Shovel Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Traditional shovels can be too big and too heavy for some people. There are shovels and spades available that are smaller and lighter weight. Ideal for use by some women.

These smaller shovels have the same profile and shape as their larger counterparts and they are just as strong. The smaller size is easier to handle. But it has the foot step on the blade and the D handle grip.

Border spades are also available in the smaller profile. These are used to cut sod or cut around your garden. The traditional spade takes a lot of force to push into the ground. The smaller blade takes less weight to push into the ground. Look for spade shovels with D handles made of metal, wood or stainless steel.

What is you have to dig a hole in the garden? The regular post hole digger is big and requires a lot of upper body strength to use. Check out the post hole digger that operates more like a backhoe. It has one blade that is driven into the ground. Then you pull a secondary handle than bends the blade over and scoops the dirt out of the hole. Another advantage of this style post hole digger is that the hole stays the same diameter all the way down.

Wood Siding Repair Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

When your project involves painting a piece of wood siding, here are some tips to help complete that job. Place the piece of siding on a solid wood plank. It does not matter what size the plank is, but it is helpful if it wider then the siding.

Instead of using the traditional paint brush, check out the mini-paint rollers that are now available. These smaller rollers allow you to apply the paint quickly and with very little mess.

You will still use the paint brush after the roller. A quick once over to give the siding that brushed look.

When painting an outside piece of siding, be sure to paint the back side also. Paint the back side first, so when you lay it on the drying rack, the front paint job does not get little marks in it.

Paint the back first, then the front. You will get a much better looking job.

Attach Wood To Concrete Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Attach Wood to Concrete - Easy with No Anchors

IMPORTANT NOTE: What you see in the video using regular nails should only be done when you know the wood will NEVER GET WET. If you use this method outdoors with treated lumber, then you MUST USE stainless-steel nails or double-dipped hot galvanized nails. You'll have to upsize the drilled hole to 5/16ths or 3/8th inches. Experiment until you have moderate resistance hammering in the nails.

Does your upcoming project require you to attach a piece of lumber to a concrete floor or concrete wall? Not sure how to do it? Here is a very easy method for attaching that wood to concrete without using all those concrete anchors.

You will need a hammer drill, 20 ounce hammer and some 16d nails. Insert a 1/4" masonry drill bit, 4 or 6 inches long, into the hammer drill. Drill through the wood and into the concrete. Pull the drill out occasionally to clear the shavings. Once the hole is drilled, take two nails and place them in the hole. Then drive both nails into the hole at the same time.

Drilling the two nails in at the same time will create a solid connection that will be almost impossible to pull out. Space the holes about 16" to 24" on centers and your wood will be firmly held in place.

Septic Systems Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Do you have a septic tank, how do you keep it working at the optimum condition? One way is to be sure you keep things like lacquer thinner, latex paint, chlorine bleach and antibacterial soaps out of the septic system. Why? Because all of these items kill the beneficial bacteria that works to dissolve food particles and bodily waste in the septic tank.

Garage disposers and septic systems can work together. The disposal will grind up the food into smaller pieces, increasing the surface area of the food. This allows the septic system to break down the food quicker. There is a garage disposer designed specifically for use with septic systems. It features an enzyme tank that injects the beneficial bacteria into the food as it is being ground.

Remember if you have a septic tank system, keep those bad chemicals out of the system. Get your system pumped out on a regular basis.

Read in the May 13, 2016 AsktheBuilder Newsletter why pumping out a septic tank is important.

Wood Glues Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Are you a hobbyist or wood worker? If so, you have probably used wood glues. The old standard is the yellow carpenter's glue. But there are more choices now. The yellow glue is still available but it is affected by water. It should not be used outside.

There is a dark wood glues. When the glue dries, it turns dark so the glue line is not as noticeable. Eliminates that white glue line.

The new woodworkers glue is designed for finish and trim carpentry inside work. It features a very quick setup time. Great when working with small trim pieces. The typical setup time is 5 to 10 seconds.

Polyurethane glue is waterproof. It sticks wood to wood, glass to wood. A very multi-purpose glue, almost like an epoxy. This glue actually uses the water in the wood and air to chemically cure. Be sure to clamp the wood pieces after glueing. As the glue dries, it turns to a foam and expands to fill in the area. Clamping the pieces will keep everything in the correct position.

Clamping the work pieces is a good idea when using any glue. This positions the joint until the glue is dry. Select the right glue for your next woodworking project.

Air Filters Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Air Filters Video Transcript

You know this time of year the air outside it's crisp it's clean it's free of pollutants. It's really really wonderful. Now wouldn't you like to have that same quality of air inside your home? Well, you can if you use the right furnace filter. You know a lot of people are familiar with the standard furnace filter that's fiberglass.

You know they're replaceable and I call these things rock catchers and the reason why is because the space between the fibers is so huge that just about everything can get through it.

What these filters are primarily for and a lot of people don't know this these are just to protect the equipment inside your furnace. They protect the heat exchanger. They protect the electric blower and the electric motor from dust and pollutants. They do nothing to really control the air quality inside your home.

If you want to get good air quality inside your home or improve it, you have to step up to another type of filter. There are disposable filters that cost about four dollars apiece. You can get them at a lot of local hardware stores and these are pleated paper filters. These catch a lot of dust particles a lot of pollen. Just about many of the things that are inside your home.

But there's a problem with them as well they are disposable you have to throw them away and they last about three months at a time. My

favorite filter is one that's built specifically for your furnace. These are polyester electrostatic filters and these are lifetime filters. And what happens is when these get dirty, you just rinse them out with a hose and you just put them right back in your furnace. They cost about 35 to 40 dollars apiece but they can pay for themselves in as little as 18 months.

Remember, if you want to have really good clean air inside your home consider getting one of these lifetime filters. They're available at most heating air conditioning contractors or some of your local hardware stores. If you want to discover more home improvement tips go to AsktheBuilder.com.

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Electrical Outlet Box Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Most home projects with include the addition of an electrical outlet box. Having the proper tools will make the job go great.

First, there are the linesman pliers. They have a large cutting area and the leverage to cut wires and cables. Also useful for twisting wires together.

Next, is the wire stripper. This tool has various size openings that match the different wire diameters. Just select the proper size opening for the wire, squeeze down around the wire and pull. It strips the insulation off the wire. Neat and clean.

Needle nosed pliers are also a valuable tool for working with wiring. You use the needle nose to form a loop in the end of the wire to fit around the screw on the outlet or switch.

Do not forget the razor knife. It is used to cut down the length of the wire insulation. Be careful to cut right down the middle of the insulation. If you cut off to one side, you run the risk of nicking the insulation of the wires inside the cable.

One final tip, be sure to turn off the electric for the circuit on which you are working. This will prevent any electrical shock or worse.

Road Salt Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Shoveling snow can be hard work, especially when the snow is wet. There are some products that can help. Deicing salts will help clear the snow. Will these salts harm the concrete? Not if the concrete was properly installed.

There are three types of rock salts. Regular rock salt, anhydrous calcium chloride salt and magnesium chloride. The magnesium chloride, or mag, is newer and works better at lower temperatures. It is also less corrosive to metals, such as railings. Mag is also easier on the trees and shrubs as compared to the other two salt types.

Most stores will carry the first two types of salt, but you might have to go to a specialty store to obtain the magnesium chloride product. Check the yellow pages under salts.

Put down a layer of the salt before the snow starts accumulating. It will be easier to clear your sidewalks and driveway if you do. Save your back and try some of these road salt deicing products.

Stop - Purchase Deicing Salt eGuide NowGet a 24-page guide right now that answers all your questions about Deicing Salts. Will it RUIN your concrete? Did you know that salt can SERIOUSLY harm you? What about your expensive landscaping? You can have all these answers and more in less than a minute. Buy it NOW.

Gas Fireplaces Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Do you have to carry in firewood for your fireplace? What a pain! Wood burning fireplaces require a lot of work and they are dirty. Plus, you have to constantly tend the fire. There is an easier way.

A gas fireplace is a better alternative. There are gas logs that look very realistic. Some much so that some actually glow and have glowing embers. Gas fireplaces provide instant warmth. No waiting for the logs to catch fire. Just turn on the switch and the fireplace comes to life.

Another advantage is once you turn off the fire, you can close the damper right away. No warming for the logs to go out completely and leaving the damper open allowing cold air to flow down the chimney. Or the warmer air inside the house escaping up the chimney.

If your fireplace does not have a gas connection, one can normally be added, especially if your fireplace has one of those ash dumps. Connect a contractor or plumber to run your gas line to the fireplace. Then just flip the switch and sit back and enjoy the warmth.

Energy Savings Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Here are two tips to help you save money with your energy costs. First at the end of the summer and fall watering seasons, remove any garden hoses you have attached to the outside faucets. If you do not and you have a frost proof hose bib, the water line could burst behind the faucet. You may not notice that until you turn the water back on in the spring.

To save money in the basement, check the area between the foundation and the floor joists. If there is no insulation in those spots, add it. Just cut some regular fiberglass batt insulation to fit and stuff it into the openings.

If you already have insulation in those spaces, pull one out and look at the back side. If there is a black spot at the top or bottom of the insulation, you have an air leak. The black spot is dirt that has been filters by the insulation. Get some caulk and caulk the joint where the air is leaking in.

The savings can add up if you block out the air leaking into your basement or crawl space.