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About Len Kroll
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
I can provide advice on the proper design, construction, maintenance, restoration, preservation, cleaning and waterproofing of log homes. Questions concerning proper cleaning, sealing, staining and waterproofing are within my area of expertise. My expertise includes new construction and existing log structures. Chinking application or restoration, log replacement and repair are also in my area of expertise.

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You are here:  Experts > Home/Garden > Home Improvement/Repair > Home Improvement--General

Questions Answered By Expert  Len Kroll 
In Category  Home Improvement--General

SubjectDate Asked

siding on house10/1/2008
  Q: The permanent siding around my house is starting to streak from the windows on the east and west of ...
  A: Dave, I didin't address cleaning the stains because that is the easy part. I agree with the local ...
siding on house10/1/2008
  Q: The permanent siding around my house is starting to streak from the windows on the east and west of ...
  A: Dave, I don't know what kind of siding you have--vinyl, aluminium, cedar, cypress, pine, etc. ...
bay window problems9/29/2008
  Q: I read the posting about bay windows that was sent in a few months ago. I am having some of the ...
  A: Bonnie, If done properly I think it would look good and it would make solving the leaks at the roof ...
noise reduction9/24/2008
  Q: i have a three unit apt building and i live in the first floor apartment. there is a one bedroom ...
  A: Brad, Insulation is used to stop the transfer of heat from one area to another area. It does not ...
Cement patching color9/23/2008
  Q: How can I lighten the "Ready Mix Concrete Patch" material from dark grey to more whitish to match ...
  A: Donn, There are concrete color additives available to tint concrete. I don't know what colors are ...
how to support my roof9/22/2008
  Q: I have a 26'long garage with a room on top. The floor is supported by 14" wooden I-beams, the silent ...
  A: Randy, You don't need a double collar tie, a single is adequate. We often placed collar ties on ...
Gaps between interior wall top plates and trusses bottom rafters9/22/2008
  Q: This summer I built (framed and mechanicals) a 21 x 28 Maser suite on our home. The exterior walls ...
  A: Jim, With all due respect (my dad, bless his soul, was the consumate tool and die maker and ...
cedar siding9/20/2008
  Q: Len,here's my problem: I used a bleach/detergent solution (recommended by Forest Products Lab in ...
  A: Rich, Perma-Chink's Prelude is a very good product, as are all of their products. We are a ...
how to support my roof9/19/2008
  Q: I have a 26'long garage with a room on top. The floor is supported by 14" wooden I-beams, the silent ...
  A: Randy, First, you can still leave the ceiling a cathedral ceiling with collar ties exposed below ...
cedar siding9/18/2008
  Q: Len,here's my problem: I used a bleach/detergent solution (recommended by Forest Products Lab in ...
  A: Rich, My first thought is the use of bleach. It does remove mildew but it changes the ph of the ...
how to support my roof9/15/2008
  Q: I have a 26'long garage with a room on top. The floor is supported by 14" wooden I-beams, the silent ...
  A: Randy, Sorry, but your description leaves me lost as to what you are doing and why you have a ...
renew9/12/2008
  Q: Best method to waterproof cinder block from outside? How do I cut Lexan? Is there a hand tool ...
  A: S, The answer depends on the circumstances of the site. Simple foundation waterproofing "tar" may ...
Cleaning interior cedar siding9/10/2008
  Q: I've recently bought a home with rough cedar siding on the living room walls. The house is about 30 ...
  A: Susan, You have to clean the siding with a brush and an appropriate cleaning solution. There are ...
log home restoration9/8/2008
  Q: I was wondering what the downsides are to using an osborn brush to take off sikkens stain on my log ...
  A: Craig, There are no real problems witht the Osborn brushes. The dust can be blown off with a leaf ...
fungus rot on cedar garage door9/4/2008
  Q: one year ago we had a new garage door installed (we live in south florida); the door is metal frame ...
  A: Steven, The mildewcide is the fungicide. Many products already have UV inhibitors and fungicides ...
fungus rot on cedar garage door9/4/2008
  Q: one year ago we had a new garage door installed (we live in south florida); the door is metal frame ...
  A: Steven, First, the panels are getting wet, probably from rain water that is splashing back off the ...
put dry wall on ceiling in the basement9/3/2008
  Q: I try to put dry wall on ceiling in the basement and want to make it as higher as it can go. Can I ...
  A: JZ, You can nail the dry wall to the floor joists directly, without any affect on the air ducts or ...
basement waterproofing9/3/2008
  Q: We are planning a very simple semi-finish of our basement. We live on Long Island in New York in a ...
  A: Cathy, Before you deal with the specifics of patching the leak in the foundation let me address a ...
Waterproofing a crawl space9/1/2008
  Q: I own a cottage that was built in the 1940s with no real foundation. Water sits under the cottage ...
  A: Phil, First, if you have standing water in the crawl space, and I assume you have a crawl space ...
window in shower8/31/2008
  Q: I am rebuilding/redesigning my house after fire. We demolitioned the house and are building on the ...
  A: Jeanne, They put wooden boats in the water and sail them for years and years! Sure you can put a ...
making a window into a doorway in a log home8/28/2008
  Q: We`ve built a deck outside our bathroom and would like to cut an existing window into a door (and ...
  A: Kelly, You need to look at what will be left over the door/sidelight after you cut the opening ...
Brass8/28/2008
  Q: What's the best way to clean the brass fixtures (kickplate, lock and handle) on the exterior of my ...
  A: Charles, I would use a commercial brass cleaner such as Brasso and follow the instructions on the ...
Cedar Cladding preservation8/26/2008
  Q: Our new extension is clad in untreated cedar which was applied three months ago. Already the timber ...
  A: Richard, You can simply pressure wash the cedar siding to remove the gray tint. You can use a ...
bathroom drywall8/24/2008
  Q: I am in the process of finishing a bath in the basement. I am wondering if I can use regular 1/2" ...
  A: Aaron, You can, but I would advise using moisture resistant green board which is made for high ...
log home cleaning8/21/2008
  Q: i am about to clean the exterior of a log home, which has gray logs in areas, what is a good cleaner ...
  A: Greg, Normally, all that is required is a pressure washer with 2500 to 3000 psi and preferably 4 to ...
Replacement Windows8/19/2008
  Q: Len I am having Tilt & Turn windows installed to replace my old ones. The contractor appears to have ...
  A: Ed, Sorry, but I didn't follow your question or logic. Let me address your question the following ...
Window sill rot8/17/2008
  Q: Good morning Len, I live in the South and yes have the wood window sill " Wood Rot" Help ! I have ...
  A: Margie, You can repair rotten sills and casing with epoxy wood. Using this method can be expensive ...
windows8/14/2008
  Q: what is a double hung window and what the meaning of double hung thank u for your time Lenton
  A: Lenton, A double hung window is a window with two sashes, one above the other. Both sashes ...
Mold in my insulation8/2/2008
  Q: My Minnesota home is 4 years old. It is a split level. The lower level is unfinished, just insulated ...
  A: Beth, First, in cold climates a vapor barrier is a good thing because it prevents warm humid air ...
new log home contruction - mold damage8/1/2008
  Q: We are in the process of having a log home built. As stated by the builder, it normally takes the ...
  A: Brian, I'm not sure why the builder says it will take 3-4 weeks but is inexperienced and it is ...
Mold in New Construction7/29/2008
  Q: We just recen't bought a brand new construction and have lived there for about 1 month. When we ...
  A: Carin, Moisture enters a building in various ways. Narrowing attention to the basement leads to ...
balcony doorway leaking7/27/2008
  Q: How can I seal, waterproofing the bottom of a balcony doorway. The balcony flooring is tile and the ...
  A: David, The only way to seal such a leak is to remove the door and start over. Flashing needs to be ...
bay window water penetration7/24/2008
  Q: We replaced a regular window with a bay window. We never had a water penetration problem with the ...
  A: Janet, I am referring to the roof on the bay window not on the house. The roof of the house is not ...
bathroom tub Caulking7/19/2008
  Q: the caulking around the tub is dirty and really looks bad and has come off in places I like to ...
  A: veronica, You just have to pull it all out, scraping when necessary but being careful not to ...
replacing ceiling tile in mobile home7/18/2008
  Q: I live in a mobile home and had a leak in the extended section of the home. I have repaid the roof ...
  A: Wynonna, Yes you need to remove the insulation if it got wet. It is worthless if it has been ...
bay window water penetration7/17/2008
  Q: We replaced a regular window with a bay window. We never had a water penetration problem with the ...
  A: Janet, The original window, you said, was a regular window, not a bay window. A regular window is ...
Widening log home doorway7/15/2008
  Q: I need to widen the doorway opening by 4" in a New England Log Home. I am installing new sliding ...
  A: Ripley, We normally first chalk a line where we want to cut, then we use a circular saw set ...
bay window water penetration7/15/2008
  Q: We replaced a regular window with a bay window. We never had a water penetration problem with the ...
  A: Janet, Bay windows are notorious for leaking. Generally, the leaks are either at the hips where ...
applied stain to thick7/14/2008
  Q: i recently applied an extremely heavy coat of semi transparent behr chestnut brown stain to my cedar ...
  A: Mark, Yes, time or stripping either by water, corn media, sand or chemicals. Yor have to let time ...
Wood Basements7/11/2008
  Q: I read your answer on the hazards of having a wood basement. We put in one in 1985. We had 3 small ...
  A: Paula, To the best of my recollection I have never answered any questions about the hazards of ...
Fence staining7/10/2008
  Q: Good afternoon, Len I have several questions to ask regarding staining a wooden fence. I bought a ...
  A: Nestor, One of the best products we have used is Sikkens Rubbol Siding Finish. This is an ...
Trim and door paint7/9/2008
  Q: Our house is 48 years old and has been painted many times. I need to paint the trim and doors ...
  A: Jennifer, With multiple layers of paint, and who knows what type each layer is, it is really ...
revive ceder home7/8/2008
  Q: i have a cedar home that i bought in 2000...am trying to remove this black paint/stain with strip ex ...
  A: Will, Chemical stripper, pressure washing, corn blasting, sand blasting and sanding are the ...
Stain/seal for log home interior walls7/7/2008
  Q: We have a brand new pine D-log home in western North Carolina. The interior walls are that are not ...
  A: Valerie, We believe the interior wood should have a finish applied. Leaving it raw is an ...
Caulking Concrete Slab Joints7/7/2008
  Q: Can you apply a second bead of caulking to a newly cured bead, and will it bond properly? The ...
  A: Terry, I can't address your questions because I don't know what product was used, or what the ...
water damage7/2/2008
  Q: Sorry for the length of this email. Any information or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. ...
  A: Nicholas, I don't mind your long email; you have a "long" problem that has a short solution. ...
moldy cedar siding7/2/2008
  Q: Our home in central Oklahoma, built in 2000, has a porch with rough sawn cedar siding. We were ...
  A: Konnie, I would start with a pressure washer. You need as much water flor as possible, like 4-6 ...
porch steps7/1/2008
  Q: We are enlarging our cement porch and the step from our dining room to the patio. There currently is ...
  A: Debbie, The code rules for stairs are very detailed and are not applied evenly throughout the US, ...
crawl space odors through furnace/ac6/21/2008
  Q: Hope you can help...we just replaced our furnace/central air conditioner and now I'm noticing a ...
  A: Helen, If the furnace & ducts are installed correctly they should not be picking up dust and dirt ...
Cedar fence staining6/12/2008
  Q: We live 20 minutes north of Denver, Colorado. Last summer we built a cedar fence and applied ...
  A: Ruben, There are many quality semi-transparent stains available; any of the quality brands will do ...
Advice - Tankless Water Heaters5/27/2008
  Q: I finally decided to replace the tank water heater I have with a tankless one. After some research, ...
  A: Sandy, Rinnai offers units that have output rates from about 4 to 10 gpm. You need to estimate the ...
musty odour in the cottage5/18/2008
  Q: I have a 1500 square foot 2 story cottage in the Niagara Falls area. There is a musty odor inside ...
  A: Mike, The vapor barrier will only work if the crawl space is completely enclosed. If it is then ...
plastic leak5/13/2008
  Q: I have a leak in a water filter made of plastic , it is a pin whole. I tried epoxy but it won't ...
  A: Vonna, Since I don't know any thing about the filter, its shape, which plastic it is, etc. it is ...
External Home Repair5/6/2008
  Q: In addition to a new roof, we need to replace part of the cedarwood and stucco siding. (The lower ...
  A: Dawn, The best way is to get a referral from a trusted friend, co-worker, neighbor, etc. Next you ...
Cedar siding paint5/6/2008
  Q: I just read a 04/2007 article on painting or staining cedar shake siding. The home I just bought ...
  A: Paul, Your proposed steps are fine. We do not use paint, except on rare occasions; we use solid ...
Cedar Siding4/30/2008
  Q: Hey there, I actually have several questions. We have a two story, cedar siding house that was ...
  A: Kathryn, If you use a good quality finish system it should last longer than two years. For ...
load bearing wall4/24/2008
  Q: I have a raised ranch built in 1966. In the master bedroom the original owner added a small addition ...
  A: Jo-Ann, If you are going to remove a load bearing wall you will have to replace with something to ...
Cedar Shakes - When to replace & What to do if they are painted4/21/2008
  Q: We are purchasing a home that has cedar shakes siding. The siding looks very tired, but it has been ...
  A: Maya, Paint protects wood by forming a skin that stops water from getting on the wood; it also ...
Cedar Shakes - When to replace & What to do if they are painted4/19/2008
  Q: We are purchasing a home that has cedar shakes siding. The siding looks very tired, but it has been ...
  A: Maya, You have to do a thorough inspection to determine the condition of the shakes. If you don't ...
Painting a cedar sided home4/15/2008
  Q: My home is cedar siding. It currently is coated with a dark natural stain. I am tired of the log ...
  A: Melanie, You need to thoroughly clean all of the wood surfaces that will be stained. Cedar often ...
crawl space3/29/2008
  Q: My pipe broke from my washer and caused my crawl space to flood with water. Not alot, but what water ...
  A: Joan, It seems unlikely that the few gallons of water in a washer would have caused "all" of the ...
Bathroom remodeling3/28/2008
  Q: I have a rental log cabin in Pigeon Forge. The cabin is a "true" log cabin in the sense that the ...
  A: Linda, I'm afraid I'm not comfortable recommending anything but tile. Some might say you can use a ...
How to transfer load from ridge beam to foundation?3/20/2008
  Q: We are thinking of having a vaulted ceiling in one of our rooms, and I read an earlier answer of ...
  A: Ananth, You have the idea. Here is how the load goes to the foundation. If the ridge is sized ...
cedar presavtive application3/20/2008
  Q: should i apply preservative to my cedar siding with a paint sprayer or brush it on? I have a three ...
  A: George, The best method of application is airless sprayer with thorough back brushing. Rough sawn ...
Log Cabin Paint3/20/2008
  Q: I own a log cabin built in the 1930's - I've had it for a few years. It is painted dark brown, and ...
  A: Mike, Your question, "...is it reasonable..." is not a question I can answer. If the cabin, in ...
Concerte drive3/13/2008
  Q: The concerte was laid in the the rain, I found out and my new home's driveway and porch is cracking ...
  A: Charles, Unfortunately, terms are very important when dealing with concrete problems. So, be ...
log home window/door framing3/11/2008
  Q: I own an eastern white pine (6"x8" D logs) log home; since buying I have learned that it was not ...
  A: Kevin, Be glad to help you but it would take too much time to write all of what I need to explain ...
Moldy Bathroom Ceiling and Walls3/10/2008
  Q: I have a master bathroom that has black mold growing on the ceiling and is starting to spread down ...
  A: David, No, I have not used such products. However, lets say your theory is correct. Cleaning the ...
cleaning mold from stucco3/9/2008
  Q: One of the experts advised me to use TSP and bleach (you too!) to remove mold and mildew from the ...
  A: Bill, You need to apply a mildewcide to the surface. You can find such products at contractor ...
Low Pitch Roof Truss3/3/2008
  Q: I'm planning to add a dining room extension with an open space of 18' x 18' but i'm limited to a ...
  A: Rodrigo, If this is to be a gable roof the span of the rafters will only be 9'. 2x6 SYP rafters ...
cedar siding2/27/2008
  Q: Len, We are planning on using cedar siding on our home. We want the grey look but also want it ...
  A: Lana, You can use Cabot's bleaching oil to start the greying process. Just follow the directions ...
QUICK CRETE2/11/2008
  Q: can I mix this product in a hole in the ground. I am installing a light pole in the garden. Lowes ...
  A: David, The reason the instructions don't refer to mixing in ground is because this can compromise ...
Sweating Basement Wall2/7/2008
  Q: We are in the process of building a new home which has a basement that will be finished. All rough ...
  A: Tricia, Sounds like water is coming in from above and maybe also through the walls. If the house ...
Water damage to sheetrock2/7/2008
  Q: I recently noticed loose tiles in the shower stall, I removed the tiles only to find rotted sheet ...
  A: Ron, I would remove tile in an ever expanding circle till I saw no more moisture on the sheetrock. ...
Sweating Basement Wall2/6/2008
  Q: We are in the process of building a new home which has a basement that will be finished. All rough ...
  A: Tricia, You didn't say where you are building; if you are in a cold climate the earth behind the ...
rain coming through Bilco door2/5/2008
  Q: A guy we hired installed a Bilco door that leads to stairs that go down into our finished basement. ...
  A: Diane, There are numerous ways that Bilco doors are attached to the concrete or block walls so I ...
restoring logs1/25/2008
  Q: We have a home that is about 150 years old and the ceiling of the basement is huge logs. They are ...
  A: LeAnn, First, we usually clean logs with a pressure washer @ about 3000 psi or a little less. We ...
wood paneling1/19/2008
  Q: I need a source for two sheets of 1970's style wood paneling for a repair. Any help you can give me ...
  A: Wayne, You didn't say what size you are looking for; length, width, thickness? If you are talking ...
copper roof over bay window and leak...1/16/2008
  Q: Kroll: We just got over a major storm that resulted in a ceiling leak in our dining room. This ...
  A: Clare, Yes, cracks in the stucco can easily result in leaks and in fact are very common. The ...
white pine walls1/16/2008
  Q: how is the best way to finish walls and ceiling that are white pine lumber? How to keep them from ...
  A: Colene, All wood products will darken over time. You can impede this process by using a high ...
door jamb sizes1/12/2008
  Q: I read your responses to the previous questions about jamb extensions. We have a log home with 14" ...
  A: Jim, I presume, since you said your existing jambs are 9-1/4", that the logs were tapered down to ...
hone lower level leak/drainage1/7/2008
  Q: We have a duplex--the problem is in the second unit. In the lower level room; every time it rains, ...
  A: Damarys, You have given me no information on which to analyze the problem. I have no idea where ...
Storm rain leakage into our house, help!1/4/2008
  Q: Today's (01/04/2008) crazy storm in California bay area triggered some serious storm rain leakage ...
  A: Peter, Agreed, any competent remodeler or home repair contractor can fix this type of damage and ...
Drywall over Unfinished Cedar Wood1/2/2008
  Q: It makes the space seem closed in and dark. We were thinking about putting up drywall over the wood ...
  A: Laura, Being in the wood business I hate to see wood covered up. I'd rather opt to prep the wood ...
Log rot12/21/2007
  Q: Recently we found some rot on our logs due to failed mortar chinking. We replaced the mortar with ...
  A: Paul, Our advice would be the same--replace/repair the logs, then apply Shell Guard, then seal the ...
Rain leak makes the carpet leak12/16/2007
  Q: We have lived in the same apartment home for five years but this problem started to happen from this ...
  A: Kyunghee, I would need much more information to help you. Water infiltration into a building ...
water coming in12/15/2007
  Q: i have water coming in through my windows. we had a snow storm about three days ago and now water ...
  A: Sharon, There is not enough information to answer your question definitively. Here's my first ...
fog coating12/12/2007
  Q: we recently had our house remodeled. part of it was getting our existing stucco fog coated. what i ...
  A: Jason, Stucco is outside my area of expertise, but I'll give you a lead you can talk to. We buy ...
Finishing Basement12/11/2007
  Q: I am thinking to finish my basement I have 8ft ceiling in my basement from floor to till 2X4 of ...
  A: Raj, The proper way to build walls is to use a 2x4 bottom plate and a double 2x4 top plate with ...
Door Jambs12/8/2007
  Q: Len, I'm in a bit of a mess and hope you can help. I have 2 2868 fixed doors that are going to act ...
  A: Zack, Sure, just put jamb extensions on them. We do that on every window and door we install in ...
Painted log ceiling joists12/7/2007
  Q: We are trying to invest in a log home in which the previous owner has painted exposed log ceiling ...
  A: Justin, We strip stain and paint off logs, and other wood components for a living. You need to get ...
Walkup basement and belco doors11/19/2007
  Q: Len: We are interested in getting a walkup basement with belco doors for our existing house. It is ...
  A: Sandya, It is not difficult to add a Bilco door to an existing basement. Any legitimate excavator ...
Sealing knots10/30/2007
  Q: What kind of caulking can I use to seal knots in pressure treated lumber (decking)? I do not plan to ...
  A: Bob, When you say "seal" knots I'm not sure what you are asking. The entire board is pressure ...
Wall grout cracking10/23/2007
  Q: I have a similar problem with hairline cracks forming between the wall tiles. Most of the time it ...
  A: Adam, There are probably some products that can be applied to fill the hairline cracks, but I would ...
Log Homes - woodpeckers10/12/2007
  Q: I have depended on you for your expertise several times before. The gable are on our home is pine ...
  A: Joanne, Carpenter bees drill a small hole, about 1/2 inch round and about 3/4 inch deep then they ...
Cement expansion joint - caulking10/11/2007
  Q: I need to fill the expansion joint between cement slabs in my driveway....they once had plastic ...
  A: Jo, A specific caulk is made for this purpose. You can get it from any of the big box stores like ...
waterproofing foundation wall10/2/2007
  Q: We have dug down to the footings to solve drainage problems by replacing and properly sloping the ...
  A: Jan, First, the proper way to place a drain tile is to set it in a bed of gravel aside the footer, ...
replacement of basement window9/30/2007
  Q: First let me state that I am a novice. I need to replace a wooden basement window. The frame is ...
  A: Tomas, I can't answer your question without more information. I need to know the size of the ...
protect wood9/23/2007
  Q: I am planning on moving a coffee table, looks like maybe made out of maple or some other heavy wood, ...
  A: Gabe, There are several ways to protect the wood. There are two issues that need to be addressed: ...
Log Home w/siding9/21/2007
  Q: I wish I could do a followup to a Q&A from me on 4/2006, I can not find an option to do so. After ...
  A: Joanne, Let's make sure we are using correct terms. The term "eave" is usually meant to describe ...
wetness by window wall9/20/2007
  Q: my house was built in 2004. One year later i noticed that water was coming from the wall in the ...
  A: Edith, Obviously, the source of the leak was not where the contractor caulked. I can't offer any ...
adding on9/19/2007
  Q: If needing more space in our home, is it easier or cheaper to add a second story or add a wing.
  A: Mike, There is no definitive answer to that question because there are too many variables that can ...
covering bricks with wood9/18/2007
  Q: we have a brick fireplace and would like to cover it with wood. it is about 12 feet high. we waqnt ...
  A: Linda, Without knowing the details of the shape and configuration of the fireplace its a little ...
hairline cracks in walls of shower grout9/14/2007
  Q: We added a bathroom to our second floor six months ago. It has a large walk-in shower with porcelain ...
  A: Cathy, First, the walls under the tile should have been covered with a water resistent cover before ...
How often should you refinish ?9/10/2007
  Q: We have a timberframe home, the out side has cedar, and many rooms has pine walls ( toung grove ) ...
  A: Joy, Let's deal with the inside first. Theorhetically, if the interior t&g was finished with ...
Sealing under sliding doors8/27/2007
  Q: I have had a room built on and the builder did not silicone under the doors, we had heavy rain and ...
  A: Shannon, I don't like to be in a position to criticize other trades people, but it sounds like you ...
Basement cleaning8/26/2007
  Q: I had a flood in my basement. I called a carpet care company. Owner did not gave me any estimates, ...
  A: Stanley, I am not a lawyer, but I will offer these thoughts. I doubt that the document is a legal ...
Log Cabin Chinking8/20/2007
  Q: My (old school) Father-in-Law is building a 12'X12' log cabin. It has a cement foundation, slab ...
  A: Bryan, We do not use cement chinking. We use synthetic mortar because of its superior properties ...
Garage Leaking during heavy rains8/16/2007
  Q: I just bought my first home. When it rains heavily, water runs down the slope on the side of my ...
  A: Nathan, The minimum slope is 1/4" per foot away from the structure and you should maintain this ...
Bay Window7/29/2007
  Q: I would like to put a Bay Window in my basement; my husband is afraid that it will leak. Thoughts?
  A: Melissa, You have the designers taste; your husband has the sage's wisdom. Only kidding! Bay ...
vent pipe7/27/2007
  Q: i'm getting an gaseous odor from the upstairs toilet?? cause? it flushes fine... i have sign of ...
  A: Johnny, First, make sure it is the toilet; to be sure seal the drains on the other fixtures in the ...
moisture in basement7/22/2007
  Q: Can I repair cracks and seal my underground basement from the inside. The very old poured concrete ...
  A: Robert, Yes you can. There different products for different situations but all are available from ...
LVL Beams7/19/2007
  Q: Mr. Kroll: Thank you for this opportunity. I am expanding my current single car garage to a two ...
  A: Clyde, You didn't make all of the orientations clear, but let me explain the process and we can ...
metal shed insulation7/3/2007
  Q: I live in south florida in a small mobile home community, so therefore indoor storage is a problem. ...
  A: Wayne, In S. FL hot humid air is on the outside of buildings. If you insulate you should place the ...
Log Home / after restoration6/28/2007
  Q: We just finished a total exterior restore of our log home. It was taken returned to it's wood by cob ...
  A: Lindsey, The old house borer makes an oval exit hole. When the hole exits, the larva has exited. ...
Log Home / after restoration6/24/2007
  Q: We just finished a total exterior restore of our log home. It was taken returned to it's wood by cob ...
  A: Lindsey, All of the holes should have been sealed. NBS-30 is a powerful product but I believe ...
Balcony leaking water into the garage6/20/2007
  Q: We bought a home with a balcony off the bedroom. The balcony is directly above the garage. The ...
  A: Monika, There are a number of products that can be used. Not all are available everywhere. The ...
Replacing a support wall with LVL beam6/19/2007
  Q: I live in a 50 year old home on a coventional slab on praire dirt (shifting!). I want to span 15 ...
  A: Chester, Can't answer without more information. I need to know the layout of the house so I can ...
scraping paint off log cabin6/14/2007
  Q: I live in a log cabin built in 1928. About two-thirds of the house is either original logs or ...
  A: Patti, Without seeing the log I can't be sure what to recommend. Here are the most logical ...
crown replacement6/13/2007
  Q: I would like details on replacing a rotten crown on a Scandinavian scribed log building. so that the ...
  A: Denton, I presume by "crown" you mean the outer portion of the log that tucks under the log above ...
Shower stall Sealant6/13/2007
  Q: We bought our house (1 yr old) last year. In a few months we noticed that there was mold around our ...
  A: Kiran, You need to find a home improvement specialist or a general contractor that does home ...
balcony addition6/12/2007
  Q: I want to add a balcony to the back side of my newly built house? Do you know how much it can cost ...
  A: asad, Depending on how high the work is, a pressure treated balcony of simple design would cost ...
Hairline Crack in Shower Grout6/10/2007
  Q: I just purchased a new home, and I now see hairline cracks starting to develop where the shower ...
  A: Jason, You should be concerned. It is almost a sure thing that water will get under the tiles. ...
cedar siding6/3/2007
  Q: I read your reply to the question regarding stripping cedar siding. Is it more economical to ...
  A: Kathy, The answer depends on what is on the siding now. If a semi-transparent stain is on it ...
cedar shake siding paint removal5/17/2007
  Q: I have a 51 year old cedar ranch house (shakes) in Chicago. The previous owners painted it blue and ...
  A: Michelle, There is no such thing as "the only way" to remove the finish from wood. You can remove ...
stain5/2/2007
  Q: I recently had a new cedar fence installed. A painter offered to seal the fence, and I agreed, ...
  A: Jo, As an aside, I can't believe a painter would do something like that. They are in the "cosmetic ...
Natural stone in a basement absorbs moisture?4/29/2007
  Q: We are going to finish the basement and our contractor suggested natural stone (as opposed to ...
  A: Janet & Steve, All concrete, cement, cement block, etc. will absorb moisture from the earth. ...
cedar siding4/24/2007
  Q: I'm hoping you can help... I have a 51 year old cedar ranch home in Chicago. The previous owners ...
  A: Michelle, First, let me tell you something I have observed in the course of my business. It would ...
Water Damage to ceiling / floors4/20/2007
  Q: I live in a 3 story condo on the first floor. The 3rd floor Neighbor left her facut running during ...
  A: Dustin, It is likely that the drywall has been damaged. Mold is a distinct probability, ...
Maintenance on log cabin4/20/2007
  Q: I bought a 20-year-old log cabin two years ago in western Tennessee. I'm here from sw Florida only ...
  A: Sherri, If you can email a tracing of the end of a log I can get you a replacement. However, in my ...
Bay Window4/4/2007
  Q: Len, I have a bay window in my dining room and there is a window in a bedroom on the second floor ...
  A: Dennis, I can probably help you but I need to understand the circumstances better. Bay windows are ...
Fascia board repair3/15/2007
  Q: My home owner's association is demanding the repair of a rotting fascia board. It is a strip of wood ...
  A: Shlomo, First, before repairing the damage, you need to determine the cause and fix it. When a ...
Painting3/12/2007
  Q: I have wallpaper on my bedroom walls right now and my dad says that they aren't finished and have no ...
  A: Allie, The wallpaper is stuck to something--likely, either sheetrock or plaster. There has to be ...
Removing a Support Post and adding Two in its Place1/14/2007
  Q: I am finishing my basement and want to remove one 4” diameter Support Post in the middle of the room ...
  A: Dan, I can and I am happy to help, but the situation is too complex to do so from your explanation. ...
plastering over greenboard?1/7/2007
  Q: I was planning on putting greenboard in my bathroom ceiling so that the moisture does not get ...
  A: Steve, There is no need to plaster over green board; it serves the purpose of resisting moisture. ...
how to measure for a replacement window12/30/2006
  Q: I have 1 window that is rotted in the sill and on the sides. I was injured working with the ...
  A: Bill, When you take the window out an opening will remain; this is your starting point. If nothing ...
Stucco12/25/2006
  Q: I have to clean a building thats built with stucco. What chemicals would you recommend to get the ...
  A: Rob, There are many commercial house cleaning products available. I would recommend you go to a ...
WATER IN BASEMENT12/22/2006
  Q: Older home, we have had no water for 2/3 years. Sandstone foundation, some crumbling. This past ...
  A: Carol, Here's my guess based on these assumptions. I assume you applied drylock to the exterior ...
frame a wall12/22/2006
  Q: I am trying to install 2 pantrys and a 36 wide cabinet over a refrigerator and I need to bring 2 18 ...
  A: Scott, I can help you with this but I need a clearer picture of the circumstances and what you are ...
swanstone shower base12/17/2006
  Q: A contractor installed a swanstone shower base in our new shower. It "squeaks" and "groans" when ...
  A: Bet, Not having the opportunity to see the circumstances makes it a bit difficult to assess the ...
Snow Removal from Wood Deck12/10/2006
  Q: This seems like a basic question but I can't find any info on this subject. I would like to know if ...
  A: Will, You didn't say what the deck is made of. If it is made from pressure treated wood it will ...
leaky basement11/28/2006
  Q: I have an old rental that has a leaky basement. There is an area between the sidewalk and base of ...
  A: Janet, Sorry about the delay but this question just appeared when I sent an answer to another ...
Restore Log Homes11/16/2006
  Q: I am trying to find a list of contractors that restore log home for my area. Is there a specific ...
  A: Jim, I don't know of such a list. There are a limited number of log home restoration companies, ...
Metal Tile in Bathroom - Rusted Through11/9/2006
  Q: I own a house built in the 50s and with the help of paint stripper, uncovered metal tile. So far, ...
  A: John, I haven't seen metal tile of the type you are probably talking about for years; not since I ...
Water leaking through the box window11/9/2006
  Q: Many thanks for the response. The exterior of the house is aluminum siding if that adds any light ...
  A: Kevin, The proper way to flash the finished roofing on the bay roof is: if the finished roofing is ...
Water leaking through the box window11/8/2006
  Q: I have a bay ( box ) window in the front of the town house. I am receiving water from rain at the ...
  A: Kevin, Most leaks on bay windows occur in one of two places. First, is the way the flashing is ...
DIY first time in Los Angeles, CA11/4/2006
  Q: CA. It is an upsloping lot and am trying to determine if a first time DIYer like myself can pull ...
  A: Theo, All I can tell you is I could build that house for under $400,000 here in Knoxville, TN. I ...
ceremic tile on kitchen counter top11/3/2006
  Q: I want to replace my old ceremic kitchen top tile with new tile. can I just take the old tile off ...
  A: Bob, You need to remove all of the old scratch coat; you should be applying a new coat on a clean ...
The BEST way to decide what to do11/2/2006
  Q: I have a home that I absolutely LOVE in Phoenix, Arizona. It has SO much potential! I have just ...
  A: Allyson, Sorry, we are a design/build firm and only interested in structural engineering and ...
adding color to cement10/30/2006
  Q: I think I wrote this down wrong. I did not get any instruction with my color but what I was trying ...
  A: Keith, How do you know to mix 3 quarts of water to the color? Where did that instruction come ...
adding color to cement10/29/2006
  Q: I am trying to make landscaping blocks for my yard. I recently purchased a cement mixer, and I ...
  A: Keith, The only concrete color systems I am familiar with require one bag per yard of ready-mix ...
hidden beam retrofit10/27/2006
  Q: In the interest of expanding the kitchen, I need to move a load-bearing wall that supports the ...
  A: Michael, First, the load involved is about 10,000 lbs., or 5,000 lbs. going to each post, or about ...
14 ft beam10/27/2006
  Q: I will try one more time. The house is sitting on a foundation wall that is 30 ft from south to ...
  A: At best it is marginal. Here's my suggestion. Sketch the layout and go to any building supply ...
14 ft beam10/25/2006
  Q: I am wanting to open up a room in my basement. My house is a ranch built over a full basement. The ...
  A: I'm sorry but I cannot understand the circumstances of the construction you are trying to describe. ...
FOUNDATION10/23/2006
  Q: Two questions: I own an 80 year old end row house in Baltimore, MD and its foundation wall is made ...
  A: Al, There are concrete sealers available. You can get information on these products from any of ...
Cleaning of vinyl siding.10/18/2006
  Q: My vinyl siding is getting stained and dirty due to the brownish stuff (probably rust) ...
  A: You can get vinyl cleaner products at any building supply store or many paint stores. Follow the ...
exterior door10/16/2006
  Q: We bought a new exterior door and the door frame is 4" thick, but our existing door frame and wall ...
  A: Joyce, I doubt that the new door frame is 4" thick unless you had it custom made. Standard doors ...
removing wall paint from prefinished trim10/16/2006
  Q: Kroll: A home that I am interested in purchasing has had the interior walls repainted and evidently ...
  A: Dee, You have to explain what you are refering to when you say "prefinished trim", and "prefinished ...
cathedral ceiling10/12/2006
  Q: Len, regarding my earlier question...all references to 6"x6"s should be 2"x6"s...Also I understand ...
  A: David, A ridge board is a nailer to which rafters are attached; it serves no structural pupose and ...
Replacing hurricand damaged roof10/12/2006
  Q: Len, I was impressed with your answer to Don re: collar beams. I have a similar Quest. We are ...
  A: David, If I have all the numbers correct, and I think I do, because they all work out correctly, ...
some help10/9/2006
  Q: ok this may be out of your realm but you deal with log homes...its certainly relates. the ...
  A: We pressure wash decks to clean and remove old stain. Sanding has the disadvantage of not being ...
converting a single house into a duplex10/8/2006
  Q: I live in Harris County Texas. I have a large house. I'm converting it into 4 units. Where do I ...
  A: Every jurisdiction is different. If you need a building permit you would normally get it from a ...
Black spots and areas on new cedar cladding10/3/2006
  Q: We're in the process of recladding our home in cedar and on one wall in particular one of the boards ...
  A: Lynne, Although I have travelled extensively throughout the world, I never been to New Zealand, so ...
insulation9/29/2006
  Q: has many people insulated with polystyrene pellets blown in walls of old house
  A: I have not heard of pellets being used to insulate. Vermiculite was used in concrete block walls; ...
Moss9/18/2006
  Q: We recently purchased an older home that has had very little up-keep over the last 10+ years. There ...
  A: Mike, There are a lot of commercial products available to remove mold and mildew from various ...
31 years old house9/2/2006
  Q: I am about to buy a house and it is 31 years old. I have concerns regarding the structure, ...
  A: Ibrahim, I recommend that you hire a qualified home inspector to inspect the house and give you a ...
Clean pet urine on wooden deck then seal8/27/2006
  Q: I have an antique dog who totters outside only so far as the deck to do her business. I have ...
  A: Toni, This is not really my area of expertise but I will offer the following. When we do ...
paint removal from cedar siding8/27/2006
  Q: We need to restore cedar siding after vandals spray painted it. The cedar siding was stained and ...
  A: Cheri, I'm not familiar with the Rymar product but from your description it is abviously a ...
LVL beam post support-foundation8/10/2006
  Q: I read your answer to another Beam question and thought you may be able to offer some advice. We are ...
  A: Erin, Let's go backwards. You are creating a point load on the basement floor where the posts sit. ...
Balcony floor8/10/2006
  Q: Mr Len Kroll Hello! I have to redo my balcony flooring,but rather ...
  A: Harbinder, You didn't say whether the balcony is inside or outside, if there is living space below ...
wet basement wall8/9/2006
  Q: My home is 8 years old and has a poured concreate foundation. We moved into this home in June last ...
  A: Alex, I'm sure I can give you some assistance, but I need to understand more about the ...
stone chimney on log home8/8/2006
  Q: What is the best way to fix a 2inch gap that has developed between older log home and it's stone ...
  A: Rich, We usually repair such gaps by inserting appropriate backer rod then chink over the backer ...
waterproofing foundation wall & tinting cement patio8/7/2006
  Q: I'm having my back yard concrete patio broken up so as to waterproof the foundation wall in the back ...
  A: Ken, Your plan can work if you do every step very well. In other words, no skips in the tar, no ...
Log Home w/ Vinyl Shutters - followup Q&A8/7/2006
  Q: Len, I was going to write a private email to you, perhaps making this public can help someone else. ...
  A: Joanne, I cannot advise you of color combinations because as you know "beauty is in the eye of the ...
Log Home/double pane window-condestation8/4/2006
  Q: Mr. Kroll, Our home is log and one of our double-pane windows is holding condesation. How is this ...
  A: Joanne, This happens when the seal around the edge of the glazing breaks and allows vapor to enter ...
Exterior Shutters/Log Home8/4/2006
  Q: We are about ready to start a restore on our exterior logs, due to purchasing a log home that was ...
  A: Joanne, Yes, vinyl shutters can be used and are a good low maintenance choice versus wood shutters. ...
Replacing Purlins and Kickers with Kneewalls7/30/2006
  Q: I am hoping you can help me out here. I am rennovating my 24' x 26' cottage which has a 6/12 pitch ...
  A: Doug, You will need to fax some drawings so I'm sure I follow what you described. My comments ...
Exterior Draintile7/26/2006
  Q: ..You help tremendously on my last question re: Sweating Block Foundation. I have a follow-up ...
  A: Sandra, If this were a new construction situation we would waterproof the wall before backfilling, ...
mold on stairs7/24/2006
  Q: I am doing a whole house renovation. I have put in new pine stairs to the basement. The bottom end ...
  A: Dennis, You should have cut the stringer rise for the first riseer 1.5" less than all other risers ...
Sweating Block Foundation7/23/2006
  Q: I have a block wall foundation. The problem is that only one wall is sweating. Could you help by ...
  A: Sandra, Sweating is either condensation formed when vapor comes in contact with a cold surface, or ...
CLEANING WOOD SIDING7/1/2006
  Q: To start there is so much information on cleaning wood siding on the net,but, each is promoting ...
  A: Alan, The fact is that there are a lot of products on the market that are effective for cleaning ...
Deck vs siding stains6/27/2006
  Q: We are trying to make a determination on what to use to stain rails and post on a new (year old) ...
  A: Gerald, First, let's address the reasons for applying a finish to pressure treated wood. They are: ...
Staining6/23/2006
  Q: I have just finished rebuilding an outdoor wooden swing set. The structure was originally built 5-7 ...
  A: Barry, You sould clean the wood before staining, both the new and the old. If you pressure wash ...
shower wall seal6/23/2006
  Q: Going to put up cement board. Can just a cement sealer (like you use to coat basement blocks for ...
  A: Julie, No, you can not leave the cement board exposed to the water, it will deteriorate over time ...
Log Cabin Retrofit6/9/2006
  Q: I am upgrading a log cabin (w/logs milled on three sides)with electricity. What tool/s do you ...
  A: Rich, You can cut out electrical boxes several ways. An old fashioned chisel and hammer will do ...
mold removal6/7/2006
  Q: We have a cottage that was badly insulated and we discovered mold under the wood ceiling... we ...
  A: Cindy, The simplest and cheapest way to remove mold is with household bleach, mixed 1/3 bleach 2/3 ...
Staining antique furniture5/29/2006
  Q: I bought a piece of furniture. I was told it was old and had been refinished. Wood type is "mango ...
  A: Nelia, I am not a furniture expert, but I can tell you about two products I have used on ...
Basement waterproofing5/24/2006
  Q: I m going to waterproof my basement, which is partially in a ground, leaks only in case of havy ...
  A: Boris, First you should locate a concrete/masonry supply house. You might find them in the Yellow ...
where do I begin???5/14/2006
  Q: first i need to tell you the log cabin i need to ask your help about is in texas. west texas. the ...
  A: Rae, If I could find the time to finish my book on how to maintain log homes, I'd simply send you a ...
Atrium door refinishing4/29/2006
  Q: I have these atrium doors that lead out onto my deck. Over the winter, there's some evidence of ...
  A: Charles, For small volume jobs where the wood is damaged and unsound and needs to firmed up before ...
wood beam (header) on brick wall after demolition4/25/2006
  Q: I need to expand my kitchen by opening it up to the adjacent room. There is a brick wall between ...
  A: Roger, I can't answer your question without more information. I need to know what is the wall in ...
Log Home vs Vinyl Siding4/1/2006
  Q: Mr. Kroll, We currently have a log home, built in 1988. We are currently in legal matters due to ...
  A: Joanne, I have to start by saying why would you want to put vinyl siding on the home? All it ...
moisture in yhe attic2/10/2006
  Q: I live in northeast. recently replaced the roof, in June, however I just noticed shingles have ...
  A: Mike, There are many details necessary to give a clear statement as to the problem and solution, ...
gaps in porch12/14/2005
  Q: need a temp, to hold thru the winter.the gaps in the porch r about 3/4inch. which is causing a ...
  A: John, I can't picture what you are describing. If you have gaps you can temporarily fill them with ...
strand sound in home11/18/2005
  Q: Our home is a conventional house. The problem started after using the heated air. So it sound more ...
  A: Jun, A P.E. is a professional engineer. Although they are trained and certified in structural ...
windows11/7/2005
  Q: I have thermal windows some have fog in between the glass is there a way remove the fog. Thanks ...
  A: Dino, If moisture has entered the space between the glass the seal has been broken. The glass ...
second story addition10/27/2005
  Q: I am looking for information and advice on adding a second story to our ranch home. The house was ...
  A: Bill, This too broad a question to answer usefully. I can give you some ideas that might be ...
Home Fixing10/17/2005
  Q: I am a journalism student at Sacramento State University. I have an article - that is open to ...
  A: Jimmy, I'm sorry I can't really help with the generic questions, because the answers would be so ...
Sealing Knotholes9/8/2005
  Q: What is the best way to seal knot hole in my Pan Abode cedar log home
  A: Michael, We normally fill small voids with a product called E-Wood. If the void is unsound (loose ...
basement8/19/2005
  Q: i hope you can help me or put me in the right direction. How do you get rid of musty smell on the ...
  A: Nino, Your question is so broad I have no clue where to begin. A musty smell can come from so many ...
CEDAR SIDING FINISH8/12/2005
  Q: I am about to install cedar siding to a small addition to my home. My plan is to apply boiled ...
  A: John, I am not a fan of linseed oil. There are too many circumstances were the oil can leech out ...
Waterproofing7/22/2005
  Q: I have purchased a camp on a lake in Vermont. There is a lot of moisture under the camp. The camp ...
  A: Robert, The vapor barrier by itself will eliminate a great deal of moisture laden vapors from ...
Tinted waterseal6/30/2005
  Q: I'm hoping you can help. My mother just put waterseal on the wraparound deck at her house in North ...
  A: Tracy, The only practical thing you can do is use a stripper. Being such a recent application no ...
Solid hard wood floors.5/9/2005
  Q: Kroll, I really like the solid hard wood planks compared to the engineered. Some companies said ...
  A: Phyllis, You can lay hard wood floors on concrete. Here's how we do it. First we use a liquid ...
Deck stain5/9/2005
  Q: I stripped and pressure washed a deck this past weekend and am looking for a quality deck stain ...
  A: Scott, In our preservation and restoration business and included in our log packages we use ...
Black color on subflooring.5/2/2005
  Q: Len, 2 years ago I put a new edition on my house. During the remodeling (new edition) I had some ...
  A: Jim, Undoubtedly it is fungus (mold). If the subfloor shows no signs of rot I would simply wash it ...
Cleaning Deck5/1/2005
  Q: I have a pressured treated deck but am stymied right now as how to get it back to the original wood ...
  A: Normally, all we do to clean decks is pressure wash. All of our pressure washers are 3000 psi or ...
Log home door replacement4/29/2005
  Q: My house was built in 1975, complete with "amber" everything! I'm trying to replace the door & side ...
  A: Leslee, First, a door frame should never be load bearing. You didn't tell me if the door is in a ...
moisture in double pane windows4/22/2005
  Q: Is there any way of removing moisture trapped between the panes of a double pane sliding door? Can a ...
  A: Steve, I know of no way to do this in the field. I would simply buy a new glass unit. Replacement ...
Some minor repair work estimates4/10/2005
  Q: I am going to purchase a 1996 built home. I did an inspection myself and noted a few repair work to ...
  A: KD, Without actually seeing the repair items it is virtually impossible to estimate cost to repair. ...
steps to basement3/15/2005
  Q: len, we are building a new house on a slope so we surprisingly got a partial basement because of the ...
  A: Gail, The rules for stairways are quite specific, detailed and complex. The relatively new ...
mildew1/24/2005
  Q: I don,t have a log home but you still might be able to help me . I have mildew growing on all my ...
  A: Bob, I could spend a lot of time discussing all of the ins and outs of vapor, condensation, ...
Staining treated wood1/9/2005
  Q: My question doesn't involve log homes, but it does have to do with staining wood, which you listed ...
  A: Gary, You didn't say what stain is on the cedar house. My first suggestion is to find out if the ...
Ceiling mold?12/4/2004
  Q: We had a leaky flat roof that is being repaired. I am noticing a bit of mold at the ceiling/wall ...
  A: Gavin, When a roof leaks and the result is visible water problems inside the living space it is ...
varnish on woodwork12/2/2004
  Q: We recently moved into a 20 year old house. It hadn't been lived in for the summer or winter. Now ...
  A: Emma, I would have no idea what caused the problem; it could be any number of chemicals. However, ...
CLEANING11/26/2004
  Q: It needs work and I'm going to have an inspector come out. My question is about Mold. What is the ...
  A: Angie, The best cleaning products depend on where the mold is. Different substrates require ...
System11/3/2004
  Q: What is the best log cabin building system? Thank you, Randy
  A: Randy, As you probably know there are many log building systems in existence. Each has strong ...
insulation10/23/2004
  Q: I have an A Frame configuration home, 12/15 pitch roof with 2 x 10 rafters. At the top of a vaulted ...
  A: Bob, If you saw the worksheet used to calcullate the thermal performance of a house you would note ...
insulation10/23/2004
  Q: I have an A Frame configuration home, 12/15 pitch roof with 2 x 10 rafters. At the top of a vaulted ...
  A: Bob, You didn't tell me where you live; that would help in determining the practicality of ...
WINDOW UPGRADE10/15/2004
  Q: SHOULD I CONDIDER INTERIOR STORM WINDOWS MADE OF GLASS OR PLASTIC? I LIVE IN COLD CENTRAL NEW YORK ...
  A: Lew, On the surface this seems to be a purely altruistic decision, if you do not live in the ...
Steps from house to patio9/16/2004
  Q: How big does the "base" step need to be? The step you step out onto from the house. And does it have ...
  A: Soren, The first step below the door sill needs to be 5 11/16" below the door sill; the next step ...
Steps from house to patio9/13/2004
  Q: I'm in need of some stems from a new installed Patio Door on to my patio. The bottom of the door is ...
  A: Soren, Since the steps will be outside they should be built from pressure treated lumber. Most ...
cleaning fireplce stones9/9/2004
  Q: what is a good cleaner for the stones on a floor to ceiling fireplace,just the stones facing in the ...
  A: Jim, The only specific product I know of for cleaning brick, stone, etc. is muriatic acid. Start ...
Need your opinion on a product9/6/2004
  Q: I'am wanting to buy a commercial type electric "Paint Sprayer" that you use with a 5 gallon pale of ...
  A: Dino, First, don't buy new; search out the sprayer repair shops in your locale. Most of them sell ...
mold6/2/2004
  Q: Would a professional mold remediation expert have equipment to detect mold within a wall or ceiling ...
  A: Deana, It sounds like the source is the lack of venting and shower/bath vapors are condensing on ...
mold6/2/2004
  Q: Do you have any experience curbing mold infestations? I am considering buying a "fixer upper" but ...
  A: Deana, If mold is visible on walls, ceilings or floors it may be surface only, or it may be within ...
Wood basement vs. poured concrete6/1/2004
  Q: Len, I read with great interest your reply related to all wood vs. superior walls foundations. We ...
  A: Susan, This is tough! I have a history concerning arsenic, so you should know I am biased. This ...
Trusses5/13/2004
  Q: I am going to replace my roof. I have a 3 1/2x12 pitch now with w-trusses on 24" centers, I'm ...
  A: Don, Let's not bog down in the intricacies of structural engineering. Go back to the point I made ...
Noisy Door4/19/2004
  Q: I am living in a house and can hear my roomate opening and closing the bedroom and bathroom doors. ...
  A: If oil, grease, or graphite don't work then I would pull the hinge pins out, remove the door from ...
log home finishing and staining4/9/2004
  Q: Len.. My small log chalet home 24 x 36 in upstate ny is almost ready for staining and finishing. A ...
  A: Bob, I can't answer you directly because you didn't give me enough info be definitive. Here's some ...
Cleaning a wooden exterior deck and stair4/1/2004
  Q: The appearance of my deck and staircase has deteriorated because I have neglected it for a couple of ...
  A: Art, The best way to clean a pressure treated deck is to use a good cleaning agent and pressure ...
Log Replacement3/29/2004
  Q: I'm in the process of buying a log cabin that has several tiers of very rotted logs (non repairable) ...
  A: Rob, I can help you with the process of replacing rotted logs. I can also help you with the ...
I want to construct a hard...3/26/2004
  Q: I want to construct a hard standing driveway outside my house. It currently has a concrete drive to ...
  A: Tim, I'm not sure I fully understand your question. You said there is currently a concrete ...
question on log homes3/25/2004
  Q: I have several home improvement website I market heavily on the internet. I'm looking to expand the ...
  A: Damion, I would be interested. I own and operate three companies. Brentwood Log Homes which is a ...
basements3/10/2004
  Q: What do you think of precast walls by superior walls ? Do you think their is a better basement for ...
  A: Although I haven't used a Superior wall yet, I am waiting for the first opportunity. I am aware of ...
Preserving cypres log home2/17/2004
  Q: We have a 2 story home made of cypress logs that is 20 yrs old. The exterior looks like it has ...
  A: Betsy, The process to restore the exterior of your log home is the same regardless of the species ...
Caulking2/11/2004
  Q: I had some remodeling done and in the bathroom the vanity top sits away from the wall about one-half ...
  A: Bob, Depending in how large the gap is and how it varies in width from one end to the other you can ...
insulation2/10/2004
  Q: I am renovating a 30year old home. When I pull down the walls the old insullation is in good shape, ...
  A: Stan, I would pull out the old and replace it with new; at only about $0.30 per square foot don't ...

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