WELL, WELL, WELL! It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. You’re a new subscriber and I’m so glad you’re here. I’ll do my best to help you save scads of time and money on all your home improvement projects. Did you know I listen to music when I compose this newsletter? Soon you will see all of your fears will pass away safe in my arms. Can you guess what song that’s from? CLICK or TAP HERE and be prepared to relax.

You and I, on the other hand, have been friends for who knows how many months or years? Let’s try to figure it out. Do you remember the video I shot showing how to identify a load-bearing wall? Can you guess how many years ago that was? CLICK or TAP HERE to read the column and be sure to watch the video!

The Day of the Kiln

Yesterday I had so much fun with my youngest daughter! She’s had an interest in pottery for at least eleven years. I’m quite sure it started in a class she took in high school. Over the years, she’s made some fantastic small objects. Here’s one I have in my office.

Two weeks ago she asked, “Dad, can you help me build a wood-fired kiln? I want to see if I can fire my own pottery. It's can be small if it works, then maybe we can build a bigger kiln.”

How could I turn down that request? What an exciting new project and one I’d never done before! I asked her to start to do some research - you’ll see why this is important soon - and at the same time, I jumped on YouTube to start to look for inspiration.

I quickly found a video and decided this method was worth trying. All of the materials I purchased can be reused in case it doesn’t work. But, after watching the video, it appears that success is guaranteed. CLICK or TAP HERE to watch the video.

Here’s the small kiln we built. I recorded a video and I’m creating an eBook with step-by-step photos showing how to build the kiln.

When I get the eBook complete, I’ll upload the video for you.

The Fun Quiz

You may be participating in the new one-question FUN QUIZ each issue. Oh my, I’m getting great feedback from you!

I know, I know, you could be one who’s not yet dipped yourself in the magic water of the quizzes. I can hear you saying, “Tim, WHAT’S in it for ME? Why should I take your silly quiz?”

Easy!!!! Here are a few reasons why you should take the quiz:

• I guarantee you’ll LAUGH at some of the answers
• There’s a good chance you’ll DISCOVER something new and interesting
• You’ll be able to SHARE your new knowledge, impressing your friends & family
• Your ego will get a BOOST when you find you answered the question correctly

This week’s quiz features an unusual word. You MUST REALLY read each answer closely and not skip over what may be the right one!

CLICK or TAP HERE for today's FUN one-question quiz. You'll be able to test the depth of your ignorance as Dr. Caster used to say!

CLICK or TAP HERE to see the quizzes you’ve missed out on!

Joe’s Free Standing Tree House

Joe, who lives in SC, sent me an amazing video two nights ago. He’s been working on this:

He’s at the point where all of a sudden he’s losing sleep worrying that the structure could collapse and seriously injure his son and his friends. He’s got GOOD REASON to worry as he made no less than four CRITICAL errors.

As I’ve often said, it’s SO IMPORTANT to do RESEARCH BEFORE you start a project! Joe didn’t do enough, OR he may have ended up at websites that offer up BAD ADVICE. You do know those are more plentiful than pieces of hay in a hay wagon on a cool autumn evening, right?

I emailed Joe as soon as I read his email to tell him the good news. First, I asked him to STOP WORKING and wait to listen to my podcast. Fortunately, Joe will discover that he doesn’t have to spend lots of money to make the structure safe.

You’ll be able to see his video and listen to my suggestions in the next issue of this newsletter. You’ll also see an example of one of the hundreds of hand-drawn diagrams I made giving sales presentations while sitting at dining room tables all those years ago.

I remember doing one for a kitchen remodel where I drew a quick revised floor plan and commented on the blue tile for the countertop. It was a superb choice.

Crawlspace Wall Insulation

Craig emailed me about a mess in his crawlspace. Look at this:

He wanted to know how to STOP the insulation from falling down.

What would you suggest he do? Please type your suggestion as a COMMENT at the bottom of this page.

What do you think my solution was to cure Craig’s conundrum?

CLICK or TAP HERE to see if you’re RIGHT. Sit back and listen to what I had to say.

Cat Tongue Tape

I’ve been testing a very interesting grip tape for three months now. I wanted to really put it to the test before I told you about it.

The results are in! CLICK or TAP HERE to see this new product, how I tested it, and what the results are.

I’m pretty certain you’ll be amazed.

That’s enough for a Sunday.

Today is build-dock-panels day here at my house. A wicked Nor’easter devoured and pulverized four of my cedar dock panels last year!

While I’m building the pre-stained cedar panels, my daughter will be stoking the new kiln! Wish her luck on her first firing.

Tim Carter
Supreme Commander - www.AsktheBuilder.com
BEST CLEANER on the Planet - www.StainSolver.com
Generator of Cool Waves - www.W3ATB.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

P.S. Wait, wait. I worry that you may have heard me say, “Get out your pressure washer to clean your deck.” What I said was, “Do NOT get out your pressure washer to clean your deck.” Do you understand? CLICK or TAP HERE to see why I’d NEVER EVER use one. You’ll see me wearing my firefighter’s helmet and bunker pants.

Hello there! Say, you don’t look familiar. Oh, no wonder, you’re a new subscriber! Welcome! I love listening to music when I compose this newsletter. When I was young I broke all the rules and played all the fools. Do you know what song is playing here in my cave? CLICK or TAP HERE if you want to know what the song is and to get your blood pumping. BTW, I don’t really think you’re a fool! Quite the contrary!

You, on the other hand, may have been a subscriber since way back when I shared the one blockbuster column that really upset the water heater manufacturers. Do you remember that one? WOWZA, they were none too happy! CLICK or TAP HERE to see what put a bee in their bonnet. BE SURE TO READ the comments sent in by homeowners!!! HOLY TOMATO!

Sharon and Mr. Sharon

A few weeks ago, I called Sharon. Here’s the problem she faced:

This call was so much fun! I don’t want to ruin the surprise. You MUST LISTEN for yourself. It’s HILARIOUS.

CLICK or TAP HERE sit back for a few minutes and enjoy. It’s a short phone call.

Cleaning and SANITIZING Facts

Still in a tizzy about the health hysteria swirling all around the world? It reminds me of a whirlpool in a fast-draining sink. Wondering what you can do to have some control? Maybe I can help!

Do you know the BEST way to sanitize a surface if you’re trying to stay as healthy as possible and not get sick?

It’s not as easy as you might think. First and foremost, to truly sanitize a surface, you must CLEAN it first.

Sanitizing doesn’t automagically CLEAN a surface.

Many sanitizers are NOT CLEANERS. Don’t confuse the two.

Here’s an example. Many years ago, washing dishes at Skyline Chili in Cincinnati, OH, was my first real job. The washing cycle of the machine lasted one minute.

For the first 48 seconds, the high-powered machine washed the dishes. It CLEANED them removing all food particles.

The last 12 seconds of the cycle were for SANITIZING. The rinse water was boosted to 180 F or higher. You could see the thermometer on the machine cover spike.

During rush periods, when the restaurant was busy, you had to get the scalding hot dishes out of the rack immediately. Believe me, they were as HOT as Hades!

Cleaning before sanitizing is essential. Do you want the BEST CLEANER you can use before you sanitize? If so, you want my Stain Solver. To the best of my knowledge, it’s the most powerful cleaner you can buy. Stain Solver is certified organic and the two pure ingredients are made in the USA.

Here’s another BIG plus! When mixed with water, Stain Solver offers many of the same functional benefits as the liquid hydrogen peroxide you buy in those brown bottles at the grocery store. CLICK or TAP HERE to order some Stain Solver before you try to sanitize anything.

FUN Quiz!

Did you take the last fun quiz? WOW! You almost tilted Google Forms with your record number of responses. If you didn’t take the quiz, don’t miss out this week!

CLICK or TAP HERE to see all the past FUN QUIZZES.

Today’s quiz is quite interesting. Imagine this scenario:

Your neighbor needs to borrow something you own. I know, I know, Neither a borrower nor lender be is the old saying. But you relent and help him out. Think about this photo:

CLICK or TAP HERE to see if you lend him the right thing!

Gary’s New Roof

Gary emailed me about a week ago:

“Just had a new roof installed. As I was getting my quotes, I had asked about adding copper to the roof. They said that the new shingles have an ingredient in them that is resistant to mold and discoloring. I am thinking I should add the copper. I do not want to void my warranty or harm my roof by doing it. What are your thoughts?"

This is a very interesting email when you parse it.

First, I don’t think the roofers understood Gary’s question about WHY he wanted to add the copper.

Second, WHAT type of copper needs to be added?

CLICK or TAP HERE to watch a video of me explaining what copper can do. You’ll also hear my advice and see a photograph of how I’d install the copper on Gary’s roof.

Sap Stain Removal

Imagine you discovered tree sap stains on your hearth or another stone area in your home. How would you go about removing it?

Theresa asked me about this and I called her up with good news! Look at the stain:

CLICK or TAP HERE to discover how I’d clean that stain in no time.

HELP from Potters

Feeling creative? Do you make your own pottery? If so, do you use a wood-fired kiln to change the clay mineralogy? My youngest daughter and I are building a very small prototype wood-fired kiln based on a video we saw on YouTube. We poured the foundation for it yesterday.

I’d love to get some advice about firing pottery in a wood-fired kiln. If you can help would you reply to this email and let me know if I can give you a call. Thanks!

That’s quite enough for a Thursday.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com
CLEAN before SANITIZING - www.StainSolver.com
Cool Waves - www.W3ATB.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

P.S. How would you create a tunnel under a sidewalk or driveway if you needed to get a cable under it?

I discovered an injeanyus trick years ago from a fellow plumber. CLICK or TAP HERE to watch a short video. You’ll say, “WTH? Why didn’t I think of that????”