September 2, 2019 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on by Tim Carter

You could be new here. Buckle up and make sure your four-point harness is secure. I'm about to make your wildest home improvement dreams come true.

Seasoned rider? Get ready for some juicy tips. You know that's the standard fare.

The End of Summer - Well Up Above the Equator At Least!

Today marks the official end of summer here in central New Hampshire where I live. It ended yesterday a day early because today is a cool rainy day. Lake Winnisquam next to my house is devoid of boaters as I type this. Thank goodness! I'm so tired of the loud wake boats and those who play their music way to loud on their watercraft.

Believe me, I've had a fantasy or two that involves armed remote-controlled small submarines. But I digress! 😉

We'll have two or three weeks of peace and no traffic until such time as the leaf peepers arrive. You may not know it, but New England is reputed to have some of the most vibrant fall color in the world. Here's a photo of the eye candy that's just about everywhere you look:

fall color new hampshire

Connecting Light Fixtures

Last week a woman left a comment on a video I recorded about four years ago. CLICK or TAP HERE to watch the video.

connect light fixtures

It turns out the woman wanted to know how to connect a few of these fixtures in a series instead of having just one fixture come on.

Rather than go through a lengthy explanation, I tried to nudge her to use her critical thinking skills to figure it out herself. I told her to look at the image you see above and think about WHAT you'd connect to the second brass and silver screws.

Well, wouldn't you know it, but she got pretty snarky with me and let me have it in a reply comment.

I'm big on critical thinking skills and doing all one can to hone them. I do it each day myself when confronted with a problem.

I'll bet you have no problems at all figuring out how to daisy chain two, three, or more of the above fixtures so they all come on at once when you flip the switch. Right?

Restoring Rusty Things With Ease

What do you think this hand truck looked like BEFORE I painted it?

paint rusty steel
CLICK or TAP HERE to see for yourself.

You'll be treated to a few tips on how I make old things look like new with minimal effort.

Stain Solver Sale ENDS in 12 Hours

I forgot the Stain Solver Sale ended on a holiday weekend. What was I thinking??? Kathy and I own the Stain Solver company in case you're a new subscriber.

Stain Solver is a certified organic multi-purpose cleaner. It cleans HUNDREDS of things in and outside your home.

Anyway, the super sale ENDS at midnight tonight.

The larger the size you order the MORE you save. The sale price gets LOWER per pound as you move up towards the amazing 50-pound size.

CLICK or TAP HERE to get to the shopping cart. You'll NOT see the sale price on the home page, but WILL SEE THEM as you click each size to determine which one works best for you.

WARNING: I'll be sending out a very short LAST CALL email to you as a final reminder around 6 pm today.

DIY Wood Preservation

Did you know you can do a simple thing to prevent wood rot as you work on things around your home?

diy wood preservative

CLICK or TAP HERE to see exactly WHAT PRODUCT I use to treat the end grain of wood that I don't want to ROT.

It's SO EASY!

That's enough for a Labor Day. I've still got LOTS to do. I'm doing a ton of travel over the next eight weeks and now's the time to make hay.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com
Stain Solver SALE Man - www.StainSolver.com
Fling RF Waves Into the Ether - www.W3ATB.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

P.S. Did you know that I type using the Dvoark method? Do you know WHY the crazy QWERTY keyboard was developed?

August 30, 2019 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on by Tim Carter

Are you a new subscriber? Howdy! Saddle up and make sure you've got your duster with you.

Existing cowhand? Yes, beans and jerky are for dinner again. Do you want a piece of cheese with your whine? Grab a juice box and fruit roll-up as you pass the back of the wagon. 😉

Hurricane Dorian - More of the Same

Hurricane Dorian is posed to rake the state of Florida with fierce wind and rain. It's going to be epic.

After ravaging Florida, it could go into the Gulf of Mexico, re-strengthen and hit land again along the Gulf Coast.

Here's what we know FOR A FACT: Dorian will then ride up the East Coast across 1/4th of the USA and dump billions, possibly trillions of gallons of water onto the land.

Do you live where it floods? Does your basement leak water when it rains? Do you have any issues with leaks when you get storms?

NOW IS THE TIME - I mean TOMORROW - to get any valuable and one-of-a-kind items out of harms way. Use critical thinking skills to determine WHERE to store them.

If your home is in the path of Dorian, realize that your first responders will probably not be there to help you. They have other community assets they have to protect and restore that are MORE VALUABLE than your home.

There could be 10,000 houses damaged and needing help, but only 100 fire trucks in a 40-mile radius. Get it? You will be ON YOUR OWN. GET PREPARED NOW to do emergency repairs.

Donna's Strange Sewer Gas

I told you last issue that I'd share Donna's issue. She's got a perplexing sewer gas issue in her home. It only happens, so she told me, when her AC or furnace operates.

I told her that the odor could be mold spores that are being ejected as the fan motor disturbs mold inside the A-coil or in the pan that catches the dripping water that condenses on the A-coil on top of her furnace.

It could also be mold growing inside the condensate drain line. Mold can also be inside her extended plenum.

When you smell sewer gas, start keeping a detailed journal of when you smell it, where it smells the worst, what's happening, are windows open or closed, etc. These details help me solve the problem.

Google Fi

I'm not a cell phone expert. But I can offer to tell you HOW to save some money. A month ago I switched from T-Mobile cell service to Google Fi.

It appears I've cut my cell phone bill by 50%. Google Fi uses, when it can, local WiFi to make phone calls using VOIP. It also has some arrangement with many/all of the major cell carriers so when I'm away from WiFi my phone switches automagically to the best cell service my phone can reach.

So far, I'm pretty darned happy. I have a PROMO CODE you can use to get a discount if you're thinking of switching away from your provider. Here it is:

NN9MTR

CLICK or TAP HERE to go discover more about Google Fi. You may end up loving it. Please use my promo code and we both might benefit. Let me know if you switch and what you think of the service.

Call for HELP!

Two days ago I received a distressing email from a customer. He was complaining about how my Stain Solver didn't work for him. He was trying to clean a BBQ.

I happen to know for a fact that Stain Solver is a fantastic de-greaser. CLICK or TAP HERE to look at the unbelievable before and after photos.

Here's the issue. This man decided that Stain Solver sucked. He never thought for a minute that the issue could be him not using it correctly.

All I want to share is that if you EVER HAVE AN ISSUE with ANY PRODUCT, STOP using it and call the manufacturer. Find out if you're doing something wrong. Don't allow your ego to get in the way.

Research Help

I've just started an interesting new book project. I can't share the topic publicly at this time.

You may be a person that loves to do some research and find things. If so, I'd love to see if you're interested in pitching in trying to find some things that are out in the literature.

There's no real budget for this as this project is probably going to cost me money, not make it. You would be prominently mentioned in the credits, though.

If this is of interest to you, let me know and I'll share details of what's going on. I will expect you to keep the subject of what I'm doing confidential.

Stain Solver SALE ENDS in 72 Hours

This is a courtesy reminder that the Stain Solver SALE ends in 72 hours. I will be sending out a LAST CALL on Sunday night.
CLICK or TAP HERE to order your Stain Solver. It will be shipped on Tuesday.

Enjoy your holiday weekend.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com
Stain Solver SALE MAN - www.StainSolver.com
Cool Waves Man - www.W3ATB.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

P.S. I went back up to Cannon Mountain yesterday. You can look at some some darned good photos as well as a tale that may make you smile. CLICK or TAP HERE to get to the goodness.

Klein Personal Worklight

Posted on by Tim Carter
klein personal worklight

This is a dandy light to help you see in dark places. It's got so many features! CLICK or TAP HERE or the image to have this delivered to your home in days. This is the work light featured in Tim's September 8, 2019 Newsletter.

Klein Personal Worklight - Rechargeable & Practical

The Klein Rechargeable Personal Work light is simply amazing. It takes a lot for me to be impressed and when I opened this tool and saw how it worked, I said WOW out loud!

You can even use the work-light to charge your cellphone should you be low on electrons! It won't change the oil, though, in your work truck.

The internal battery is rated to give you 9 hours of light under constant use. The LEDs produce 460 lumens of light. That's enough to do most tasks except for lighting a major-league ballfield for a night game.

CLICK or TAP HERE now to see the official specs and to have it in your hands in days.

klein personal worklight

This light rotates a full 360 degrees so you can get the light where you need it. CLICK or TAP HERE or the photo to purchase one now.

klein personal worklight

The stand extends out 270 degrees so you can hang it if you want or tilt it back for indirect lighting off a low ceiling. CLICK or TAP HERE to purchase this amazing light now.

klein personal worklight

This has a built-in carabiner so you can hang the light from a pipe, piece of conduit, tree branch, camping rope, etc. The engineers who designed this should get an award. CLICK or TAP HERE to be the proud owner of this light.

klein personal worklight

You flip open this little door to charge up the light. Guess what? You can use the internal battery to CHARGE your cell phone! CLICK or TAP HERE before they SELL OUT and you have to wait for months to get one!

klein personal worklight

How bright is it? You could use this on a Boeing 737 for landing lights! It's got a high and low setting. CLICK or TAP HERE now to buy this one-of-a-kind light.

klein personal worklight

The stand has MAGNETS on the bottom so you can get the light to hold onto any steel surface. Here it is on the metal exterior door of my man cave. It will stick to electric panels, car and truck bodies that are steel, the hull of a sea-going ship, etc. CLICK or TAP HERE to place your order. They are SELLING FAST and you could have to wait.

klein personal workligh

These lights glow and blink as the unit is charged. They let you know when it's fully charged. CLICK or TAP HERE now and one will be yours for eternity and beyond.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vinyl Siding Trim – Use Different Colors

Posted on by Tim Carter
flat white trim vinyl siding

Vinyl Siding Trim | The flat white trim next to the window has a pre-cut groove in it that laps over the vinyl siding. Did you know you can paint vinyl siding? (C) Copyright 2021 Tim Carter

Vinyl Siding Trim - The Devil is in the Detail

  • Wide variety of trim types and styles
  • Door surrounds are remarkable
  • Lots of attic ventilation louvers
  • Spend hours looking at online house photos

QUESTION #1: The house I grew up in had vinyl siding and the trim around the windows was some thin distasteful vinyl that had an end profile like the letter J. I thought it looked abominable. How can you make the vinyl siding look more like a traditional home that has wider trim pieces? What else can be done to make the vinyl siding look more attractive? Beverly T., Ft. Wayne, IN

Can I Mix Colors of Siding and Trim?

Yes, you can and should use different colors of vinyl siding and trim. The look can be stunning, even if it's just white trim with a different color siding.

Holy tomato! It’s impossible to list all the vinyl siding accessories and options you have available to you. For starters, don’t think that you have to use just one color and one siding style on your home. Quite a few homes I see are incorporating white trim with two complementary colors and siding profiles.

How Can I Get Inspired and Select the Right Colors?

If you want real inspiration, go online and look at photos of the paint schemes of some of the grand Victorian Ladies. Some houses incorporate three, or more, colors. I had horizontal lap siding at the last Queen Anne Victorian home I built for my family, but up in the gables I used traditional cedar shakes as was found on many homes built in the late 1800s.

CLICK or TAP HERE to get FREE BIDS from local contractors who can install vinyl siding.

Can You Mix Different Textures of Siding?

You can achieve this same look with vinyl siding and the vinyl shakes can be a different color! But it gets even better. J-channel is still available, but the better choice would be a flat trim board that surrounds windows and doors. These flat boards come with a rabbited edge that creates a hidden recess for the siding to slide behind. It works the same way the older J-channel works but it’s so much better looking.

Is Flat Window and Door Trim Available in Different Widths?

The flat trim boards come in various widths. The wider boards work better at the outside corners of the house as it’s important to maintain scale when trimming out a house. The narrow trim boards used around windows and doors would look like pinstripes at the corners.

Are Vinyl or Urethane Door Surrounds a Good Idea?

Don’t forget to look at the striking door surrounds that will really make your doors the focal point of the front and rear of your home. Some are simply breath-taking. You can now get gorgeous mounting blocks for exterior lights and electrical outlets that also have built-in channels on the edges. These really dress up the look of a vinyl-sided home.

Do Attic Vents Come in Different Colors?

Attic ventilation comes into play here too. Older homes always had square, rectangular, or triangular louver attic vents in the gable end. Those same vents are all available for vinyl siding and once again, don’t be afraid to make them a complementary color. Color experts might agree that these should match the trim color around windows and doors. Study the vinyl siding brochures and you’ll see what I mean about using a different color.

round green attic vent

Here's a forest green attic vent. You can get all sorts of shapes and colors. CLICK or TAP HERE to see for yourself.

Where Can I get Vinyl Siding Color Ideas?

I would spend lots of time looking at the photo galleries at all the vinyl siding manufacturers’ websites. When you see a particular photo that puts your head on a swivel, study it and take notes as to exactly what you like about the photo. There’s no need to hope your new siding will look great. You can guarantee it by just finding a look you know looks superb.

Column 1316 A

August 26, 2019 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on by Tim Carter

I know, I just landed in your Inbox yesterday.

But REMEMBER what I said?

The NEVER-BEFORE 20% OFF the Stain Solver sample size ENDS in about 8 hours.

I can just about GUARANTEE you'll NEVER see the price this low again.

STain Solver Sample Size

What you see above are little guys, that's what we call them here in the office, already in the white boxes and the others are ready to pack for you.

Are you one that says, "BAH, Tim! Your Stain Solver doesn't interest me!"

Well, you're really missing out. Stain Solver is made in the USA with USA ingredients, it's certified organic and it WORKS!

Kathy and I started the company in 1996.

Over the past 24 hours if I told you how many 50-pound BUCKETS of Stain Solver we've sold to RETURNING customers, you'd be BLOWN AWAY!

Think about that.

Why would someone buy 50 pounds?

Simple. They might have bought a sample size, discovered how WELL IT WORKS, and then wanted the best price per pound.

Period.

CLICK or TAP HERE to place your order NOW!

Regular Newsletter on Wednesday

Look for another email from me on Wednesday. I'm going to share a consult call I had this morning with Donna. You may have the same problem she does!

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com
Maker of Little Guys! - www.StainSolver.com
Crear of Brass Dust - www.W3ATB.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

August 25, 2019 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on by Tim Carter

You could be a new subscriber. Listen, this issue is NOT A NORMAL newsletter. Every now and then I have a sale on an incredible product my wife and I make. Today is one of those days. You'll see a normal newsletter next time.

Subscribers of Record: If you're not yet a fan of the magic Stain Solver, this may be the day you become a customer for life. Look at my Stain Solver Challenge below.

Stain Solver Oxygen Bleach

Stain Solver

Certified Organic Multi-Purpose Cleaner

You've heard me talk about Stain Solver for years possibly. But you've might have ignored what I have to say.

Not too awful long ago I got a message from a subscriber that said, "You say such incredible things about the product that I feel it's TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. No cleaner could do all you say."

Well, Stain Solver is that great. I know there are folks out there that have been burned by outlandish claims. I don't make those about Stain Solver.

CLICK or TAP HERE to watch a bunch of short videos showing me using Stain Solver to clean stuff.

Stain Solver is owned by Kathy and me. It cleans HUNDREDS of things both inside and outside your home.

It's a non-toxic oxygen bleach.

Here's what others have to say about this amazing made-in-the-USA product:

“Love Love Love your Stain Solver!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Connie S.

“Ordering was quick and easy - looking forward to using Stain Solver." James B.

“Love your product. Used on white exterior that had mold. Perfect product for the job.” James V.

“Great product and great customer service. Thank you!” Steve M.

“I've been a fan of Stain Solver for years now, this is my third order. I have a solution of it working on my outdoor water fountain right now, it always does a fantastic job. Thanks for this great cleaner Tim," Karen M.

“I’ve been using Stain Solver on a white tile floor which 'usta' have white grout. It's white again. Stain Solver always works!" Patricia W.

“Love love love your support!" Alma S.

“I love how Tim’s eyes match that shirt!" Mary P.

“Always fabulous customer service and a marvelous product!" Robbin D.

RARE Labor Day Stain Solver SALE

Stain Solver is on sale right now. CLICK or TAP HERE to place your order. You do NOT NEED a promo code. We've already LOWERED the price in the cart. You'll see the normal price by the SALE price.

The larger size you order - the GREATER the discount.

Here's what the discounts are for this sale:

Small Sample Size - 20% OFF - The price may NEVER be this low ever again. Here are the other sizes:

  • 2.2-pound size - 8% off
  • 4.5-pound size - 9% off
  • 9.2-pound size - 10% off
  • 50-pound bucket - 11% off

The SALE price for the SAMPLE SIZE is only good for the next 48 hours. You can get an even LOWER price per bottle if you order a CASE of them.

The sale price for the other sizes will last one week. All the prices go BACK UP on Monday morning September 2nd, 2019.

Stain Solver New Customer Challenge

If you've NEVER purchased Stain Solver before I'm going to make you an offer you can't refuse.

Purchase some, even if it's just one of the small sample sizes.

When you get it if you have ANY QUESTIONS about how to use it, I'll call you on the phone. Yes, me the CEO of Stain Solver will call you.

I want to TRANSFORM you into a customer for life, so I'm happy to invest the time. I KNOW Stain Solver works. Tens of THOUSANDS of others like you know it works because they keep buying it.

When was the last time the CEO of a company called you? Yeah, I thought so.

CLICK or TAP HERE now to order.

That's quite enough for a Sunday.

Tim Carter

Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com
Co-Founder - www.StainSolver.com
Brass Pounder - www.W3ATB.com

P.S. I promised I'd share the video of the wacky radio antenna. CLICK or TAP HERE to see it.

August 23, 2019 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on by Tim Carter

Are you a new subscriber? Let me tell you now, an alert like this one is rarer than one of those upside down biplane postage stamps.

All the seasoned subscribers will swear to it.

Stupendous Sunday Stain Solver Sale

All I'm going to tell you now is we've NEVER EVER before - in 20+ years - had a sale like we're going to have on Sunday.

Stain Solver Oxygen Bleach

Stain Solver is MADE in the USA with USA ingredients that are food-grade quality. 

CLICK or TAP HERE to get a feel of what Stain Solver is and what it can do. My wife Kathy and I own the Stain Solver business.

If you've been sitting on the fence and have RESISTED purchasing Stain Solver for a host of reasons, I'm going to do my best to transform you into a customer for LIFE this Sunday.

One of the sizes, it's going to be a surprise, is going to be discounted so deeply that I hope we don't run out of it. I just ordered more raw materials to make even more of this size as I'm TERRIFIED we'll not be able to fill all the orders.

BE SURE TO OPEN your email on Sunday morning. It will be sent to you at 6:00 AM Eastern Time.

I'm taping a cool video this morning about a very unusual ham radio antenna. As crazy as this sounds, you might be very interested in it because you'll probably feel there's no way it would ever work.

Have a great Friday - or Saturday if you're Down Under like my buddy Phil!

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com
Co-Founder - www.StainSolver.com

Stain Solver

How Hard Can Drywall Be?

Posted on by Tim Carter
drywall being finished new home

How Hard Can Drywall Be? | This is drywall being finished in a new home. The sheets are heavy and you need hand-eye coordination to finish it. (C) Copyright 2019 Tim Carter

How Hard Can Drywall Be? Is it that hard?

QUESTION #1: I’m building a new home and because of the booming economy and shortage of great help, I might be forced to hang and finish the drywall myself. I’ve done a few repairs here and there and wonder if it’s really possible to pull off DIY drywall work on a larger scale. Don’t sugarcoat it. I need to know what I’m getting myself into. Steve B., Spotsylvania, VA

Steve’s in the same boat as one of my new neighbors on my street. A young NH state trooper bought a lot here a year ago and broke ground this spring hoping to move his two kids and wife into their new home by Thanksgiving. He discovered six weeks ago that the rough carpenters he was counting on to frame the house and get it under roof abandoned him. He couldn’t even get others to answer his calls for quotes.

Guess what? This homeowner is framing the house himself with some occasional help from friends. He’ll be lucky, at the rate he’s going, to have it under roof by Thanksgiving.

How Do You Hang Drywall Sheets?

Drywall work is hard. The hanging of the large heavy sheets is mind-numbing. You can rent or purchase mechanical lifts that hold the sheets up to save your back should you proceed. I’d absolutely do this because any helpers you conscript will not have the required experience to hold a giant sheet overhead while securing it to the ceiling joists.

drywall installation

Large sheets of drywall are very heavy. You can rent machines that hold the sheets up against the ceiling. (C) Copyright 2019 Tim Carter

An experienced drywall hanging crew might install all the board in just two days. It could take you two or three weeks as you start to develop speed and accuracy. It’s important to realize you must use the correct screws, they must be the right length, the spacing between fasteners is critical, and by all means, you must not overdrive them tearing the tender drywall facing paper. All the information about this can be found in the Gypsum Construction Handbook published by the USG Corporation.

How Do I Finish Drywall?

Once the drywall is hung, then you need to finish it. I’m convinced, after watching many try to do this on countless job sites, that not everyone possesses the required hand-eye coordination to finish drywall as a pro might do. You have no idea the muscle memory you need to master to not only tape the seams the first time but then also apply the all-important second coat just right.

The consistency of the vinyl taping and finishing compound is critical. You can’t have it too stiff and if you add too much water, you dilute the water-based glue that’s part of the product. Many finishers strive for a consistency that’s close to warm cake icing.

Taping drywall looks easy. It’s not. The most common mistake is to remove too much of the joint compound from under the tape. If you do this, the tape will blister when you go to apply the second coat. Your goal is to leave just under 1/16th inch of drywall taping compound under the tape. Once again, refer to the Gypsum Construction Handbook for guidance.

Let’s assume you successfully tape all your new drywall. Now comes the most challenging part. You need to cover over the tape with a second layer of finishing compound. I can’t begin to explain how difficult this is to get right. To add further misery, there’s a very specific methodology to what flat and tapered seams and which side of inside and outside corners get coated the first day. You don’t want to run into a situation where you’re trying to apply a second coat at the same time where a flat seam intersects an inside or outside corner.

The edges of the second coat must be feathered to nothing. This requires you to bend the blade of the finishing knife you’re using. Press too hard and you’ll scratch the paper facing. Apply too little pressure and you’ll probably leave a little too much compound on the wall. Don’t forget, all new finishing knives have to have the sharp corner filed down ever so slightly!

You don’t want to leave too much compound humped up in the middle of seams. This will show up at night when light travels at a low angle across the walls and ceiling. Butt seams where the ends of two sheets of drywall touch one another are an extreme challenge. You’re forced to hump up the finishing compound higher than the unfinished drywall and it needs to be feathered out about one foot either side of the center of the seam to make this buildup invisible.

Some professional drywall finishers skim coat all of the drywall after everything is sanded. This extra step fills in the tiny void spaces in the paper facing of the drywall. The entire wall and ceiling surface then has the same sheen and texture when you paint. You can purchase special paints that eliminate the need for skim coating new drywall.

If you’re in the same situation as Steve and my neighbor, I wish you the best of luck and know one thing: Elephants are best eaten one bite at a time.

Column 1315

August 18, 2019 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on by Tim Carter

Are you a new subscriber? I'm about to summon my fellow New Hampshire wizards to cast a protective spell on you and all your underwater allies - assuming you fish - so that you're blessed with good fortune in all your home improvement endeavors. Catching fish is on you.

If you happen to be a seasoned subscriber, you can send a message to the NH Guild of Wizards and Enchantment and we will offer you our protection. I'm one of the founding members of the Guild.

The New House Update

You may be one that's asked about the status of my daughter and son-in-law's new home in Bar Harbor, Maine. This cozy town is on Mt. Desert Island (MDI).

The project started ten months ago next week and I'm sorry to say it's not finished.

It's very important for you to realize I'm not the builder. I'm just the plumber, electrician and radiant heat man.

The builder discovered early in the job that he underestimated the cost and to make ends meet he goes to work on jobs where he can cover his expenses and generate a profit. This means days and days go by where nothing is happening.

The drywall is not yet complete, the exterior siding is not complete and there's lots to do to get it ready for a move-in date.

I intend to do a full autopsy on how this might have been prevented, but understand that they're building in a very unique environment on MDI. There's a shortage of builders, the economy is BOOMING, and my daughter and son-in-law are competing against the ultra-rich who cause the prices of things to be unnaturally HIGH on the island.

I'm sure you have your own take on the situation. Please be aware that if you email me any questions or comments about this I may not respond because of the incoming volume. You might want to wait for the full-blown autopsy in several months.

Do You Own A Pet?

Kathy and I are trying to take our Stain Solver business to the next level. One area of great interest is pets.

Stain Solver is an excellent pet product to have around your home because:

  • it's certified organic and made in the USA with US ingredients
  • it cleans up all pet messes - vomit, #1, #2 and male cat spraying
  • it DEODORIZES - most dogs create a *dog* odor on things they lay on
  • it deep cleans all pet food dishes keeping your fur babies healthy
  • it cleans YOUR chairs, couches, carpets, etc. when the dirty animals tear through the door

I could go on and on.

Here's where you can help.

Do you belong to a pet group on Facebook or on some other social media platform?

If so, can you spread the word about how great Stain Solver is to clean up after pets?

Look at the photo below to see how HAPPY these two kids are because Stain Solver cleans all pet messes up around their home!

stain solver happy boys

Epoxy a Masonry Anchor MAGIC TRICK

Do you think you know the best way to drill a hole for a masonry anchor? Let's see if you do.

drill anchor trick
CLICK or TAP HERE to check the depth of your intelligence. You're going to see a great video - trust me.

The Shower Arm DooDad Gizmo Drop Ear

"WTH are you talking about, Tim?"

"Oh, you mean that special brass fitting that STOPS all behind-the-wall water leaks? Yeah, you BETTER watch this NEW VIDEO of mine to make sure your plumber uses the RIGHT ONE!"

water armor drop ear
CLICK or TAP HERE to watch a short VERY IMPORTANT video that can save you thousands of dollars of DAMAGE in your home.

Gambling Thousands of Dollars

Each week I get quite a few emails into my Ask Tim page. You may be one. In many cases the situations are such that if you make the wrong decision the resulting mess and repairs might cost you thousands of dollars.

Jason was in this situation a few days ago. But he chose poorly. He decided to gamble.

I want you to read what he sent me, but before you do, here's a little background.

I can only devote about 15 minutes each day to the Ask Tim questions. I'm sure you understand why. If I just pounded away all day answering those incoming questions, I'd never get any work done that funds the paychecks of the AsktheBuilder team members, pays the rent, blah blah blah.

Often the questions require detailed and long answers. In 99.99999% of the cases the visitor ALWAYS comes back with several follow-up questions. I understand why because I'm discussing things that are foreign to her/him.

That's why I came up with my 15-Minute Phone Call and my increasingly popular (better value) 30-Minute RECORDED phone call.

Yes, I record the call so you don't have to take notes. You can RELAX during the call and go back and listen to the recording as many times as you want.

Anyway, here's the text and photos Jason sent me. Think about how you'd answer his questions:

I am having a house built. It is to be a two story home with a basement. It is currently 90% done through the framing process and I took a peek in the basement recently. There are two steel I-Beams spanning the entire width of the house that look like they should be connected together. There are others, but this set is my concern.

Pictures:

1. Longest section of beam sits inside of the concrete foundation recess on top of steel shims. (Seems okay)
2. Same beam as (1), the other end meets with a shorter I-Beam on top of a support post. The seam of these two beams does not appear to be centered over the post, rather one is resting on the tab on the side where you would use bolts to connect the post to the beam. There is also a significant gap between the two beams and they are not secured together. (Concerned mostly about the placement of the beam on top of the tabs instead of the post itself.
3. Shorter I-Beam that shares the support post reaches to the other side of the house and does not reach the concrete recess in the foundation. There are some shims in there, but they just move around and are not really doing anything but sitting there. (Concerned that the beam doesn't even reach into the foundation recess)

Please lay my concerns to rest or provide some advice on bringing this up to the builder so it's not just ignored or brushed off as "oh it should be fine just like that" if it's really not.

Thanks,

Jason

Jason I-beam foundation recess

Jason I-beam support post

Jason I-Beam Not reaching support

Here are TWO columns on the AsktheBuilder.com website that Jason could have looked at before reaching out to me.

Residential Structural Steel Beams

and

Column and Beam Construction Tips

What do you think? Do you think those two columns could have helped Jason? If you think so, SHARE your feelings in the COMMENT SECTION under each column.

By the way, those giant i-beams you see at the top of each column are in the last home I built for my family. Realize you can get TALLER beams that require FEWER steel columns in your basement. You don't need columns every 8 feet!!!

That's enough for a Sunday.

Today is burgundy shirt day with a deep-blue paisley bow tie for church. It's pretty smart looking if I don't say so myself.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com
GET YOUR STUFF CLEAN NOW! - www.StainSolver.com
NJ Skeeter QRP Contest Today!!! - www.W3ATB.com

P.S. Want to feel like you're floating on a cloud? Go through your closet and drawers and DONATE all the clothes you no longer wear or need. WOW, I did this a few days ago and I feel FANTASTIC!