download book from my shopping cart. I don't mail you a copy. You just read it on your computer, or transfer the PDF file to any electronic reader that accepts these common files.

Q & A of the Week - Cupola Tips and Secrets

DEAR TIM: I'm going to build a cupola on top of my garage. The roof is not too steep, so I think I can manage to do this safely. I've got all sorts of questions about cupola designs and general questions. What is the best cupola roof to have? I've seen hip roofs as well as fancy sloped hip designs. Can you do just a standard gable roof on a cupola? What other tips can you share about installing a cupola? Bradley G, Lexington, KY

DEAR BRADLEY: Congratulations on this exciting upcoming project. Cupolas add a touch of class to a structure. Drive around New England where I live and you'll see quite a few on barns, stables, garages and even houses. You have perhaps two of the most viewed cupolas in the world just west of you in Louisville, KY at the .....

To continue reading great things about cupolas, CLICK HERE.

Don't forget - Do it Right, not Over,
Tim Carter
Founder - AsktheBuilder.com

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