| Subject | Date Asked |
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| Travertine on pool deck | 8/27/2008 |
Q: We are considering installing 2" travertine in sand over a concrete pool deck. This is in NJ. Is ...
A: The only problem is the freeze/thaw cycle where you live (I am assuming northern NJ). If water gets ...
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| moisture meter reading before drywall | 8/6/2008 |
Q: We are building our own home. We are getting ready to install the drywall. The lumber inside our ...
A: Depending on where your new home is located, you are just fine with an 8 or a ten. Much modern ...
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| sump pit | 7/21/2008 |
Q: We own a home built in 2004 and just now got water in the finished basement. After having a city ...
A: If the buildeerr was the general contractor, the builder is responsible. The trades such as plumbing ...
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| wet walls after rain | 7/21/2008 |
Q: we are in dire need of an answer to our question. We recently moved into a condo on the 3rd floor of ...
A: It is likely that your windows were installed incorrectly. A variety of mistakes might have been ...
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| Offset slab cracks and moisture seepage | 7/18/2008 |
Q: House built in central FL ( dry area, and concrete block) and finished in June 2006. Had lots of ...
A: I usually begin consults such as this with: Based on the information that you provided. There are ...
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| building a home | 7/15/2008 |
Q: .If I negotiated a price for a turn-key home,should I then be expected to pay for things like ...
A: The answer to your questions lie in the contract you have with the builder. Chances are, if it is ...
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| water dripping from the ceiling due to winter storm | 7/8/2008 |
Q: We moved in to our new house last Nov '08 and we had a bad winter storm last january or february and ...
A: Lita, It is very likely that your builder is correct. Building codes and other standards do not ...
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| New Home cracks | 6/10/2008 |
Q: I have been in my new home since end of Feb. 2008. I had this house built and it is on a concrete ...
A: First we must make a distinction between spider-web cracks and real cracks. The first are small ...
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| New Home Construction - Different From Model | 5/28/2008 |
Q: I'm having a house built through Taylor Morrison and as it's been built there have been flaws along ...
A: Production homes can and do vary from model homes. Models are designed to demonstrate different ...
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| water in sump hole | 3/19/2008 |
Q: I had a new house built in August 2007 and there is water coming up into the sump hole in the ...
A: This is a difficult question. I think the builder is correct under normal conditions but if you are ...
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| Drywall Cracks | 3/19/2008 |
Q: My wife and I are looking to purchased a foreclosed house that has been winterized in the northern ...
A: If the house is true - all walls are plumb with the ceilings and floors, the basic structure is ...
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| driveway | 3/3/2008 |
Q: i hada concrete driveway put in last september . i sealed it with a sealant cure after 4 weeks .i ...
A: Here are the possibilities: 1. The sealant was put on before the concrete was thoroughly dry. I ...
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| spackling | 2/18/2008 |
Q: Joe I think you can help me. I am trying to fix cracks in my wall that are due to settling and ...
A: Good question. The best method of filling in cracks is to put down the first coat with the goal of ...
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| Cracking Walls | 2/8/2008 |
Q: I have a massive crack that stretches from ceiling to floor in my living room. I have only been in ...
A: This is typical of older homes. At least I think it is. You did not define 'massive'. If the crack ...
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| Hardwood Floors | 1/14/2008 |
Q: My brother and Dad and myself recently built a house as owner builders. During the course of ...
A: Competent flooring installers will check for several things: level floor, no movement of the slab, ...
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| Concrete Driveway | 12/26/2007 |
Q: My house is only 3 months old. The soil under my concrete driveway has sunk about 8 inches away from ...
A: The driveway was improperly installed. It will break if you use it because while concrete is great ...
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| lost ring in bathtub drain | 10/19/2007 |
Q: My niece lost her ring in the bathtub drain. She lives in a first floor apartment without a ...
A: This is a job for a plumber who knows this kind of work. Call around and find one who says this can ...
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| Brick Mailboxs | 9/30/2007 |
Q: I am about to build my mailbox. However, Most of the mailboxs that i have seen so far are to small ...
A: There is noting that requires you to use an actual mailbox. You can construct a mail receptacle with ...
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| build a deck | 9/14/2007 |
Q: I am currently building a deck for Jen whom is currently a lawyer. Jen has not paid me for the past ...
A: There were several mistakes in this case. First, never accept a job without a firm agreement, plans ...
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| Contractors Contract | 9/7/2007 |
Q: I signed a contract for an addition to my house. The addition is converting a bedroom into a family ...
A: This is common. I expect the contractor is using your time to complete another job for which the ...
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| Adding an addition to out-of-level foundation | 9/2/2007 |
Q: I'm adding a 16' x 16' three-season porch to the back of my one-story house. The new porch has a ...
A: You might consult with others as this is a very unusual problem. My thought is to hang the ledger ...
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| venting garage for hot air escape | 8/29/2007 |
Q: My garage gets hot here in phoenix and i was wondering how to cut vents to help the air out? Also ...
A: This is definitely not a job for someone who is not an expert. It will involve splicing into and ...
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| Heating unit needing repair? | 8/22/2007 |
Q: I have a heating unit that was placed about 12" in front of the fuse box so that you have to reach ...
A: These issues could be of concern. I recommend that you remove yourself from the debate between the ...
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| client issue | 8/10/2007 |
Q: my husband and I running small construction business. Our last client ( a lawyer) requested from us ...
A: This is fairly common. but you are correct. You were hired to do a job for a price. The details of ...
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| converting room | 7/9/2007 |
Q: we have lived in our home for almost 6 yrs now, it is a new built home that we are growing out of, ...
A: This is not a DIY project. Homes are engineered to withstand certain loads. If you build out the ...
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| New Construction | 6/27/2007 |
Q: My friend just recently purchased a new home in Bolivia NC. In the contract, the builder was suppose ...
A: This is way too common. I feel for your friend. Write a letter to the contractor, with copies to: ...
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| new self painter | 2/28/2007 |
Q: Is their a average hourly wage for painting inside and outside of houses and small business with a ...
A: I think the hourly wage differs in every area and according to the job. I hired a painter for our ...
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| Stamped Concrete Patio | 1/20/2007 |
Q: We have a 5 year old home with a black stamped concrete patio (1000SF). I have sealed it every year. ...
A: I think you have too many variables and possible causes to handle this unless you have a thorough ...
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| STUDS | 11/16/2006 |
Q: I have a few questions regarding wall studs as follows for some research I am doing and I was ...
A: The vertical lumber in the walls is called studs. Usually, they are made of 2"x4" structural lumber. ...
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| When do you pay? | 10/22/2006 |
Q: Joe: We've hired a professional contractor to construct an addition and we purchased materials ...
A: Contractors get paid upon completion. In most states that is defined as not only doing the work but ...
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| stamped concrete patio | 8/20/2006 |
Q: We had a stamped concrete patio poured. The base color came out at least 10 shades lighter than we ...
A: This is the nature of concrete. You can become concered if the cracks exceed about 3/16 of an inch ...
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| Incomplete Construction | 8/12/2006 |
Q: We have a punch list of approximately 25 items. We can't get the builder to finish the job. We have ...
A: Any builder who closes a home with open items is not very professional. Withhold the payment until ...
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| Moisture in the basement | 8/9/2006 |
Q: I am writing to you regarding moisture in the basement of a new home that we are contemplating ...
A: The builder is probably correct but, in your place, I would not buy the home. A wet basement is a ...
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| plumbing in new home | 8/6/2006 |
Q: we've been in new home 3 mts. with continual plumbing problems. shower back-up, toilets ...
A: I suspect the sewer line to the main either has a "belly" in it or a bad joint. A belly is a dip ...
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| stamp concrete | 7/7/2006 |
Q: the project is 1700 square foot of stamped concrete patio. This contractor advertises himself as ...
A: Get another contractor to take a look and give you a report. Armed with two reports from licensed ...
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| Flooring contractor problems | 2/25/2006 |
Q: I hired a licensed flooring guy to replace my carpet with wood(1000 sq ft), I give him 1/2 down. ...
A: I doubt if he will take you to court. That is a threat that is made too often. In California, the ...
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| Basement concrete & Water under windows | 8/30/2004 |
Q: We are currently having a house built. We have noticed a few cracks already forming in our basement ...
A: I recommend that you examine the cracks or ask someone who is knowledgeable to do so. The standard ...
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| Pool Contractor Problem | 5/21/2004 |
Q: I don't know if you are the person I need to talk to, but I have hired a contractor to build an ...
A: Sorry for the delay. It is likely that you have gotten about all you will get from this contractor ...
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| new home construction | 5/17/2004 |
Q: ------------------------- Thanks for your answer-Just to clarify though..I was fully aware that flat ...
A: You are correct. The paint should fully cover the walls and contrubute to the finish of the drywall. ...
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| new home construction | 5/17/2004 |
Q: We bought a new home Aug. 2003. We've had many repairs done, shoddy workmanship issues.Some have ...
A: Modern interior flat paint is a productive of our beloved bureacracy. The chemicals that made paint ...
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| contractor problems | 3/7/2004 |
Q: Three years ago I wanted to build a loft home and, knowing no others in the contracting business, I ...
A: You bet you can win in court. He presents himself as a licensed professional. One of the purposes of ...
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