Kinetico Water Purification

Posted on by Tim Carter



First Name:  
Last Name:  
Phone Number:  
Email Address:  
City:  
State:  

Get Your Free Estimate

    No-charge water analysis.
  • Two-year total satisfaction guarantee.
  • Custom tailored water purification solution to fit your needs.

Recently I paid to have a fantastic water softener and purification system installed in my home.

The rotten egg smell is gone. The water is SOFT. It's unbelievable!

I researched who had the best system. You can get a free quote from the same company I used.

Just put in your name, email and phone number, and you'll hear from the SecondWind Water folks very soon!

Your info is safe with me. I've shared it only with them, and they will NOT hassle you.

Tim Carter
Founder - AsketheBuilder.com

 

December 1, 2009 AsktheBuilder News And Tips

Posted on by Tim Carter

What’s in This Issue?

Thanksgiving
Buying a Foreclosed Home
Cool Hole Template Tool
Handy Soldering Torch
Practical Socket Wrench
Sears Hammerhead Auto-Hammer
Crazy Paint Brush
Latest Columns and Videos
The Fire Pit

I do product reviews frequently. Please read my Disclosure Policy to understand the relationship between the companies that make the products or offer the services I review and me.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER

Friendly Question Reminder!

If you have a question for me, don't hit the Reply button just yet. Go immediately to my web site and type in the keywords about your problem into my Search engine. The search box is at the top of every page of my web site. You could have your answer in seconds if you do this! Please pay attention to all links you see at my web site. The exact products and services you often need are right in front of you, and you might be ignoring them.

Thanksgiving

How was your Thanksgiving? Mine was not bad, but I've had better. There were too many empty chairs at the table. If you're a newer subscriber, then you may not know that my mom and my mother-in-law both passed away in the past 10 months. On top of that, my oldest daughter Meghan stayed up in New Hampshire because otherwise she would have turned right around to come back to Cincinnati for a mid-year graduation ceremony for a friend. I'm sure it could have been worse, as anyone with a loved one in harms way overseas can tell you.

But I was thankful for being back to see Kathy and Kelly and driving back with my son Tristan. It was also great to see my father-in-law. He's such a wise man, I just wish he'd spring for better hearing aids.

Christmas is just weeks away. This issue is full of gift ideas for yourself or if there is someone on your list who needs a cool tool.

Buying a Foreclosed Home

Jackie Perry of Hiram, Maine emailed me with a great question about a real-estate opportunity. She pondered:

Hi, My fiancé and I are looking at buying a foreclosed home that has been vacant for 3 years. It was built in 2001, and it has a full daylight walk-out basement made from poured concrete. The foundation has vertical cracks in multiple places along the walls, but also some larger cracks starting in the middle of the floor and spreading out, that are letting water in. We just noticed the water because of heavy rain. This house is at the top of a fairly large hill, so it is not typically a wet area, but there was previous water damage showing on the rugs and finished areas in the basement so this has happened before.

Is this cracking something that could be solved by fixing the exterior drainage then sealing them from both the outside and inside?

Or is this something we would have to fix structurally with the foundation itself. We are trying to decide if this house is worth fixing or if it is the next "MONEY PIT." Please Help!

Here's the action plan I proposed:

Jackie,

This could be a steal of a lifetime, but it could also be a nightmare. The BEST money you can spend right now is an inspection conducted by a residential structural engineer that specializes in foundations. You want to make sure the foundation is okay before you even consider any other issues.

Do a Google search in your area using this term: residential structural engineer your city

Where "your city" is the town or area where you live. If that search fails, get out the original search engine - The Yellow Pages - and look under - Engineers / Structural.

If the engineer's report comes back favorable - meaning that there is no issue or minor ones that can be easily repaired - then get a second inspection from an ASHI home inspector. These are the most-qualified home inspectors I know of. You want this second inspector to give the rest of the house a clean bill of health.

With these two professional opinions, you'll have an idea of what you're up against.
As for the wet basement issue, that's easily solved. I'm just about finished with the most authoritative book I'm aware of on Wet Basements and Crawlspaces - How to Fix Them Permanently.

That book should be complete in 60 days.

 

Cool Hole Template Tool

Have you struggled cutting out a perfect hole in drywall, plaster or expensive paneling for common round, square or rectangular electrical boxes? Those days may be over for you if you have the Cutzout templates and tool. Here's what they say at their website:

"CUTzOUT Installation Templates are cutting guide templates for spiral saws and rotary tools. They provide you an easy and fast way to cut perfect holes without mistakes or repairs for all kinds of new and old work plastic electrical boxes, new and old work steel electrical boxes, steel switch boxes, fiberglass electrical boxes, low-voltage boxes and brackets, ceiling boxes and pans, recessed lights, in-wall and in-ceiling speakers, breaker boxes, and much more."

I have a set and these are well made. They absolutely will allow you to cut perfect templates if you take the time to read the instructions. Go to their website and watch the videos to see how easy this template system is to use. Boy, do I wish I had this thing back when I was in the field each day! I can't tell you the number of times I sweated cutting holes into expensive paneling or in walls where there was no room for error.

Handy Soldering Torch

I just finished testing the Bernzomatic Quickfire Hand Torch. Wow! This is such an improvement over the traditional long propane canister torch you probably own as do I. If you like the way a cordless drill fits in your hand - giving you great control - you'll LOVE this torch. It looks and works just like a drill. The torch is 40 percent shorter than a traditional one, and it solders 30 percent faster with the larger flame. Whoever gets this as a gift will have a smile on their face for sure! Once out of the packaging, I had a flame at the end of the torch in seconds.

Practical Socket Wrench

Just yesterday I had to open up a little case that contain sockets and a rachet. I then assembled the tool so I could back out some lag bolts. I forgot I had the Black and Decker ReadyWrench at my desk. Idiot!! You can see at the Black and Decker site that the tool has two ends with a swiveling head at each end that has four sockets built into each end. Each socket is dual labeled like 9/16 inch or 14 mm. They say it's got 16 sockets, but I only count 8 that are dual labeled. I've never been able to get metric sockets to fit SAE bolts perfectly, but maybe Black and Decker knows something I don't. The bottom line is that this is one handy tool, and makes a perfect stocking stuffer.

Sears Hammerhead Auto-Hammer

For years, I used to attend the annual Sears Editors Conference. Those have not been held regularly since Kmart swallowed Sears. But I still stay in touch with one of the Sears PR folks, Mike Mangan. Mike sent me last week a tool I thought might be a gimmick. It was a battery-powered hammer. No way could that be practical. Well, I was wrong!

I just tested this sensational tool. It really works! It's powered by a 12-volt lithium-ion battery that's very compact. I was able to drive an 8d common nail into a 2x4 in less than eight seconds. No doubt I could do it faster with a hammer, but this tool is great for tight spaces or for someone who struggles with a hammer striking the nail squarely. Think of it as a mini jack hammer that creates 3,600 blows per minute. It even has its own built-in LED light to help you see.

The only thing I had to adjust to was holding the nail once the tool starts to work. With at traditional hammer, you want to get your hand out of the way so you don't smash a finger or thumb with a blow. With this tool, you need to hold the nail straight until the tool is really driving it. I suggest wearing ear plugs! You'll love this tool.

Crazy Paint Brush

Who would ever think you could make a major modification to a simple paint brush? Well, it's happened, and I think it just might work. When you think about how a traditional brush is held by your hand, and the motion you make when you apply paint, your wrist is bent. Why not bend the brush instead of your wrist? Duh!! Get the Right Brush, and you will have less fatigue and more control. Another great stocking stuffer.

Read the December 11, 2009 Newsletter for follow-up comments from my readers!

Latest Columns and Videos

I'll have some for you next week. For now, concentrate on these tools as great gifts.

The Fire Pit

If you're a new subscriber, I have a second newsletter that I produce. It's not about home improvement, but talks about my feeling about where our great nation is headed. If you're interested in discovering my take on politics, then come and sit around my Fire Pit. I'll warn you now, I'm right of center, love the Constitution and am attracted to self-sufficient people who get things done.

AsktheBuilder.com

Fancy Crown Molding Corners

Posted on by Tim Carter

Fancy Crown Molding Corners

Working with Crown Molding is not that hard using some of my tips. The videos below cover fancy crown molding corners and placing crown molding on cabinets to dramatically improve the look of your cabinets.

This video demonstrates how to make dramatic inside and outside corners with crown molding. The cuts are easy to do. More details on working with Crown Molding is available in my Crown Molding eBook.

This video demonstrates how installing crown molding on your kitchen or bathroom cabinets can improve their appearance. It is not that hard to do.

If you REALLY want to discover how to install Crown Molding, you need my Crown Molding eBook or Installing Crown Molding DVD..

Purchase my products online at my AsktheBuilder Store. Online ordering is secure.

Cutting Crown Molding Videos

Posted on by Tim Carter

Cutting Crown Molding Videos

Here are some of my videos on cutting Crown Molding. These videos cover the basics to help you with your crown molding project. If you need additional instructions, check out the link below to my Crown Molding eBook.

The first video demonstrates a few easy tips to make perfect cuts on crown molding, especially in the corners of a room.

The second video demonstrates how to position crown molding in a miter saw for perfect cuts every time.

For more videos and articles on Crown Molding, use the search box about and search for "crown molding".

If you REALLY want to discover how to install Crown Molding, you need my Crown Molding eBook or Installing Crown Molding DVD..

Casement Windows

Posted on by Tim Carter

DEAR TIM: I have a casement window in my home that has a mind of its own. In fact, now that I think of it, several of my casement windows have some issues. Some are tough to open and close, while others glide easily. Is there a problem with the casement window hardware? Should I be maintaining it in some way? Is there a way for me to repair this myself or do I need new casement replacement window or two? What else should I know about these windows? Bethany H., Charleston, IL

DEAR BETHANY: Casement windows, I sometimes feel, are in my DNA. The house I grew up in had these crank-out windows in each room. They were steel casement windows that were very common in homes built just before and after World War II. I have memories of washing these windows, replacing the putty and watching my mother install this string caulk each fall to stop the drafts as the windows had absolutely no weatherstripping.

This casement window operates just like a standard door. It pivots on hinges that are on one of the vertical jambs. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter

The current home I live in has a mix of Anderson casement windows and double-hung windows. I happen to love the casement windows for a number of reasons. First, when you open them, you get the maximum amount of ventilation as the entire surface area of the window is open to the outdoors. With a double-hung window, you only get a maximum of about 50 percent of the surface area open as one sash overlaps the other.

I also prefer the ease of cleaning with many modern casement windows. The windows in my childhood home did not allow you access to the outside of the glass when they were open. However, many modern casement windows are hinged in such a way that when fully open, you can reach the outside of the glass through a gap between the window frame and the sash.

I had the same issue you have with two of my windows. I found it very hard to turn the casement window crank on two of my very large windows in my family room. I traced the issue in one of the windows to some debris that got jammed into the lever that drives the window out. The second problem was a loose piece of hardware where the lever attached to the window sash.

It’s pretty important to keep all of the hardware on your windows lubricated. As the windows get larger, some of mine are nearly 2-feet wide and 5-feet tall, they get very heavy. Most of this weight is concentrated on the lower hinge, and it better be well greased and balanced for the window to open and close with ease.

You can maintain and lubricate the windows yourself. It’s not hard at all. The first thing to do is a thorough inspection of the window, the casement window crank and all casement window parts that you can see. You may even be able to remove a housing from on top of the crank to gain access to gears and parts that are attached to the crank.

Make sure there is no debris in these parts, and that they are in good shape. Remove any rust if it exists. Use a medium-weight oil or one recommended by the window manufacturer if that company is still in business. You don’t need much lubrication, and make sure you coat all the moving parts. Operate the window several times as you do this to see if the performance improves.

If you determine that repairs can’t be successfully made by you or a pro, you may have to obtain casement window prices to see how expensive it will be to replace your windows. I can already tell you that the price will take your breath away. High-quality windows are expensive, but well worth it if you plan to live in the house for a long time. Windows and doors are often the weakest link in the energy-efficiency chain in your home. You want great windows that will not leak lots of energy.

If you prefer little future maintenance, look at vinyl casement windows. Try to find ones that come with the AAMA (www.aamanet.org) certification label as well as the one from the NFRC (www.nfrc.org). These two independent organizations certify the construction and energy aspects of windows and doors.

I also urge you to ensure your new windows are installed correctly. If they are installed in a bind or improperly, they may not operate smoothly nor will they seal properly against the weatherstripping. Take the time to get familiar with the written instructions that come with the window and be sure they are installed that way.

Column 807

Bathtubs

Posted on by Tim Carter

DEAR TIM: Can you help me sort out things as I try to make up my mind about bathtubs? My bathtub is a mess, and a friend told me to consider bathtub refinishing. I went online and discovered that bathtub reglazing might not be the wisest thing for me. I’ve always wanted a clawfoot bathtub, but maybe it’s not too practical. To further complicate things, there is a possibility that my mother may come to live with me. Perhaps I should be looking at walk-in bathtubs. It’s so tough making a decision. I’m floundering. Nancy W., Memphis, TN

DEAR NANCY: You have the home-improvement disease paralysis by analysis. It’s very common, and many of my clients contracted it. In fact, the fear of the disease stops many from even starting a project because they are overwhelmed with making hundreds of decisions about every item that might be used in the new house or the remodeling job.

This bathtub is extra deep and a good place to soak your weary bones. Photo by: Tim Carter

This bathtub is extra deep and a good place to soak your weary bones. Photo by: Tim Carter

I would suggest that you first stop and think about what the real prospects are that your mother will come to stay with you. That, in my opinion, is the primary variable in this discussion about bathtubs and showers. Even if you plan this remodel job around her, I feel you may have all sorts of options and will be able to a get a tub that provides lots of bathtub safety as well as good looks.

My own mother used walk-in bathtubs later in life. She loved all of them. I had this fear that they would never seal correctly and leak. That never happened, so I’m a believer in these wonderful tubs that allow people to walk in, close the swinging door, sit down and enjoy a soothing tub bath.

Don’t overlook another option you have. You can get bathtub liners that fit over your existing tub. Most of these are acrylic bathtubs that fit inside your existing tub. Frequently you get the entire system which includes new sidewalls made from the same material. Understand that the inner dimensions of the tub will get slightly smaller as the bathtub liner needs to nest inside your existing tub. This solution offers minimal mess as there is no or minimal demolition.

I can understand your hesitation about bathtub resurfacing. Some companies mislead, in my opinion, when they call it reglazing. A true glaze is a clear ceramic coating that’s fired onto the tub at high temperature. The glaze becomes a thin layer of glass. The bathtub reglazing that I’ve seen advertised is really just high-performance bathtub paint. It’s not as hard or durable as the original glaze from the factory. You may also have peeling issues down the road. Do extensive online research before choosing this path.

If you decide that your mother may not be coming, then you have all sorts of options. Think about a major remodeling that might allow you to use one of the elegant corner bathtubs. They sure can make a bathroom interesting. I recently took an existing platform tub and made it into a corner bathtub that has a granite shelf surrounding it. A creative designer or remodeling contractor can help you with ideas like this.

Be sure to give cast-iron bathtubs a serious look. I have two of these in my existing home, and plan to put them in a new home I’m building. I love the feel of cast iron and when you insulate around them, hot water will stay hot in the tub for a very long time. I always pack fiberglass batts around the tub after it’s installed. My past customers thanked me for doing this easy task that only took about five minutes often using scrap insulation that otherwise might have been discarded.

Be sure to look at tubs that are not standard sized. You can get tubs that are slightly wider than normal, deeper than normal and longer than those you might have grown up in. To see these, you may have to visit a plumbing showroom at a business that just sells plumbing supplies. You’ll never see all the options at a home center. I know of a plumbing dealer that has about 20 tubs on the showroom floor, all of which you can climb into to test drive. I suggest leaving your clothes on though as there are no shades on the plate-glass windows!

Be sure to install a new bathtub faucet and a complete drain system if you tear out the old tub. These extra items are well worth the cost, as you don’t want to hassle with this bathroom fixture once this job is over. Now is the time to make this part of your home maintenance free for many years.

Take the time to read the written installation instructions once you’ve made your decision about what tub you’ll use. I urge you to do this because it will allow you to do a great interview of the contractor you’ll use. Ask questions about the installation process making sure the contractor knows exactly how the tub should be supported and any special installation steps that must be taken to ensure the warranty is valid.

Column 806

November 22, 2009 AsktheBuilder News And Tips

Posted on by Tim Carter

What's in This Issue?

Home for Thanksgiving
Frog Tape
Foam Insulation
Ceramic Tile Saw
Basement Waterproofing eBook
Latest Columns and Videos
The Fire Pit

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER

Friendly Question Reminder!

If you have a question for me, don't hit the Reply button just yet. Go immediately to my web site and type in the keywords about your problem into my Search engine. The search box is at the top of every page of my web site. You could have your answer in seconds if you do this! Please pay attention to all links you see at my web site. The exact products and services you often need are right in front of you, and you might be ignoring them.

I'm back in Cincinnati for Thanksgiving with Kathy and the family. It will be my last Thanksgiving in Cincinnati, as next year everyone will be in New Hampshire. What's more, this week I'll also put the For Sale sign up in the front yard of the house here. Wait till you see how I'm selling the house. I'll share the website for that next issue. In fact, you may be able to help me. I'm looking to connect with the Transfer Department at either Procter and Gamble or the Kroger company. I know that each company has a division where they assist employees transferring from city to city. Do you have connections there at either of these two companies? Both are headquartered here in Cincinnati, and my house in Amberley Village is a perfect candidate for someone being transferred here for a work stint. My place is literally just minutes from downtown. Could you please email me if you have a contact?

I finally got to see the house here with the roof complete. WOW!!! The GAF Slateline shingles really helped the appearance of the house. From the street, there's a good chance you'll feel my authentic Queen Anne Victorian home has a real slate roof. I'll have a sweet photo for you to compare it against a video I shot back at the beginning of the summer. The video shows the old brown 3-tab shingles. If you're thinking of a new roof, and your home might look better if it had slate, then consider these great asphalt shingles. When you see the photo next issue, I think you'll agree the roof is a show stopper.

Frog Tape

One of the problems with moving, and if you've moved you know what I'm talking about, is the issue of parcels coming to the old address. I'm on the press lists of any number of Public Relations firms, and some still send things to my Cincinnati address. Two weeks ago I received an email from a PR person about how I liked the sample of a painting tape called Frog Tape. I replied, "What sample?" Turns out it was sent here to my house in Cincinnati. I saw the box on Friday night when I dragged myself through the door after a grueling 15-hour drive, three hours of it through heavy rain in NH and the Mass Turnpike. Oh, did I say it's my desire NEVER to pay a toll on the Mass Turnpike again?

I opened the Frog Tape sample box and there inside is a roll of this tape, a small bottle of water, a plastic cup and a small bag of white powder. Hmmmmmm???? Reading the note on the white powder the instructions say to pour it in the plastic cup and fill the cup with water. WOW!! The water in the cup INSTANTLY transformed to a gelatin. I mean instantly.

This powder is on the edges of the tape. You use the tape when you want to paint two colors on a surface and you don't want that horrible pesky bleed under that happens with many of the other masking tapes. The powder on the tape instantly reacts with the water in the paint creating a barrier. When you pull off the tape a few hours later, you have a crisp line with no ragged paint edges. Pretty clever invention. This is just one example you can give to your kids if they ever ask what a chemist does for a living.

Foam Insulation in an Attic

Chris Johnson wrote to me asking:

"I am getting ready to build a new home and spoke with a foam insulation installer. He said he could spray the underside of the roof in the attic and side boards to R40, and I would have an unvented attic. Honestly I was shocked saying I thought attic ventilation was critical due to cooling and moisture control. He said the insulation location will prevent any condensation, and the attic will be a conditioned space, especially good for any HVAC ducts in the attic. Any thoughts on this?"

Chris, I'm faced with the same dilemma in the new home I'll be building in New Hampshire. I'm absolutely going to use foam insulation in the new house and am researching this exact topic right now. I don't have the exact answer for you at this time, but here are some of the things I'm thinking about and the questions I'll be asking the foam insulation manufacturers. Understand that I'm VERY concerned as there are references in the residential trade literature about rot issues with Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) used in cathedral roof designs. A SIP is just like an Oreo cookie - a thick piece of foam sandwiched in between two pieces of oriented strand board (OSB). Some past stories I've read talk about water vapor from the house traveling up to the attic, and eventually condensed on the cold side of the foam. This liquid water then rotted out the OSB just under the shingles.

With this in mind, think about the following:

  • What happens to the water vapor in the attic, especially in the winter?
  • How do you ventilate the attic? Doesn't that defeat the *conditioned space* aspect of the process?
  • What is the real difference in open and closed-cell foam in these situations?
  • What about the costs to *heat* this new conditioned space? If you insulate the traditional way, the heat is stopped or slowed at the ceiling level of the top story. Now the heat is allowed into the attic.
  • What about cooling costs? This conditioned space will get hot when the blazing sun is beating on your roof. Will you have to get a larger AC unit to compensate for this possible added heat gain? This might offset any savings you gain from the super-insulation system the foam will provide.

This technology is not new by any means. Foam has been used as a commercial insulation for years. But I'm always skeptical of experiments where commercial products enter into the residential marketplace. A great example is EIFS. Read this past column of mine about the EIFS nightmare written written in 1996 that's still valid today!

Go slow and do tons of research.

Ceramic Tile Saw

The New Year is just around the corner. I can't wait! I have a monster To-Do list of projects, and perhaps you do too. If you're planning a ceramic-tile job, you very likely will need a wet saw to make difficult cuts. My friends at ConstructionComplete.com have a great ceramic-tile saw on sale, and it's not too late to put it on your Christmas list. This saw will make a 14-inch long rip cut with one continuous motion. It will make a continuous diagonal cut through a 10-inch by 10-inch tile. You even get a diamond wet-saw blade, the pan, etc. You can set it up on saw horses, but I'd recommend getting the stand to make the saw more stable and to save your back. You'll not believe the price for this tool when you see it. I doubt you'll find a better deal for this useful tool anywhere. I use my diamond wet saw on just about every tile job I do. Ask Santa for one now! If you don't believe in Santa, then break out your credit card and order one before the price goes up.

Basement Waterproofing eBook

I've been putting this project off for years, but now I'm just about finished with it. It's my intention to produce possibly one of the best books that tells the truth about basement waterproofing. I plan to discuss what your options are, what works and what might not, and talk about a little-used secret weapon to stop basement water leaks forever. Did you know my college degree is in Geology, and I was fascinated with the topic of hydrogeology - the study of ground water? That gives me a distinct advantage when it comes to understanding the dynamics of basement and crawlspace water leaks.

But I need your help. If you could wave a magic wand and POOF!, there in your hands was the best book about basement waterproofing, what would it contain? What do you REALLY want to know about basement waterproofing? Are you confused about sump pumps? Do you wonder about the different systems? Do you want a must-have checklist to help you select a pro to solve you water problem? Make a list of questions, all of them, and send them to me using a special page at my website.

No question is silly. Tell me exactly what you want to know.

If you help me, you'll get one of two things:

  • a FREE copy of the eBook once complete
  • a 75% price reduction when the eBook first becomes available

You must go here and fill out this simple form so I can get in touch with you once I've completed the eBook.

Latest Columns and Videos

It's that time of year to warm yourself by the fire. Do you have all the Fireplace Accessories you need?

Tub faucets can be frustrating to select. Think about what you need before you pull out your credit card.

Are you going to Grout a Tile Floor soon? This is part one of a series of videos showing you grouting tile!

The Fire Pit

Last week the headline to this newsletter, as well as the Fire Pit article, possibly put your head on a swivel. I received so many positive remarks (hundreds and hundreds), perhaps one from you, that it changed the course of what I'm doing. Add to that some input from some very dear friends of mine, and I've now decided that the Fire Pit deserves it's own special place where it can flourish outside the shadow of this home-improvement newsletter. I wish to thank you from deep within my heart for the kind words you sent me last week. It was impossible to respond to each email, there were just too many.

For the record, last issue's approval rating - based on your response and those from other subscribers email responses - was over 73 percent. What touched me the most and prompted me to make the change that I did, were the emails that said I actually made a difference. That's what the Fire Pit is all about - getting you to think about what's happening, and then nudging you into action.

From now on, if you want to read what I have to say about our great nation, where I feel it's headed, and who's got some explaining to do, you *must* subscribe to a second newsletter that's solely the Fire Pit. It's easy to do, and I encourage you to do it. Look just to the right of the roaring fire for the sign up form. I thank you in advance for doing this.

What I will continue to do in this section of the AsktheBuilder.com newsletter is give you a brief summary of what's happening over at the Fire Pit and provide you with a handy link to where you can sign up for that newsletter.

I'm proud to announce: http://www.TimCartersFirePit.com

A special thanks to Brent Walter for taking the stunning photo you'll see. Those embers are real, not photoshopped. Nothing like a slower shutter speed. Brent also created the website within a matter of days, and my assistant Roger transferred all past Fire Pit articles into this website. From the spark of the idea until the website was glowing took just 48 hours. Great job fellows!

If you have your own website, or are affiliated with a group that has a political website, I'd sure appreciate a link from your site to my fledgling Fire Pit website.

AsktheBuilder.com

Basement Waterproofing eBook Survey

Posted on by Tim Carter

50 / 50 Chance for a FREE eBook

I'm in the final stages of editing a new authoritative eBook about Basement Waterproofing. I need your help.
Can you tell me the top two or three things you want to know about Basement Waterproofing?
  • What are you worried about?
  • What things concern you?
  • Are you interested in a way to save big money?
The bottom line is this. If you could wave a magic wand and have the perfect book about Basement Waterproofing, what would you want to see in the book??
If you fill out the form below helping me, you'll be part of a select group that gets to purchase the eBook when it first comes out for a MONSTER 75% discount. You can have the eBook for only $4.97.
Heck, you know what I'll do? You may get the eBook for FREE! Let's have some fun like we're at a carnival. Every other person that responds with some juicy suggestions, will get a FREE copy! My incoming email time stamps your suggestions, so you have a 50 / 50 chance of getting a FREE copy! Woo Hoo!
I expect the eBook to be complete by February 1st. Hurry, tell me what you want to see in the eBook!
Thanks very much,
Tim Carter
Founder - AsktheBuilder.com



Name:
Email Address:
Tell me the top two or three things you want to know about stopping leaks into a wet basement or crawl space.

Custom Stairs

Posted on by Tim Carter

DEAR TIM: I need to build some custom stairs outdoors. I was thinking of using stone, but am open to other ideas. I was thinking of possibly using custom iron stairs, but I don’t know how to weld or fabricate them. As you can tell, I’m all over the map with respect to what I want. Can you give me a few suggestions about what it takes to build a custom staircase? What are the things I need to pay attention to and what should I avoid at all costs? Laura S. Locust Valley, NY

DEAR LAURA: Oh, I can sure relate to your confusion and befuddlement. There are so many materials that you can use to build outdoor stairs it can create quite a conundrum when it comes time to making a final decision.

I clearly remember the first set of custom stairs I built. It was at our second home, and I was still a grasshopper at the ripe age of 25. I happened to use paving brick as the material and each custom stair that led from the upper sidewalk to the lower patio was a different width side to side. The design was compliments of my wife Kathy who wanted to create custom spiral stairs, even though there were only four of them that curved to connect the two levels.

These custom stairs are made from individual pieces of granite. You can make stairs out of many materials. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter

These custom stairs are made from individual pieces of granite. You can make stairs out of many materials. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter

To help you decide what material will best work for you, I suggest to think down the road. How much maintenance do you want to do? If you choose wood or metal, you’ll have to take care of them over time. Granted, you can select a metal that doesn’t corrode or a special steel that develops a patina of rust, but these are probably way beyond your budget.

Natural stone, brick and even concrete are materials that should not require any maintenance in your lifetime other than a periodic cleaning to remove dirt, algae and possibly moss that can make the stair treads slippery and dangerous.

I’ve built outdoor stairs from many materials including brick, fieldstone, flagstone, wood and metal. I’m partial to any natural stone and brick as they seem to blend better with plants, bushes and trees. What’s more, they’re nearly maintenance free. I love the fact that I just have to clean them periodically, and not paint, stain or otherwise labor over them.

I can tell you that you only want to build the stairs once. This means you have to plan carefully making sure that your stairs connect seamlessly between the different levels in your yard. The mission-critical element is to ensure the stairs meet all local building codes with respect to the sizes of the treads and the risers. People trip and fall on steps everyday. Don’t underestimate the importance of making sure the stairs are code compliant. Contact your local building department for a copy of section of the building code that deals with stairs. You may be able to get this online for no cost if you hunt for it.

The code changes every few years, but I’ve discovered that the most comfortable combination of rise and run happens to be a rise of 7.5 inches and a run of 10 inches. This simply means that each tread on the stairs is 10-inches deep and the vertical distance between the top surface of each tread and the landing above or below is 7.5 inches.

If you decide to use thinner natural stone or brick, you usually apply these on top of a poured-concrete base. This means the concrete must be poured to mimic the finished profile of the stairs, but be sunk into the ground the thickness of the stone or brick covering plus the thickness of the mortar you will use to bond the stone or brick to the concrete. Be sure the concrete has a rough texture and you place reinforcing steel in the concrete so it doesn’t break apart over time.

If you decide to use solid slabs of natural stone, you just need to make sure they are the correct size so that when stacked one on top of another they create a rise and run that’s satisfies the building code. You’ll need lots of help with these as each piece of stone will weigh hundreds of pounds.

Avoid shortcuts in the planning process. Take your time and draw up what you plan to do. I urge you to do the math in your yard to make sure the stairs are going to work and that all the dimensions are correct.

Be sure that the treads of the stairs tilt downwards slightly so they drain water. This is very important if you live in a cold climate where a puddle might transform into a sheet of ice.

Any fill material placed behind the stairs should be gravel or a gravel-sand mix that drains well. Soil that holds water can be problematic in cold climates where frost heave can push large blocks of stone sideways.

Column 805

November 15, 2009 AsktheBuilder News And Tips

Posted on by Tim Carter

What’s in This Issue?

Self-Healing Concrete
Great Winter Work Gloves
Job Burn Out
Ceramic Tile Adhesive
For-Fun Videos

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER

Friendly Question Reminder!

If you have a question for me, don't hit the Reply button just yet. Go immediately to my web site and type in the keywords about your problem into my Search engine. The search box is at the top of every page of my web site. You could have your answer in seconds if you do this! Please pay attention to all links you see at my web site. The exact products and services you often need are right in front of you, and you might be ignoring them.   

Self-Healing Concrete

I read a fascinating article in the November 2, 2009 issue of Forbes magazine.

It talked about a revolutionary concrete that's being tested now that can heal cracks in it. Concrete has always suffered from cracks caused by many reasons. I've got many articles in my Concrete category that speak to this.

Years ago, I discussed old traditional lime mortar that also has the self-healing quality. If you have a home with old brick, or are building a new home with brick or block, you should absolutely read my column and use a mortar that has a very high lime content. You can actually add your own lime to the regular mortar that comes in a bag.

The Forbes article described what happens in this concrete and it's strikingly similar to the chemical reaction that happens with mortars that are rich with hydrated-lime. The bottom line is that in our lifetime you might be able to buy this new concrete. When it is available at the residential level, I hope to be one of the first to report about it.

Great Winter Work Gloves

When I was working out in the field for all those years banging nails, even the wrong ones on my fingertips, I would work outdoors all day in cold weather. Many a day it was below 20 F. I can tell you that it's very important to keep your hands and feet warm. Your body uses them as temperature sensors as they are the farthest things from the core of your body. When your fingers and toes get cold, they send a subliminal message to your brain that you better get warm. If you ignore this signal, you really start to concentrate on how cold your hands and feet are.

Eliminate this problem when working outdoors with some smart-looking gloves I just tested made by Mechanix. The first pair I tested has a fleece outer covering that really keeps my hands toasty as I walk 3.5 miles each day.

If the weather calls for rain, I intend to use their newest glove, Winter Armor. It's so new, it doesn't even show up on their website. Both of these gloves will come in handy when I'm using my snowblower this winter and doing other chores outdoors on those frosty mornings. You should take a look at these gloves. I believe you'll be impressed.

Job Burn Out? Want to Have an Online Business?

Have you thought about building your own website, but have no clue how to navigate the minefield? My good friend Jodie Gastel has written a great step-by-step coaching guide that will show you what you need to know to get online. Jodie used to belong to a mastermind group that I still participate in. We stay in touch as Jodie still loves the Internet, and most of all loves to share what she's discovered on her journey.

I love the graphics in the instant download ebook. Jodie takes you through the process of purchasing a domain name, registering it, and making it work. Then it's off to create the actual website. I worked a deal with Jodie to even make this possible. She really didn't want to offer it up as it was an exclusive manual for her own students. But I knew I didn't have the time to write a similar in-depth guide, so I begged her to make it available to you.

You must act now or the offer will disappear in SEVEN DAYS. Jodie does pay me a commission on each sale, but I'm proud to exclaim that as I feel the book is worth every penny. See for yourself. Just like with my products it comes with a full money-back pledge. You just have to ask Jodie for the refund within 30 days. That's totally fair. Wait until you see all the special FREE things you get when you order the instant download eBook. Wow! I have to tell Jodie she's crazy to have given all that away. I think you'll agree.

Make sure you tell her that when you have her on the phone during your one-hour free coaching consultation! Yes, you get to talk to Jodie in case you have questions. Can you believe that? When's the last time you could call a book author, much less talk to them for an hour!

Ceramic Tile Adhesive

If you've ever installed ceramic wall tile, you know that troweling on the organic mastic or the cement-based thinset can be messy. Grace products just sent me a roll of Bondera. It's a peel-and-stick membrane. Imagine a giant roll of thick double-sided adhesive tape and that's what you get. It claims that you have less mess and that you can instantly grout the tile once you have it in place. I don't dispute those claims. The label says it only works with tiles up to 6x6 in size.

That's where I have a possible issue with this material. The reason they say not to go larger than 6x6 is because the Bondera conforms to the surface it's being applied to. If there are humps or low spots, the Bondera follows that profile. Tile is rigid, so it rocks back and forth on bumps, and voids exist where a tile passes over a low spot. When you use traditional organic mastic or thinset, you can get good adhesion with the tile as you press the tile to the wall. The pressure squeezes out extra mastic or thinset to make the bond. That can't happen with Bondera as the membrane stays the same thickness as you press the tile.

My advice is to make sure the wall surface you are tiling is in the same plane if you decide to use this product. Be sure it's squeaky clean as well. Always follow the directions on the box label.

For-Fun Videos

While I was out West two weeks ago, I was staying with a friend, Russ, who lives at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. The massive Station Fire this past summer scorched the hillsides just miles from his home. He drove me right to the edge of the fire damage in a suburb next to his on a day where fierce winds were blowing the ash into the air. I taped a news parody video in La Canada Flintridge where the highway department was bracing for the mudslides that were guaranteed to happen. Watch this video and pay attention at the end where my buddy Russ made me lose my composure as he was laughing at my one statement about Mother Nature.

Several days ago, this local news video was shot at the exact same location I was standing when I taped mine:

Looks like I was right Russ. The barriers were a vain attempt. :->>>>> So there.

AsktheBuilder.com