| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
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| Lam Beam Construction | 11/21/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: Eugene I am building an 18'x20' deck/carport with the 18' attached to my house and the 20' extending ...
A: Hey I got a crazy question, Out of all the names I see here yours is the most frequent. Have we met ...
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| Beam Span? | 11/21/2009 | Daniel Humphrey |
Q: Daniel I am building an 18'x20' deck/carport with the 18' attached to my house. I have set my ...
A: The additional depth--going to a 2x12--makes the beam a lot stiffer and a little stronger. The ...
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| Beam Span? | 11/21/2009 | Daniel Humphrey |
Q: Daniel I am building an 18'x20' deck/carport with the 18' attached to my house. I have set my ...
A: Steve, It obviously depends on what loads are up there. Snow loads or lots of people would be your ...
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| white pine posts splitting | 11/16/2009 | Daniel Humphrey |
Q: I just had a deck built for me and most of the 6x6 white pine posts, used for the stair and deck ...
A: Brian, Yes, this shrinkage and checking is common with the softer conifers. You know the checking ...
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| Building my first treehouse (elevated deck)... as a father | 11/15/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: I've built treehouses as a kid, but doing this as a father is entirely different. Safety is #1. ...
A: Everything sounds ok to me except the bolting of the support frame to the posts. You can still bolt ...
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| OK to cut slab out of concrete porch? | 11/7/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: I was hoping you could answer a relatively simple question so I don't cause any long-term problems ...
A: first let me say that is a very nice clean looking Arbor / Pergola you have there. I really like ...
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| 2x4 deck frame | 11/7/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: If I use 2x4s to construct a low profile deck frame what would be the maximum distance I'd want to ...
A: Good morning Sam, If there is any way you can up-size you lumber, you should. 2x4s are not strong ...
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| Cantilever dock | 10/28/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: Good evening Eugene. I live in south Florida I am in the process of building a 40' long by 16' ...
A: I think I might have a answer for you. I know digging in the muck and rocks is no fun but you need ...
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| COMPOSITE DECK RAILS | 10/25/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: I have two sets of deck 4x4 posts that do not line up, one is on a 17degree angle and the other set ...
A: If you are using post sleeves over 4x4s or even solid composite posts if you cut the angle perfect ...
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| Porch | 10/24/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: Today I will start on building front stand alone porch with single slant pitch roof i Live in mostly ...
A: Sounds like your on track, couple things, you said 2x6 joists, even at 10 ft. I would use 2x8 or ...
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| decks | 10/24/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: I want to enlarge my back porch, which is a 12' by 12' concrete slab with 1/2'' brick pavers. Could ...
A: I believe after you buy all the materials for a deck and everything else you could pour a slab ...
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| railings | 10/24/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: I have a 4' wide by 30' long walkway needing railings replaced. I would like to not attach anchoring ...
A: I would use 4x4 posts set in concrete with post hole diggers.Set them so they run wild above the ...
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| waiting for the weather | 10/18/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: My wife %26 i bought our first home 2 %26 1/2 months ago and the deck at that time was/is in pretty ...
A: I think you will be ok. Even if the deck is not in the best shape, I don't see it rotting and ...
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| settled deck foundation | 10/18/2009 | Michael J. Owen |
Q: I have a deck that is attached to my house, and the posts that are closest to the house have settled ...
A: There are a couple of different ways to solve this problem. Depending on your situation, I have no ...
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| concrete porch roof | 10/17/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: I'd like to cover a concrete porch with an gabled roof intersecting the main ridge at a slightly ...
A: I understand what your saying now Ahhhh... I had read the question wrong before I guess. What I do ...
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| concrete porch roof | 10/17/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: I'd like to cover a concrete porch with an gabled roof intersecting the main ridge at a slightly ...
A: Frank I don't understand this question. What is " a slightly lower plane? " Are you asking how to ...
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| canvas awning framework parts | 10/16/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: eugene---i want to fabricate a framework for a canvas awning for a patio i am building. I am a race ...
A: I done some looking around myself and all the awnings that I have read about or viewed on-line are ...
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| poring concret over cement board | 10/15/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: Can you pour concrete over cement board. I am not familiar with cement board. I have an outside ...
A: If you are talking about "Hardy Backer" or a similar cement board used mainly as a underlayment on ...
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| Removing and reinstalling a deck | 10/14/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: I have a main deck about 2 feet above grade and an attached, just above ground level deck ...
A: Best tool is a sawzall with a metal cutting blade. The decking might be tricky, you may have to end ...
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| membrane deck | 10/13/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: Eugene. I have a membrane deck that's slightly tilted towards the outside so that water collects in ...
A: without seeing how your setup is It's hard to get a feel for the problem.One suggestion is, could ...
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| leaky membrane deck | 10/13/2009 | Michael J. Owen |
Q: Michael. I have a membrane deck that's slightly tilted towards the outside so that water collects ...
A: I could really do with a bit more information of your problem. You say that the deck tilts towards ...
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| Maintaining a pressure-treated deck | 10/7/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: An outdoor deck measuring 7’ X 28’ made of pressure-treated wood doesn’t get much wear, but is ...
A: Sounds to me like maybe the deck was painted and had not sufficiently dried prior to painting.The ...
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| Maintaining a Western Red Cedar Deck | 10/5/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: Clayton, We added a Western red cedar deck to our house five years ago. In July, 2008, the ...
A: John Personally I've found it very hard to treat cedar and keep it looking good over time.I believe ...
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| Concrete deck finish and railings | 10/5/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: We are building a home on Oahu using ICF construction. The plan includes a concrete "Lite Deck" ...
A: For rails I would use iron railing. The rail posts can be inserted with the concrete. Maybe even ...
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| PVC vs. wood for a porch | 9/30/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: it's about a 12' x 15' covered porch (the original one) on a 100-year-old Arts & Crafts style house ...
A: While both have there unique qualities, If money is no object then go with the PVC. The wood will ...
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| Deck lally column placement | 9/27/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: I have a 10X18 deck that I am building. My question is can I use the old footings that are placed 2 ...
A: Are you suggesting that you would use a "Shaker" style support beam with a 2'3" cantilever? If so ...
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| circular saws | 9/25/2009 | David McWethy |
Q: I know this is a very easy question for you to answer, but for me, Iam stumped. Iam attempting to ...
A: I'm having to make some assumptions here, based on my limited exposure to railroad ties, which have ...
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| Attaching Beams to Hollow Round Columns | 9/24/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: I'm building a pergola. One side will have a beam comprised of 3 2x8x20 boards bolted together. ...
A: I built a exact replica of what you are describing about 5 years ago for a client named Tom Cruise, ...
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| galvanized screws | 9/24/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: do galvanized screws used on decks rust ,can they rust to point of breaking. how long does it take ...
A: So many different companies make these screws that I am sure some may cut corners and end up with a ...
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| Trex deck flaking | 9/21/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: I noticed a question posted in late 2007 regarding a Trex-material deck that the letter-writer said ...
A: It was involved in a suit as well and due to the large amounts of claims verses company assets/court ...
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| professional deck moving | 9/20/2009 | David McWethy |
Q: I have a deck on my existing pool. It is usually placed due to the location of my pool which we've ...
A: Hey Tennille! This question is WAY above anything I'm qualified to answer as an "Expert" but I ...
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| Screened in porch | 9/15/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: How do you stain the wood on a constructed screened in porch without getting it all over the screen.
A: The screen porches I build have removable screens, I assume yours can't be removed? Another option ...
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| Should I do anything about my new deck built in this May? | 9/14/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: Eugene Hope you can help me. I had searched a lot and could get a satisfied answer. We built a ...
A: Everybody has a different opinion about this subject. I would say considering where you live to wait ...
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| splicing a long deck beam span | 9/12/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: I have to construct a 27 foot double 2x10 beam over 5 6x6 posts which are approximately 6'5" apart ...
A: sounds to me like you got a real good support structure. If you break the joint of the beam on a ...
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| Regarding foundation work | 9/11/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: Respected sir, I am Rakesh Thathanadath.... Foundation work for my new home are going on.... We are ...
A: You say cement then refer to mud I assume you still mean cement when you say mud, so if it is a ...
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| concrete deck | 9/9/2009 | Michael J. Owen |
Q: We have a concrete deck that is covered with rubber roofing because it is a roof to our basement. ...
A: If whatever you put down gets wet, then you may have a mold problem with anything else. If the deck ...
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| Waterproofing a decks support beams | 9/6/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: I am replacing my cedar decking and wonder if I should apply a waterproofing coat to the carrying ...
A: If the support system is cedar then yes, most definitely it wouldn't hurt. Most pressure treated ...
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| gazebo | 9/6/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: After much contemplating we decided to build our gazebo out of western red cedar. We would like to ...
A: I really don't have a product that I always recommend. I am mainly a carpenter and not a painter. ...
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| Cedar Tongue & Groove | 9/3/2009 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: Eugene, We were able to get our hands on some beautiful tongue and groove cedar flooring that we are ...
A: First let me start by saying While I love Cedar, the way it looks wet and the way it smells , fresh ...
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| 45 degree angle decks | 9/3/2009 | Michael J. Owen |
Q: We want to replace our existing deck floor, approx. 40' x 18' wooden 2 x 4. We have already ...
A: An interesting question. As the joists are 24" on center, running the boards at a 45 degree angle ...
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