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Building Homes or Extensions/Questions Answered by Expert Daniel Humphrey
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Insulating an exposed deck on beam ceiling | 1/14/2012 |
| Q: Dan, I have an exposed deck on beam constructed home in Southern New Jersey and I would like to ... A: The proper way to do it is to insulate above and re-roof. Infilling between the beams is difficult, ... | |
| Advice for an apt over a garage? | 1/14/2012 |
| Q: I'm building a 2-car garage (24 x 24) and I'd like to turn the upper level into a studio apartment. ... A: Curtis, Mainly, make sure the floor between the two is airtight. You have a chance to seal the ... | |
| soil and clay content | 1/12/2012 |
| Q: Life to me is simple, you plan for the worse and hope for the best. In bad soil with clay content ... A: Danny, Put the spread footers where the support is needed most. If the footer beneath the back beam ... | |
| soil and clay content | 1/8/2012 |
| Q: Life to me is simple, you plan for the worse and hope for the best. In bad soil with clay content ... A: You probably are safe in assuming the sinking is due to the clay getting wet and being displaced by ... | |
| soil and clay content | 1/7/2012 |
| Q: Life to me is simple, you plan for the worse and hope for the best. In bad soil with clay content ... A: Digging down and pouring a continuous footer and concrete stem wall all around the house is the best ... | |
| Cold room under front porch | 1/10/2011 |
| Q: Our cold room under our front porch allows very cold air to come into our basement room (we have ... A: I would need to see the room to be positive of my answer, but I think blocking it off during the ... | |
| three season rooms | 9/25/2010 |
| Q: We have a screened porch that we are considering making a 3 season room. The slab is very thick at ... A: If the slab has not heaved while exposed to the elements, then it will be fine covered. The problem ... | |
| Pergola | 9/23/2010 |
| Q: Can a 6"X12"-20'long (treated #2 pine) span 20'with no support in the middle. There will be ... A: Darrell, I'm assuming this is a wall plate and not the ridge beam. The specific design of the frame ... | |
| Roof Framing Support | 9/23/2010 |
| Q: I am remodeling my kitchen and there is wood where I want my recessed light to be. I need to know ... A: If there is room on each side of the 2x6 for 2x4s, you can get the same strength by attaching those ... | |
| Garage Header | 9/14/2010 |
| Q: The supporting 2x4s and part of my garage door header was destroyed by termites. The header was a ... A: The repair you made is fine; the 9-1/2" bearing end does not significantly change the strength of ... | |
| alternating stairs | 9/13/2010 |
| Q: i read your previous post on alternating stairs and tried to figure out a formula based on your ... A: Yes your house is tiny! I have made stairwells that size. By alternating stairs, I presume you mean ... | |
| Heaving Wall on House Addition | 8/19/2010 |
| Q: I had a contractor tear out and put in a new side walk adjacent to an addition on the back of the ... A: They say that an inch of foam panel is like a foot of earth; so I would remove the sidewalk, dig out ... | |
| Roof Beam Support | 8/15/2010 |
| Q: I recently purchase this house. It has a hip roof that cantilevers. The red beam in the picture is ... A: Robert, The barge rafter on an eave as small as yours is supported mainly by the stiffness of the ... | |
| Roof Beam Support | 8/14/2010 |
| Q: I recently purchase this house. It has a hip roof that cantilevers. The red beam in the picture is ... A: Yes, I have seen that kind of roof, with the lookouts projecting beyond the roof, and they all rot. ... | |
| pole barn | 7/30/2010 |
| Q: I am planning to build a 26' x 48' pole barn with a roof attic for light weight storage. The walls ... A: John, Yes, the strapping would work in opposing pairs, with tension strength only, of course. Knee ... | |
| pole barn | 7/29/2010 |
| Q: I am planning to build a 26' x 48' pole barn with a roof attic for light weight storage. The walls ... A: John, The 6x6 on 6-foot centers is plenty of vertical support, but you will need to add some ... | |
| Would double 2x12 work here ? | 7/23/2010 |
| Q: This is a ridge of a new higher pitched (6/12) roof that is built over old 2/12 one. Old ridge is ... A: I think your plan to use the LVL is pretty good, but it will not equal a doubled 2x12 in ... | |
| Would double 2x12 work here ? | 7/22/2010 |
| Q: This is a ridge of a new higher pitched (6/12) roof that is built over old 2/12 one. Old ridge is ... A: Yes, your plan is sound. The 2x12 doubled should be plenty, supported as described. The two ... | |
| Roof Leak | 7/8/2010 |
| Q: We are building an additional floor to our prebuild house. While constructing we are facing a lots ... A: I would normally recommend a concrete sealer, such as asphaltum or a urethane product; but any ... | |
| Roof Leak | 7/7/2010 |
| Q: We are building an additional floor to our prebuild house. While constructing we are facing a lots ... A: The best cure would be to dig around the entire building and place drainage pipes and rock that will ... | |
| fixer up home | 6/15/2010 |
| Q: Is it a worth buying a 1947 1000 sq. ft. home to be moved for $11000 or should I just walk away? It ... A: Oh My! The cost for moving it and fixing it up could be greater than building a new one like it. ... | |
| tying floor joists to a taller exterior wall | 6/6/2010 |
| Q: I'm building a 6' x 10' bathroom inside of a large shop with 12' balloon-framed walls. I have framed ... A: For storage, you need to make sure the ledger is lag-screwed into wall studs. For good measure, put ... | |
| sizing joists for a hay mow | 5/27/2010 |
| Q: ....... i have a problem i am trying to figure out, and wondered if you might be able to ... A: If you are anticipating only 60 psf of live load, then a normal commercial-type floor would be fine. ... | |
| plywood, tape & joint compound | 5/25/2010 |
| Q: I am building an art studio and using a/c plywood walls. Someone put some non paintable sealant ... A: I'm totally with you. You have some A/C plywood that you want to look like sheetrock and hang ... | |
| plywood, tape & joint compound | 5/24/2010 |
| Q: I am building an art studio and using a/c plywood walls. Someone put some non paintable sealant ... A: I'll summarize here in steps. Step 1: Sand where the silicone was around the edges to remove any ... | |
| Joint Compound & Plywood | 5/23/2010 |
| Q: Is there any difference using joint compound on plywood from using wood filler? ANSWER: Dear ... A: Oh Shelley! Sorry, I'm used to conversing with my workers and clients and hardware store persons. I ... | |
| Joint Compound & Plywood | 5/23/2010 |
| Q: Is there any difference using joint compound on plywood from using wood filler? ANSWER: Dear ... A: You're a little bit avant-garde on this one! Those seams are likely to crack over time. Knowing it ... | |
| Joint Compound & Plywood | 5/22/2010 |
| Q: Is there any difference using joint compound on plywood from using wood filler? A: Joint compound isn't made to flex much or to be compressed under foot or get wet. Otherwise, joint ... | |
| plywood, 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: I think the silicone caulk might repel any tape, but hopefully the tape will stick at its edges and ... | |
| defective window? | 5/15/2010 |
| Q: We are building a sunroom addition with a large fixed window. The window is made of tempered glass ... A: The effect you're seeing is the result of light refracting through the panes of glass and the argon. ... | |
| addition to existing concrete slab in front porch | 5/10/2010 |
| Q: What do I need to be cautious about while adding this structure to the existing concrete slab.I ... A: Upkar, Yes the two slabs will probably work independently, or at least try to. To drill into the ... | |
| exterior wall extension, cantilever over the first floor | 5/9/2010 |
| Q: I want to extent my dining rm wall out 24". This is a gabled side wall of my home, and is located on ... A: With only 12 feet of wall, two posts can easily carry that span. For best effect, place a timber or ... | |
| exterior wall extension, cantilever over the first floor | 5/5/2010 |
| Q: I want to extent my dining rm wall out 24". This is a gabled side wall of my home, and is located on ... A: Gary, Normally such an extension is supported by a cantilever of the floor framing and again at the ... | |
| ridge beam scarf joint | 5/3/2010 |
| Q: I have (2) 8x12x14 Eastern White Pine Ridge Beams, butted end to end. They will be supported by (1) ... A: Dick, The kind of scarf joint I prefer is the Halved and Bridled Scarf. Jack Sobon has a drawing ... | |
| insulation | 4/24/2010 |
| Q: .i have a friend who lives in ohio. she bought a house that does not have a basement or attic. i ... A: James, Yes you were right on with the advice to insulate, and blow-in insulation can be very ... | |
| repair | 4/22/2010 |
| Q: My roof deck is leaking when it pours. I'm planning to apply asphalt thinking that it might help ... A: Concrete roofs can be patched with grout, such as is used for tile. There are also concrete products ... | |
| repair | 4/20/2010 |
| Q: My roof deck is leaking when it pours. I'm planning to apply asphalt thinking that it might help ... A: I don't know what kind of roof you have. There is a roof patch material that comes in a bucket, for ... | |
| building a bathroom | 4/5/2010 |
| Q: How wide should a bathroom be built to accomodate a standard bathtub that we want to span the width ... A: The bathtub needs exactly five feet from framing to framing. The tub fits against the wood, and the ... | |
| windows | 4/1/2010 |
| Q: Is there a standard for how big a window should be in any given room or wall size. We are ... A: Window size is a matter of great debate between people designing homes. Except for a bedroom, which ... | |
| Condensation | 4/1/2010 |
| Q: Mr. Humphrey I moved into a home that has in the bathroom a fan to draw odors out built into the ... A: The moisture condensing on both the bath fan and the recessed lights is coming from bathing and ... | |
| timber beams | 3/29/2010 |
| Q: I am building a camp and using Eastern White Pine Timber 8x12 for the ridge beam and 6x8 roof ... A: Dick, Do you mean that they butt end to end, meeting over a post? If that is correct, then yes, ... | |
| timber beams | 3/29/2010 |
| Q: I am building a camp and using Eastern White Pine Timber 8x12 for the ridge beam and 6x8 roof ... A: The kiln drying will definitely kill larvae. Some pieces will check in the kiln, but the wood will ... | |
| timber beams | 3/28/2010 |
| Q: I am building a camp and using Eastern White Pine Timber 8x12 for the ridge beam and 6x8 roof ... A: Dick, To minimize checking, seal all the end grain right away. If the end grain is not visible, you ... | |
| load-bearing capapcity, fir joists, big aquarium | 3/20/2010 |
| Q: I am installing a large aquarium (165 gallons including tank and sump)on my main floor. Its total ... A: That's more additional weight on those joists and their attachments than joists are normally ... | |
| sloping ground | 3/13/2010 |
| Q: precaution on sloping ground A: Without knowing more about your sloping ground and the building project and choice of foundation, I ... | |
| Deck | 12/12/2009 |
| Q: I was wanting to build a deck over my patio without having to rip out the concrete. The problem ... A: Chris, The usual way of doing this is to lay treated-wood sleepers onto the concrete slab; these ... | |
| Gabled Porch cover | 12/4/2009 |
| Q: We have a doublewide manufactured home with a 27' gable that we want to "extend" out, by this I mean ... A: The easiest way to do this is to form the gable extension with trusses, made similarly to house ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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; ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
| 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 ... | |
Building Homes or Extensions
Answers by Expert:
Daniel Humphrey
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer questions about designing and building homes and outbuildings, especially for colder climates. I am expert in timber framing, but of course I also know about other kinds of residential construction techniques and materials. Because of my emphasis on using local materials and organic alternatives, I know quite about about Green Building and am willing to do the research to find out more.
Experience
I've been a timber framer for 20 years, working as a general contractor who designs and builds custom timberframe homes, working as much as possible with local organic materials, from foundation to finish.
I also have expertise in designing, building, and setting up pre-fab remote camp facilities on terra firma or temperate glaciers for research and expeditions, using helicopters for support.
Education/Credentials
B.A., M.F.A.
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