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Building Homes or Extensions/Questions Answered by Expert Michael Curry
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Spanning a Bearing Wall | 1/2/2012 |
| Q: I am renovating my basement and currently have a load bearing wall that I would like to remove and ... A: I cannot really answer this question as these details are normally calculated by an engineer. A 14' ... | |
| Shed foundation | 6/23/2011 |
| Q: A number of years ago a built a shed that is 22' x 16'. Unfortunately, being an amateur at this, I ... A: With the size of that shed I'm sure it would require a foundation similar to a house or garage. This ... | |
| Spa/Hot tub installation | 6/11/2011 |
| Q: Just wondering if this is safe and structurally correct to support the spa in this way ... A: Many composite tubs are supported with mortar or cement. While it doesn't look very nice I'm sure it ... | |
| exposed ends of support beams in basement | 6/6/2011 |
| Q: I am concerned about the support beams in my basement. The ends of the beams are exposed and don't ... A: The large horizontal "I" beam should be bearing in the foundation 3 1/2" which is minimum. From the ... | |
| Cavity wall | 1/21/2011 |
| Q: I know this isn't about building a home but I thought maybe you could help. We have recently bought ... A: Sorry for the delay - this didn't get emailed to me. I really don't know if your house would have a ... | |
| Insulation | 1/17/2011 |
| Q: Okay, I am totally confused. Was going to blow in insulation in a couple of bedrooms I'm working on ... A: Insulation doesn't usually cause any moisture problems as it breathes. The walls should be filled ... | |
| Removing strong backs in attic | 1/12/2011 |
| Q: I am looking to add flooring in my attic - right now just for storage, but down the road - who ... A: The strong backs are just to keep the ceiling joists straight and are not really structural. Your ... | |
| Sewer depth and general plumbing | 1/1/2011 |
| Q: At the last moment we decided to not have a basement but instead have a concrete slab with in floor ... A: The sewer pipes will need to be below frost level, although not as deep as with a basement. The ... | |
| Plywood Walls, Tape & Joint Compound | 5/21/2010 |
| Q: I am building an art studio and using a/c plywood walls. Someone put some non paintable sealant ... A: Hey Shelley, Unfortunately there is no easy way to remove the caulking. In bathrooms we cut it out ... | |
| Plywood Walls, Tape & Joint Compound | 5/21/2010 |
| Q: I am building an art studio and using a/c plywood walls. Someone put some non paintable sealant ... A: Hey Shelley, Sounds like quite a mess you've got there. The old caulking is probably silicone based ... | |
| Plywood Walls, Tape & Joint Compound | 5/21/2010 |
| Q: I am building an art studio and using a/c plywood walls. Someone put some non paintable sealant ... A: That type of plywood is usually used outside and the joints have some type of trim over them. ... | |
| extending a porch | 5/19/2010 |
| Q: We are looking to extend our current builder's porch (5'x8' over the fruit cellar)and roof to the ... A: The footing for the new porch will need to be at least 4' below grade. The building dept. may ... | |
| Outside Joist cut for Outside door | 5/16/2010 |
| Q: I have a contractor yesterday to install an outside door in the basement. Given that the basement is ... A: Hey Damian, If you can build up the rim joist a wall header may not be as necessary (depending on ... | |
| Outside Joist cut for Outside door | 5/15/2010 |
| Q: I have a contractor yesterday to install an outside door in the basement. Given that the basement is ... A: I would say yes the rim joist should have been doubled or tripled to support the wall above. I would ... | |
| Putting windows in a block wall | 5/12/2010 |
| Q: My question is how to install windows in a one story block building. My biggest concern is ... A: The steel lintel size is never an issue with building inspections since they don't get inspected. ... | |
| roof rafters | 5/3/2010 |
| Q: i'm selling my home the home inspector told the buyers that the roof rafters are insufficent 2x6 ... A: Many roof rafters are still 2x6 today depending on span, pitch and snow load calculations for an ... | |
| removal of fireplace | 1/24/2010 |
| Q: we would like to remove a brick firplace that is located on an outside wall. It creates a huge ... A: I'm not sure what exactly you are asking, however, to remove the fireplace and close it up is not a ... | |
| Kneewall insulation | 1/6/2010 |
| Q: I am hoping you can answer my question. I have a previously finished attic space with knee walls. ... A: You will need to fur out the rafters to accommodate the insulation and use a vapor barrier also. ... | |
| Kneewall insulation | 1/5/2010 |
| Q: I am hoping you can answer my question. I have a previously finished attic space with knee walls. ... A: Sure you can insulate the rafter space although it will still be on the cold side of the knee walls ... | |
| Insulating an old church conversion | 3/30/2008 |
| Q: WE have recently purchased an 80 year old church in COLD Saskatchewan. We are converting it into our ... A: The best way to do this is to remove the lath, plaster, and wood shavings - re-insulate and drywall. ... | |
| replacing rotted sill plate | 3/29/2008 |
| Q: I recently bought a 30-year old house in North Carolina and just found about 20' of rotted sill ... A: I would probably just replace the rotten pieces as 1/2" is not much in home construction. I don't ... | |
| Air Nailers | 3/15/2008 |
| Q: I am planning on building a garage and would like to purchase a framing nailer, i have done some ... A: The angles just have to match the gun with no real other purpose than to sell the manufacturer's ... | |
| Air Nailers | 3/14/2008 |
| Q: I am planning on building a garage and would like to purchase a framing nailer, i have done some ... A: Everyone has their own preference. We use Paslode air strip nailers for most work and for production ... | |
| Creaking Walls | 2/19/2008 |
| Q: I read a question from one reader about creaking in the house and wanted to get your advice as ... A: Hey Anthony, I live in Canada most of the year too and this problem with creaking and banging is ... | |
| Attic Storage | 2/4/2008 |
| Q: I have a three stall garage with the third stall very commonly unfinished. The rafters over the ... A: Trusses are almost never there for looks and may be part of the main roof and buried in the garage ... | |
| Attic Storage | 2/2/2008 |
| Q: I have a three stall garage with the third stall very commonly unfinished. The rafters over the ... A: Cutting trusses is a big no-no. Trusses can be eliminated with proper engineering. This will make it ... | |
| water apparently leaking between walls into basement | 1/30/2008 |
| Q: I am trying to sell my home, but have discovered a leak. It appears to be running between the wall ... A: Without seeing the problem I would have no idea where the water is coming from. Water can travel in ... | |
| Basement Insulation | 1/27/2008 |
| Q: Michael, I recently purchased a home in northern Virginia (close to Washington DC) that was built ... A: I am not familiar with the climate in your area so I can't say what difference insulating the walls ... | |
| Hardwood | 1/12/2008 |
| Q: How level does the subfloor have to be to install a solid hardwood floor? I have a 4 ft level when I ... A: When it comes to houses an eighth of an inch on four feet is negligible and found in most new homes. ... | |
| basement reno | 1/11/2008 |
| Q: i am finishing my basement and i would like to remove a telepost to add to my layout options. Do i ... A: This does make a difference as it should now be possible. I would still go with steel. I use an ... | |
| Creaking walls in the wind | 1/11/2008 |
| Q: I live in an approximately 16-year-old two story brick house with a walk out basement. I have been ... A: Most houses make noises from time to time and even loud bangs. Your type of noise is uncommon. I ... | |
| drywall 3/8 j-channel | 1/7/2008 |
| Q: Where can I buy? All the jobers and moble home dealers have no idea. Have tryed all lumber yards ... A: I must admit I have never used this product. I have only worked on a few trailers and they had ... | |
| Two storey addition | 11/9/2007 |
| Q: We are planning to move house and are interested in a very small bungalow in Cambridge which has an ... A: I cannot answer your question as this job need to be measured and estimated by a contractor. It may ... | |
| bulkheads over ducts | 11/8/2007 |
| Q: Are bulkheads necessary in homes to cover heating duct or can they be avoided and how? A: Bulkheads are necessary when ducts run in the opposite direction from the joists. They can be ... | |
| insulation of addition floor | 11/8/2007 |
| Q: i have an addition on my home that is my dining room. it is a 17' X 15' room that is new ... A: First of all do not insulate the floor - period. Insulate the walls of the crawl space and heat that ... | |
| building in the winter | 11/8/2007 |
| Q: We are about to finalizing the plans for an extension on our home. The extension will push out the ... A: Building in the spring would be ideal, however, the concrete has additives for colder weather. I ... | |
| false roof | 10/30/2007 |
| Q: Last year I purchased a house built in the 1890s with a flat 'widow's walk' peak and four gabled ... A: You can do this work from outside by strapping the rafters and adding insulation and an air barrier. ... | |
| Concrete broken slab | 10/22/2007 |
| Q: I have a 24' x 36' garage with a slab that has several large, wide, long and very deep cracks. The ... A: Your existing slab probably has no rebar or mesh in it. You would be best to raise the garage, pour ... | |
| walk in closet addition | 10/21/2007 |
| Q: Michael, I'm trying to add a walk in closet to my master bedroom on a preexisting slab under a ... A: The problem is that the house has a foundation below the frost line and does not move. The slab ... | |
| walk in closet addition | 10/21/2007 |
| Q: Michael, I'm trying to add a walk in closet to my master bedroom on a preexisting slab under a ... A: You can't tie into a slab in a cold climate unless the slab is part of a slab your house is on. The ... | |
| attaching house to garage with a breezeway | 10/13/2007 |
| Q: good day, i have a 30 x 30 detached garage that is about 8-10 feet from my house. i want to attach ... A: If both structures are slab on grade or their is no frost in your area, you should good. If not the ... | |
| Attic reno | 10/3/2007 |
| Q: I have huge available space in the attic of a 2 storey house. I am wondering if I can create this ... A: Your attic should be easy to convert but will need work. The ceiling will need upgraded to floor ... | |
| Adding a 2' extension | 9/30/2007 |
| Q: We're in Calgary, AB, and have a 10 year old house on a nice, wide lot. Wondering about the ... A: This addition will require a building permit and to get this you will have to show how you intend to ... | |
| Options for extending a concrete slab | 9/12/2007 |
| Q: I have a single story house built on a concrete slab and would like to extend the footprint and add ... A: I would suggest you build the addition the same as the existing so that it looks as original as ... | |
| civil | 9/7/2007 |
| Q: 1) What is the difference between vitrified tiles and ceramic tiles A: Vitrified tiles are a fully homogenous tile and far superior to ordinary ceramic floor tiles. ... | |
| painting | 9/7/2007 |
| Q: what is the difference between oil bound distemper and water bound distemper. What does the number ... A: With paint oil based needs solvents for cleanup etc and water based can be cleaned with water. The ... | |
| roof vent | 8/23/2007 |
| Q: I live near Knoxville, Tennessee. Our three year old house has a ridge-top vent (I think that's what ... A: The space between the plywood and insulation I was referring to is around the top of the walls. If ... | |
| Closing in a patio | 8/20/2007 |
| Q: I am also and "all experts" in the electrical division, but carpentry is way beyond me. I have a ... A: You should use PT lumber and plywood for this and forget the vapor barrier as it can contain ... | |
Building Homes or Extensions
Answers by Expert:
Michael Curry
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Carpentry and new home framing - insulation - drywall - roofing - foundations (block and poured) flooring (wood and ceramic) masonry While I build complete houses I am not qualified in plumbing or electrical.
Experience
Have been building new homes for 22 years and run my own company. I do or supervise most of the work.
Organizations
LIUNA
Publications
Have been on home improvement TV shows
Education/Credentials
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