Brick Cleaning Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Brick Cleaning - Beware Pressure Washers

Pressure washers are not necessarily the best method. A pressure washer can erode the mortar between the bricks or remove the cement paste off concrete. A better method of patio cleaning is with the use of oxygen bleach. Do not use chlorine bleach that is toxic to the environment. Oxygen bleach is safe to use and it removes the mildew and algae built up on the brick.

CLICK or TAP HERE for the best oxygen bleach AND the correct mixing instructions.

Mix the oxygen bleach with warm water and let it dissolve completely in the water. Then just pour the cleaning solution on the patio and let the bubbles work. After a short wait, use a street broom or scrub brush to work the liquid into the brick. Then, rinse with a garden hose.

The results will be great. You will have a clean patio to enjoy this season.

Message from Tim:

Years ago while researching a column about cleaning decks, I discovered the wonders of Oxygen Bleach. It is perhaps the 'greenest' cleaner I know of as it uses oxygen ions to break apart stains, dirt and odor molecules. There are no harsh chemicals, and it works on just about anything that is water washable.

I decided to create my own special blend using ingredients made in the USA. In fact, the raw materials in the active ingredient are food-grade quality registered with the FDA. I call my product Stain Solver. I urge you to use it to help with cleaning your brick patio. You will be amazed at the results!

Wheelbarrow Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

There is a wheelbarrow with steel handles and a steel body featuring a handbrake on the handle. This can be important when you are going down a hill with a heavy load. You can control the wheelbarrow so it doesn't get out of control.

Another wheelbarrow has a very large plastic tub. This model also has two wheels in front which makes it more stable. The wheelbarrow is harder to turn over with the added stability.

A third type of wheelbarrows is different from the rest because it has the location of the wheel further back. This puts the cargo weight on the wheel instead of in your hands.

Research wheelbarrows to get the model which meets your project's needs. Tim even uses it for a quick break on the project.

Wiring Box Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

The wiring box has different type junction boxes to handle the various types of wiring. Then the wiring to all of the various locations in the house are run from this distribution panel.

Wireless systems can have their distribution point running from this panel. But running cable to all the locations will allow faster data transfer.

This is designed for use with your low voltage wiring distribution. It will simplify you wiring when you use a central wiring panel.

Utility Sink Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

A few measurements are needed to hang the wall mount utility sink bracket. Use a level to mark the proper height for the mounting bracket. The weight of the utility sink, full of water, will be hundreds of pounds. The use of stud anchors is recommended to prevent the tub mounting from failing. Be sure to put the hex nut on before hammering the stud into the wall.

Once the bracket is mounted on the wall, hang the utility sink and you will ready to run the water lines.

This was the Tip Of The Week in the November 11, 2014 AsktheBuilder Newsletter.

Toolboxes Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

A new light weight plastic toolbox has storage compartments on top of the lid for small items, such as screws, nails, wire nuts, hardware, drill bits and/or screw bits. Inside is a lift out tray and a large storage area below the tray.

There are other tool storage options. An example is a large piece of canvas which fits inside and over a crate. There are pockets inside for storing tools, plus the center crate area holds large tools, extension cords and supplies. Then more pockets outside the crate for organizing your smaller items. The best part of this storage crate is that it is on wheels and has a folding handle. You don't have to carry your tools around, just roll it to the worksite with this rolling tool box.

For smaller projects, consider a tool pouch. This is smaller and holds a few small tools and clips onto your belt. Great for electrical work and holding your needle nose pliers, screw drivers and electrical tape.

There are many choices of tool boxes out there depending on what your needs are. Shop around and find the one that will work for you.

Tim’s Favorite Tools Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

A wood rasp allows you to make cuts in wood or plastic or non-ferrous material. It is rounded on one side and flat on the other. Each side has both fine and coarse teeth.

A special Phillips screw drill bit has a countersink drill bit built right into it. You can drill the countersink, then drive the screw without changing the bit in the drill chuck.

Ever drop a nail, screw or other metal part down behind an object and you can't reach it? Carry a telescoping magnetic pick-up tool. Extend it out to full length and reach down to retrieve that fastener.

Tim carries a mini tubing cutter. It is small in size but still able to cut the copper tubing located in a small area. If the full size tubing cutter won't fit, try this mini cutter.

A plumb bob is powered by Mother Nature. It does not get out of adjustment like bubble levels or laser levels. The plumb bob gives that vertical line every time.

Try these tools in your toolbelt or tool box. Very helpful.

Read my December 15, 2013 AsktheBuilder Newsletter to see how you can help AsktheBuilder.com when purchasing some of Tim's Favorite Tools.

Sprinkler Systems Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Automatic fire sprinklers can be installed in a new home or your existing home. Smoke detectors are good, but fire sprinklers, along with the a smoke detector, are better. These sprinklers can protect you and your family from fires, which can be extremely destructive.

A fire can strike at any time and without notice. House fires are very destructive and dangerous. What can you do to protect my home? Smoke detectors are a good start, but they don't do anything if you are not at home.

A home sprinkler system can be installed during the construction of a new home or added to your existing house. If the temperature in the room reaches the level to activate the sprinkler head, the glass vial breaks and the water starts to flow. Unlike the movies, only the sprinkler head in the area of the fire will activate. Not all of them at once. Typically, a fire can be extinguished with a hundred gallons of water. A lot less than the fire department will pump into your house. This will cut back on water damage to the house.

New fire sprinkler heads recess into your ceiling. All that is seen is the round flat cap. The sprinkler components are located above the ceiling. If a fire occurs, the spring load sprinkler head will pop out of the ceiling and start spraying water. The sprinkler heads simply get soldered into the copper water lines.

Certified Water Softener Manufacturers

Posted on by Tim Carter

Manufacturers of Certified Water Softeners

The Water Quality Association is a great resource for information concerning overall water quality. They have developed standards for certifying water treatment equipment and the individuals who service and install such equipment. They will provide you with a bountiful supply of literature. All you need to do is write and request it.

Water Quality Association
4151 Naperville Road
Lisle, Illinois 60532
708-505-0160
www.wqa.org

The following is a listing of manufacturers of water softeners who manufacture certified equipment. You need to check with each manufacturer to see that the particular model you are interested in purchasing has, in fact, been certified. If in doubt, contact the Water Quality Association. They publish a full listing of model numbers which do indeed pass all the tests.

  • American Water Products, Inc.

  • American Water Technologies
  • Aqua Systems AquaFine Water, Inc.
  • Atlantic Filter Corporation
  • Autotrol Corporation
  • Bartley/Lindsay Company
  • Bruner Corporation
  • Classic Water Systems, Inc.
  • Clear Water Corporation
  • Culligan International
  • Ecodyne Water Systems, Inc.
  • EcoWater Systems, Inc.
  • Erie Manufacturing Company
  • Fleck Controls, Inc.
  • Flint & Walling, Inc.
    DBA Star Water Systems
  • Hague Quality Water International
  • Hellenbrand Water Conditioning, Inc.
  • Ioinics, Incorporated
  • Kinetico Incorporated
  • Mid America Water Treatment
  • Northstar Water Conditioning
  • RainSoft Water Conditioning Co.
  • Saxton Manufacturing Company
  • Sears, Roebuck and Company
  • Soft Water, Incorporated
  • Springsoft International, Inc.
  • Sta-Rite Industries, Inc.
  • Superior Water Systems Inc.
  • Water Group Canada, Ltd.
  • Water Resources International
  • Water Services Corporation
    DBA Mermaid Water Soft Inc.
  • WaterCare Corporation
  • Western Water Products, Inc.
  • WSI Inc.

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High Efficiency Filter Manufacturers

Posted on by Tim Carter

Manufacturers of Efficient Air Filters

So, how easy is it to purchase these great high efficiency filters? Well, probably not as easy as you might like it to be. Most hardware stores don't carry these filters because of their traditional high markup margins. As such, for you to locate these filters (trust me, they are readily available in your town, you just need to find them), you will need to look in the yellow pages under Air Cleaning & Purifying Equipment. Under this, or a similar heading, you will find commercial filter distributors. These companies will have filters that will fit your residential equipment. Simply call them, and take an old spun glass filter with you to compare size.

The following listing is just a partial listing of filter manufacturers. Call the ones that have 800 numbers and ask for information and name and address of the closest distributor in your area. They will be happy to assist you.

  • Air Kontrol, Inc.
    P.O. Box 40033
    Memphis, Tennessee 38174-0033
    800-647-6192

  • Aircon Filter Mfg. Co., Inc.
    437 - 441 Green Street
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19123
    800-833-3019

  • Airguard Industries, Inc.
    3907 Bishop Lane
    Louisville, Kentucky 40232
    866-247-4827

  • Camfil-Farr Company
    2201 Park Place
    El Sengundo, California 90285
    800-333-7320
  • Duststop Air Filters
    165 Tresca Road
    Jacksonville, Florida 32225-6550
    904-725-1001
  • Eco - Air Products, Inc.
    9455 Cabot Drive
    San Diego, California 92126-0340
    619-271-8111
  • Environmental Filter Corp.
    1009 Chicopee Rd.
    Benson, North Carolina 27504
    919-894-8100
  • Fibair
    Route 92 S.
    Reedsville, West Virginia 26547-0478
    800-434-2247
  • Fiberbond Corporation
    110 Menke Road
    Michigan City, Indiana 46360
    219-879-4541
  • Filtrair Corp.
    320 Fifth Avenue
    Wilmington, Delaware 19805
    302-654-2523
  • Filtration Group, Inc.
    912 East Washington Street
    Joliet, Illinois 60433
    815-726-4600
  • Filtration Manufacturing Inc.
    47 J. Faris Dr.
    Andalusia, Alabama 36421
    800-239-9495
  • Flanders-Precisionaire, Inc.
    P.O. Box 7568
    St. Petersburg, Florida 33734-7568
    800-800-2210
  • Koch Filter Corp.
    625 West Hill Road
    Louisville, Kentucky 40208
    502-634-4796
  • Purolator Products Air Filtration Co.
    P.O. Box 940
    Kenly, North Carolina 27542
    800-843-0116
  • Quality Filters, Inc.
    23351 Grissom Dr.
    Robertsdale, Alabama 36567
    800-635-6820
  • Tri-Dim Filter Corp.
    14551 Bonelli Street
    City of Industry, California 91746
    626-333-9428

July 2008

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Acrylic And Fiberglass Shower Manufacturers

Posted on by Tim Carter

Manufacturers of Cast Iron, Acrylic, & Fiberglass Tub / Showers

Cast iron and china plumbing fixtures were the only choices you had 50 years ago. Choices were limited, as well as shapes and designs. However, within the past years, the plumbing fixture market has exploded with new products manufactured using new materials. Manufacturers now offer many styles, sizes and shapes. Contact some of these manufactures to see what is avialable for your project.

  • American Standard
    1 Centennial Avenue
    Piscataway, New Jersey 08855
    800-821-7700
    cast iron, AMERICAST, acrylic units

  • Aqua Glass Corp.
    P.O. Box 412
    Adamsville, Tennessee 38310
    800-238-3940
    acrylic and gel coat products
  • Bath-Tec, Inc.
    P.O. Box 1118
    Ennis, Texas 75120
    800-526-3301
    acrylic tubs and whirlpools
  • Briggs
    4350 W. Cypress Street
    Tampa, Florida 33607
    813-874-0627
    cast iron & acrylic products
  • Clarke Products, Inc.
    1202 Ave. J East
    Grand Prairie, Texas 75050
    800-426-8964
    acrylic tubs & showers
  • Fiberglass Systems
    4545 Enterprise
    Boise, Idaho 83705
    800-727-9907
    gel coat bathtubs & showers
  • Jacuzzi Whirlpool Bath
    2121 N. California Blvd.
    Ste. 475
    Walnut Creek, California 94596
    800-678-6889
    acrylic tub and shower systems
  • Jason International, Inc.
    8328 MacArthur Drive North
    Little Rock, Arkansas 72118
    800-255-5766
    acrylic tub and showers
  • Kohler Co.
    Kohler, Wisconsin 53044
    414-457-4441
    cast iron & VIKRELL products
  • Lyons Industries Inc.
    P.O. Box 88 M-62
    Dowagiac, Michigan 49047
    800-458-9036 acrylic & ABS plastic units
  • E.L. Mustee & Sons
    5431 W. 164th Street
    Cleveland, Ohio 44142
    800-321-3128
    100% fiberglass bath & shower surrounds
  • Novi American Inc.
    P.O. Box 44649
    Atlanta, Georgia 30336
    800-726-6684
    acrylic & ABS plastic units
  • Oasis Industries
    1563 Hubbard Street
    Batavia, Illinois 60510
    800-323-2748
    acrylic bathtubs
  • Sterling Plumbing Group
    2900 Golf Road
    Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008
    708-734-1777
    acrylic tub & shower units
  • The Swan Corp.
    One City Centre Ste. 2300
    St. Louis, Missouri 63101
    314-231-8148
    acrylic tub and shower units

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