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

November 11, 2009 AsktheBuilder News And Tips

Posted on by Tim Carter

What’s in This Issue?

Western Trip
Veterans Day
CFL Update
Tool News
Help the Next Owner
Knick Knack Gift Idea
Unbelievable Stain Solver Story
Latest Columns and 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 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 started this newsletter last week while on the last leg of my three weeks of travel. My intention was to send it last week before I became engrossed in the secret Internet entrepreneur conference in San Francisco. That conference was the primary reason I headed West from New Hampshire. You know what they say about the best-laid plans.

My trip covered three states - New Mexico, Arizona and California. I was able to visit some dear friends, my cousin and hang out with many of my peers for nearly two weeks. One of the highlights was being on the sound stage of the taping of an upcoming scene in a major TV show that's on right now. I'm not allowed to share anything about it, but suffice it to say that it was quite an adventure to see how a major drama episode is shot. I was on a reality TV show, The Mansion, about five years ago. That was an eye-opening experience, but two weeks ago being on a real sound stage was much cooler.

I also got to finally drive up the California coast between LA and San Francisco. The weather was clear as a bell and the scenery was stunning. If you're a Twitter follower of mine, you got to see all the photos I took as I was on my journey. This is just one of the many benefits of using Twitter. Once again, I urge you to follow me on Twitter if you want to get a peek of what tips I'm sharing each day and where I might be. For example, while in town today I saw this enormous boat that's a modern copy of the classic wood boats used up here in the Northeast. I uploaded a photo of the beast to share.

When I got back home early Monday (1:10 a.m.), there was a mountain of boxes containing tools an products to test. The next few newsletters will be filled to the brim with reviews. Some of them look amazing.

Veterans Day

If you're a veteran who has sacrificed to serve our great nation, my family and I are forever grateful and applaud you on this day set aside to honor you. Based on the thousands of emails I've received over the past six months supporting The Fire Pit, I can tell you that there are many who want to thank you, but don't have an easy way to do it. You are responsible for the ongoing delivery of this newsletter and all the other freedoms I and all other Americans enjoy - and sadly - sometimes take for granted. If you're related to a veteran and can pass on my appreciation, please do so. I'll be indebted to you.

CFL Update

Two issues ago, I talked about compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. You may have been one who flooded me with helpful emails. It appears I'm not the only one who's suffering from early CFL burnout. The common message was that burnouts are happening from overheating, typically from bulbs placed upside down in recessed light fixtures.

My advice is to carefully read the label of any fixture you buy to see how it's to be installed. Furthermore, you may have been a subscriber who determined that the bulbs last longest when they're not turned on and off frequently. It's best to leave them on. However, that sort of defeats the cost-savings aspect of the bulb. Leaving the bulb on when you're not in a room wastes electricity.

Tool News

David, a subscriber in Florida, brought to my attention a news story where Stanley Tools just announced that they are merging with Black and Decker. This is the fourth time the companies have tried to do this. Looks like it was successful. What will this mean to you and I? It's too early to tell, but I'm hoping that we'll see a continued distinction in quality between the brands - should they decide to keep them separate.

I've been very happy over the years with Stanley Tools, while the Black and Decker tools have been a letdown. I understand this clearly as certain companies cater to different buyers. The worse thing, in my opinion, is for the Stanley brand and tradition of quality be diluted by Black and Decker.

CLICK HERE to read a follow-up story in my January 13, 2010 Newsletter.

Help the Next Owner

If you're building a new home or doing any type of remodeling project, you can really do the next homeowner an enormous favor. Ceramic tile, plumbing fixtures, laminate flooring, etc. tend to come in boxes that are clearly labeled as to the manufacturer, the product name, style, etc.   If you could take a razor knife and cut out that part of the box that shows all the product info and take a Sharpie marker making a note what room of the house it was used in, that would save tons of time for the next owner. These pieces of cardboard can be placed together near the electric panel or some other location where they'll not be thrown out. I could have used the box that the ceramic tile came in for the basement rooms her in my NH home. Luckily I stumbled across the exact tile I needed to match.

Knick Knack Gift Idea

Each week I'm contacted by public relations folks who inform me of new products. I tested one that might be of interest to you if you like unique decorative items in your home. You can have a favorite photo of a scene or people and have it transformed into a three-dimensional image that's backlit. I believe my Aunt Margaret had decorations like this at her home if my memory serves me right. Aunt Margaret was one of my favorite aunts. Anyway, if you're looking for a Christmas gift idea that is out of the ordinary, this may be for you. You need to react quickly as there is some lead time to get the product made.

Unbelievable Stain Solver Story

If you're a new subscriber, my guess is you don't know about Stain Solver. It's a fabric and color-safe oxygen bleach that cleans just about anything that's water washable.  I've been manufacturing it and selling it now for about 13 years.

Two months ago, a woman, Susan, purchased some from me. She used it to clean her bathroom floor tile grout and told me on the phone, "Tim, it was amazing how clean the grout is. It looks like new. I'm totally satisfied!"

But understand that wasn't the real reason she called. She called because she was upset that the product worked too well. How's that possible you ask?

It turns out Susan decided to try it on her wood deck. She was sloshing it around and got some in her shoes causing her socks to get saturated with the solution. Sue had to walk inside for something, so she took off her shoes and walked across her tiled kitchen floor. The wet footprints could be seen the next day, so she called me frantically exclaiming that my product ruined her tile floor.

I knew immediately what had happened. My Stain Solver stripped off layers of cleaners or wax that she or some other homeowner had applied to the tile. Unfortunately, Susan or the previous homeowner sealed in dirt and grime.

But Susan *thought* the tile was clean and that my Stain Solver ruined the tile glaze. It took about five phone calls, but I proved to her that my product simply made the tile look like the day it came out of the box. Not only was Susan embarrassed, but so was her sister. She got sucked into the fray as well. Her sister  emailed me photos of the footprints in the tile. She accused me of saying her sister was a slob. You can't win for trying! I never said Susan was a sluggard. I told Sue's sister that the floor had layers of trapped dirt that were sealed in by those store-bought cleaners that claim to clean your floors and make them shine. Yeah, right.....

Anyway, Susan is now a believer as she went back and soaked the kitchen floor removing all those layers of squirt cleaners that can trap in dirt. Maybe you have the same problem. Stain Solver can make your tile and the grout can look like new.

Right now I'm offering Free Shipping on all sizes of Stain Solver. You might want to take advantage of this great offer, as shipping prices can be very high because of insane diesel fuel costs.  I'd love to see your Before and After photos!

Latest Columns and Videos

Don't be fooled by the name on the label of Solid Stain. Read about my experience with this paint product.

Soapstone Countertops require a very special owner. Are you one?

Laying Tile is not that hard, especially extending an existing floor.

Mixing Grout for floor tile is not hard, but you can make a mission-critical mistake.

AsktheBuilder.com

October 29, 2009 AsktheBuilder News And Tips

Posted on by Tim Carter

What’s in This Issue?

Traveling
New Tool To Help You
Fantastic Bathroom

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

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. This is going to be a very short newsletter. Well, maybe not too short. I'm halfway into a three-week trip that's a combination of business and pleasure. If you've been a subscriber for the past six months, then you're probably aware that I worked my butt off this summer back in Cincinnati. Kathy and I got a short break visiting some dear friends in Michigan, but I needed another breather after crossing the finish line of all the projects I completed at our Cincinnati home that will soon be on the market.

I'm on the West Coast now in LA, but will be driving up the coast along Highway 1 beginning on Halloween. Russ, Steve and I will be headed to a conference with some of my good friends. It's a secret group of entrepreneurs I belong to.

Anyway, I've never done that awesome drive up the coast with the vistas of the Pacific Ocean. However, yesterday I got my first taste of what it's like to be right next to and above the majestic Pacific Ocean. I was invited to the condo of a great man that an hour before kicked my butt in golf.

Kathy, my wife, made it very clear to me on the phone after I was licking my wounds that I was to tell you about this golf game. Dick is 87 years old, had taken a serious fall in the past two weeks hurting his shoulder and still proceeded to trounce me and my buddy Steve. Oh well, I just have to keep practicing. While I practice golf, how about you watch the video I shot at Dick's condo looking out over the ocean?

New Tool to Help You!

Each week at the top of the newsletter is a suggestion for you to follow me on Twitter. About a month ago a new feature was enabled on my iPhone that allows me to immediately send out a photo and a message pertaining to that photo. Twitter only allows you to send out messages that are 140 characters, with spaces counting as characters. You can't say much in that amount of room, but you know the old saying: A picture is worth a thousand words. I urge you to open a free Twitter account and start to Follow me. It takes just minutes to do. I'll be sending you some great photos of problems I see each day and what I suggest to avoid them or repair them! Here's an example of a Twitter posting. Be sure to click that odd-looking URL in the post so you can see the photo I shot.

http://go.askthebuilder.com/peelingpainttweet

Fantastic Bathroom

I'm staying at a friend's house in Montrose, CA, a very nice community tucked up against the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains. This house was built nearly 100 years ago and is steeped in great workmanship. I'll be taping some videos here today, but wanted to tell you about one that I think you'll love. The room I'm staying in is  a private suite above a three-seasons room. Actually out here it's a four-seasons room as the weather is so mild in the winter. I've renamed the room to Tim's Lair.

This suite has an amazing vaulted ceiling and a micro bathroom that works. If I gave you the dimensions of the room, you'll not believe the fixtures could fit in the space, but they do. Yes, the code officials would be most unhappy, but so it goes. I'm able to share this with you just in case you're planning a bathroom remodel and need some space-saving ideas. Watch for that video in the next newsletter.

That's it for today. I'll be on the road for another 10 days or so, which means the newsletter next week will be a little light.

Till then, Do Things Right, not Over!

Tim
AsktheBuilder.com

Find A Pro

Posted on by Tim Carter



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Hi, I'm Tim Carter. Replacement windows are expensive. You want to get the best ones installed by real professionals.

I can help you find those pros for FREE. All you have to do is fill in your name, email address, zip code and telephone number in the boxes above. I'll then pass it along to my friends at Calfinder.com. They will call you on the phone to get a few details about what you need and then contact the contractors in your town that they feel are the best qualified to help you.

It's that easy. Please let me help you find the pro now by filling out the simple boxes above and clicking the button.

Thanks! You'll be hearing from a helpful person from Calfinder.com very soon!

Tim Carter

Toilet Parts

Posted on by Tim Carter

DEAR TIM: Can you educate me on all the different toilet parts and how they work? My mom or dad never took the time to educate me, or if they did, I didn’t listen well. Now that I have my first home, I need to purchase toilet replacement parts and am clueless. My toilet appears to be fairly standard looking with a rectangular tank that rises up from the bowl. Do you think I’ll be able to replace parts easily, or will I have to call a plumber? Money is very tight now, so I’d love to be able to tackle this myself. Steve R., White Plains, NY

DEAR STEVE: I’ve never thought of myself as a Toilet Professor, but being a master plumber as well as a builder, you can bet I’ve put in my fair share of toilets. Most toilets have similar parts, as the function of activating the flush is pretty standard. The parts may look different, but they do the same thing.

This toilet looks pretty benign, but it has quite a few parts that make it work reliably. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter

This toilet looks pretty benign, but it has quite a few parts that make it work reliably. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter

For sake of discussion and based upon your description, I’ll be describing a toilet that has a tank that stores water in it for the flush. Commercial toilets don’t typically have tanks. Those toilets use the incoming line pressure of the water supply line to do a direct flush.

Let’s start with the china parts of a toilet. Usually when you purchase a new toilet you get three parts: the bowl, tank and tank lid. The most common ones are made from clay that’s fired in a kiln. The visible parts are coated with a clear glaze that’s very close to the hardness of glass. This glazing is what allows the toilets to be cleaned fairly easily. You should never clean a toilet with an abrasive cleaner as they will scratch the glaze creating a dull appearance.

The toilet bowl has two important aspects that you need to know about. The water enters the bowl through a large hole at the top rear of the bowl. The moving water has two choices of where to go: the small holes in the underside of the bowl rim and the siphon-jet hole at the bottom of the bowl. You’ll have to peer inside the bowl to see these. Use a mirror to see the rim holes in an existing toilet.

A forceful flush happens when the water from the tank rushes quickly into the bowl. Water passing through the syphon-jet hole pushes water out of the bowl into the drain line in the floor. Water that passes through the rim holes is supposed to wash the sides of the bowl.

Water enters your toilet through a shut-off valve that’s connected to a water line that either comes out of a wall or up through a floor. These valves sometimes will not shut off the water to the toilet as sediment builds up inside them. A flexible line pipes water between the valve and the bottom of the toilet tank. I love the new braided lines that you can practically tie in a knot.

Inside the tank you’ll see a menagerie of confusing parts. The two parts that cause the most frustration for homeowners are the fill valve and the flapper valve. The base of the fill valve connects to the flexible water supply line. The flapper valve connects to the giant hole that’s in the bottom of the tank.

In the past 30 years, there’s been an engineering revolution with both valves. Old toilets had a float ball that connected via an arm to the fill valve. You may still have this type. Newer fill valves have the float ride up the center core of the fill valve. These newer valves almost always provide a full-flow fill until the moment the water shuts off. Older valves were plagued with whistling noise as they aged.

The flapper valve is typically a round disk that’s connected to a chain attached at the other end to the flush handle trip lever. When you push down on the handle on the outside of the tank, it lifts up the flapper valve allowing the stored water in the tank to rush into the bowl. It’s that simple!

Believe it or not, you can almost always install a new fill valve without the aid of a plumber. Of course, you’ll have to check your local codes as some cities, for some reason, feel that you’re not able to do it and require a plumber to do it for you. But remember that young plumber once had to replace one of those valves on his own the first time. He was just as nervous and inexperienced as you are.

The flapper valves can be restored with little effort. You can purchase kits that allow you to install a new flapper valve in minutes. Your biggest challenge is turning off the water to the toilet. You may have to shut off the water to the entire house in case the shut-off valve at the toilet won’t behave.

My best advice is to have a plumber waiting in the wings in case you have a problem. Don’t try the repair on Christmas Eve or if it’s the only toilet in the house. If this is your first time, have a garbage can of clean water in waiting. You can always use this water to flush the toilet as you wait for the plumber to come. You just pour the water from a bucket into the bowl quickly to flush the toilet after use.

Column 804

Tub Faucets

Posted on by Tim Carter

DEAR TIM: I’m pulling my hair out looking at tub faucets. What’s complicating things is that I’m not yet settled on the exact tub to use. One Roman tub faucet I’ve seen was so elegant, I couldn’t take my eyes off it. The clawfoot tub faucets are also beautiful, and that’s what’s got me on the fence. Can you help me decide what to do, and provide any tips when shopping for these distinctive faucets? Are there special installation requirements for these faucets? Rebekah K., Middleton, MA

DEAR REBEKAH: It can be mesmerizing gazing at tub faucets, especially in a showroom where the faucets are installed as they would be in your own home. It’s one thing to see a great photo of a faucet, but quite another thing to see that same faucet next to a tub. I’m sure you were projecting that faucet into your own finished bathroom with you relaxing in the tub.

This Roman tub faucet has got plenty of class to compliment this comfortable soaking tub. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter

This Roman tub faucet has got plenty of class to compliment this comfortable soaking tub. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter

As you might imagine, I’ve installed many tub shower faucets as well as just tub faucets. Many of my past customers suffered from the same paralysis that’s plaguing you. Surely you’re vexed wondering if you’ll make a mistake. It’s one thing to make an error when applying wall paint, but quite another when it comes to an expensive tub and faucet combination. A paint mistake might cost you several hours and $30 for a new can of paint. Make a mistake with a tub and faucet and you’re looking at thousands of wasted dollars.

Based upon what you’ve shared, I think you maybe are going about this selection backwards. You seem to be focused on the look of the tub faucet, when in my opinion, you should be considering the actual tub and its comfort. Maybe it’s a man thing, but in this case I absolutely want the tub to be super comfortable as the only thing the faucet does for me is fill the tub with water. But maybe you’re more interested in the overall look of your bathroom than its functionality.

Once you select the actual tub you want, that helps you whittle down the possible bathtub faucets you can use that fit and compliment that particular tub. If you’re sure you’re going to use a Roman tub or a clawfoot tub, you’re well over halfway home in your decision. You can’t install a platform tub faucet on either of these two tubs, and the traditional wall-mounted faucet just won’t work.

In my opinion, there are several very important things you have to keep in mind when you get ready to purchase one of these faucets. The first is overall quality of the faucet. Avoid the temptation to buy a discount faucet that’s just a knockoff of a high-quality name brand. Be absolutely sure the faucet will work with the tub you’ve chosen. You need to confirm the faucet spout can actually get the water into the tub. Some Roman tubs have wide ledges that the spout must pass over to get water safely into the tub basin.

The faucets for these tubs generally have exposed water supply lines and the faucets themselves are completely exposed. Traditional tub faucets are braced by the tub platform or are secured inside a wall. You must be sure you or the plumber can brace the faucet using decorative brackets to solid blocking in a nearby wall or to the tub if that’s what’s specified.

Failure to brace the faucet properly can result in a future catastrophic flood. If the faucet is not secure, over time it might disconnect from the water supply lines creating a small or massive water leak. The water supply lines and the faucet need to be rock solid.

The size of the hidden water supply lines feeding the decorative lines that rise above the floor must be large enough to satisfy the appetite of the faucet. The tubs you’re interested in usually require lots of water to fill them, and you want that water flowing into the tub quickly. Usually you’ll need 3/4-inch supply lines, both hot and cold, feeding the tub faucet. Check the written installation instructions that come with the faucet to verify all mission-critical installation guidelines.

As you search for faucets, you may discover they are called different things by different suppliers. For example, one company may call a claw foot tub faucet a leg tub faucet as these tubs sit up off the floor on tiny legs or feet. If you do gravitate towards a clawfoot tub, then be aware you may discover the faucets are called antique tub faucets as this tub style was popular well over 100 years ago.

If you plan to live in the house for some time, it might pay to purchase extra faucet cartridges when you buy the faucet. Sometimes these parts can be tough to find years later when you need them.

Be sure to follow the installation instructions with respect to flushing out the water lines before you do the final faucet connection. Debris in the water lines can clog faucet parts in seconds as you turn on the water for the first time.

Column 803

Soapstone Countertops

Posted on by Tim Carter

DEAR TIM: Soapstone countertops were suggested to me by a kitchen designer for my new kitchen. Do you have any experience with soapstone counters or even a soapstone sink? I’ve never heard of this material and wonder about it. Can you tell me more about the product and it’s characteristics? Would you use it in your home? If no, why not? Tara M., Montrose, CA

DEAR TARA: Soapstone is a natural stone product. It’s quarried just like marble or granite. It’s a metamorphic rock that contains a relatively high amount of talc, which is why it’s called soapstone. If you’ve ever had a chunk of talc in your handy, your first impression is that it feels soapy. Surely you’ve had talcum powder on you and know that feeling.

Knowing this, you should extrapolate that soapstone is somewhat soft. My college major was geology. I clearly remember a lab class when we were testing the hardness of minerals. Talc was one of the softest minerals we had in the lab. It scratched very easily.

These soapstone countertops are blotchy and soft. They scratch easily. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter

These soapstone countertops are blotchy and soft. They scratch easily. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter

As you might expect, Mother Nature can produce the soapstone in various grades or levels of hardness. The least hard variety is highly prized by sculpting or carving. The harder soapstone can be used for all sorts of things around the home, businesses or even labs. Harder soapstone has a higher amount of quartz in it.

If you took high school or college chemistry and worked in the labs, your lab table was very likely made from soapstone. It’s crystalline texture and makeup make it nearly impervious to chemicals or most liquids. That’s a great quality for a countertop.

Soapstone seems to have a regional mystique in New England. It’s quarried in Vermont as the Green Mountains there are loaded with tons of metamorphic rocks including, marble, schists and granite. Many people seem to love a soapstone counter and love the characteristic patina it develops with use.

You can absolutely get soapstone sinks. But my advice is for you to be sure to go see ones that have been in use for a good three to five years. See how they fare in real everyday use. My guess is that you’ll be surprised by what you see, especially if pots and pans have been bouncing around in the sink while they were being cleaned.

My current home here in New Hampshire has soapstone counters in the kitchen, and I’m not a huge fan of them. The counters scratch easily, and to make them look good all the time you have to regularly coat them with greasy mineral oil. Even the fabricators of the stone talk about regular oiling of the stone to make them look good.

I don’t know about you, but I try to avoid products that require regular maintenance like that. I’ve never had to oil my granite tops to make them look good. They shine each day with no care. Every five to ten years, I do have to apply a coat of clear sealer to the granite, but it’s not greasy and it doesn’t get on my clothes.

The best advice I can give you before making a decision as large and final as this is to do a test. The test may cost you less than $100.00. Go to a soapstone fabricator and purchase a trivet. But get a big one, say 16-inches square. Place it in a high-use area of your existing countertop. Do things to it that you’ll be doing to your new countertops.

Test it to death. Slide cans over it. Drop silverware on it. Use it as a cutting board if you’ve cut things in the past on your counters. Spill things on it like red wine, grease, etc. and let them sit for hours. See if the liquids soak in and stain the stone. Treat it just like you do your existing counters.

See if the local soapstone fabricator can tell you three places where soapstone counters have been in use for ten years or more. Try to visit those places to see how they look. Remember, many people love the look of soapstone that works hard each day. I’m just not one of them.

Soapstone changes color as it ages. That’s part of the patina. Because it’s a natural metamorphic stone, it almost always comes with random veining. The veins of color add a distinctive look. When first quarried, the stone is gray, but it gets darker with age as it begins to oxidize. My soapstone countertops, when wet or oiled, look a dark green.

Be very careful when buying soapstone. Only work with a supplier or fabricator you know uses that stone. Low quality marbles that look like soapstone may be substituted on your job. Touch is a great way to do the test. Remember, soapstone feels soapy, and marble doesn’t. Be sure you are getting what you want.

Column 802

Fireplace Accessories

Posted on by Tim Carter

DEAR TIM: I moved into my starter home and fireplace accessories are top on my list of things to buy as winter is fast approaching. Gas fireplace accessories and wood fireplace accessories are needed as I have one of each in this most-interesting house! Money is tight, so my wish list is far bigger than my will-get list. What tools or items would you put on your must-have list if you were first starting out like me? What mistakes should I avoid? Patty M., Scranton, PA

DEAR PATTY: How excited you must be! I remember when my wife Kathy and I moved into our first starter home. Never in my life did I live in a home that had a wood-burning fireplace. Our modest three-bedroom home had a fireplace in the living room, and I was bound and determined to make it burn wood. I even installed a damper in it. However, once I looked further I discovered the chimney had no liner. The fireplace was only meant to burn gas logs. I didn’t buy any fireplace accessory tools as at that time they were just for show for a gas fireplace.

You can really jazz up your fireplace with functional and good-looking accessories. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter

You can really jazz up your fireplace with functional and good-looking accessories. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter

If you visit a fireplace accessories store, you’ll quickly discover you’ll feel like a kid in a candy store. There are so many distinctive tools, gadgets and decorations that you could spend a king’s ransom in 30 minutes or less. My biggest advice, at this point, is to try to avoid the temptation to purchase discount fireplace accessories. In the long run, you want quality, and quality always comes with a price tag.

Since you have a limited budget, I would say you should focus on equipping the fireplace you intend to use the most. You want function first, so focus on fireplace accessory tools. For sake of discussion, let’s say you’re going to start with your wood-burning fireplace.

I would begin with the common tool set that includes a poker, tongs, shovel and brush. These are all very handy tools that you’ll need when working with burning logs or the leftover ashes and coals. Be aware that these tools come in a variety of finishes and styles. Look at a wide assortment before you make your final decision. I happen to be very partial to brass fireplace accessories, however copper fireplace accessories can also be very attractive.

Last year, I started to collect some iron fireplace accessories. As crazy as this sounds, I got a few from a local blacksmith. He was able to make a custom poker for me that went really well with the set of outdoor fireplace accessories I have next to my fire pit by the lake. If you have a blacksmith near you, or see one at a craft festival, ask about these hardy iron tools.

Last Christmas, my daughter gave me a gorgeous wood bellows for our living room fireplace. The tool really creates a blast of air to get a fire going. However, I discovered that it really blows ashes around at the same time. Be careful using a bellows. Start with small puffs of air instead of a giant high-powered push of the tool.

I also have a very handy and handsome canvas bag that allows me to tote inside about 40 pounds of split and dried wood. This wood is stored in a basket near the fireplace. There are many different wood storage accessories, some made from metal or wood. You’ll know what you like when you see it. Just be aware that on a cold night you can burn through quite a bit of wood in a traditional fireplace. Some of the storage devices, in my opinion, are just for show as they can’t hold enough wood to satisfy my fireplace’s appetite.

You can make big mistakes in dealing with the fireplace the morning after you’ve had a fire. If you feel compelled to clean out the ashes, you’ll need a handy ash can. This is a simple metal can, like a miniature metal garbage can, that has a tight-fitting lid. The lid is very important. You want to shovel the ashes and any hot coals into the can and put on the lid to starve them from oxygen. Store this can well away from anything that can burn.

Never ever use a vacuum cleaner to clean ashes, embers or coals. The debris you think is harmless can still have enough energy to start a fire in the belly of the vacuum or a remote canister in a central vacuum system. This fire may start hours later after you’ve left the house or are distracted doing something else.

Column 801

Joel Cornelius Roofing

Posted on by Tim Carter

During the first couple of weeks of September 2009, I had a new roof installed on my home in Cincinnati, OH, by Joel Cornelius Roofing Company. I met Joel approximately 14 years earlier just after I started my Ask the Builder column and AsktheBuilder.com. If my memory serves me right, I interviewed Joel about a column. While doing that, I toured his business and left extremely impressed with his integrity, professionalism and fiscal strength.

A few years later, he introduced me to his nephew Keith Cornelius. Keith now heads up the residential roofing division of the company.

Just as you might get different quotes for a job, I did the same. The price I got from Joel Cornelius was very competitive. They had all the required insurance certification, and I knew they would do a fantastic job on my house.

The first day of the job, the crew showed up with Vern, the field coordinator, and immediately wasted no time getting started. Vern was a seasoned roofer who now spent each day checking on different crews spread out at several jobs around town. The roofing crew assigned to my home consisted of five friendly men (see photo at end of column):

  • Roger Beard
  • Jimmy Flannery
  • Jayson Hundley
  • Dave Merritt
  • Albert "Joe" Tewes

The job stretched out over a couple of weeks because Mother Nature decided that she wanted it to rain for nearly six days straight. Roger and the crew persevered and made sure they never took a chance of my house interior getting wet when there was a significant chance of rain. You don't want the skies to open up just after you've stripped off a section of shingles. Believe me, I've received plenty of emails from people who've had water streaming indoors because a roofing crew got too aggressive.

I can't say enough good things about Vern, Roger, Jimmy, Jayson, Dave and "Joe". They worked hard, never complained and really respected my property. Each day when they left, they cleaned up well and made sure the house was watertight. I decided to strip off the old shingles, even though there was only one layer, because it makes the new roof look better and it allows you to inspect the roof deck.

The photo below shows the crew on the new roof over the front porch. The shingles are GAF Slateline, special shingles that mimic the look of slate. When viewed from the street, the black strip of granules creates a shadow line that tricks you into thinking the shingles are thick pieces of slate. You can see to the right of the crew, the old three-tab shingles that have yet to be removed.

Would I use Joel Cornelius Roofing again? You bet I would. I just need to figure out how to get Roger, the lead roofer, and his crew up to New Hampshire to install the roof on my new home!

Thanks guys, you did a magnificent job!

Tim Carter
Founder - AsktheBuilder.com