Other stories by John Carroll

• Low-Profile Sidewall Flashing

  A less obtrusive and more durable alternative to kick-out flashings

• Reusing Salvaged Brick

  Old bricks are risky for exterior use; save them for interior projects, and use the proper mortar

• Using Salvaged Brick

  Salvaged brick is OK for interior work, but should be avoided for chimneys and other exterior projects in demanding climates

• Rocking Solo

  Tips for drywalling.

• Hanging Drywall with a Crew of One

  With a few specialized tools and techniques, you can cost-effectively hang drywall by yourself.

• Cricket Retrofit

  A downslope chimney without a diverter is guaranteed to leak.

• Q&A: Do Brick-Veneer Weeps Need Screens?

  Q: hen installing weep holes in brick veneer, should I worry about insects or mice getting in through the openings? I've seen advertisements for manufactured weep-hole covers, which seem like a good idea if this is actually a problem, but a waste of time

• Q&A: Stained Plaster Repair

  Q: What's the best way to remove a water stain from a sand-finish plaster ceiling? The plaster was applied over electric radiant-heating cable stapled to Gypboard backing, with a sand finish that won't tolerate any rubbing. Could we use a tinted wash that

• Block-Laying Basics

  Masonry techniques aren't hard to learn and can be valuable on small jobs

• Glass-Block Shower Window

  A cast-in-place concrete sill sheds water outside and protects the framing on the inside