| Subject | Date Asked |
|
| Small Loft Storage in Garage | 3/23/2009 |
Q: I recently had a two car garage constructed and want to add a small loft storage area. The space ...
A: Your plan is sound. The only addition I would make is to add a full-length 2x4 ledger beneath the ...
|
| New home Construction | 3/23/2009 |
Q: Building a new home and I am considering doing a Wood Basement. Any Pros and Cons of doing a wood ...
A: All-wood basements are great for well-drained sites that have stabile soils. They allow easier ...
|
| condensation | 3/22/2009 |
Q: In case of a pitched roof with steel sheets in a hilly terrain,how best one can protect against ...
A: As you probably know, the water droplets appear whenever warm, moist air contacts a surface cooler ...
|
| Drop ceiling | 3/21/2009 |
Q: I am installing a drop ceiling. I have installed the wall angles on all 4 walls, what I would like ...
A: Doug, The Tees rest on the wall angles so that the flats are even with the flat of the angle. If ...
|
| foundation problem? | 3/18/2009 |
Q: Daniel, Could you please take a look at the attached picture and let me know if this is a ...
A: Yes, that crack is a typical symptom of a foundation weakness. The bricks crack from the top down if ...
|
| Settling floors | 3/15/2009 |
Q: I live in a 1950's home 1000 sq. ft. The wood floor has slight humps over the center support beam ...
A: It is common for the outer supports to sink while the center support beam remains high, creating a ...
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| Siding on Garage Wall--Build Up or Tear Down | 3/3/2009 |
Q: We live in the Chicago area in a 1960s split-level and would like to finish off our one-car attached ...
A: Craig, You can go either way. The advantage of taking off the siding is that it gives you an ...
|
| Insulating a crawl space | 3/1/2009 |
Q: Since you work in colder climates I thought you may be able to help me with this. I live in a house ...
A: For insulating a floor with regular floor joists, fiberglass batts are usually the easiest and ...
|
| Pole barn beams | 2/28/2009 |
Q: I am planning on building a 26' x 48' pole barn with 6x6 posts and perma columns. The walls will be ...
A: The 6x6 posts are too small for such a height and to carry a second floor. I would go up to 8x8 at ...
|
| joist spacing & span | 2/26/2009 |
Q: I am thinking of using 4x12 joist to span a 16' area at 32" on center. Will this work?
A: Those 4x12s are plenty strong, but sixteen feet is a long span for a 4x12 without deflecting or ...
|
| timber house problems | 2/26/2009 |
Q: We had a timber frame house built, it is less than a year old. We have experienced cracked and ...
A: That must be a terrible disappointment for you. I wish I could visit and help you out. I am very ...
|
| removing a support post right at the foot of the basement stairs | 2/26/2009 |
Q: I have a support post, right at the bottom of my stairs in the basesment. It is pretty much right ...
A: I'm assuming the post is supporting a summer beam. Putting in a header spanning only 7'-4" is pretty ...
|
| Basement addition | 2/25/2009 |
Q: I would like to add an addition to the back of my home. I was wondering if i can make the new ...
A: The only trouble with placing the new basement deeper than the existing one is that there may be ...
|
| rafters for a pergola | 2/23/2009 |
Q: I am building a 14'x20' pergola using trated pine with four 6"x6" posts.The beams that I will be ...
A: Depending on the loads, the maximum span for a 2x8 beam supporting a roof would be about 8 feet. ...
|
| Foundation on a steep grade. | 2/19/2009 |
Q: I am looking at a piece of land for a future home. I was wondering how hard is it to put in a ...
A: Paul, To put in a typical foundation of footer and stemwall on a steep grade, it means you need to ...
|
| interior soffits in new house | 2/18/2009 |
Q: I am designing a new house.The living room drops down 1'-6" from the dining room. Both are along the ...
A: I would keep the varied ceiling heights. Stepping down into a living room and having the ceiling ...
|
| Large Patio cover | 2/17/2009 |
Q: Ok so here’s the scenario…I extended my current concrete pad to be about 20’W x 18’D. I want to ...
A: Eric, The basic design is sound, and the sizes are good, and pine will work just fine. But I would ...
|
| Patio knee wall | 2/16/2009 |
Q: I am planning to put down a 16x34 paver patio,That part of the install i know, my question is on ...
A: I think you could build such a kneewall right on top of the slab without having a footer beneath; ...
|
| condensation on ceiling of camp | 2/14/2009 |
Q: The camp is COLD (15-20 degrees) inside when we arrive and we heat with woodstove and more recently ...
A: Well, that is a much better scenario. Spray-on foam done professionally will probably seal the air ...
|
| condensation on ceiling of camp | 2/14/2009 |
Q: The camp is COLD (15-20 degrees) inside when we arrive and we heat with woodstove and more recently ...
A: That's good your propane heater is vented! So the moisture is coming from cooking and breathing, and ...
|
| condensation on ceiling of camp | 2/13/2009 |
Q: The camp is COLD (15-20 degrees) inside when we arrive and we heat with woodstove and more recently ...
A: You've correctly identified the problem as condensation, with the water largely coming from the ...
|
| Concrete slab foundation | 2/11/2009 |
Q: I want to build a cabin on our lake lot (northern MN) with a concrete slab foundation. We are on a ...
A: The minimum slab for a residence is considered to be 3-1/2 inches thick--the depth of a 2x4--with ...
|
| building a home using blocks | 2/9/2009 |
Q: I am wonder why I cannot run the plumbing from the street to the inside of the house to where ever I ...
A: It is best to keep the plumbing completely buried (getting heat from the ground) or exposed to ...
|
| building a house with blocks | 2/9/2009 |
Q: your information is very helpful. I would like to know if I need to use water proofing on the ...
A: Yes, you will need to waterproof the blocks and mortar seams on all exposed outer walls. It can be ...
|
| building a home | 2/8/2009 |
Q: I live in the high desert in southern california where it is very dry, I would like to know if I can ...
A: The high desert is a great environment for block construction. I was born and raised in that ...
|
| repair barn pole | 2/7/2009 |
Q: I have a 32x45 pole barn that some of the poles are rotten at the ground level. What are some ...
A: The way I have fixed a pole barn with rotten posts and rotten roof plates was by building completely ...
|
| ground wire trips circuit | 1/26/2009 |
Q: i tried replacing my out dated ceiling fan with a new one but when i connected the blue/blk to hot ...
A: You have identified a fault to ground somewhere in the fan itself. It would be a hot wire of course, ...
|
| brick ledge | 1/25/2009 |
Q: I have a modular home with under pinning, what i want to do is brick it. Question is how wide and ...
A: For a brick veneer, the ledge needs to be the thickness of the brick, plus one inch to allow room ...
|
| heaving wall | 1/24/2009 |
Q: I live in NY in a one story house that is on a slab.In the summer of 07 we had a concrete driveway ...
A: The heave you are noticing in the concrete often happens when the drainage has been altered. The ...
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| foundation wall | 1/23/2009 |
Q: Humphrey, I am researching a question that I am having problems finding the answer too. Q: What is ...
A: Probably the worst thing would be to discover the ground cannot bear the weight of the proposed ...
|
| Apartment in Barn | 1/22/2009 |
Q: I am generally seeking your advice, as well as have a couple of specific questions. My girlfriend ...
A: You are at an exciting time in your life, and I remember it well! What you might want to keep in ...
|
| Blueprints | 1/18/2009 |
Q: Can you tell me which section the site plan fall under in a set of blueprints, and which abbreviated ...
A: Site plans are normally called "Plot Plans" in the old vernacular of blueprints. Look for the key to ...
|
| Condensation in Cold Room | 1/15/2009 |
Q: I live in Toronto, I have an 8' x 8' cantina (cold room) in the basement directly under my front ...
A: Of course you know that moisture condenses when it touches a surface colder than dew point. That's ...
|
| condensation or ice dam? | 1/15/2009 |
Q: We put an addition on our kitchen 5 years ago. Every winter we get water on the ceiling at one ...
A: Tom, I think you're onto the right track with the condensation theory. Yes, that much water can ...
|
| adding a 2nd story on a 1943 pier and beam house | 1/13/2009 |
Q: You advised someone that it is okay to build a second story if the house is sturdy and it is ...
A: I think the previous question was whether a 2-story addition could be built alongside an older pier ...
|
| pier and beam addition (building up) | 1/11/2009 |
Q: I live in Waco Texas. We have a pier and beam home.We would live to extend our living space.I would ...
A: Yes, you can build two story on a pier and beam--if the footing is substantial and the soil is ...
|
| Removing Eaves for New Patio | 1/10/2009 |
Q: I am building a new patio to come off the existing double brick house. I am planning on taking the ...
A: If the house were not brick, it would be a simple matter to drop the portal ledger down a bit and ...
|
| Lean - to added to garage | 1/7/2009 |
Q: We had a 36 X 48 garage built with a 12 X 48 lean - to, Three days after the Lean - to was completed ...
A: I can see it in the pictures as well; so you aren't imagining things. Your portal roof has a ...
|
| felt paper used in older homes as house wrap | 1/2/2009 |
Q: We bought a home that is mature (nice way to say old), and after fixing most of the major little ...
A: Rest assured it's not the felt paper causing the mold to grow on the inside of the building. Tar ...
|
| room over garage | 12/31/2008 |
Q: There is space over my 2 car garage which is approximately 20X12, it's all unfinished, rafters and ...
A: Steven, 1. Without seeing the trusses and supports you propose removing, I cannot advise you on ...
|
| Insulation | 12/31/2008 |
Q: is there going to be a moisture problem inside my walls if i apply a 1.5" Styrofoam to the outside ...
A: Ab, Yes, you are right that styrofoam added to the outside can cause moisture to condense inside ...
|
| Minimum crawl space height | 12/29/2008 |
Q: I'm building a small pier and beam cottage and wonder what minimum height you'd recommend for the ...
A: I prefer to build crawl spaces between 24" and 32" to give me some comfort working under there and ...
|
| water damage to wood concern before sheet rock | 12/29/2008 |
Q: My home is under construction (pre-dry wall) in Texas. There has been a water leak in the ground ...
A: Orshoe-- It's best to keep that floor dry and clean--you're right. But please don't worry about the ...
|
| worried about Safe falling through floor... | 12/26/2008 |
Q: I was just given a 600 LB gun safe for the holidays. While i was on my honeymoon my friends put it ...
A: Joshua-- That's amazing! Well, it's a good thing we have building codes, so we can afford to have ...
|
| how to choose a steel building manufacturer | 12/22/2008 |
Q: Good morning Daniel. I am looking to build a steel outbuilding in Colorado on the order of 5-8000 ...
A: Anthony-- I've put up steel buildings from different manufacturers, and they are very, very ...
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| Basement | 12/20/2008 |
Q: The house is being built in CT and just before closing, after heavy rain, the water was coming ...
A: Sometimes water gets in, in spite of good workmanship. I recommend having a building engineer come ...
|
| Basement | 12/19/2008 |
Q: The house is being built in CT and just before closing, after heavy rain, the water was coming ...
A: Maria, Sorry to hear about the water coming in. As long as the sump pump is working, it should stay ...
|
| Porch column questions | 12/17/2008 |
Q: I am trying to decide who is responsible for problems with my Porch Columns. The core is 4x4 ...
A: Hopefully, you can hire a structural engineer or contractor to come do an inspection and tell you ...
|
| berming an existing house | 12/15/2008 |
Q: We have a slab built home with 1 x 6 constructed walls and fiber-cement siding. Is it possible to ...
A: You've identified the main problem with earth berming--moisture damage. The pressure from the ground ...
|
| Basement insulating | 12/15/2008 |
Q: I am working on finishing my basement. My block walls were dry loc'd a few years ago to help keep ...
A: You've correctly identified the cause of the problem being warmer, moist air hitting the colder ...
|
| Header | 12/6/2008 |
Q: I have built an addition to my home. I was only able to achieve a 90" (7'-6") height. The header in ...
A: Dayne, I was thinking of a doubled rim joist above the header, as part of the deck support. Sorry, ...
|
| Anchoring Timber to Uneven Rock | 12/6/2008 |
Q: I know this isn't house related, but it is construction and design.I am trying to design a dock. It ...
A: Brian, Yes, post saddles provide a socket for securing the end of a post. They normally epoxy into ...
|
| Anchoring Timber to Uneven Rock | 12/6/2008 |
Q: I know this isn't house related, but it is construction and design.I am trying to design a dock. It ...
A: Brian, Have you considered drilling into the rock and putting in 6x6 post saddles with epoxy? (or ...
|
| Header | 12/5/2008 |
Q: I have built an addition to my home. I was only able to achieve a 90" (7'-6") height. The header in ...
A: If you put a double trimmer over micro-lam header, you should be fine. You can increase the bearing ...
|
| Commercial wooden pier at condo association | 12/4/2008 |
Q: What can i put down on the bottom floor that will prevent slipping and will last. I dont want anyone ...
A: Mike, If you want to keep the bare wood look, there is not much you can do. The best solution I've ...
|
| concrete sealer | 12/4/2008 |
Q: We have recently renovated a barn into office space, and we poured a new concrete slab over radiant ...
A: I know you're looking for something fairly inert to apply that will last a long time and keep the ...
|
| construction | 11/22/2008 |
Q: what other materials that can substitute to hollow-blocks?? and can you give substances that can be ...
A: Whenever wood particles make up part of the concrete, the compressive strength of the block would be ...
|
| collar ties | 11/21/2008 |
Q: I have a room addition that is 20'x 20', The room is open (no interior walls) It has 2x8 rafters and ...
A: Jeff, Good job getting that straightened out! That's hard to do sometimes, after the wood has taken ...
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| construction | 11/20/2008 |
Q: what other materials that can substitute to hollow-blocks?? and can you give substances that can be ...
A: We had a concrete hollow block machine when I was growing up in New Mexico. The traditional ...
|
| timber frame roof system | 11/19/2008 |
Q: Our modular home has 2 X 6 exterior studs 16" on center. Is that sufficient to place a timber frame ...
A: The 2x6 wall is plenty strong for a timber frame roof truss system, as long as you have trusses no ...
|
| triple 2x10 beam span | 11/18/2008 |
Q: I have a ranch in Eklhart, In in which I have a triple 2x10 beam running the length of the basement. ...
A: Shane, Yep, you'll get some bounce without support in 13 feet on a triple 2x10 beam. I think in ...
|
| crawl space water pipes | 11/17/2008 |
Q: My pex water pipes have to travel about 3 feet in the crawl space up into the house. I haven't got ...
A: Bern, The ground temperature is normally the temperature of the cold tap water that runs ...
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| Garage door header | 11/16/2008 |
Q: I am building a 24'x40' garage with 10' walls and a bonus room above. The walls are constructed of ...
A: Mark, The short answer is Yes. I recommend you have plywood or OSB sheathing on the outside. In ...
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| Putting wood siding on a 35 foot 5th wheel summer retreat | 11/15/2008 |
Q: my husband and I bought 10 acres of wooded property that sits at 9,000 foot level in the Ashley ...
A: You're probably right about a conversion being cheaper than building a cabin; but then you realize ...
|
| shed roof | 11/14/2008 |
Q: What is the best way to insulate a shed type roof with a 1x12 pitch in a cold climate? Right now we ...
A: Since the water is dripping from the bath fan, you need to determine where the air is exhausted to ...
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| crawl space water pipes | 11/11/2008 |
Q: My pex water pipes have to travel about 3 feet in the crawl space up into the house. I haven't got ...
A: The key is to identify (or create) the source of heat, expose the pex to that source, and then ...
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| Building Home in Wet Climate - Follow Up Question | 11/10/2008 |
Q: Following up to my earlier question ... Do you know a particular construction technique that is ...
A: Edward, I recommend wood and masonry for wet climates. Wood framing from local resources can be a ...
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| Building Home in Wet Climate | 11/10/2008 |
Q: I live in CA but building my dream home in Gisborne, New Zealand, which is a very wet place at the ...
A: I also live in a very wet place--the Southeast Alaskan rainforest. In my area, we get about 100 ...
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| addition | 11/5/2008 |
Q: we have a mobil home (camp) want to add an addition to the front of it. 14f w x 48f l. it will give ...
A: I had a chuckle to myself when you asked me how much it would cost! I get a lot of questions about ...
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| shed floor and foundation | 11/4/2008 |
Q: Mr. Humphrey, I'm planing a 12'x12' shed in NE Pennsylvania. I'd like to use cement piers that go ...
A: Christian, Yes, that amount (24") of overhang should be okay for a small building. I wouldn't go ...
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| header thickness | 11/4/2008 |
Q: I'm building a 24wideX30deep detached garage. I'd like to install an 18ft wide garage door on the ...
A: Chad, The header can be a 2x12 sandwich, as specified. It's important that the header itself be ...
|
| Pool house flooring | 10/29/2008 |
Q: Daniel - We've decided on a terra cotta tile for our pool house. One tile rep said it was great ...
A: I would not install terra cotta tile. A porcelain glazed tile is appropriate. On a floor subject to ...
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| max. span on 2X6 double headrer | 10/29/2008 |
Q: I'm just putting a roof over my 12 by 28 deck and need to know how many supports I need in 28'. I ...
A: Richard, There are many ways to approach this project, depending on what kinds of openings you want ...
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| Pool house flooring | 10/26/2008 |
Q: We are in the process of remodeling our backyard and I need to purchase flooring for the pool house. ...
A: Aimee, Yes, some of the glazed tiles are really slick when wet, but others are made so that they ...
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| Pool house flooring | 10/26/2008 |
Q: We are in the process of remodeling our backyard and I need to purchase flooring for the pool house. ...
A: Tile is a good choice because dirt and water can't hurt it. The only thing about a tile floor in ...
|
| 'Springing' floor | 10/25/2008 |
Q: I live in a Victorian house and have been experiencing springing in the suspended timber ground ...
A: I think I would need to inspect your floor to know what's wrong; but the problems I'd be looking for ...
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| Joist span and spacing | 10/23/2008 |
Q: I am now living in South Africa after many years in the US where I got to enjoy timber frame homes. ...
A: A 17' floor span is beyond the capacity of 2x12" joists on even 16" centers. It won't break or ...
|
| Remote Cabin Foundation Help | 10/23/2008 |
Q: I'm planing to build a cabin in a remote part of Alaska. it will be 24ft. by 24ft. with a loft. I am ...
A: You didn't say whether your building site is on permafrost or not; it makes a big difference on how ...
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| Extending patio & roof by 6 ft | 3/24/2008 |
Q: We have an existing back porch that is 10'x30' and we want to expand the 10' depth to 16'. Can we ...
A: Debbie, That will be a big space! Of course you can do this if you get the structure right--size ...
|
| Sill plate during garage conversion | 3/22/2008 |
Q: I am planning to convert large opening in a storage shed built on concrete slab into a wall with ...
A: Jack, Typically, the anchors are placed every five feet and near openings and corners. If you know ...
|
| Convert Seasonal Cabin for use in winter | 3/20/2008 |
Q: I currently have a seasonal cabin that is in Northern Minnesota. It sits on a couple of courses of ...
A: Steve, Yes, the foundations should match so that there is minimal difference in shifting. Depending ...
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| Spacing Between Floor Joist | 3/19/2008 |
Q: I am having a new house built by a contractor. He is planning to have the spacing between the floor ...
A: Robert, Floor joist spacing of 24" OC has been common for at least a century. Floor materials are ...
|
| Timber frame timber species | 3/18/2008 |
Q: I just realized you are a timberframer. I am building my own home and have a woodmizer sawmill ...
A: David, I have a Woodmizer also--LT40. It's quite the beam cutter, isn't it? Ash around here is too ...
|
| Table Saw motor | 3/18/2008 |
Q: I have an old Uni-saw that needs a new electric motor, I believe it is a 5hp motor. I am trying to ...
A: David, I'd get a 220 single phase because it has a better startup than 110. That's what mine is; ...
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| Shed Foundation on Sloping Concrete | 3/17/2008 |
Q: I obtained the walls and roof sections from an 8'x17' wood-framed shed that was dismantled. I want ...
A: Chris, I think the slope is not great enough to cause the pier blocks to slide. Simply forming up ...
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| lean to roof | 3/13/2008 |
Q: We would like to cover our back patio with a lean to roof. We have a basic cape cod style home and ...
A: Renee, The proper way to extend a roof is to sister-up the new rafters next to the existing ones. ...
|
| sheds / Barns | 3/7/2008 |
Q: I’m going to have a shed built and there are many upgrade options available, so could you give me ...
A: Bret, Yeah, the wood on the ground wouldn't last. If your ground is pretty solid and stable, you ...
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| sheds / Barns | 3/5/2008 |
Q: I’m going to have a shed built and there are many upgrade options available, so could you give me ...
A: Bret, Covered space where I live is very valuable. I always build the shed to accomodate future ...
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| New Family room- Window Placement | 2/24/2008 |
Q: I will be adding family room 24 *20 that will face a lake. I want the long wall to have lots of ...
A: Roxy, I bet it's a nice spot! And it sounds as if you are already thinking about smaller and ...
|
| Exterior wall | 2/24/2008 |
Q: I live in Las Vegas (Really hot in the summer) and I am enclosing a small patio area 8x12)which ...
A: Don, Mostly, it's the sun that does the warping, as you probably know. In direct sunlight, the best ...
|
| Closing in a back porch | 2/18/2008 |
Q: Our house has a screened in back porch that we're looking to close in. The roof of the house ...
A: Michael, Remember to pay close attention to keeping the water out of the wall, especially at the ...
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| Closing in a back porch | 2/18/2008 |
Q: Our house has a screened in back porch that we're looking to close in. The roof of the house ...
A: Michael, You had mentioned resources. The best thing you can do is go to the library and get a book ...
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| Closing in a back porch | 2/17/2008 |
Q: Our house has a screened in back porch that we're looking to close in. The roof of the house ...
A: Michael, This could be a very straightforward job, especially if you plan it out well. If this is ...
|
| jack post | 2/10/2008 |
Q: Currently renovating a basement bathroom.the existing door is 24 inches wide.Want to put a 30 inch, ...
A: Roland, What you're envisioning is quite possible and commonly done. The framing on each side of ...
|
| legal obligation of retaining wall between neighbors | 2/3/2008 |
Q: who's responsible for retaing walls, the person who's property is being retained, or the person ...
A: I'm not familiar with California laws on property disputes concerning things like retaining walls ...
|
| Hardwood Floor | 2/2/2008 |
Q: I plan on installing a solid hardwood floor in a room 10 by 10. When I put a 7 ft straight edge on ...
A: Bob, The hardwood will easily span low spots up to about 18 inches across. Just don't nail in those ...
|
| home made porch joice | 1/27/2008 |
Q: I went to this calculator. http://www.awc.org/calculators/span/calc/timbercalcstyle.asp My ...
A: Bill, As you probably know, when you add one additional thickness, you add just one more unit of ...
|
| Joist span and support | 1/25/2008 |
Q: We are having an addittion built between our house and garage. It is 15 feet wide, attached the ...
A: Rich, A saddle beam is one that hangs by metal strapping underneath the joists, rather than being ...
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| Joist span and support | 1/25/2008 |
Q: We are having an addittion built between our house and garage. It is 15 feet wide, attached the ...
A: Rich, I'm assuming the house and garage are 15 feet apart. A 2x12 joist system on 16" centers is ...
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| adding a room over the garage | 1/22/2008 |
Q: I know that our garage has a truss system supporting it, so in order to add a room, that would have ...
A: Betsy, Projects like this are as expensive as (and more intrusive than) starting from scratch at ...
|
| support beam and the spane | 1/21/2008 |
Q: I am finishing my basement. I have a support column in the middle of the room I would like to ...
A: Gabe, I'm not sure of your span, once you take out the post. A distance of 12'-6" is an easy ...
|
| cutting a garage door in width | 1/11/2008 |
Q: About three months ago we had to replace our 16' * 7' garage door, because the other one buckled. ...
A: I understand your hesitation to see your husband cut into the new door! Cutting the metal cleanly ...
|
| Soffit under lean to? | 1/10/2008 |
Q: Hey Dan, I had a pole building built last year, 24'x32' with a 12'x 8' lean to attached. I need to ...
A: Doug, Swallows? Or sparrows? I guess you could use that soffit material under there, but it's a ...
|
| Can old foundation hold? | 1/9/2008 |
Q: We bought property in southern WV that has a concrete block foudation (62x30) already built. But, ...
A: Carole, It does sound as if the mason made a height adjustment or perhaps made the layer as an ...
|
| How to tell a load bearing wall? | 1/9/2008 |
Q: How can you tell what is and is not a load bearing wall? So basically, can anyone tell me how I can ...
A: Michael, A wall capable of bearing the load of a second floor or roof will be constructed of at ...
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| Can old foundation hold? | 1/8/2008 |
Q: We bought property in southern WV that has a concrete block foudation (62x30) already built. But, ...
A: If the blocks are still solid, without cracks in the joints, it is probably fine. You can check to ...
|
| 2nd floor on Modular Rancher | 1/7/2008 |
Q: I'm investigating the potential of constructing a second floor/attic on my 1976 modular rancher. I'm ...
A: You will need to assess the strength of your foundation and the wall's ability to bear more weight. ...
|
| Raising an rough cut wood frame garage | 1/4/2008 |
Q: I am in need of help in figuring how to safely raise a 2 car garage in the mountains. I want to pour ...
A: Leigh, A 3-1/2" slab is fine. And 8 to 12" is all you need at the perimeter. You need to divide the ...
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| Raising an rough cut wood frame garage | 1/3/2008 |
Q: I am in need of help in figuring how to safely raise a 2 car garage in the mountains. I want to pour ...
A: Leigh, I've done almost exactly what you're describing. Basically, you need to tie the walls ...
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| re: Loud Popping Sounds in House at Night and During the Day | 12/31/2007 |
Q: Date is 12/30/07. I purchased a new constructed home here in the San Francisco Bay area in May ...
A: The noise you have is very unusual; so there's no way any of us who cannot visit the house could ...
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| re: Loud Popping Sounds in House at Night and During the Day | 12/31/2007 |
Q: Date is 12/30/07. I purchased a new constructed home here in the San Francisco Bay area in May ...
A: So the ducts are in the attic, and I assume the noises are coming from above. Sheet metal is the ...
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| re: Loud Popping Sounds in House at Night and During the Day | 12/31/2007 |
Q: Date is 12/30/07. I purchased a new constructed home here in the San Francisco Bay area in May ...
A: Loud popping sounds like a balloon popping or gunshot are very unusual. You've observed that the ...
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| Floor safe load limit in old house | 12/29/2007 |
Q: Daniel: I hope you can assist me. I have an 1890's wood framed home that has two floors and a small ...
A: Sandra, To check out the joist supports, you're looking at the ends of the joists to see if they ...
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| Floor safe load limit in old house | 12/29/2007 |
Q: Daniel: I hope you can assist me. I have an 1890's wood framed home that has two floors and a small ...
A: Sandra, A 2" x 16" joist can bear a lot of weight if it is supported well at the ends. Four of ...
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| hardwood floors | 12/29/2007 |
Q: I have half inch particle board and half inch plywood on my floors. The particle on top then plywood ...
A: You've probably been told why particle board isn't very good to fasten a hardwood floor to. Most ...
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| Cinde Block home construction | 12/28/2007 |
Q: I am planning on building my home out of cinder blocks. I live in Lake County colorado at about ...
A: You sound fairly ambitious, and that's a good thing! Finding a good book on the subject will be a ...
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| Nail size | 12/27/2007 |
Q: What size nails do I use to put trim around windows and doors? I have a air gun?
A: As you know, your nail gun determines the gauge; but you have quite a choice in lengths, and you can ...
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| renovation | 12/26/2007 |
Q: ok heres the problem I have a large a frame house the entire upstairs is in the a frame I have ...
A: A spacious and well-glazed loft is a wonderful space. Your intuition is correct that removing the ...
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| enclosing a patio | 12/24/2007 |
Q: I have a cement slab that covered by a roof. I wish to close it in to make it part of the existing ...
A: Bud, Yes, the concrete should have a vapor retarder over it, especially if the ground in your area ...
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