| Subject | Date Asked |
|
| dying granite countertops | 8/31/2008 |
Q: i just bought a house with brand new black granite counter tops. is there a way to dye or stain the ...
A: It is so simple to say no, but I want you to think about it. Can you change the color of a rock. ...
|
| replacement windows | 8/26/2008 |
Q: My father is putting in two new replacement windows for me. He has done this before, but this time ...
A: If it is not too much trouble...I would take them out and inspect them. If they are bad free ...
|
| old plaster on the wall | 8/1/2008 |
Q: We've moved to an old house and have been repairing it by ourselves. But we don't know what to do ...
A: If you get a small bucket of ready mix joint compound...take a small amount and put in a pale, add ...
|
| Failing Paint on Cedar Lap Siding | 7/29/2008 |
Q: I am at my wit's end. We have a Colonial Style home built in 1942 sided in 11 1/2" clear cedar ...
A: I would not recommend the removal attempt. I am sure you will loose considerable amount of siding ...
|
| moldy smell in bathtub | 7/28/2008 |
Q: I smell a moldy smell coming from the bathtub. I have cleaned the bathroom walls, floors, toilet ...
A: If you have a concrete slab...the tub drain has a cut out in the concrete....if you have a drain ...
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| Installing vinyl fascia | 7/27/2008 |
Q: I'm trying to install vinyl fascia on my garage but I can't get it to lay flat against the fascia ...
A: This is one of the bad characteristics of vinyl. It will warp, buldge, or ripple at will and it ...
|
| Oak floor problems | 7/23/2008 |
Q: i recently laid some oak flooring using poly urethane glue directly onto the concrete slab, however ...
A: I am hoping that you can stack them in a dry area, and the weight of the stack will help them ...
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| Oak floor problems | 7/22/2008 |
Q: i recently laid some oak flooring using poly urethane glue directly onto the concrete slab, however ...
A: BAD IDEA. It wont work. You only have one fix. Take it up...clean the glue off and do it again. ...
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| Wall Tiling | 7/16/2008 |
Q: I have a tile backsplash in my bathroom that I would like to take down and replace. I took the old ...
A: I would recommend the dry mix joint compound for the hole to fill. It will dry in minutes vs days. ...
|
| Do I need to use an oil-based primer | 7/15/2008 |
Q: We want to paint a room that had been wallpapered. We have already removed the paper (it peeled ...
A: If the walls are clean...I would not recommend an oil base prime, except for Kilz...it is a stain ...
|
| what is it? | 7/14/2008 |
Q: Trying to identify what these semi circles may be? They are located in the basement (8 feet below ...
A: For dirt to debris to be moved in such a design....a force has been imposed. It may have been ...
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| removal of adhesive from concrete | 7/14/2008 |
Q: We have a 1961 home and have just removed formica from the shower walls - which seems ridiculous to ...
A: Time and effort vs...buying new wall board. Unless you are needing to salvage any part of the ...
|
| Townhome renovation | 7/13/2008 |
Q: I'll try to keep this as short as possible. We have a morning room extension the full width of our ...
A: Water piping can be easily changed if it is not the sewar lines. Electrical can be put anywhere as ...
|
| material to fix outside area below basement window | 7/12/2008 |
Q: On the side of our house where the garage and house meet, the previous owners had a "L" shaped ...
A: Take the metal off and inspect behind it. If all it good, either put it back or leave it off and ...
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| sliding glass doors | 7/12/2008 |
Q: We have two that are nearly 50 years old. The bottoms sometime rub the frames and the handles are ...
A: There is a real possibilty that the hardware to repair is not available. I would not be surprised ...
|
| r&r old galv run pipe to minimize plaster repair | 7/8/2008 |
Q: I just did a bone head thing. After spending 4 days repairing and then repainting an old plaster ...
A: Welcome to my world. This is where we learn. I have done almost the identical practice in ...
|
| plumbing - kitchen | 7/5/2008 |
Q: I made the mistake of trying to replace my kitchen faucets by myself. I was able to remove the ...
A: As long as you are sure the water is off....either from the street, the main valve from the house or ...
|
| Re: Anderson window not closing | 7/1/2008 |
Q: I have a crank out "awning type" Anderson window. Last night our exchange student tried very hard ...
A: It is normally a gear to gear process. It could have broken a gear, or slipped gears and is not ...
|
| Repairing Broken Window Rod | 6/30/2008 |
Q: We purchashed and built our home about 6 years ago and recently all the rods that hold the window ...
A: Yes thank you. I have a better idea. If this is a single or double hung window...moving up/down vs ...
|
| Adding Attic Floor | 6/28/2008 |
Q: I'm planning to add a new drop down staircase for my attic, and adding a floor to a portion of the ...
A: This is alot of work, but...if you add 2x4's on top of the 2x6...then sister that with 1/2" ...
|
| ceiling Fan | 6/28/2008 |
Q: Mr. Coil, i am getting ready to install a ceiling fan. I have been told not to vent the ceiling ...
A: Are you refering to a whole house fan. They draw the heat out of the house and then blow the heat ...
|
| Mounting Toilets | 6/25/2008 |
Q: I am a fellow expert with a tough situation that I hope you can help me with. I am in process of ...
A: Be sure to use a brass bolt, or galvanized bolt. Be sure to have at least 2" sticking up...you can ...
|
| knock down texture | 6/24/2008 |
Q: Dave, I am currently remodeling a house and installing a knockdown texture on most of the walls to ...
A: You have the answer within your grasp. Air pressure and volume are critical, and the viscosity ...
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| handicap grab rails and drywall | 6/23/2008 |
Q: I am totally new to this. My 82 yr old mother needs us to put grab rails in the bathroom. She has ...
A: Because of the stress I really think will be impossed...I would suggest a piece of oak...1x4 48" ...
|
| Tacky door paint | 6/18/2008 |
Q: I'm replacing several cheap bedroom doors with 6-panel pine doors (with new frames). The existing ...
A: Many of the latex enamels have that characteristic. You can try WD40 on the jamb to help it ...
|
| re: scratch hardwood floor | 6/17/2008 |
Q: the other day my brother and were moving an old sofa bed and the bed popped open and scraped the ...
A: Yes there is. That is what I like about wood floors....always repairable. Depending on the ...
|
| leaky basement window | 6/14/2008 |
Q: We live in a 5 year old house and the basement window just started leaking at the bottom. The bottom ...
A: There is an "oil base" type caulk..PL in a bright yellow/orange tube for a caulk gun. As long as ...
|
| changing bathroom vanity top | 6/13/2008 |
Q: My husband and I are rookies, and would like to change the sink/bathroom vanity top in the bathroom ...
A: It is fun, but you can cut the caulking with a utility knife, and hopefully use a flat bar to break ...
|
| moisture formation on the underside of our corrugate iron roof | 6/12/2008 |
Q: We have recently taken an old farm shed, which had an existing corrugate iron roof, and converted it ...
A: 2 thoughts..is the roof leaking, or condensating under the insulation, or is the water table high ...
|
| green lumbers | 6/8/2008 |
Q: I want to build a raised bed, but the lumbers I got for this project are "green". I know I should ...
A: WE need to educate you a bit. Green lumber has two meanings. Treated lumber is green for earth ...
|
| Help Keep the Peace | 6/7/2008 |
Q: I hope that you enjoy the upcoming Father's Day holiday. I own a 2nd story condo and each time I do ...
A: Somewhere...the drain is clogged...and slowly releasing. Your laundry is filling the pipe.., then ...
|
| Need a smallish entry door | 6/7/2008 |
Q: My home was built in 1930. The entry to the garage is in the rear. Recently the door rotted away and ...
A: Most doors are standard size, but made to be machined to fit any opening. YOu need to cut a 3 ...
|
| Half of the house is hot | 6/5/2008 |
Q: One side of my house is hot during the summer and cool during the winter. This side of the house is ...
A: It is due to a pour insulation in the walls. The attic would be evenly hot, but a wall would make a ...
|
| Replacing a broken toilet paper holder | 6/4/2008 |
Q: I accidentally broke one of the arms of a ceramic toilet paper holder in a half-bath that appears to ...
A: I like the dremmel idea...use it as far as you can. The new method of fastening will depend alot on ...
|
| Garage door fix | 6/3/2008 |
Q: My wife backed the car into the garage door as it was opening. It is a 4 section door that rolls up ...
A: You might contact those fortunate companies that install garage doors and ask if they have any used ...
|
| Residential Water heating system | 5/21/2008 |
Q: Residential Water heating system We have/had (started leaking yesterday and is now off-line) a ...
A: You have alot of great ideas, but all of them require a large outlay of precious, hard to find, ...
|
| Old Church - Plaster Walls | 5/18/2008 |
Q: Would you have any information about what damage might occur if we do not heat our church building ...
A: expansion and contraction are obvious concerns with temps going from + 100 to - 40. If you can keep ...
|
| replacement windows vs new construction | 5/11/2008 |
Q: I am unsure whether I can use a replacement window (no flange) or must use new construction (nailing ...
A: Replacement windows are a wonderful thing. It is specifically for leaving the OLD frame in place ...
|
| hole in dry wall | 5/6/2008 |
Q: Ok, Ok, I am a rookie. I purchased a piece of metal with net for repairing holes in dry wall. Guy at ...
A: Better approach is to fill the hole with papertowels...or other such cavity fill product...and then ...
|
| Rotting window sill | 5/5/2008 |
Q: I have a sill on the SW side of the house. It looks like dry rot and a third is gone. How do I ...
A: Most window sills are just nailed in from the top. If it is mostly deteriorated....dont worry bout ...
|
| Dampness | 5/4/2008 |
Q: The window seal in the master bedroom is turning color.(from white paint to black spots) The window ...
A: Check the exterior at and above the window to find any areas that water or moisture could penetrate ...
|
| Concrete sealer | 5/4/2008 |
Q: I have put down a new slab of concrete and let it cure for 30+ days. I stained it with a product ...
A: It sounds like the sealer was too thick or puddled in those locations. It is meant to be a thin ...
|
| Shower disaster | 4/23/2008 |
Q: I have discover termite damage beneath the tiling of my bathroom shower. The wood is totally rotten ...
A: You are pretty close to accurate. Termites are seldom visible, until alot of damage has occured. ...
|
| foundation block | 4/22/2008 |
Q: I recently purchased a home that was built in the early 40's. The original home has a basement with ...
A: A foundation can easily be rebuilt. It only requires shoring up an area with other means, tear down ...
|
| dual-flush toilet kit | 4/21/2008 |
Q: I'd like to put a dual-flush kit on my toilets (they're old) to reduce water usage. James Dulley, ...
A: Consider this very important fact. If you local suppliers do not carry parts or know of your ...
|
| Garage Door Opener | 4/19/2008 |
Q: I hope you can help me. We had a Craftsman 1/2 HP garage door opener installed last fall. It has ...
A: There are two reasons for a door opener to stop down travel. If the sensors are indicating ...
|
| Expansion Joints | 4/17/2008 |
Q: My pool deck is cement slabs with wooden expansions joints between the slabs. They are about 30 yrs ...
A: I would rather you install the oil soaked felt expansion joints. Remove the old wood any way you ...
|
| re-level a bedroom door | 4/13/2008 |
Q: Our house was built 5 years ago. Now that the house is "aging" I've found that 2 of my bedroom doors ...
A: I love doors and the challenges. I look at them differently so I hope I can spell it. A door that ...
|
| Garage door will not close on its own | 4/10/2008 |
Q: I cannot find the answer to this ANYWHERE on the Net. My garage door power button has to be held ...
A: For the money, 1/2 horse is plenty. Some door openers actually are made stronger with 1/3 ...
|
| pipe fittings | 4/10/2008 |
Q: i want to temporarily connect two pieces of galvanized water pipe. it is half inch inside diameter. ...
A: Not every store carries them, but there is a slide on compression fitting that allows for just that ...
|
| Can I vent attic with unused stovepipe? | 4/9/2008 |
Q: I am in HOT West Texas. I have started remodeling this 40's house. I installed an attic stairway and ...
A: Sorry that is seemed juvenile, but in actuality, you can vent anyway that is convenient and in this ...
|
| fireplace | 4/6/2008 |
Q: I am re-habbing a home with a brick fireplace. The former owners painted the bricks white. It ...
A: That white paint job is a read dissapointment. It will never look as good as it used to. You can ...
|
| Redoing bathrooms | 4/5/2008 |
Q: We are down-sizing and moving into an older condo. Both bathrooms need to be done – one has a ...
A: Unfortunately the quality at Lowe's and Home Depot are considerably less than a True Jacuzzy tub. ...
|
| Remolding | 4/3/2008 |
Q: Ok. I have recent;y moved into a house. This house was a forclosure so it needed some work. I have ...
A: I would recommend a foam insulation over the piping first...then make a box form for whatever size ...
|
| taping and texturing | 4/3/2008 |
Q: I had part of a wall removed to give the two rooms a more open feel and overhead florescent lights ...
A: After the hole is covered, then it is a "painters" issue. The painter is the license mostly that ...
|
| pocketdoor | 4/2/2008 |
Q: We are having our masterbath remodeled now, we are having them put in a pocketdoor, another ...
A: There are reasons for plaster board and ply or plaster boare instead of ply. Some Pocket assemblies ...
|
| Kitchen Island Removal | 4/2/2008 |
Q: The builder island is too big. I cannot open a single door fridge all the way. I want to remove ...
A: It is unknown exactly where the electrical conduit is coming up, but you can guess close by where ...
|
| Wall mounted mailbox issues | 4/1/2008 |
Q: Dave I have a wall mounted mailbox installed on my brick home. The screws and anchors were mounted ...
A: You might be able to patch the hole with a putty marked for stucco patch. It has a sand base and ...
|
| Washer dryer move | 4/1/2008 |
Q: We are purchasing a home in which the washer and dryer are in the unfinished basement. I would like ...
A: It is always better to hire a plumber when moving water and drain lines. It would be a matter of ...
|
| Anderson arch window glass replacement | 3/31/2008 |
Q: this Anderson window has an arch glass over a casement window. the glass broke on its own 3 weeks ...
A: A stress fracture is very difficult to prove. Normally the glass is sitting on rubber stops to ...
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| Repairing prior work | 3/26/2008 |
Q: I classify as a troubled person. I have a garage project that was stopped because of poor ...
A: You will need to KNOW for yourself what your project needs to look like at completion, before you ...
|
| Coaxial cable wiring in the attic | 3/25/2008 |
Q: I am an expert in insurance law and have a question regarding running coaxial cable through my attic ...
A: Be aware of local licensing requirements. You may need to be licensed for installing coax for a ...
|
| to raze or not to raze | 3/24/2008 |
Q: I hope you can give me an opinion. WE have a cape that over the years I have put on 3 additions ( ...
A: If this were a vacation home where you have lots of visitors...the bathroom would be a really good ...
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| Coaxial cable wiring in the attic | 3/24/2008 |
Q: I am an expert in insurance law and have a question regarding running coaxial cable through my attic ...
A: There are two issues here. ONe...most cable installations are ONLY on the exterior of the house. ...
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| Porcelain Vanity | 3/23/2008 |
Q: I moved into a house and bought many new items including a new vanity with porcelain sink top. I ...
A: I have never heard of a porcelain vanity top. I have seen many cultured marble tops. They are in ...
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| Hanging curtain rod running into duct work | 3/23/2008 |
Q: I am hanging a curtain rod bracket and running into duct work. I tried a shorter screw and a shorter ...
A: If it is a solid metal duct pipe...you can screw into it with almost no damage to your system. ...
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| Painting Mailbox | 3/20/2008 |
Q: We moved into our home 4 months ago. Previous owners have a standard mailbox (wood with post, by ...
A: The best approach...take cut of 1" square out of the wall where you can easily patch it. Take that ...
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| Which siding to choose | 3/20/2008 |
Q: I living in the San Francisco Bay arena and I am remodelling my home. 75% of my siding needs to be ...
A: T1 11 is a better siding, but....get this note...it is REALLY a necessity in the Bay area to seal ...
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| Dirt Driveway Now Mud | 3/18/2008 |
Q: Dave I am hoping you can help. I just leased some property for my manufactured home and we are in ...
A: I hope this makes sense. If you can cover the proposed driveway area with 6mil clear plastic ...
|
| Poor quality workmanship on bed frame | 3/17/2008 |
Q: I recently bought a bed frame from an independent local business, which required a certain amount of ...
A: Most furniture is glued and doweled. When done correctly...it will hold most situations. If yours ...
|
| Slamming door | 3/15/2008 |
Q: I have a problem with a slamming 'man door'. I have installed a Norton door closer and have ...
A: It can be tricky to get a door closer to work just right. It can take hours....but if it is ...
|
| granite countertops | 3/14/2008 |
Q: Hope you can help??!! We purchased Black Pearl countertops from Granitetops in Livonia, MI last ...
A: There are low and lower grades of Granite. Some are not more that compressed sandstone. ...
|
| concrete driveway | 3/12/2008 |
Q: ..we had a concrete driveway put in 11 months ago...we live in chicago and have had a lot of snow ...
A: If the proper chemicals were not put in the mix...it could have frozen in the night. That will pop ...
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| waterproofing under sliding glass doors | 3/10/2008 |
Q: I live in a home that 20 years ago a sunporch was installed on top of an exisiting flagstone porch. ...
A: There are a couple of good caulks that will make a permanent water tight seal. A gutter caulking ...
|
| drywall texture | 3/10/2008 |
Q: Every time I've been inside an "Olive Garden" Restaurant, I've been fascinated by the thick ...
A: You could use patching plaster, or Dry mix compound. Some lumber yards and HOme Depot/Lowes carry 5 ...
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| drywall texture | 3/10/2008 |
Q: Every time I've been inside an "Olive Garden" Restaurant, I've been fascinated by the thick ...
A: It takes practice to use a trowel to the constant pressure to create the old plaster look. It is ...
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| repair garage door frame before they destruct | 3/9/2008 |
Q: We have a 9 y.o. bungalow, 2-car garage. The large boards that form the upright part of the door ...
A: If you can find a roll of aluminum flashing at a hardware store....5" or 6" wide...you can actually ...
|
| ceiling fan remote | 3/8/2008 |
Q: i just installed an avion ceiling fan with remote. i have power to all wires from ceiling box all ...
A: Because there are two possibilities..I will ask. Is it a built in romote..or an add on in the ...
|
| black lines along ceiling | 3/8/2008 |
Q: i have black lines appearing along my ceiling, i was told it may be caused by burning cheap candles ...
A: I dont want to sound stupid here....are we talking about pencil type lines....shadow type ...
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| Garage Door Problem | 3/6/2008 |
Q: Dave: I have an electric garage door opener that has worked without incident for years. Last week, ...
A: This is happening alot lately. I am getting several calls for this problem. If the sensor lights ...
|
| Dry wall repair/resurface | 3/4/2008 |
Q: I removed the wallpaper in my son's bedroom and there are a lot of places where the paint "bubbled" ...
A: It is fairly simple. Not necessarily cheap but simple. If it a small areas...I recommed a dry mix ...
|
| water heat insulation | 3/1/2008 |
Q: I'm moving into an apartment with gas water pipe heating. Pipes emerging from the boiler room pass ...
A: You can insulate any exposed part of any piping. You can reduce the water temp...but you should ...
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| condensation | 2/29/2008 |
Q: I have been residing my house with fiber cement board. I recently framed in an old entry door on the ...
A: Condensation is caused by a smooth surface reaching the dew point. If you are in an unconditioned ...
|
| Removing a wall in a manufactured home | 2/27/2008 |
Q: I live in a double wide manufactured home. The ceilings are cathedral ceilings (no attic). The ...
A: It is a supporting wall. NOt as much so in a conventional home, but it is part of the engineering ...
|
| Toilets | 2/6/2008 |
Q: Can you tell me how, or if it's too difficult, to replace the apparatus in the back of a toilet ...
A: There are two basic parts. The water inlet valve..and the drain assembly. The water inlet is very ...
|
| Insualtion of 100 year old house | 1/28/2008 |
Q: I have been trying to research by books and internet insulating my attic which is unfinished and ...
A: Kiss. You can add 2x6 ontop of your existing joists, and I would use a small nail plate, use some ...
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| turning stuck gasline valve | 1/25/2008 |
Q: I have an old built in natural gas space heater it has a handle that you turn to turn the gas, on ...
A: It is a sealed fitting, that means it should not need oil or lubrications. It may be safer to ...
|
| wallboard/shelfs | 1/24/2008 |
Q: I have a SMALL bathroom and would like to "add more space" (or the appearance anyway!) My question ...
A: I dont know of a bood that describes such a simple task, and even a simple task can get complicated. ...
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| wallboard/shelfs | 1/24/2008 |
Q: I have a SMALL bathroom and would like to "add more space" (or the appearance anyway!) My question ...
A: It is done quite often. Mostly it is important to find the studs that you will cut between, and get ...
|
| Move washing maching to garage from inside laundry rm. | 1/23/2008 |
Q: I want to move washing machine from inside laundry to garage to expand my kitchen. My washer is now ...
A: This is kinda hard to picture, but lets say, you need 1/4" per foot of fall for the drain pipe. It ...
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| cracks/separation | 1/22/2008 |
Q: Coil, In 2005, I put an addition on our house. We used 2x10 rafters spanning sixteen feet. The shed ...
A: You arent going to like this answer, but it can be several factors. Temperature can make wood ...
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| Shower/tub stall problem | 1/21/2008 |
Q: and thanks for this site. We have a 35 year old house. The tub/shower enclosure is bounded on ...
A: If you have Yellow pages...look for a Generic Lumber yard and call around looking for paneling. ...
|
| Water Softener Leak | 1/20/2008 |
Q: Every couple of weeks, my water softener leaks and I can't figure out where it is leaking from. All ...
A: Eliminate the obvious..if the tank were leaking...it would be constant, if the elbow were ...
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| Insulation & Vapor Barrier | 1/20/2008 |
Q: I just finished framing up a corner of our basement to be used as a root cellar. I have the ...
A: Sounds like a really nice project. Well...fiberglass insulation is not affected by water or any ...
|
| Wet Sheetrock | 1/18/2008 |
Q: My apartment was flooded last Thursday (Jan 10 2008) by a water line that broke in the apartment ...
A: Mold grows from a continuous moisture situation. If it was just an occurance, the mold will not be ...
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| too much water | 1/12/2008 |
Q: I am a middle aged woman that recently bought a home. I can do small home improvement jobs, but ...
A: This not uncommon in the East. Sounds identical to what my Mom went thru. I cant really give you ...
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| moisture in the attic | 1/12/2008 |
Q: I have problem with moisture trickling down out of my fan vent in my bathroom after a short freezing ...
A: That fan has a constant airflow because it is a hole in the ceiling. If your interior air is more ...
|
| Gas Logs | 1/11/2008 |
Q: I hope you can help me, but if not, then if you can refer me on to someone who can it would be ...
A: Basically they are a concrete so any brand that will fit your opening will work. There are some ...
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| sheetrock | 1/10/2008 |
Q: My ceiling downstairs got wet in several places from a leaky washing machine that is upstairs. What ...
A: Sorry I wasnt more complete. You can get gallon buckets of ready mix joint compound to fill little ...
|
| electrician as general contractor | 1/7/2008 |
Q: I am house completely renovated-all plumbing, all electricity, all HVAC,flooring ect., it has been ...
A: You can be your own General/prime contractor, but a subcontractor cannot be a General or Prime ...
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| insulation condensation | 1/5/2008 |
Q: we are putting a addition on our house. we insulated the walls with r 21 for winter we have only ...
A: If there is air movement, moisture can get anywhere, and the 50 degrees is probably very near the ...
|
| Deck repair | 1/4/2008 |
Q: Hey dave, I had a few questions for you. I'm about to rebuild the deck in my front yard, its a ...
A: If the deck is less than 12" off the ground, you have no rules except step size. If it is more than ...
|
| recessed outlets with new wall covering | 12/30/2007 |
Q: I wanted to know the best way to make sure the outlets and the light switches are flush when I am ...
A: This might work for you...some Bic pens...take the pen out of the end,,,cut the hollow tube to ...
|
| hardwood | 12/30/2007 |
Q: I have half inch particle and half inch plywood on my floors. Particle is on the top with plywood on ...
A: It will require longer nails, but you need to be very sure the particle board is well fastened to ...
|
| Fixing a curtain rail | 12/29/2007 |
Q: Sounds easy. I've just moved house, and my curtain rail was v.loose on wall. When I took the ...
A: A Molley bolt may be the only way now. If the hole is too big to get another anchor in..the molley ...
|
| attic fan | 12/28/2007 |
Q: My house was built in 1992. There is a section of the roof that has brown and green stuff on it. A ...
A: I am curious if the green stuff is Moss. In colder climates...in wooded areas..it is common. It ...
|
| drawer slides | 12/28/2007 |
Q: I would like to know if I can convert the 40 year old wooden drawers in my kitchen cabinets to ...
A: The typical drawer glide assemblies, take about3/8 to 1/2 of space on each side, but the typical ...
|
| Bathroom Wallboard Demo | 12/27/2007 |
Q: I'm in the middle of a bathroom remodel. When I pulled off the old fiberglass shower walls, there ...
A: In the 50's is a bit ahead of my time, so to be certain, I am not. I will address what I believe ...
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| Paint Job Quality | 12/27/2007 |
Q: The painting of my house is about finished. I will hold 10% retainage until any punch list items ...
A: Any and all flaking must be removed, any loose caulking/putty must be removed, use of an EXTERIOR ...
|
| Stanley Garage Door opener will not run properly | 12/24/2007 |
Q: It jammed and broke the lug in the chain. I took the chain completely off the gear drive so no more ...
A: Unplug the unit for 30 seconds. After you plug it in, try the motor without the door again. ...
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| fixing living room walls | 12/20/2007 |
Q: We recently bought a house built in 1890 and the living room walls are horrible. On some walls ...
A: Those wonderful older homes were modified any way needed. Most of the time...it was just what they ...
|
| GARAGE DOOR OPENER | 12/19/2007 |
Q: MY CRAFTSMAN GARAGE DOOR OPENER WOULD NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. I DISCOVERED THAT THE PLASTIC DRIVE GEAR ...
A: Start by unpluging the unit. Plug it in, remove the door from the operation and let it run. If it ...
|
| Re-inforce 2nd Floor | 12/18/2007 |
Q: Dave, I have a small room on the second floor that I am thinking of turning into a weight room. ...
A: Generally speaking, a residential floor is rated at 40lbs per square foot dead load, and 20lbs per ...
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| Enlarging an older brick home | 12/15/2007 |
Q: We are in the process of buying a brick ranch house that was built in 1960. It passed inspection ...
A: I am going to assume that you wish to enlarge by moving a wall out, not just diminishing an existing ...
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| PUTTING UP BEADBOARD | 12/12/2007 |
Q: My husband and I recently purchased a beach house and we are contemplating putting up beadboard in ...
A: An electric saber saw is what I would recommend. If you drill out the 4 corners...then the cuts ...
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| sand/joints | 12/11/2007 |
Q: I have a older style 80's aggregate driveway and the expantion joints(rotted wood)are now empty ...
A: Fill it with dry mortar. Then use a spray bottle and dampen the top slowly...let it get hard. If ...
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| Replacing old caulk in my shower stalls | 12/5/2007 |
Q: You have to realize I'm a turbo-novice. I attempted to replace old caulk in two shower stalls - in ...
A: It is sometimes amazing how we can mess up an easy job... Normally, a shower caulking job is fast a ...
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| showers | 11/26/2007 |
Q: I live in oolder home and i want to use cement ot cover wooden walls to put in a shower, can I and ...
A: If I understand, you want to coat your wooden walls with a cementous mix for the wallcovering. Not ...
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| Spackling | 11/24/2007 |
Q: Hey Dave, I am finishing up my basement drywall job and have run into a pesting problem. I am light ...
A: That has some influence, but it is still a consistency issue. Sometimes spackle gets too dry, or ...
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| circular saw function | 11/24/2007 |
Q: ..I know this is going to sound like the dumbest question,but Iam not familiar with power equipment. ...
A: This is NOT a DUMB question, and I see it happen all the time with carpenter wanna be's. There are ...
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| garage door | 11/21/2007 |
Q: i changed the battery in the keypad but with no result and second thing is i tried many times to ...
A: I hope you have the manual on programming. You may have to reprogram all of the remotes again. It ...
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| black residue | 11/13/2007 |
Q: We have electric radiant heat - in our ceilings. the house was built in the 60's. my mom owned the ...
A: As winter approaches the static in homes increases. If you have a atatic buildup, then metalic dust ...
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| shower pan | 11/11/2007 |
Q: I am building a home (my third) in Hawaii and have never made an in place shower pan. I am a ...
A: The first pour is merely to develope a slope in the pan to drain to the middle of the assembly. ...
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| shower pan | 11/11/2007 |
Q: I am building a home (my third) in Hawaii and have never made an in place shower pan. I am a ...
A: It is a 3 step process. You can use any protection available for the first pour. You are just ...
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| Repairing plaster walls | 11/11/2007 |
Q: I'm Josh. I noticed you help DIYers and that's my wife and I. We have been using a typical spackle ...
A: Plaster paris is ok..but not my first choice. Ther are other dry mixes that I am liking better. ...
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| how to remove skim coat from brick walls | 11/8/2007 |
Q: I am so grateful to have found this site..I have recently moved into loft, THIRD floor of a building ...
A: A chizel, is a method, but a brickers hammer would be a bit easier. It has a long chizel like end ...
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| plumbing fixtures | 10/30/2007 |
Q: We are remodeling and adding on to our kitchen and adding a 3/4 bath. I have heard that there is a ...
A: There is a rule when shopping Home Depot. Never buy one of anything. It takes two or more to get ...
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| meter base installation | 10/25/2007 |
Q: I am building a new house and cant seem to get anyone to install meter base. What is proper way to ...
A: The center line of the meter needs to be near 60" from grade. Depending on whether you are using a ...
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| Replace siding | 10/24/2007 |
Q: We have a shed that we want to replace the siding on. We had the present siding tested and it does ...
A: Any method that you can fill the voids with is a great idea. As for the siding...the cap corners go ...
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| Overhead Ceiling fan | 10/24/2007 |
Q: 42" / 5 blades.....works fine but is "wobbly". I vaguely remember hearing something about balancing ...
A: The weights need to be as close to the motor as possible. I would suggest some very small ...
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| Overhead Ceiling fan | 10/23/2007 |
Q: 42" / 5 blades.....works fine but is "wobbly". I vaguely remember hearing something about balancing ...
A: Balancing a fan is so time consuming. I have found it strange, but by merely swaping any two ...
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| installing second washer and dryer | 10/19/2007 |
Q: The homeowner that I permanently house-sit for has severe environmental allergies and has installed ...
A: I could see spending...$ 100 maybe to add "y"s to the hot and cold to have second lines to a new ...
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| basement remodel | 10/15/2007 |
Q: My basement is partially finished and I want to put replace carpet in my basement, replace the ...
A: Ceiling tiles are not meant to carry any weight, so recessed lighting will require a framing issue ...
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| Backsplash Tile | 10/10/2007 |
Q: I have just removed some crappy 4 x 4 inch tiles from my backsplash in my kitchen. After removing ...
A: The only problem with adding more to the wall is the depth created. If your new splash is not ...
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| ceiling | 10/8/2007 |
Q: I am going to try to fix a spot on my Mother's ceiling that got some water damage from a leak by the ...
A: If you get a gallon bucket of ready mix joint compound, and put in a separate container, 1/2 maybe, ...
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| Bathtub tiles | 10/5/2007 |
Q: I have a small space in my bath tub that came loose. The person I called to repair this suggested I ...
A: It is very easy to fix one loose or missing tile...as long as you have the old tile. It takes a bit ...
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| sound insulation | 10/1/2007 |
Q: I have a wood frame home, of 2 x 4 studs, and 16" channels. I need the best sound insulation for 2 ...
A: That plan it excessive. The sound is being received by the exterior solid wall. If you can put ...
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| mold | 9/28/2007 |
Q: we live in an old camphouse that was built on conventional frame and unfortunately when they built ...
A: Moisture, humidity, and weather will all affect the body at different times. Respiratory, is a bit ...
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| A Troubled Person | 9/18/2007 |
Q: I have had a bad experience with a contractor. What turned into an exciting garage remodel has ...
A: You have two hard choices. Contact the Contractors board and inform them of your problem. The will ...
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| A Troubled Person | 9/17/2007 |
Q: I have had a bad experience with a contractor. What turned into an exciting garage remodel has ...
A: You do have a recourse. Contact the State Contractors Board, or whatever Governing body you have ...
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| house empty | 9/16/2007 |
Q: I live in eastern canada. I am going away to work. My house will be empty for the winter. I am ...
A: If your house is well insulated, and you were to put some black plastic on the inside...not against ...
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| shower curtain rod brackets | 9/14/2007 |
Q: Where do I find a shower curtain rod bracket for a wall that 1/2 way up is on a 45 degree angle?
A: You will not find a ready made bracket for that application. YOu will need to fabricate something ...
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| handicap shower floor diy | 9/5/2007 |
Q: i have a daughter that is muli-handicap and we built her a bigger bathroom so it would be more ...
A: Handicap showers are the hardest to get water tight. Because you have to bend the rules for height ...
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| Hanging up a handheld showerhead in clawfoot tub | 8/28/2007 |
Q: My question is similar to the last one you answered. However, we have the curtain. What we need ...
A: Ok...if this makes sense. I am thinking about a bracket that holds handles...brooms, rakes, ...
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| garage door opener | 8/25/2007 |
Q: just bought a house with craftsman 1/3 hp opener with outside keypad, it hasnet worked since i moved ...
A: You are supposed to get a manual describing the unit with the troubleshooting guide. If the ...
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| cracked brick | 8/15/2007 |
Q: The brick under our bedroom window is cracked from the bottom of the window to the foundation-the ...
A: Being from southern Ohio...you have major weather concerns. If the crack is over 1/8", you should ...
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| sliced/chipped solid surface counter top | 8/12/2007 |
Q: I just discovered today that my son chipped the edges of my counter top with a serrated knife!?!!?! ...
A: If I assume that it is Corian, it is repairable. You will need to contact an installer and get a ...
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| Shower Rod for Clawfoot Tub | 8/10/2007 |
Q: We have a clawfoot tub with a hand held shower in our bathroom, unfortunately there is no rod to ...
A: I would suggest using electrical conduit, because it is light weight and use plumbing floor flanges ...
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| sliding shed door | 7/27/2007 |
Q: I have a stupid question that no one can answer. I have an old shed with sliding doors. The plastic ...
A: I would consider a shower door track. Its aluminum, which would survive the weather, the parts are ...
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| Retaining Wall - Weep holes and concrete speed blocks | 7/20/2007 |
Q: Do you lay speed blocks from one end of the wall to the other, or start at the corners and then fill ...
A: Speed blocks are fun to lay up...fast. They are T&G so mortar is not wanted, or needed. You would ...
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| Plaster repair/replacement | 7/9/2007 |
Q: I live in a 101 year old home with original plaster. I had a large leak in the slate roof which I ...
A: There are two reasonalbe choices. Depending on whats available to you. Plaster of Paris...is a ...
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| roofing quotes | 6/24/2007 |
Q: I recently asked for a quote from a larger roofing company, and was quoted approximately $5,000.00 ...
A: Not seeing exactly what they plan to do...yes, sometimes only half a roof needs it. Is the plan to ...
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| Windows | 6/19/2007 |
Q: My husband and I are looking to replace the windows in our home and are looking at a midrange type ...
A: Unfortunately, I am not well versed on all the brands that are available, so I would not want to ...
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| wiring ceiling fan | 6/15/2007 |
Q: I am replacing a ceiling fan in my home. The new fan has 3 wires going to the ceiling, not ...
A: Let me back you up for a moment. You have a black, white and black/white strip wires on the fan. ...
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| Warm spot on floor | 6/13/2007 |
Q: I have an area on the carpeted living room floor that is always warm. We are on a concrete slab and ...
A: You have a broken hot water line. Turn the water heater valve off for couple of hours, the floor ...
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| garage door 'sticks' after it has been closed for awhile, then it's fine | 6/13/2007 |
Q: I've recently been experiencing a 'stuck' garage door. When opening the door for the first time of ...
A: My first thought is sap. If any of the framing around the door is pine, or spruce..it could be ...
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| Water on garage floor | 6/12/2007 |
Q: I have a 1.5 year-old double detached garage with an attached parking pad (it's all one slab). When ...
A: I hope this is an easy enough solution for you. Depending on the distance, a tube or two of "PL" ...
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| Gas line for natural gas grill | 6/12/2007 |
Q: What type of gas line should be used for underground natural gas applications? I installed the black ...
A: The only iron piping to be buried for gas is the plastic wrapped type. It is usually a green color ...
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| Stacking a Washer and Drier on the Second Floor | 6/12/2007 |
Q: This is a loadedHow can I tell if my second story is strong enough to hold a stacked washer and ...
A: There is an appliance PAN that allows for a washing machice to be in a water basin with a drain that ...
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| Stacking a Washer and Drier on the Second Floor | 6/11/2007 |
Q: This is a loadedHow can I tell if my second story is strong enough to hold a stacked washer and ...
A: If you dont have a drain for the upstairs Washer..it will either be very simple, as adjacent to a ...
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| Strange smell in the bed room | 6/11/2007 |
Q: I bought my house one year ago, previous owner converted carport into 2 bed rooms 3 years ago. There ...
A: You have one condition that is normally not acceptable. A carport is not a protected slab. Houses ...
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| Stucco | 6/9/2007 |
Q: I want to change the color on my stucco house and was advised to fogging.How do I do this and is it ...
A: The best way is an airless sprayer. If you can get Elastomeric paint... it is superior and lasts ...
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| front door alignment | 6/5/2007 |
Q: what is the best way to re-align my front door? the striker barely makes alignment with the latch. ...
A: I hope you have enough space around the door to make the adjustments. You can either chizel out ...
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| Restoring oak door | 6/4/2007 |
Q: I hope that you're able to provide some suggestions. My front oak door has warped looking wood in ...
A: With the interior being near perfect, the exterior may be an unrelated surface. Depending on the ...
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| Leaking Window Vs. Child with Leukemia | 6/3/2007 |
Q: We have a badly constructed wall that leaks water into the house when it rains. My guess is that ...
A: If you have already caulked the exterior of the window....I would then paint the stuccor in the ...
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| Bouncy floorboards and no subfloor | 5/25/2007 |
Q: I'm looking for some suggestions on securing some of the oak hardwood floorboards that are bowed ...
A: You have the right idea, just reverse it. Put the sister up from the bottom, use screws at an angle ...
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| Bouncy floorboards and no subfloor | 5/25/2007 |
Q: I'm looking for some suggestions on securing some of the oak hardwood floorboards that are bowed ...
A: I would suspect that two movements have occured. Both the oak is bowing, and the joists have bowed ...
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| Asphalt driveway | 5/25/2007 |
Q: a painter told me he could seal my asphalt driveway that is 9 years old and in relatively good ...
A: I hope the painter was licensed. Your best recourse, get him back on the job. It is his ...
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| angles for trim pieces and crown molding | 5/20/2007 |
Q: Dave, I currently own a home that was built in 1955. I am doing some updating with the wood floors ...
A: The best attitude to have is, close is close enough. I use the idea that I want the outside corner ...
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| garage water runoff | 5/17/2007 |
Q: I just bought my first house in Chicago last July and since then I have noticed a significant amount ...
A: You have a problem that is many years old. I am surprised an inspector did not catch this. It ...
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| Windows and siding | 5/12/2007 |
Q: I am replacing siding on a mobile home right now and we are pulling the windows off of the old ...
A: If you have ever seen mobil home construction, they side over the entire structure, then use a ...
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| termites | 5/11/2007 |
Q: My husband just gutted a room fromt header to footers and in between due to termite damage. Now on ...
A: You need to get a termite inspection done very soon and have an extensive prevention program set up. ...
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| Shower Rod Installation | 5/10/2007 |
Q: I have to install a decorative chrome shower rod. The mounting ends will have to be installed over ...
A: Drilling tile requires a masonry bit. It usually also requuires a hammer drill of a sort to promote ...
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| basement floor | 5/4/2007 |
Q: I want to paint my concrete basement floor. It had 12x12 tiles that I scraped off. The adhesive that ...
A: I would start with a light sanding of the area just to knock off and ridges from the glue, then a ...
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| garage door opener | 5/1/2007 |
Q: I have a sears craftsman 1/2 horsepower garage opener. Model # 139.53638srt(92 model) I'v replaced ...
A: You could have a bad reversing switch. Without sensors, your motor is a different breed than the ...
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| REPAIR BROKEN WINDOW GLASS | 4/26/2007 |
Q: I HAVE A 16 YEAR OLD DOUBLE WIDE HUD HOUSE WITH BROKEN WINDOW PANES. I DON'T SEE HOW TO GET FRAME ...
A: If it is the moving part, you need to openin nearly all the way, and raise it till the bottom ...
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| Knotholes in deck | 4/20/2007 |
Q: My dog has scratched at a bunch of knotholes on our deck and now we have about 10 different holes ...
A: Filling in knot holes is not fun... I would try creating "corks" of wood and fill the voids...then ...
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| Outdoor Grill Island | 4/18/2007 |
Q: I need some opinions on countertops for my grill island - I have a few choices, but am not sure of ...
A: Your most important consideration is the outdoors durability. Natural stone will absorb ...
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| replacement windows and siding | 4/14/2007 |
Q: I have received 3 quotes for siding and windows with a wide range among the 3. I am guessing that I ...
A: First...stay away from the argon gas. It leaves the window in a few years. The low E is a film ...
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| Screen door stuck/ won't fit | 4/12/2007 |
Q: I live on the ground floor of a 2 floor, 40 year old condo complex in the San Francisco area. My ...
A: With the glass door working properly, I will suggest that the screen door is the cuprit. It may be ...
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| termites and infested wall | 4/6/2007 |
Q: To Dave Coil. This might not be in your expertise but I'll ask you anyway or anybody else for that ...
A: I can feel your worry. I have done alot of termite damage repairs in the San Francisco and related ...
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| Genie garage door opener | 4/4/2007 |
Q: I have a Genie screw drive garage door opener that is having problems getting the door to come down. ...
A: First..unplug the unit for 1 minute. Plug it back in and let it reset. Some need to reboot like a ...
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| home repairs | 4/3/2007 |
Q: My husband died recently and I am left with a large home in need of many repairs. I contracted a ...
A: This is kinda hard. Needing to make a judgment call, fix vs sell low.... Selling low gets you ...
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| exterior doorframe finish | 4/2/2007 |
Q: My (ex)husband tore out the window in the master bedroom and replaced it with french doors. He ...
A: The sides would not be a big deal...wood trim would cover 3", but the 8" overhead...that can be a ...
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| cleaning cedar | 3/29/2007 |
Q: what kind of soap do I need to use when washing the cedar and is bleach the best to mix with soap. ...
A: If you are refering to unfinished cedar as in a closet....use only a slightly damp sponge. It will ...
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| telephone problems | 3/27/2007 |
Q: Suddenly none of the phones in our home work! We can get no dial tone. People calling us get a busy ...
A: It is a bad connection, normally in the utiliy box. loosen and tighten each screw just a bit. If ...
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| hOLE IN WALL | 3/27/2007 |
Q: Help- I have repaired holes in drywall before. This one puzzles me. I wanted some advice before ...
A: The integrity of the wall at that point is gone. You can patch it for cosmetic purposes, but it ...
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| Fences | 3/26/2007 |
Q: I want to replace a post and rail fence with a metal one..I am confused at this point because I was ...
A: A chail link fence is durable and nearly maintenance free...but ugly. A brick or block wall is ...
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| Drywall | 3/26/2007 |
Q: I have install my drywall and now I'm in the process of taping/spackling. Is there any secrets to ...
A: It takes alot of practice to Feel the job. You need a liberal thin coat of mud in the corner,,,,lay ...
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| Corian Countertop & Backsplash Gap | 3/23/2007 |
Q: Lowes installed a kitchen Corian countertop and backsplash (not coved). It is no where near flush ...
A: 1/8" is the norm. Most backsplashes can, and should be glued to the countertop. The cheap way out ...
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| Vinyl tile for bathroom | 3/15/2007 |
Q: I'm renting a house and would like to replace the carpeting on the bathroom floor with something ...
A: If you dont mind a little more work, you can use VCT or the 1/8" tiles you see in commercial floors. ...
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| door slab | 3/12/2007 |
Q: I am trying to understand why my just put in door slabs will not close to the door stop. the hinges ...
A: Two relavent possibilities. The screws may not be fully recessed, or the hinge side of the door was ...
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| ice build up in the attic | 3/10/2007 |
Q: We have thought about putting a fan in the attic, but we are most interested in knowing what the ...
A: Without a real visual of the situation, it is hard to distinguish between a real roof leak, and ...
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| Bathtub repair | 3/6/2007 |
Q: Dave, I have a white bathtub and some of the paint is coming off, it looks like it was previously ...
A: Two thoughts...if you are renting, it is not yours to repaint. If you caused the previous paint to ...
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| repairing exterior wall after water and termite damage | 3/1/2007 |
Q: I plan on repairing an exterior wall after water leaked and then had termite damage. I have some ...
A: The Hardie board is a good choice, but keep it mind it will draw moisture from dirt. Be very sure ...
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| wet basement | 2/27/2007 |
Q: I have a basement that I am in the process of finishing right now. Leaking is not a problem, and I ...
A: An epoxy paint or elastomeric paints do a good job in sealing the interior of the concrete. As long ...
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| remodling old home | 2/26/2007 |
Q: We have a 2 story home built in 1940 that we are making some changes to and need to find out how we ...
A: You are talking about a structure designed and built prior to trusses and engineering. It is a bit ...
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| installation of an exterior door | 2/20/2007 |
Q: I told you that I have to replace the jam! The jam and the sill is what has rotted out. I already ...
A: Your previous question indicated the door was bad...not the jamb. Taking a jamb out of an opening ...
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| installation of an exterior door | 2/19/2007 |
Q: The rear exterior door is in poor condition and needs to be replaced. I am pretty handy but know ...
A: I would suggest that the jamb stay in place if possible. Replacing a door only, into an existing ...
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| kitchen sink trouble | 2/15/2007 |
Q: We recently replaced our countertops and sink in the kitchen but ever since we removed the old sink ...
A: You have several possible concerns. If the drop distance has decreased, it will slow the flow. If ...
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| Front storm door trouble | 2/15/2007 |
Q: My front door has something I was told is an air cylinder closer. It has one tube on the top and ...
A: Adjusting either one or both is the first answer. Hoping that one is enough, you may only need to ...
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| Insulation ceiling | 2/14/2007 |
Q: Problem: My bedroom is directly above the garage, and the furnace/AC unit is on the opposite side of ...
A: Lowering the ceiling is not a big deal, but I wont gain as much as you think. It will be a good ...
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| Leaking Faucets | 2/9/2007 |
Q: We currently have leaking faucets in the kitchen and bathroom. Is there a quick fix for it or do we ...
A: In most cases, you can get a rebuild kit from a hardware store that will put it back in perfect ...
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| Kitchen Counter Tops | 2/5/2007 |
Q: I think I just left you a message in another section! I am wanting to revive my kitchen and am ...
A: Ceramic countertops are becoming old news. Corian and Granite are the new wave. Fortunately there ...
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| mildew smell in tub drain | 1/7/2007 |
Q: The drain in our tub/shower smells of mildew. We thought it was just a dirty or slow drain that had ...
A: I would suggest Pinesol. It is a disinfectant deodorizer. After that...baking soda. Keep in mind ...
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| Cracking and Sagging Ceiling | 1/7/2007 |
Q: Help! Our house is a ranch built in the 1950's and we are doing some remodeling. The one thing that ...
A: Somehow you need to determine if the ceiling is coming loose or are the joists sagging. You can add ...
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| Condensation problem under porch | 1/5/2007 |
Q: Can not paint the top of the concrete slab roof since it is used as a patio off the deck. I was ...
A: Without being there to fully understand you local situation, I am thinking the rational of ...
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| replacement aluminum thermal windows | 1/3/2007 |
Q: Do replacement aluminum double-glaze single-hung windows need insulation around the window if they ...
A: The temperature on the interior glass should not reach a dew point. The interior temperature of the ...
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| Help Please | 1/1/2007 |
Q: I am an expert here as well so I will try to make this short. Thank you for your time. My wife and I ...
A: Replacing windows brings some questions. Are the frames in good shape that would allow to only ...
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| doors | 1/1/2007 |
Q: The problem I'm having is that the opening on the oppisite side when they framed it is a 1/2in ...
A: As I am sure you have already guessed, the door and frame are a constant. Whatever the opening is, ...
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| doors | 1/1/2007 |
Q: I am building a home and having trouble setting doors. I set the hinge side plumb and at times the ...
A: Doors are simply complicated. Most doors have a bevel on both sides to compensate for the swing. ...
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| popping noises | 12/25/2006 |
Q: I read your response to a homeowners concern about popping noises in his home. It seems that this is ...
A: Unfortunately there is no science to finding a noise and the direct cause for it. It is usually an ...
|
| dust | 12/23/2006 |
Q: I have a 2400 sqft house, 2 story, in Tenneesse.I have 4 children. My wife is a neat freak and is ...
A: A house is not designed to be air tight. It must breathe. The dryer vent is an open air duct. A ...
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| Weatherstripping doors | 12/20/2006 |
Q: Dave: My question is that I really need to get my outside doors sealed. What Is the best material to ...
A: I think the best door weather stripping is the "jamb up" type. It installs with screws or nails on ...
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| bathroom fan ductwork | 12/18/2006 |
Q: We just installed a new bathroom fan that was ratest as one of the quietest available and when my ...
A: Rattles are irritating and usually man made. It can be a loose screw, a loose piece of duct tape, a ...
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| Building a wall | 12/7/2006 |
Q: I am building a half wall (studs and drywall)to separate the cooking area from the eating area of my ...
A: I think i would try some masonry anchors. Drill thru the tile and into the concrete slab. Use a ...
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| sliding glass door | 12/5/2006 |
Q: We have a sliding glass door in our mobile home. It is somewhat dragging and makes a scrapping ...
A: Rollers need to be replaced or oiled annually. Now who is going to tell you that. It is not easy ...
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| window weather stripping | 12/4/2006 |
Q: I have a 16yr old house. The windows are just as old and are middle of the row quality. I live up in ...
A: There is supposed to be a fuzzy strip in the tracks to reduce air travel. Windows and doors are not ...
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| New Front Door | 11/29/2006 |
Q: I have the abililty to purchase a beautiful glass front door at half the cost of retail from a ...
A: Take lots of measurements. It may only have a small faction of room to work in. Make sure the ...
|
| attaching faux wood beams to cathedral ceiling | 11/24/2006 |
Q: Can you advise as to how to attach faux wood beams to a cathedral ceiling? I gather a wood block ...
A: You may need some metal anchors attached to the rafter/truses first. If you can get a row of 2x4's ...
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| kitchen cupboards | 11/22/2006 |
Q: My question… We have an older kitchen design…and small. We would like to re-do the countertops and ...
A: It definitely changes the looks alot. However..it requires a much neater kitchen to keep them ...
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| Wind Damage | 11/21/2006 |
Q: My new lakehouse just went through 80 mph windstorm. Have a large 12 ft. deck the length of the back ...
A: NOthing loose or pliable will withstand that force. It takes severe metal anchors to hold a solid ...
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| Nasty Celing | 11/13/2006 |
Q: I have scraped off the old stipple in the kitchen.And it is a mess.Now I know why they stippled it ...
A: You are undertaking a sizable job. You may want to re float the kitchen ceiling to help level it ...
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| old windows | 11/12/2006 |
Q: we live in a 1920's craftsman and it has beautiful single pane windows. Unfortunately, they are ...
A: The dual pane process is a vacuum type seal. The glass is held apart by a metal bead, the glass is ...
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| Mounting Plasma TV over fireplace | 11/5/2006 |
Q: We want to mount a Plasma TV above our fireplace. Unfortuantely, we have discovered there are only ...
A: If you have a bracket for the TV...use Molley bolts. It will put the entire weight on the drywall, ...
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| smelly basement | 11/5/2006 |
Q: When the smell gets bad, I've been puring about a half gallon of bleach into the drain. This usely ...
A: There is supposed to be a "trap" in the system to prevent gases from getting into living space. It ...
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| Building of a hillside home in Los Angeles | 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: That is a considerable sum to work with, if the house is small enough. Engineering and Archetects ...
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| condensation | 11/4/2006 |
Q: I just moved into a house and found that all the windows in the house have excessive condensation ...
A: You need to improve the air circulation in the house. Ceiling fans, room to room fans...anything ...
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| Heating our house | 11/3/2006 |
Q: Could you tell us how we might be able to increase the air circulation?I have a 2200 sq ft house ...
A: Closing off the downstair registers will send more volume to the upstairs. If the filter return air ...
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| House popping noises | 11/3/2006 |
Q: Dave - the sound is daily, but less so when it's cloudy and cool outside. Which is what leads us to ...
A: If it is movement of the nails within the OSB, the only resolve....tear it off and redo it. You ...
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| Repairing rotted subfloor near exterior door | 11/2/2006 |
Q: I had to take out carpeting from the living room and decided to install wood flooring. When I got ...
A: It is really no fun to replace rotten lumber under anything. It is mostly a matter of dig out what ...
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| House popping noises | 11/1/2006 |
Q: Dave - We hear loud popping noises in our master bedroom, mostly on the western exposure. We have a ...
A: I can tell you its not the windows. The vinyl will flex as needed and the window panes are encased ...
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| hot mopping shower stall | 11/1/2006 |
Q: Dave I saw your answer to the person who asked about hot mopping procedure. You recommended against ...
A: If they have done the "hot mop" the issue is mute. The PVC liner is in place of the Hot mop, not in ...
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| Insulating single-pane windows | 10/31/2006 |
Q: Also to find out a bit more about the sizes and thickness that Plexiglass comes in, I have ...
A: Unfortunately, since it is a plastic...oil prices control. It may get a bit cheaper in the long run, ...
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| Concrete Footers | 10/31/2006 |
Q: Hey how are you doing? I just had a quick question I hope someone will be able to answer. First, the ...
A: Most of the lifts I have seen are at least a 6 point contact. A car can weigh 3000 lbs or so. 500 ...
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| Insulating single-pane windows | 10/30/2006 |
Q: I have three single-pane windows in my living room (35 3/4" W by 78" L) and one in my kitchen the ...
A: This has been done alot and it works to some degree. I would suggest the plexiglass and tell you to ...
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| leak | 10/26/2006 |
Q: We live in a two story home, when it rains and blows a certain direction we get a lot of rain that ...
A: I really wish I could be there for you. I have never failed to find a cause...and be able to fix ...
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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: Do not attempt any foam solutions. They can weaken a structure. You need to get a bag of Mortar ...
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| hot mop | 10/20/2006 |
Q: can you give me the specifics on how to hot mop a shower this is for new construction thanks brad
A: I would steer you away from the "hot mop" and instead suggest a PVC 40mil pan liner and concrete ...
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| leaking window in brick house | 10/20/2006 |
Q: Our house is around 80 years old and we have lived in it for 5 years. Tonight we had water ...
A: The first issue is the roof. Making sure that water cannot get into the framing of the house. The ...
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| Storm door installation - needs buildout | 10/20/2006 |
Q: Dave, Thanks for your volunteer efforts to help people like me out. I am about to install a ...
A: If you have 2", you only need 2" more. I would suggest some "2x2" pine stock. Use 2 1/2 " screws ...
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| Header/Joist | 10/19/2006 |
Q: I am installing a new garage door and I need to remove about 10 feet of a 12 foot,2 beam, 2x10 ...
A: That doesnt sound like a good idea. Let me suggest a 3/8" steel plate with the cut out you want, ...
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| drywall | 10/16/2006 |
Q: I posed the following question and reply but i need a follow up as we attempted to skim ceiling ...
A: This is usually quite easy to fix. You can get a one gallon tub of "ready mix joint compound" and ...
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| cement resurfacing | 10/2/2006 |
Q: My basement floor with one exception is covered with ceramic tile. The exception is an area beneath ...
A: The perfect solution....after alot of thought...dry pack. A cement/sand mix, however you only add ...
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| drywall mud peeling | 9/27/2006 |
Q: We have moved into a 10 year old home. The wall going into the basement was drywalled and mudded ...
A: They did not use normal ready mix joint compound. They used a dry mix substitut an it does not bond ...
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| asbestos ceiling | 9/26/2006 |
Q: My son is living alone in his grandparents'old house. Recently he's told me that his roof is leaking ...
A: The asbestos is not that big of a deal. He is in the mineskual catagory. It would not even be ...
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| tile instllation on my duroc already installed. | 9/25/2006 |
Q: I have removed the bathtub and paid the plumber to install the 32 x 60 glass pan. I have put up ...
A: In many cases I request 50% " upon commencement of work" to be sure the contract is in force. With ...
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| Siding a mobile home | 9/22/2006 |
Q: We have a 1984 mobile home with aluminum siding. We want to insulate and reside it with vinyl ...
A: I will gladly tell you that mobile homes have many different criteria. Some have NO studs in them ...
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| Siding | 9/19/2006 |
Q: We just bought a 2-story house which is in need of many repairs - siding being one of the biggest. ...
A: Personally I dont like the vinyl sidings, because they have been known to be unstable. Alot of ...
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| Remodeling Bathrooms and Overcharging Contractors | 9/14/2006 |
Q: my name is Misty. My husband and I just bought our first house and we are now going through it and ...
A: IN reverse...$200 is cheap for a paint job. There is alot of prep involved to keep it clean. For ...
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| vaulting a flat ceiling | 9/12/2006 |
Q: I have a traditional ranch stle home with 8 ft popcorn ceilings. the framework of the roof is ...
A: It is not as hard as you would imagine. Consider that you only want to vault about half the ...
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| Painting | 9/7/2006 |
Q: I painted a ceiling and most of it turned out ok. However, towards the end it started to streak. Its ...
A: It is amazing how that problems occurs so often. I think it has something to do with the open time ...
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| garage floor | 9/7/2006 |
Q: .. sounds like a time consuming thing if I do it one bag at a time, or do you think it's doable. My ...
A: It would be a good idea to find the cause for the rotting wood and try to fix that. It will get ...
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| granite countertop | 9/4/2006 |
Q: I had black galaxy installed 2 months ago. It has turned light gray in a few areas. The installer ...
A: If it is granite, the factory only cut a piece for you. If it is granite, it is a natural stone ...
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| extremely dry | 9/4/2006 |
Q: we have a large home.It is very comfortable with the exception of the upstairs where we have 3 ...
A: Moisture is heavy, thus it does not easily flow upstairs. You need to create more air movement ...
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| tile in shower | 9/4/2006 |
Q: I am planning to install ceramic tile with thinset in a shower/tub enclosure, the walls of the ...
A: I have not heard of blueboard. Greenboard is the typical tile backer board for showers. Thinset is ...
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| garage floor | 9/3/2006 |
Q: I am one of the hundreds of troubled people. So, I hope you can help me too. My dad was helping me ...
A: I will look forward to helping you. As for grade, consider that surveyor use "tenths" scale instead ...
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| drywall | 8/30/2006 |
Q: How do I hang pictures and art on drywall? I recently moved to the states and I know nothing about ...
A: Most hardware stores carry anchors for your needs. I recommend the white screw in type. They are ...
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| Door knob | 8/27/2006 |
Q: How do I loosen two very tight door knobs? I am getting a callous on my hand from opening and ...
A: This can be simple, or a bit complex. Is the "bolt" tight or on a bind in the edge of the door. ...
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| Leaking Double Hung Window | 8/24/2006 |
Q: THE WINDOW The window is a 14 year old contractor grade HR brand 42x72 aluminum dual pane insulated ...
A: There is a little know feature about windows. They are not meant to be air tight. Windows and ...
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| Smell under three season porch | 8/23/2006 |
Q: We live in an old house in WI that has a basement that extends the length of the house except for ...
A: Your brother is pretty close to what I would recommend. First...dilute the bleach 10/1 or ...
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| asphalt sealing | 8/19/2006 |
Q: Dave..... I would like to seal my parking lot. I understand that coal-tar emulsion coatings are best ...
A: I have seen roof coating that required great stirring effort, but most seal coats are non stir or ...
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| recapping sidewalk next to house | 8/17/2006 |
Q: Dave: I'd like to recap some broken and slightly cracked side walk next to my home, withi=out the ...
A: If you want to attempt the same proceedure, you only need some minor modifications. With the bag ...
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| structural repair | 8/15/2006 |
Q: The floors in our 1930's vintage home are like a roller coaster in some areas. I'm an architect ...
A: Simpson J/JP floor levlers. I would not use these to do the jacking, but as intermediate supports ...
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| Garage Doors | 8/13/2006 |
Q: My Garage Door has come off the track? Can you tell me how to fix this problem?
A: Depending on the condition it is in, it is possible a pipe wrench will wind the spring loaded cable ...
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| how to work with backer board? | 8/10/2006 |
Q: We went from a tub to a shower and I want to tale the walls and I was told that backer board was ...
A: It will cut with a typical circular saw...very much dust. It will screw on to studs. Roofing nails ...
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| replacing vinyl siding corner | 8/9/2006 |
Q: We had a hail storm damage our vinyl siding. I want to know how you remove/replace the corner vinyl ...
A: Some are snap lock...after the siding is on you tap it up into place, the other is nailed on...the ...
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| Door Hanging/Allignment | 8/8/2006 |
Q: How do I go about adjusting an already hung door so the deadbolt locks easier? Right now I have to ...
A: Fortunately it is simple geometry. If you want one side up, you lower the other. For instance, if ...
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| Building A Room | 8/7/2006 |
Q: Iam building a room twelve by twelve additional room.I need to know how many blocks ,I need for the ...
A: AS a rule...one stud per lineal foot. How many blocks is determined by heighth or depth of the ...
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| moldy smell | 8/7/2006 |
Q: I don't know if you can help but thought I;d give you a try. We bought a pop up camper and when we ...
A: You might need to empty the camper and look for a cause of the odors. It may be something that is ...
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| mounting tv above fireplace | 8/6/2006 |
Q: Bought 50" plasma TV and bracket. Can install bracket but wife wants it above fireplace and to hide ...
A: I hope you have a hollow wall. It is possible to drill a hole in the top plate in the attic and run ...
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| driveway | 8/6/2006 |
Q: I want to widen my drivewat to allow more parking spaces. I don't want to spend a large amount of ...
A: There are two ways to do a good job of adding to concrete. One is to dig under the existing concrete ...
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| central a/c | 8/5/2006 |
Q: What is required for a installation of a new 13 seer central a/c condensor. Do i need to replace the ...
A: If I understand you correctly, you are installing a whole new system. That means all new parts, ...
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| Attic Flooring | 8/4/2006 |
Q: The builder of my house floored a small portion of the attic with 1/2" OSB. I want to replace that ...
A: There is a better option. Install 1x2's on the joists to raise above the wires. Be sure to put a ...
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| Replacing wood rot in wooden windows | 8/3/2006 |
Q: Dave, I need help in replacing wood rot in a window. The rotten wood is in the bottom part of the ...
A: I am going to assume that taking the whole window out is not in your plan, but would be alot easier ...
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| ceramic bathtub | 8/3/2006 |
Q: Is it feasable and how would we do it? Build a ceramic bathtub. The bathroom door is 28" and we ...
A: This is no easy task, but it can be done. You would start with a "wet" pan, the same as a shower ...
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| replacing floors in mobile homes | 8/2/2006 |
Q: i need to replace the floor in my bathroom in a mobile home but i do not know how to do this. i ...
A: I will tell you that I know very little about mobile homes, so I would keep it as simple as ...
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| Unknown house smell | 7/31/2006 |
Q: We recently bought a new home, this past November. When we walked through the house at the open ...
A: Obviously I cant tell you what it is. I can tell you that Clorox diluted will kill fungus, if ...
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| non-weight bearing pillars | 7/31/2006 |
Q: Dave, First, thanks for taking the time to answer my question. I have a soaking tub in the master ...
A: Most pillars and columns are for shear beauty. The load bearing "post" is in the column. There are ...
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| Strange smell in room...... | 7/30/2006 |
Q: We moved into a rental house in December. It had been given a complete paint job in October on 05. ...
A: If you are a renter...call the landlord. Keep in mind, anything you do, you do to someone elses ...
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| Paneling | 7/30/2006 |
Q: I’m about to start on paneling project in my den. Specifically, I will be installing new paneling ...
A: Part of your installation issue is the soundness of the current paneling. IF it is sound, you ...
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| Acrylic latex caulk | 7/30/2006 |
Q: I have a dinette attached to the main house,and lately,I have seen wasps in the dinette windows,as ...
A: Most latex caulks do tend to dry hard/firm. Window caulks and silicone caulks and butyl rubber ...
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| Garage Door Opener | 7/29/2006 |
Q: I recently bought a home with a Stanley door opener. A couple days ago I started experiencing ...
A: These openers are getting so sophisticated, that they are becoming problems. I would start by ...
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| Garbage Disposal Trouble | 7/29/2006 |
Q: Dave, In the middle of using my garbage disposal, it started humming and the water backs up to the ...
A: There is supposed to be an "allen wrench" left with the disposal to free it from obstructions. It ...
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| house siding | 7/29/2006 |
Q: reply: panels are 4x8. We live in Northern Ky, minutes from Cincinnatii have an 18 year old home ...
A: I know your area well enough, (Cincy) and it will be quite a search to find that siding. Home Depot ...
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| Double pane windows | 7/28/2006 |
Q: I live in rainy Washington and have thermal windows. What appeared as white overspray last summer ...
A: The dual pane aspect is gone. It is a water tight, air tight seal betweent the panes. I have not ...
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| Insulation in cold climate | 7/27/2006 |
Q: My husband and I found our dream house, but there's one problem. It is in a cold climate and has no ...
A: If I understand you correctly, NO insulation. That is going to be an expensive fix. As for the ...
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| Smoothing material for concrete block pool | 7/27/2006 |
Q: We have a new DIY concrete block pool and need to smooth out walls before we paint it. We are ...
A: You are pretty close. If you can get Plastic cement to mix with sand, that is the base for stucco. ...
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| Painting metal shower base | 7/27/2006 |
Q: I'm attempting to paint an old metal stall shower base. The base appears to be zinc. Thus far I've ...
A: I am thinking you will need to "etch" it first with an acid or stong vinegar, or muratic acid ...
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| window installation | 7/25/2006 |
Q: I am adding an addition to my home with 3 windows. I understand the rough framing, but not how to ...
A: A little generic information may guide you. For the over head beam...rule is 1" thick to 1 foot ...
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| Lighting | 7/25/2006 |
Q: The trim (frame and glass lens) is 9" square. The "hole"/casing of the can lamp fixture is 8" ...
A: Now I know the fixture you are relating to. Very old. Unfortunately the typical size of can lights ...
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| other | 7/25/2006 |
Q: I live on the 2nd floor of a 3 story apartment style condo. The climate here is hot and humid, and ...
A: This sounds severe. If you have acess to the area above, it may require further inspection to find ...
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| window leaks | 7/25/2006 |
Q: Our new 1yr old home has a Pella window that leaks causing stains on the wall below and the carpet. ...
A: If the window is deemed NOT defective, it is the installation that IS. The builder is ultimately ...
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| Lighting | 7/24/2006 |
Q: We have old 9" square recessed lighting fixtures with the pull down lenses in a downstairs hallway ...
A: My curiosity tells me to ask...is the can opening 9" or is the trim rim covering the opening 9". ...
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| crack in ceiling | 7/23/2006 |
Q: Due to a gash in the flat roof, rain came in and damaged the ceiling, creating a crack. How do I ...
A: If the crack is from a previous joint, the most likely, then your remove the tape over that joint ...
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| resin restoration/repair | 7/23/2006 |
Q: Dave, I recently purchased some used lawn furniture made of resin/plastic material. Because they ...
A: I think that the "epoxy" containing paints will work. The epoxy is not of the oil base consistency ...
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| Brick and masonry | 7/22/2006 |
Q: Hoe do you properly anchor itmes to exterior brick? Do you drill into the brick or the mortar. Do ...
A: The mortar is softer for drilling...an if it was made/done correctly it will hold a sufficient ...
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| Water in basement | 7/22/2006 |
Q: I didn't hit a water pipe. My main water line enters the basement ceiling on the far side of the ...
A: I would still recommend the wall removal and start digging into the slab for the source of water. ...
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| Bathroom tub and tile home depot | 7/21/2006 |
Q: Home Depot put tile in my bathroom floor. When laying the tile they put nail waste and drop tools in ...
A: This is a no brainer...you get a new tub at the Installers expense. In fact Home Depot is not in ...
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| LP wood home siding | 7/20/2006 |
Q: I have a home with lp siding on it that has begun to warp and pop out the nail heads. the siding is ...
A: This is not unusual, just not fun. You should be able to reset those nails, and maybe add a few ...
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| Ceiling repair | 7/19/2006 |
Q: I want to redo my upstairs bedroom ceiling. It is an old house with plaster ceilings that are a ...
A: If you can work over your head with confidence, you can stipple the ceiling. Get a gallon of paint, ...
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| patching a hole | 7/18/2006 |
Q: I would like to patch a hollow hole in my concrete stairs outside. It is on the vertical part and is ...
A: I would recommend a mortar mix. It comes if 60 lb bags...too much for your project, but is just ...
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| paneling | 7/18/2006 |
Q: I am wanting to texture my walls. It is a mobile home and the walss are all paneling. How do I go ...
A: Ready mixed joint compound is the way to go. It comes in 1 gallon and 5 gallon buckets. Get a 3" ...
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| ceiling sweating | 7/17/2006 |
Q: We bought our house a little more than a year ago. Our sweating ceiling is in our kitchen/family ...
A: 50% humidity is very high. The open windows may ac |
