Wood Door Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Some of the advantages of the common six panel interior wood door are they are light weight and very affordable. One disadvantage of these hollow core doors is they let a lot of noise through them. They are made of a hard board panel with strips of cardboard inside.

The alternative is a solid wood door. These are the types of exterior wood doors found in many of the older homes. Today's solid wood doors are different from the older ones. In the past, the panels were made from solid wood. With the seasonal changes, these panels would expand and contract. This would leave lines showing in the door. The modern doors have panels made of medium density fiberboard. These are more stable in changing humidity levels and temperatures.

The modern doors come is various styles, six panel or four panel, and some have raised molding around the panels to extra depth and add character. The solid wood doors are heavy, but they make a great addition to your home.

Wiring Light Fixture Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Wiring Light Fixture Video

To wire a light fixture safely, start by turning off the circuit breaker feeding that circuit. Use a tester to be sure there is no power in the wires. Trim about an half an inch of insulation off both the white and black wires. Put up the mounting bracket for the light fixture and then start wiring in the fixture. Use wire nuts to connect the black wire to the black wire and the white to the white. Connect the bare copper ground wire to the green grounding screw in the electrical box.

As a precaution, don't touch any bare copper wire except for the ground wire.

Most new light fixtures come with insulation to keep the heat from the bulb from cooking the wires. Be sure to install this insulation. Mount the fixture to the mounting bracket. Add the decorative shade and you are ready to go. Turn the power back on and your light fixture installation is complete.

Window Cleaning Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Using the proper tools will get your windows clean just like the professionals. Using a sprayer cleaner and a paper towel might just move the dirt around. The professionals use a scrubber, which has a fleece-like material, used to apply the cleaning solution. This is a soap with some degreaser. Similar to the dish washing soap you use in the kitchen. Drip the scrubber in the solution and scrub the windows. The fleece-like material traps a lot of the dirt from the window.

This step is followed by a squeegee to wipe away the remaining dirt and solution. Wipe the squeegee after each wipe to clean the rubber blade. Use lint free wiping cloths.

Your windows will be easily cleaned if you follow these simple window cleaning tips.

This video was shared in my April 23, 2013 and July 25, 2014 AsktheBuilder Newsletter.

Vent Pipe Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Vent Pipe

Ever notice that little round pipe on your roof? What's it connected to? Inside the house, this vent pipe is connected to the plumbing system. The vent pipe is connected to the sink drains. This pipe provides make-up air when you drain a sink or bathtub. Since the drain pipes are full of air before you pull the plug, this air has to be replaced as the water pushes the existing air down the drain.

If you notice a gurgle when flushing the toilet, it might be an indication that the vent pipe is clogged. Get up on the roof and put a garden hose down the pipe and turn on the water. Be sure to have someone inside checking for any leaks. The water from the hose hopefully will flush out the blockage and your gurgle will disappear.

Table Saw Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Table saws are multi-purpose, powerful power tools. For example, you can rip a very long piece of lumber. Using the table saw fence guide, you will have a straight cut very time. With the use of the cross-cut guide, you can cut short pieces to the proper length. Angle cuts are also possible.

Be careful with table saws. They can be dangerous. As a precaution, don't wear any loose clothing when working with the saw. For example, a long sleeve shirt with a loose cuff could get caught in the blade and pull your arm into it.

Unplug the saw any time you are making adjustments. Finally, if you are making narrow cuts, use a small piece of wood as a pusher. Keep your fingers away from the table saw blade.

Eye protection, such as goggles or safety glasses and earplugs are required. Table saws are very loud and they can hurt your hearing. Keep these safety tips in mind when using your table saw.

Valley Roof Flashing Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Valley Roof Flashing

A roof valley is a metal plate where to sections of the roof meet. Even if these roof flashings are painted, they are very noticeable. There is a way to disguise valley roof flashings so they blend into the roof. Get some rust inhibitive paint from your local paint store. Clean the flashing and start applying the paint. As soon as you have painted the metal flashing, sprinkle into the paint some of the colored roof granules.

Where do you get these color roof granules? Many stores that sell roof shingles can order the roof granules from shingle manufacturers. Get the granules that match your roof color. They very affordable. A 5 gallon bucket would have enough to cover the typical roof. Apply more granules then necessary. After a few days drying period, brush off any excess from the valleys. Your roof flashing valleys will no longer stand out from your roof.

Vapor Barrier Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Older homes had tar paper to prevent water from getting to the wood framing. Today, houses are built with air and water infiltration barriers. They won't let water in, but they will let water vapor out. These vapor barriers come on large rolls. Installation of the vapor barriers can be done with either special nails or staples.

The most important installation step is to tape over the seams. There is a special tape to seal the seams so water does not leak in behind the barrier.

Allow the barrier to extend about an inch down over the foundation. This will prevent any water from leaking in as it runs down off the siding. These new water infiltration barriers will protect your house.

Types Of Wood Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Framing lumber is typically spruce, pine or fir. Floor joints are yellow pine, which is very strong. Redwood and cedar are normally used for outside projects because of their natural resistance to rot. Douglas fir is great for matching old porch flooring. Look for the vertical graining in the wood grain.

Interior projects might call for the use of white pine or poplar. These woods are also used in the door trim, baseboard and window trim. Poplar is very common because of its ease in staining or painting.

Woods are great for many of your home remodeling projects. Be sure to get the proper wood for your build.

This video was mentioned in the February 25, 2014 AsktheBuilder Newsletter.

Soil Map Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Soil Map

Getting ready to build a new home? What is the most important tool to have to start the project - a big bulldozer? No, a soil map. A soil map will tell you all the characteristics, good and bad, for the soil under your project.

These soil maps are put together by geologists and are printed for each county. And they are free. The information contained in these booklets will tell you what type of trees with grow in that soil. It will indicate if the soil is good for septic systems. How well the soil drains.

Locate the property you are considering from the aerial photographs in the map. Once you find your property, the map will have lines and symbols indicating the type of soil on that lot. Look up the symbols and read about your soil.

These soil maps can be found at the county soil and water conversation services office. Get yours before purchasing or building on a lot.

Author's Note:

Dan emailed the following comment regarding an updated source of information for soil maps. If your county doesn't have updated information, you might try Dan's suggestion. He wrote:

"Web soil survey on the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) website is the official repository of soil survey information. The books shown in this video are no longer printed and many have not been updated since the seventies. Instead, you should go on the website http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/HomePage.htm and use that information. It is free. I am a soil scientist in PA."

Screw Gun Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Tired of driving drywall screws by hand? There is a better way. You can use a drill or a screw gun. A drill should have variable speed for best results. The disadvantage of the drill is if you are not careful, you can drive the screw too deep into the drywall and tear the paper.

The better tool is the screw gun. This power tool has a special collar and a clutch that stops the driving motion of the screw gun when the screw reaches are certain depth. Just set the stop on the screw gun collar. Once you have the depth set correctly, you can drive all the screws to the proper depth without worry.

Screws guns are fast and easy. If you don't have one, most tool rental stores have them available.