| Subject | Date Asked |
|
| siding on house | 10/1/2008 |
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 house | 10/1/2008 |
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 problems | 9/29/2008 |
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 reduction | 9/24/2008 |
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 color | 9/23/2008 |
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 roof | 9/22/2008 |
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 rafters | 9/22/2008 |
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 siding | 9/20/2008 |
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 roof | 9/19/2008 |
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 siding | 9/18/2008 |
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 roof | 9/15/2008 |
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 ...
|
| renew | 9/12/2008 |
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 siding | 9/10/2008 |
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 restoration | 9/8/2008 |
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 door | 9/4/2008 |
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 door | 9/4/2008 |
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 basement | 9/3/2008 |
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 waterproofing | 9/3/2008 |
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 space | 9/1/2008 |
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 shower | 8/31/2008 |
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 home | 8/28/2008 |
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 ...
|
| Brass | 8/28/2008 |
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 preservation | 8/26/2008 |
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 drywall | 8/24/2008 |
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 cleaning | 8/21/2008 |
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 Windows | 8/19/2008 |
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 rot | 8/17/2008 |
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 ...
|
| windows | 8/14/2008 |
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 insulation | 8/2/2008 |
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 ...
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| new log home contruction - mold damage | 8/1/2008 |
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 Construction | 7/29/2008 |
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 leaking | 7/27/2008 |
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 penetration | 7/24/2008 |
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 Caulking | 7/19/2008 |
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 home | 7/18/2008 |
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 penetration | 7/17/2008 |
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 doorway | 7/15/2008 |
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 penetration | 7/15/2008 |
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 thick | 7/14/2008 |
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 Basements | 7/11/2008 |
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 staining | 7/10/2008 |
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 paint | 7/9/2008 |
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 home | 7/8/2008 |
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 walls | 7/7/2008 |
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 Joints | 7/7/2008 |
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 damage | 7/2/2008 |
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 siding | 7/2/2008 |
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 steps | 7/1/2008 |
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/ac | 6/21/2008 |
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 staining | 6/12/2008 |
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 Heaters | 5/27/2008 |
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 cottage | 5/18/2008 |
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 leak | 5/13/2008 |
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 Repair | 5/6/2008 |
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 paint | 5/6/2008 |
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 Siding | 4/30/2008 |
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 wall | 4/24/2008 |
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 painted | 4/21/2008 |
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 painted | 4/19/2008 |
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 home | 4/15/2008 |
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 space | 3/29/2008 |
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 ...
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| Bathroom remodeling | 3/28/2008 |
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 ...
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| cedar presavtive application | 3/20/2008 |
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 Paint | 3/20/2008 |
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 drive | 3/13/2008 |
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 ...
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| log home window/door framing | 3/11/2008 |
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 ...
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| Moldy Bathroom Ceiling and Walls | 3/10/2008 |
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 ...
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| cleaning mold from stucco | 3/9/2008 |
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 Truss | 3/3/2008 |
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 siding | 2/27/2008 |
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 ...
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| QUICK CRETE | 2/11/2008 |
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 Wall | 2/7/2008 |
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 sheetrock | 2/7/2008 |
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. ...
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| Sweating Basement Wall | 2/6/2008 |
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 ...
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| rain coming through Bilco door | 2/5/2008 |
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 logs | 1/25/2008 |
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 paneling | 1/19/2008 |
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 ...
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| 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 walls | 1/16/2008 |
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 sizes | 1/12/2008 |
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/drainage | 1/7/2008 |
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 Wood | 1/2/2008 |
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 rot | 12/21/2007 |
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 leak | 12/16/2007 |
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 ...
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| water coming in | 12/15/2007 |
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 coating | 12/12/2007 |
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 Basement | 12/11/2007 |
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 ...
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| Door Jambs | 12/8/2007 |
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 joists | 12/7/2007 |
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 doors | 11/19/2007 |
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 knots | 10/30/2007 |
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 cracking | 10/23/2007 |
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 - woodpeckers | 10/12/2007 |
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 - caulking | 10/11/2007 |
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 wall | 10/2/2007 |
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 window | 9/30/2007 |
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 wood | 9/23/2007 |
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/siding | 9/21/2007 |
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 wall | 9/20/2007 |
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 on | 9/19/2007 |
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 wood | 9/18/2007 |
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 ...
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| hairline cracks in walls of shower grout | 9/14/2007 |
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 doors | 8/27/2007 |
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 cleaning | 8/26/2007 |
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 Chinking | 8/20/2007 |
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 rains | 8/16/2007 |
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 Window | 7/29/2007 |
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 ...
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| vent pipe | 7/27/2007 |
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 basement | 7/22/2007 |
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 ...
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| LVL Beams | 7/19/2007 |
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 ...
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| metal shed insulation | 7/3/2007 |
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 ...
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| Log Home / after restoration | 6/28/2007 |
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. ...
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| Log Home / after restoration | 6/24/2007 |
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 ...
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| Balcony leaking water into the garage | 6/20/2007 |
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 ...
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| Replacing a support wall with LVL beam | 6/19/2007 |
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 ...
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| scraping paint off log cabin | 6/14/2007 |
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 ...
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| crown replacement | 6/13/2007 |
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 ...
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| Shower stall Sealant | 6/13/2007 |
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 ...
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| balcony addition | 6/12/2007 |
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 ...
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| Hairline Crack in Shower Grout | 6/10/2007 |
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. ...
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| cedar siding | 6/3/2007 |
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 ...
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| cedar shake siding paint removal | 5/17/2007 |
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 ...
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| stain | 5/2/2007 |
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 ...
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| 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. ...
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| cedar siding | 4/24/2007 |
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 ...
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| Water Damage to ceiling / floors | 4/20/2007 |
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, ...
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| Maintenance on log cabin | 4/20/2007 |
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 ...
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| Bay Window | 4/4/2007 |
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 ...
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| Fascia board repair | 3/15/2007 |
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 ...
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| Painting | 3/12/2007 |
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 ...
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| Removing a Support Post and adding Two in its Place | 1/14/2007 |
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. ...
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| 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. ...
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| how to measure for a replacement window | 12/30/2006 |
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 ...
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| Stucco | 12/25/2006 |
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 ...
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| WATER IN BASEMENT | 12/22/2006 |
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 ...
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| frame a wall | 12/22/2006 |
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 ...
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| swanstone shower base | 12/17/2006 |
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 ...
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| Snow Removal from Wood Deck | 12/10/2006 |
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 ...
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| leaky basement | 11/28/2006 |
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 ...
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| Restore Log Homes | 11/16/2006 |
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, ...
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| Metal Tile in Bathroom - Rusted Through | 11/9/2006 |
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 ...
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| Water leaking through the box window | 11/9/2006 |
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 ...
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| Water leaking through the box window | 11/8/2006 |
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 ...
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| DIY first time in Los Angeles, CA | 11/4/2006 |
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 ...
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| ceremic tile on kitchen counter top | 11/3/2006 |
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 ...
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| The BEST way to decide what to do | 11/2/2006 |
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 ...
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| adding color to cement | 10/30/2006 |
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 ...
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| adding color to cement | 10/29/2006 |
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 ...
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| hidden beam retrofit | 10/27/2006 |
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 ...
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| 14 ft beam | 10/27/2006 |
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 ...
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| 14 ft beam | 10/25/2006 |
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. ...
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| FOUNDATION | 10/23/2006 |
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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| exterior door | 10/16/2006 |
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 ...
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| removing wall paint from prefinished trim | 10/16/2006 |
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 ...
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| cathedral ceiling | 10/12/2006 |
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 ...
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| Replacing hurricand damaged roof | 10/12/2006 |
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, ...
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| some help | 10/9/2006 |
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 ...
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| converting a single house into a duplex | 10/8/2006 |
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 ...
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| Black spots and areas on new cedar cladding | 10/3/2006 |
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 ...
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| insulation | 9/29/2006 |
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; ...
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| Moss | 9/18/2006 |
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 ...
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| 31 years old house | 9/2/2006 |
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 ...
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| Clean pet urine on wooden deck then seal | 8/27/2006 |
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 ...
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| paint removal from cedar siding | 8/27/2006 |
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 ...
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| LVL beam post support-foundation | 8/10/2006 |
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. ...
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| Balcony floor | 8/10/2006 |
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 ...
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| wet basement wall | 8/9/2006 |
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 ...
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| stone chimney on log home | 8/8/2006 |
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 ...
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| waterproofing foundation wall & tinting cement patio | 8/7/2006 |
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 ...
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| Log Home w/ Vinyl Shutters - followup Q&A | 8/7/2006 |
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 ...
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| Log Home/double pane window-condestation | 8/4/2006 |
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 ...
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| Exterior Shutters/Log Home | 8/4/2006 |
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. ...
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| Replacing Purlins and Kickers with Kneewalls | 7/30/2006 |
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 ...
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| Exterior Draintile | 7/26/2006 |
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, ...
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| mold on stairs | 7/24/2006 |
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 ...
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| Sweating Block Foundation | 7/23/2006 |
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 ...
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| CLEANING WOOD SIDING | 7/1/2006 |
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 ...
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| Deck vs siding stains | 6/27/2006 |
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: ...
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| Staining | 6/23/2006 |
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 ...
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| shower wall seal | 6/23/2006 |
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 ...
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| Log Cabin Retrofit | 6/9/2006 |
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 ...
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| mold removal | 6/7/2006 |
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 ...
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| Staining antique furniture | 5/29/2006 |
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 ...
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| Basement waterproofing | 5/24/2006 |
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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| Atrium door refinishing | 4/29/2006 |
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 ...
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| wood beam (header) on brick wall after demolition | 4/25/2006 |
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 ...
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| Log Home vs Vinyl Siding | 4/1/2006 |
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 ...
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| moisture in yhe attic | 2/10/2006 |
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, ...
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| gaps in porch | 12/14/2005 |
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 ...
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| strand sound in home | 11/18/2005 |
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 ...
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| windows | 11/7/2005 |
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 ...
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| second story addition | 10/27/2005 |
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 ...
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| Home Fixing | 10/17/2005 |
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 ...
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| Sealing Knotholes | 9/8/2005 |
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 ...
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| basement | 8/19/2005 |
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 ...
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| CEDAR SIDING FINISH | 8/12/2005 |
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 ...
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| Waterproofing | 7/22/2005 |
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 ...
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| Tinted waterseal | 6/30/2005 |
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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| Deck stain | 5/9/2005 |
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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| Cleaning Deck | 5/1/2005 |
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 ...
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| Log home door replacement | 4/29/2005 |
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 ...
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| moisture in double pane windows | 4/22/2005 |
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 ...
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| Some minor repair work estimates | 4/10/2005 |
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. ...
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| steps to basement | 3/15/2005 |
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 ...
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| mildew | 1/24/2005 |
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, ...
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| Staining treated wood | 1/9/2005 |
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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| varnish on woodwork | 12/2/2004 |
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, ...
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| CLEANING | 11/26/2004 |
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 ...
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| System | 11/3/2004 |
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 ...
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| insulation | 10/23/2004 |
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 ...
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| insulation | 10/23/2004 |
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 ...
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| WINDOW UPGRADE | 10/15/2004 |
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 ...
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| Steps from house to patio | 9/16/2004 |
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 ...
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| Steps from house to patio | 9/13/2004 |
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 ...
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| cleaning fireplce stones | 9/9/2004 |
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 ...
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| Need your opinion on a product | 9/6/2004 |
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 ...
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| mold | 6/2/2004 |
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 ...
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| mold | 6/2/2004 |
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 ...
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| Wood basement vs. poured concrete | 6/1/2004 |
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 ...
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| Trusses | 5/13/2004 |
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 ...
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| Noisy Door | 4/19/2004 |
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 ...
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| log home finishing and staining | 4/9/2004 |
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 ...
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| Cleaning a wooden exterior deck and stair | 4/1/2004 |
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 ...
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| Log Replacement | 3/29/2004 |
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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| question on log homes | 3/25/2004 |
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 ...
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| basements | 3/10/2004 |
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 ...
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| Preserving cypres log home | 2/17/2004 |
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 ...
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| Caulking | 2/11/2004 |
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 ...
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| insulation | 2/10/2004 |
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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