Yesterday I had the pleasure, if you want to call it that, of standing next to my open septic tank while it was being pumped. I shot videos of the process looking down on it from my deck. Believe me, you don't necessarily want to see a close-up shot of the inside of a septic […]
Two different things happened over the past two days that are the inspiration for this newsletter. I need you to hang in there and absorb this important story. Seventeen years ago, I was one of a few founding members of a very secret Internet entrepreneur mastermind group. This group exchanged ideas via email and we […]
How to Hire a Roofer Did a storm damage your roof? Are your shingles wearing out prematurely? Do you have a new leak or a chronic leak that won't go away? You need a roofer unless you have skills like I do that allow you to do your own roofing work. But you want to […]
Each year, it's my guess you have a major or minor crisis at your home because you failed to take the time before it got really cold to prepare for Old Man Winter. Technology in the form of your smart phone, tablet or laptop computer seems to amplify the stress of everyday living sucking away […]
DEAR TIM: I've always been afraid of electricity. I know I can't be alone. I'm trying to overcome this fear and wonder if you can help me. What would you do if you were me? Are there simple tools I can use to help tell me when I'm close to a wire or cable that […]
Norman Zarr, who lives in glorious Asheville, NC home of the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn, has water dripping from his T and P valve on his water heater. Here's what he told me: "I get water dripping from my pressure/temperature overflow valve on my water heater. What are the possible causes? I have […]
Connect PEX Pipe - So Very Easy and Fast DEAR TIM: I've got a major bathroom remodel I'm jumping into and luckily I'm allowed to do the plumbing work myself where I live as long as it meets code. My inspector says I can use pex pipe and it seems too good to be true. […]
Quick Column Summary: Is furnace smell dangerous Carbon monoxide is odorless/dangerous Dust accumulation causes smell Clean furnace and ductwork Jane, who lives with an old octopus gravity-feed (probably) furnace in Roseville, MI, has an odor issue. Let her describe it: "We moved into a home that has an old octopus furnace - it is labeled […]
My guess is there are countless older homes within miles of where you live, many of them have ancient clay pipe sewer lines extending from the houses out to the city sewers. These clay pipes, with their mortar-filled joints, are notorious for allowing tree roots into the pipes. When that happens, the tree roots feast […]
Simple Common Roof Rafters Quick Column Summary: How do you create a roof rafter You need 4 simple tools and geometry How to determine your roof slope DEAR TIM: I'm now retired and starting to attack a huge list of projects. One of them is building a simple shed and I have no clue how […]
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