June 6, 2021 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on by Tim Carter

Greetings! I’m sure glad you’re here! You just might be my newest subscriber. This is where I lay out the Welcome Mat for you and everyone else who became part of my virtual family in the past week.

You, though, might have been around here for so long you remember those amazing interior retractable window SCREENS I installed in my last house.
window in kitchen with screen

Who wants to futz around with those awkward giant screens that tumble out of the frames, etc. and BLOCK your view if you don’t take them out in the winter?

Come spring you have to put them back in the frames possibly tearing the screening and raising the stress level in your home.

CLICK or TAP HERE and behold an excellent solution to window screen issues!

Father’s Day Loot

Father’s Day is in two weeks. Do you need an idea for a gift that will be truly appreciated? Look no further than the following pages on my website:

Mechanix Durahide and Material 4X Gloves - WOWZA!

Coast PX20 Dual-COLOR Flashlight

Cool WATERPROOF Electric ARC Lighter - Life-Saving Gift!

Travel Chess Set for Dad on a Park Bench

Klein Thermal Imager!!!! STOP Energy Waste

FREE BIDS - Local Contractors

Man Shoveling

CLICK or TAP HERE or Mr. Shovel Boy above to get FREE BIDS for any job inside or outside your home. You’ll get calls within an hour. Have you noticed how Shovel Boy never tires? That was me when I was 23. Not so much now!

Lazy Days of Summer

Now that summer has unofficially arrived as of last Monday, I normally back way off on the content in these newsletters.

Why?

I want to be outdoors enjoying the wonderful summer weather here in the northern Hemisphere. I’m lucky enough to live in central New Hampshire where people from all over the world come to vacation. Look for yourself at what they get to see.

The first photo is looking south from Cannon Mountain. The second photo is a typical lake scene here in central New Hampshire.

tim carter pointing to happiness

deck overlooking lake winnisquam, nh

My guess is you want to spend more time recreating outdoors instead of stuffing home improvement tips into your tiny gray cells!

Look below to see one of my favorite outdoor summer and fall activities.

tim carter and dave benson
I’ve become very active again in outdoor radio now that the snow and black flies are gone. I go to different state parks and state forests here in New Hampshire. Once there, I set up my small radio that allows me to communicate with other radio operators using Morse code.

This radio transmits using the same amount of energy the night light in your bathroom consumes. Can you believe a radio signal only needs that tiny amount of energy to travel thousands of miles?

I’ve participated in The Parks on the Air activity since it started in 2017. In the past two years, it’s surpassed critical mass. There are thousands of operators active in the program and when I go out to operate, I can almost be assured of making 20 or 30 contacts in just 30 minutes.

It’s scads of fun and more so if you have friends tag along or conscript someone who's willing to log for you. Afterwards, we almost always hunt for a purveyor of flavored frozen milk and cream.

CLICK or TAP HERE to read about my latest adventure earlier this past week. You’ll get to see a short video of a radio pileup.

What’s that? Think of a grade school classroom where half the room is trying to show the teacher how smart they are. Look in the right column, once you're at my radio blog for a list of other recent adventures.

Plumbing Plans & Plumbing Phone Coaching

Lately, I’ve been getting an increasing number of orders from folks who are in need of a plumbing permit. I’ve been a master plumber since 1981.

I’m one of the few people, maybe the only one online, who will draw the much-needed isometric drawing you need to get your permit. CLICK or TAP HERE to see what services I offer. You’ll see I do gas-line drawings as well as those to properly size water lines.

Yesterday, I helped Guy in TN size his water line that extends from a 3/4-inch meter 1000 feet to feed two houses. What size do you think that pipe needs to be? I can help you with that answer and it’s bigger than you think. The issue is two different situations might require two different pipe sizes. It’s all about elevation.

Moments ago while creating this newsletter, I called Joseph out in San Diego, CA. He’s an architect who’s installing a very trendy small bathroom in part of an unused garage.

Joe's dealing with a difficult situation with a drain pipe that's only 12 inches under the slab twenty feet away. I told him over the phone how he can legally flat-vent the drain pipes so he doesn’t have to raise the floor. Joseph was quite happy to hear this news!

Bottom Line: I do a BOATLOAD of phone consults about plumbing and any other issue with your home.

That’s enough for a Sunday. Have a great week working on your tan.

Thanks to all who responded to last week’s Memorial Day newsletter by sharing your stories of valor and your own hopes to preserve the Republic. We surely don’t want to waste those hundreds of thousands of gallons of blood that have been shed to defend the US Constitution.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com
Get CLEAN - www.StainSolver.com
Cookie Crumble Contest Today: www.W3ATB.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

P.S. Do you know the right way to install new blacktop? I’m talking about making sure the edges don’t crack off. CLICK or TAP HERE to see if you know what to do.

Failed Cement Stucco

Posted on by Tim Carter
Sacred Heart Church, Laconia NH

Repair Stucco Wall - This thin coating of cement stucco on a poured concrete wall has fallen off. Two simple things would have prevented it from happening. Copyright 2021 Tim Carter

Repair Stucco Wall - Why It Failed

My wife and I are the head ushers at our church. Each Sunday when we arrive early, we walk up a ramp that allows those attending mass in a wheelchair an easy way into Sacred Heart Church in Laconia, NH.

Sacred Heart Church, Laconia NH

This is the inside of Sacred Heart Church in Laconia, NH. You can see why it would have been smart to go the extra mile outside with any new work added to the church.

The ramp was built with two poured concrete walls with the ramp in between them. The church is a stunning red-brick edifice built by French Catholics in the late 1800s. At that time, there were competing factions of Catholics in Laconia. It must have been like sports rivalries of today. Catholics from each country built their own church. Based on the churches that are still standing in Laconia, it’s obvious to me the French had more money and poured lots of it into this magnificent building I worship in each Sunday.

Can You Add Color to Concrete?

The contractor who built the ramp in 1981 tried to make it match the original red brick. Rather than pigment the actual poured concrete, yes, you can add dry-color pigments to concrete, he decided to hide the harsh gray cast concrete walls by applying a thin cement stucco to any exposed concrete.

Is Stucco a Good Material?

Using the stucco was not a bad idea and my guess is it might have been a budget issue. The project architect or builder could have installed a matching brick veneer to the poured concrete for an even better look. They could have done exactly what the architect and builder did who created the stunning addition on the Bristol, NH public library. They matched the red brick of the original library building perfectly. Only a trained eye can detect that part of the library building is an addition.

Is Portland Cement a Good Adhesive?

Here’s why the thin stucco coating has peeled off the poured concrete. Realize that Portland cement is an amazing adhesive. When you mix Portland cement with water, you begin a chemical reaction where countless microscopic crystals start to grow. Try to imagine those sticky burs you might have gotten on your pants in a walk through the woods years ago. The cement crystals are that tenacious.

Can Stucco Stick to Glass and Metal?

These crystals are so plentiful and strong they can even penetrate the microscopic pores of glass and metal. I have my original magnesium float from 45 years ago when I first started building. There are concrete deposits on it that can only be removed with a chisel!

Why Did the Stucco Fall Off?

The red stucco failed to bond to the poured concrete on the ramp for several possible reasons. It could be one or all of the following:

  • the poured concrete walls could have been dusty
  • the stucco batch might not have had enough Portland cement in it. 
  • the stucco might not have been thoroughly mixed in with the sand before the water was added
  • the stucco material could have started to set up and some of the crystals had already grown and were not able to grab well onto the concrete
  • the stucco may not have been properly cured so the crystals could continue to grow for days and weeks after the stucco was applied

There are other possible reasons, but the above are the most common reasons stucco falls off surfaces

Let’s imagine you want to apply cement stucco to poured concrete, concrete block, perhaps a stone wall, or even brick. You want it to last for hundreds of years. Guess what? It’s possible to get it to last that long.

How Can You Make Stucco Stick?

The first thing to do is clean with water and a scrub brush the surface to which you’re applying the cement stucco. You wouldn’t get dressed up in a wonderful summer dress or pants and blazer if you were sweaty and filthy from working all day without taking a shower, right?

It’s then important to make the stucco mix very strong. I was trained how to do this by a master mason when I first got into the construction business. Stucco I’ve mixed using the following formula has never failed.

  • 3 parts medium sand
  • 1 part Portland cement
  • 1/2 part hydrated lime

You blend these together well in the dry state. Make sure the mix is uniform in both color and texture. You then add clean water and mix until the stucco is about the consistency of applesauce. Keep in mind you can boost the formula to 3/4 part hydrated lime if you want. Lime once it hardens, is actually a thin coat of limestone. You know how durable limestone is.

What is the Magic Cement Paint and Method?

The secret tip is to then slightly dampen the surface that will accept the stucco. Immediately after spritzing it, you paint on a layer of cement paint. In the case at my church, the cement paint should have had some of the red dry pigment added to it. Cement paint is just a mixture of Portland cement and water mixed to the consistency of regular latex paint.

Brush on this cement paint to the surface and only apply as much surface area as you can cover with the stucco within a minute or two. Never let the cement paint dry on the wall. Do all these things and you’ll have stucco that might make it for two hundred years, maybe more!

Should I Cure the Stucco?

Oh yes, don’t forget to cure it! Keep the stucco damp for three days after it hardens. It’s that simple.

Sacred Heart Church, Laconia NH

The Last Supper. I don't think this is a fresco, but I could be wrong. It's carved plaster and it's got paint on it. The question is when it was painted.

Sacred Heart Church, Laconia NH

Sacred Heart Church Laconia NH steeple. Think about getting the red brick and mortar up this high on the scaffolding. What do you think they used to power the pulley?

Sacred Heart Church, Laconia NH

Sacred Heart Church Laconia NH - This is the main stained glass window over the front door. All of the stained glass in the church is magnificent.

 

Related Column:

Stucco Repair / Patching

Column 1408

Mechanix Durahide and Material 4X Gloves

Posted on by Tim Carter
mechanix durahide gloves

That's the Durahide on my hand. It's size XL which is my normal size, but the fingers on the gloves are about 1/2-inch too long for me. They'll work. CLICK or TAP HERE or the photo to order them.

Mechanix Durahide and Material 4X Gloves - Good Looking and Comfortable

I've tried countless work gloves in my life. I clearly remember the nearly worthless medium-brown cotton gloves from forty years ago.

It's only been since the year 2000 that work gloves have matured and incorporated better fabrics, styles, and features.

Mechanix Durahide

These gloves feature:

  • boar leather palms
  • washable
  • high abrasion resistance
  • wrist cinch strap

CLICK or TAP HERE to discover more and order them.

Mechanix Material 4X

mechanix material 4X gloves

This glove fit perfectly. The fingers are a great length for me. CLICK or TAP HERE to order them.

These gloves feature:

  • boar leather palms
  • washable
  • high abrasion resistance
  • wrist cinch strap

CLICK or TAP HERE to discover more and order them.

May 30, 2021 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on by Tim Carter

Welcome! If this is your first issue of my newsletter, you may not be aware that the opening paragraph is reserved seating for you and every other new subscriber who has joined my extended virtual family since last Sunday at 5:01 AM Eastern Time.

On the other hand, you could be one of my seasoned subscribers. If you’ve been on the list for over a year, then you know this is a very special annual edition where I sew my heart to my sleeve.

The photo below is the American WW II cemetery in Normandy, France. It’s hallowed ground to be sure. It's the final resting place of over 9,000 U.S. heroes who died for you if you're a US citizen. The same is true if you're a citizen of one of our WW II allies.

American D-Day cemetery France

American D-Day Cemetery - France

Each Memorial Day weekend, I reflect on my God-given rights. Memorial Day is the day set aside to honor all who gave their lives while in active military service to protect the US Constitution.

I find it difficult not to think about the hundreds of thousands of teenagers who lie at rest in the cool ground of one of the many cemeteries where war heroes are buried. Young men who had their lives ahead of them but they sacrificed for you and me.

It's almost hard to get your head around that level of sacrifice.

Not a day goes by that I don't think about the First and Second Amendment rights they preserved for you and me.

Having been a professional writer for over twenty-seven years, I'm grateful for the oft-overlooked freedom to write and publish a newsletter like the one you’re reading right now, with no fear of reprisal. Try to do this in many other countries on the Earth Ball and you'll be sent to prison or possibly shot.

The ability to express oneself has disappeared for some on many of the popular social media platforms. That should send a chill down your spine because as an individual, these platforms have been designed to be a place you can publish what you feel about a topic and all your followers will see it. At what point will your voice and opinions be stifled? In other words, platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. are practicing facism. Look up the definition of the word to make sure you understand what it means.

This newsletter is dedicated to my dad and to every man and woman who has made the ultimate sacrifice wearing a military uniform. They offered up their lives to ensure that our God-given rights and the freedoms outlined in the U.S. Constitution are not infringed upon by any foreign or domestic enemy.

While my dad didn’t die on the battlefield nor in a field hospital, his early death can be traced to his experience in the great World War II and the seven harrowing months he endured as a POW.

I thought I’d share a favorite photo of Dad taken just weeks after his release from the German POW camp in Poland. He’s with his sweetheart, my mom, just weeks before they were married. He was 28-years-old in this photo and my mom was just two months shy of her 23rd birthday.

I helped send my dad back to Heaven when I was 24 years old. I was just a tad bit older than my mom was when they married. Oh how I wish I could have spent more time with Dad!

There’s a video I want you to watch that touches on how I squandered the time I did have with him. One line in the song is especially poignant.

“When the hourglass runs out of sand, you can’t flip it over and start again…”

You’ll find the link to this special video at the end of this newsletter.

But first, keep reading.
Tim's Dad and Mom

CLICK or TAP HERE to read all about my dad’s WW ll experience. Dad was a hero.

Think about whether you have what it takes to earn the Bronze Star. Could you put aside your fear to brave the challenge in front of you?

Fear is a powerful foe and it forces many people to make poor decisions that they might later regret.

Fear could be dominating your life over the past sixteen months. Sometimes fear can lead you to make judgements that simply don’t make sense.

I’m sure my dad was fearful in the basement of that farmhouse but he no doubt squelched it as the Germans tramped down the steps.

Some of his fellow soldiers ran for their lives that afternoon as they were overrun by the Germans. Not dad. He didn’t abandon the wounded soldiers he was trained to care for.

He was prepared to meet his Maker.

Here’s Dad’s Bronze Star:

melvin carter bronze star

Before I move on to home improvement topics, stop and think about the words in the oath of office taken by many in our country. That simple phrase was above and it may have shagged past you.

I swore that oath several times as an appointed and elected official in a small Ohio village.

Many don’t give it much thought, but think about this sentence in the oath:

“...I swear to protect and defend the US Constitution and the Constitution of the state of (insert your state name) against all foreign and domestic enemies.”

You know what a foreign enemy is and what their INTENTIONS are when they invade. After they conquer, rape, and pillage, they impose their form of government on those that can still fog a mirror. It’s all there in the Game of Thrones book and TV series.

But what’s a domestic enemy?

It's a person who lives here in the USA, and actually might be a US citizen, who’s actively trying to take away your rights and shred the U.S. Constitution.

All those who gave their lives to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution are SCREAMING at you from their graves to wake up.

It’s time for all of us to stop taking our freedom and rights for granted and to crush any who seek to endanger them.

Seriously, if by any chance you're asleep, it’s time for you to wake up.

On to home improvements now.

FREE BIDS - Local Contractors
Man Shoveling

CLICK or TAP HERE to get FREE BIDS for any job inside or outside your home. You’ll get calls within an hour.

Attic Access - You HATE Pull-Down Stairs, Right?

Do you dread using those flimsy, narrow, and steep pull-down attic stairs? You probably think you’re on a ship each time you take your life in your hands going up and down!

I’m talking about stairs that go up into a future attic like this:

floor truss in attic

Did you know you can have great attic access using normal stairs? Surprise! CLICK or TAP HERE to discover more.

Old House Design Features

Look at this photo and go back in time to when you were eight years old.
small corner window seat dog

Now, think about that rainy day when you and your friends decided to play hide and seek. A window seat! What a great place to hide, right?

What do you think are my favorite old house design features that are rapidly becoming mythical? Well, a window seat is one of them.

CLICK or TAP HERE to see if you guessed at least three others.

That’s quite enough for Memorial Day weekend. I wish I was back in Cincinnati so I could visit Dad and Mom at the cemetery. It won’t be the same but I’ll use Google Maps satellite view to get just a little closer.

Thank you, Dad, for all you did for me and everyone else. I also thank all others who died for the liberty I enjoy.

Perhaps Revolutionary War General John Stark was right after all when he wrote. “They were men that had not learned the art of submission, nor had they been trained to the art of war. But our astonishing success taught the enemies of liberty that undisciplined freemen are superior to veteran slaves.”

As an afterword to the letter, Stark included a brief passage to be read as a toast to the veterans:

“Live free or die. Death is not the greatest of evils.”

This makes total sense if you can imagine living under a tyrant’s thumb. Not me. I’m not dying on my knees next to a freshly dug trench. Nor should you.

I’ll continue to reflect on my freedoms and God-given rights. You might do the same.

Oh, yes, you’ll want the link to the video that is so fitting on this Memorial Day weekend. CLICK or TAP HERE to watch it.

Be prepared to shed a few tears..

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com
Certified Organic Cleaner - www.StainSolver.com
Airwaves Boss - www.W3ATB.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

P.S. Treated lumber is supposed to crack, right? Or maybe not. Perhaps you’d do well to watch this video and relive some of your fond high school physics class memories. Note, I didn’t say anything about Algebra or Latin classes.

Old House Design Features

Posted on by Tim Carter
Attic rafters

Old House Design Features | Did you know a new house can have a traditional attic? Yes, one with real steps leading to it, not the pull-down type! Copyright 2021 Tim Carter

Old House Design Features - Don't Allow Them to Disappear

This column has been laying in the weeds of my head for months. Every now and then, it pops its head up. Yesterday was one of those days when once again my lovely wife had to get out of the car before I could pull it into the garage. Luckily, it wasn’t pouring down rain.

Galadriel, a character in J.R.R. Tolkien’s amazing trilogy Lord of the Rings foreshadowed this column when he said: "And some things that should not have been forgotten were lost. History became legend. Legend became myth. And for two-and-a-half thousand years, the ring passed out of all knowledge."

Too many amazing things about homes are becoming myth. I’m going to try my best to keep alive much of the hard-earned knowledge discovered by past architects, builders, and master craftsmen. You and I are stewards of this information and some of us have done a deplorable job of caring for it so it’s available to the next generation.

Why Are Garages Too Small?

Why would one have to get out of a car before it’s pulled into a garage? Simple. Most garages have become too narrow. How can you expect to get out of a car when only 24 inches of space exist between the side of the car and the inside wall of the garage? At the very least, this should be four feet. Even then, you’ll discover it’s not enough space when things are stored on that same wall.

CLICK or TAP HERE for an in-depth column on all the things your Dream Garage should have.

Garage Planning - House Under Construction

This looks like a great 2-car garage. It's NOT. It SUCKS. It's too small. You'll never be able to store anything along the walls.

Can I Still Have an Attic?

Yes, your new home can have a traditional attic. Did you grow up in a house with an attic filled with your parent’s treasure and memories? Most architects and builders kicked those to the curb decades ago as prefabricated wood trusses became the belle of the ball. Guess what? You can have a full attic with real steps leading to it all made possible by the same company that makes the roof trusses! You’ll eliminate the need for that monthly fee you now pay for offsite storage.

CLICK or TAP HERE to discover lots more about new Attic Trusses.

Can I Have Large Roof Overhangs?

Yes, trusses or common rafters can create large roof overhangs. By any chance do you recall those summer days at your grandparents’ home when you watched from an open window raindrops from a summer rain shower dance in a puddle in the driveway? You stayed dry during the shower because of the generous roof overhangs up above. Builders of old discovered overhangs kept a house dry much like an umbrella works for you. It’s shameful roof overhangs have become passe’.

Roof overhang

The reason why this wood window sill is rotting is there’s no roof overhang.

Can I Have a Large Front Porch?

Perhaps you were lucky enough to grow up in a house with a large front porch and a smaller back one. Why do you think these were put on just about every house 100 years ago? One reason is builders and architects realized they helped keep doors bone dry. Relaxing in the gently swaying porch swing was a simple side effect.

CLICK or TAP HERE to discover more about building perfect front and rear porches.

concrete front porch with steps

Here's a classic covered front porch. Can you imagine swinging slowly in this porch swing on a summer evening?

Can I Have a Secret Access Panel for Plumbing?

Do you have a dim memory of a magic secret panel in a bedroom closet? Did you have the courage to see what was behind it only to discover the tub faucet and drain pipes? How convenient would it be to have one now, even if it was disguised by a mirror in a bathroom? Why have plumbers allowed this handy access panel to get tossed aside like so much jetsam?

Plumbing Vent Pipe

There is more plumbing vent pipe in this photo than drain piping! The fixture on the left is a washing machine drain box. You can see the 2-inch drain pipe leave the box and go into a p-trap.

Can I Have a Traditional Window Seat?

What about window seats? These simple design features were as common in older homes as ketchup is at a cookout. The best ones were like the one I had in my first home. The seat in my first home was hinged. It created a delightful storage area or it makes a wonderful place to hole up during an indoor game of hide-and-seek.

CLICK or TAP HERE for lots of window seat installation tips.

small corner window seat dog

Can I Have a Laundry Chute?

Did you used to send plastic army men on secret missions using the laundry chute? Why would architects snub their noses at these marvelous features in a home? Access could be had both on the first and second floor in most old homes. Yes, I know that laundry rooms were, for the most part, moved up to the first floor of modern homes. Clever planning can make laundry chutes a reality in modern homes.

Can I Have Converging Pocket Doors?

Converging pocket doors in older homes transformed two large connecting rooms into two separate ones should privacy be needed. The great news is you can still do this and the hardware for modern pocket doors is superior to that of old. The doors won’t jump off the track and you can even get soft-close mechanisms that work like your kitchen drawers.

CLICK or TAP HERE to discover amazing pocket door installation tips.

Can My House Be Higher Out of the Ground?

A big bugaboo and sore point with me is foundation height. Drive through an older home in your city and you’ll soon discover that the first floor of many homes was 30 or 36 inches up in the air. This was by design for any number of reasons. I do autopsies each week for homeowners who suffer from basement and slab leaks because their homes have been built too deep into the ground.

CLICK or TAP HERE for more foundation height tips and secrets.

Foundation Grade Level

You can see that more than 6 inches of the foundation wall are exposed above the orange extension cord. On the right side of the photo, the foundation height is about 36 inches high. This allowed for traditional basement windows to be installed to allow air and light into my basement. I built this home in 1986. © 2021 Tim Carter

Can You Create Hidden Panels and Secret Spaces to Hide Valuables?

While not a widespread feature in older homes, I’ve seen my fair share of small secret spaces created between rooms or back-to-back closets. These all had a discrete access panel or small well-concealed door. They made for inexpensive safes or places to squirrel away certain valuables. It’s easy to create these hiding places in new homes.

Column 1407

May 23, 2021 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on by Tim Carter

You could be my newest subscriber if your name is Judy. As nutty as this sounds, you may have subscribed ten minutes ago! Welcome!

The other side of this coin may be you. You could be, and it would take a little digging to find out, my oldest subscriber! I'm not talking about your age, but the number of issues you've received. If you subscribed back in 1996 or so, you might qualify!

Do you remember my FIRST column? Here's a clue:

us 100 dollar bill currency

CLICK or TAP HERE to see if your hunch about the topic was correct.

Protect Night Vision

Do you know how to protect your night vision?

Coast PX20

Better yet, do you know what I consider to be the BEST darn flashlights on the Earth Ball?

CLICK or TAP HERE to see what I think of the new PX20. It's a dandy.

FREE Interior or Exterior Bids

Man Shoveling
CLICK or TAP HERE or the perpetual Mr. Shovel Man above to get FREE BIDS from Local Contractors. You'll almost always get a phone call within an hour. That's really FAST!

The Inner Tile Artist in You

Look at this:
huge mosai tile floor
That's my shoe in the lower left corner of the photo. I did that for scale purposes. I discovered that trick in my Geology 101 class on my first field trip. Knowing scale is everything.

CLICK or TAP HERE to see how you can create a mosaic tile piece of art for your home! Stick people? No way!

The Wrong & Right Way

Peer at this photo please:
closed cell insulation
Your mission, should you wish to accept it, is to tell me if what you see is the RIGHT or WRONG way to do something.

CLICK or TAP HERE to see if you were right or wrong.

New Wheels!

I had the opportunity to test two new boots/shoes from Kodiak. They've been Canada's boot maker since 1910. That's 111 years if you remember your grade school math!
kodiak quest bound low shoes
I get to test lots of shoes and these were quite possibly the MOST COMFORTABLE ONES I've ever worn out of the box. Zero stiffness.

CLICK or TAP HERE to read about the FIRST pair I tested. You'll see more information and all the features. I should have the second review for you next Sunday.

That's enough for a Sunday, right?

I've only got five more days of quiet here on the Loch.

The invaders/squatters come back on Friday. I'm talking about the RUDE boaters from states SOUTH OF ME who BLAST their stereo radios as they create shore-damaging WAVES from their wake-boarding watercraft.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com
Cleaner Than Anything - www.StainSolver.com
Airwaves Boss - www.W3ATB.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

P.S. You want some privacy on your patio or deck. What's one way to achieve this? Wait until you see the STUNNING PHOTOS of what you can do with two-toned lumber. CLICK or TAP HERE and behold some eye candy!

Kodiak Quest Bound Low Shoe

Posted on by Tim Carter
kodiak quest bound low

Kodiak Quest Bound Low | These are VERY comfortable right out of the box.

Kodiak Quest Bound Low Shoe - Think Pillows on Your Feet

I've been testing the Kodiak Quest Bound Low shoes for two weeks now. Two thumbs up!

These are great for hiking or a daily work shoe. They're very comfortable right out of the box.

What Are the Features:

  • Premium, rugged, waterproof, full-grain leather
  • Waterproof, breathable, seam-sealed membrane
  • TPU molded toe guard fends off scuffs and abrasions
  • Kodiak® SOS Smell Out Science® odor control technology
  • Comfortzone® footbed with OrthoLite® foam for maximum comfort
  • Compression-molded EVA midsole absorbs shock and impacts
  • Oil, Heat & Slip-resisting Vibram® TC4+ rubber outsole compound
  • CSA and ASTM approved composite toe, composite plate, ESR
  • Style: 0A4TF3A66

Are the Quest Bound Low Shoes Waterproof?

Yes, I tested them and found them to be waterproof. That said, you can't expect your feet to be dry if you are in ankle-deep water? The shoes aren't submarines for goodness sake.

How is the Fit?

I found the fit of the Quest Bound Lows to be just a tad big. Everyone is different. I'd just have to wear an extra pair of thin socks to have a perfect fit for ME.

kodiak quest bound low

It's a handsome shoe and will not show dirt with this flat-black look.

 

kodiak quest bound low

This is the top view. If you've ever worn bowling shoes, then you know how these are cut. You need to unlace them a bit to get them on your feet.

Read my first impression of these shoes in my May 23, 2021 AsktheBuilder Newsletter.

Coast PX20 Review

Posted on by Tim Carter
Coast PX20

Coast PX20 | This is a must-have flashlight if you're outdoors at night hiking, stargazing, hosting a beach party, or invading Cuba, etc. It has a bright deep-red light so you can see things in the dark, yet preserve your night vision.

Coast PX20 - Preserve Your Night Vision

The Coast PX20 is a dandy small, but powerful, flashlight. As with all Coast products, it's top-of-the-line quality. I have several Coast flashlights and they are my go-to ones. They're simply the best flashlights I've ever owned or had in my hand.

Coast PX20

My attic was dark and you can see how it easily illuminated all the things around me. The red light is very effective. CLICK or TAP HERE to order the PX20 and all other Coast flashlights.

What are the PX20 Specs?

  • 315 lumens
  • Dual color / white and red
  • 465-foot range
  • IPX4 weatherproof
  • Bulls-eye spot beam

What Batteries are Needed?

The Coast PX20 uses three AAA batteries. Remember to remove them if you put the flashlight in storage.

How Bright is the Normal Coast PX20 Flashlight?

The white beam is extremely bright. You'll have no issues seeing objects more than a football field away!

Coast PX20

The white light seems as bright as the sun! You can't get much brighter.

How Long Will the Batteries Last?

Coast says you can get 1 hour and 15 minutes of continuous use from a fresh set of batteries. I suggest you invest in high-quality rechargeable batteries for the best long-term performance.

Can You Get a Free Coast Gift?

Yes, you can get a free gift from Coast for a LIMITED TIME. As of May 2021, this offer was still available. I'm sure it will eventually end so BUY NOW. Look at what I saw on my package:

Coast PX20

Be SURE your packaging says this and then flip up the tab held by my thumb to see how to claim your free gift. In my case, it was a handsome Coast knife. They makes superb ones, in fact, that's how the Coast business started! You do have to pay shipping, but that's pretty affordable.

DIY Tile Backsplash Installation

Posted on by Tim Carter
DIY Tile Backsplash Installation

DIY Tile Backsplash Installation | This tile backsplash mimics mosaic tile but it’s caveman simple to do. If you can fog a mirror, you can pretty much do this job! Copyright 2021 Tim Carter

DIY Tile Backsplash Installation - Simple With Right Tile

QUESTION: Tim, in your last column you really got me excited about creating something very unique with ceramic tile. The issue is I’m like you and have stick-people skills when it comes to artistic talent. Doing mosaic tile would be impossible for me.

who invented plywood sketch

Example of Tim Carter stick-people drawing. Dreadful - Shield your eyes!

Is there some other way I can create a simple, but one-of-a-kind tile look that you might only find in my house? How is it done and where would I locate these special tiles? Have you ever done something similar? What tips do you have for a beginner like me? Xenia F., Port Arthur, TX

Did you exhale a heavy sigh last week like Xenia when reading my column? You’re not alone! I love to admire mosaic tile installations of all sizes, but it does require a second skill set to be sure.

huge mosaic tile floor

Where Do You Get the Best Backsplash Tile?

The good news is you can create a unique one-of-a-kind tile backsplash for your bathroom or kitchen using store-bought tiles. The trick is to go to the right store. In my opinion, you’ll have your best success visiting a store that only sells tile and stone. In almost all cases, they’ll have a wide variety of specialty tiles that can be combined to create a look similar to mosaic tile.

An example of one of these stores is The Tile Source in Beverly, MA or Mees Distributors in Cincinnati, OH. When I was building custom homes in Cincinnati, OH, I purchased thousands of tiles from Mees Distributors.

Can You DIY Paint Backsplash Tile

Many years ago, my wife and I did something very similar when all these magic tiles you can use didn’t really exist, or if they did, they hadn’t yet made it to Cincinnati, Ohio. We used standard 4x4 plain tile for a backsplash but hand-painted some simple flowers on the different blank tiles. We used oil-based paint because it was far more durable than the latex paint of the time. The paint needed to be able to withstand cleaning and not peel or flake off.

It was surprisingly easy to create these painted tiles by just copying some simple flower photos from books. Remember, the Internet didn’t exist back then! Now you can pull up photos of just about anything in seconds. Using fine artist brushes even the beginner can do a respectable job of re-creating simple images.

Man Shoveling

CLICK or TAP HERE to get FREE BIDS from local backsplash tile installers.

Can You Buy Special Theme Backsplash Tile?

The easier way is to start to look at special tiles that have scenes already replicated and baked into the tile. You can get just about any themed tile you want. Do you like sailboats? Easy.

sailboat and nautical ceramic tile

How about a special tile that shows different flowers? Just go to an online search engine and type whatever thing you like in front of the word “tiles”. Prepare to be blown away by unlimited possibilities.

Is it Best to Mix Decorative Tile With Field Tile?

Once you locate the decorative tile that you’ll use, you need to mate it with the field tile that will produce the subtle background. Believe me when I say that you should talk with the manager or a seasoned salesperson at the tile store for inspiration and help. It’s possible they’ll not only have backsplashes on display, but they may have a gallery of photos provided by customers. Almost all these stores can get any specialty tile you need.

How Do You Select the Correct Sized Tile?

Be sure to talk with the salesperson about scale. Small tile installations, say something 12 or 14 inches tall by only 30 inches long scream for smaller tile. Architects are taught all about scale in school. You should take heed and look at displays in the tile store that mimic the area you plan to cover with tile.

Should Walls be Flat?

Keep in mind that ceramic tile begs to be installed on a surface that’s in the same plane. This means the surface is flat with no humps, dips, or depressions. Check your wall surface using a straightedge to make sure the surface is flat. Fill in any depressions with joint compound. Prime and paint it before you’d install any tile.

What is the Easiest Backsplash to Install?

Assuming you’re a beginner, it’s best for you to use tile that requires no cutting. Take photos of your situation with you to the tile store. Make a drawing with exact measurements of where the tile will go. The tile store employees will help you select something that hopefully will require no cutting.

Should I Use Tile Mastic or Thinset?

You’ll probably be able to use tile-setting mastic to put the tile on the wall for your backsplash. The tile store folks will tell you what to use. It’s possible you may have to use thinset, but let them guide you. Thinset is a dry powder mix of fine silica sand and Portland cement. You just mix it with water to the consistency of applesauce.

Does Thinset Come in Colors?

Be aware that thinset can be bought in either gray or white. If you plan to use a transparent glass tile, ask the tile store experts what is the best adhesive to use. Don’t forget to get the correct trowel to apply the adhesive. The tile size determines the size of the trowel in almost all cases.

Is it Hard to Grout Tile?

Grouting tile is not hard, but it requires some practice. You really should watch my grouting tile videos below. You’d be very wise to create a sandbox test panel with some inexpensive tile and grout it first before you chance ruining your one-of-a-kind installation.

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May 16, 2021 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on by Tim Carter

Welcome! You might very well have subscribed just 30 minutes ago. It’s my pleasure to meet you! I reserve this top spot in the newsletter for new subscribers like you. This past week no less than one hundred folks joined the ranks of the Ask the Builder digital family. You’re in good company.

But how about you? You and I have known each other for what, six or has it been twenty-six years? Holy tomato! Do you remember that blockbuster article I penned about concrete basics? Do you recall when I mentioned the part about the dastardly mistake you can make with water?

I didn’t think so.

new concrete slab

You’d do really well to CLICK or TAP HERE and refresh those tiny gray cells, especially if you’re about to pour some concrete!

If you make that ONE MISTAKE, you’ll RUIN YOUR CONCRETE!

Real Spy Phones!

I need you to be honest with me. Seriously.

Do you happen to sing out loud while alone in your car? Come on, you can tell me! How about talking out loud to yourself while driving?

Well, I do both. Several days ago, early in the morning, I was on my way to the buggy racetrack known by many as Market Basket. I was in an extraordinarily good mood and started to chatter in the truck about hatching plans to invade Cuba.

morse code meme
All of a sudden I remembered my smartphone was in my pocket and I screamed out, “Hey Google, STOP SPYING ON ME!”

A moment later that vixen voice, (who is that woman?), said, “You don’t have your mobile data on.” Yes, I had said the magic words “Hey, Google” but it doesn’t matter as she’s listening all the time if my phone is on.

Are you aware that Alexa, Siri, your Google devices, etc. are listening to you all the time unless you’ve disabled them? Why of course they are! They’re waiting for you to give them a command.

So if you want to do some nefarious planning, you’re plotting a covert operation, or worse yet you’re mumbling about something Agatha Christie would drool over, I suggest you turn off all your devices.

Otherwise your voice may be playing in a courtroom months from now. Don’t believe me?

CLICK or TAP HERE to see how Alexa, Siri, or Google will rat you out to the heat. I’m talking about how ALL YOU SAY in the privacy of your car, house, or cardboard shelter may be used against you one day.

Baseball Cap HELP!

Do you sell or know lots about high-quality baseball caps? I’m talking about caps you can outfit with custom embroidery. Do you happen to be an expert on the different types and quality of baseball hats? If so, I NEED YOUR HELP.

isptopes baseball cap
I don’t know about you, but I have the hardest time finding a baseball cap that fits well. Most are too tight and my head feels like it’s stuck in a sausage casing.

I have one hat that fits perfectly and I need another one that can be embroidered with my own design for the upcoming New England Forest Rally where I’m the Airwaves Boss.

This is where you come in. CLICK or TAP HERE to see multiple photos of my wonderful hat and tell me if you know a company that sells this high-quality a cap/hat AND will embroider it with a complex design very similar to what you see in the photos.

FREE BIDS - Local Contractors

Man Shoveling
CLICK or TAP HERE or poke Mr. Shovel Man above to get FREE BIDS for any job inside or outside your home. You’ll usually get calls within an hour. Don’t you wish you had unending energy like Mr. Shovel Man? He NEVER STOPS shoveling!

Fading Concrete Paving Brick

Does your sidewalk, patio, or driveway look like this? Do you know why the bricks no longer match?

mismatched brick pavers

I’m sorry to say you chose poorly when you decided to use concrete paving brick. It’s a common mistake.

What can you do now to make them look better? CLICK or TAP HERE to discover your limited options.

That’s enough for a Sunday.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com
Clean Godzilla Stains - www.StainSolver.com
Airwaves Boss - www.W3ATB.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

P.S. Are you getting ready to clean and seal your wood deck? You’d do well to watch this video to see what sealer I think is the best one you can get. CLICK or TAP HERE. Pay close attention to the can in the video.