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Q. Plans for an infill project call for a poured stem-wall foundation, but the urban site has limited access for a regular concrete truck. A pumper truck would be ideal, but I'm concerned that the pumped mix won't provide the required 4,000-psi concrete. Is this a legitimate concern?
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Q: Are the new trowel-applied membranes used for waterproofing showers as good as sheet membranes? Are some better than others?
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Q: We ordered preprimed HardiePlank lap siding to finish a project, but when it was delivered, we discovered that the backs were left unprimed. Normally, we back-prime wood clapboards, but I'm not sure this step is needed with fiber-cement siding, and the manufacturer's Web site is mute on the...
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Q: The stucco siding on my client's recently remodeled home has developed some small cracks. My stucco sub wants to patch them with plastic stucco cement and then prime the walls with latex mortar primer, but I'm afraid the problem will resurface. Is there a better way to fix hairline cracks?
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Q. Plans for a freestanding deck call for new piers about 2 feet from the house foundation. Is it necessary to dig down to the bottom of the house's footing to reach undisturbed soil, or would the dirt around the foundation of a 60-year-old house be compacted enough to be con sidered undisturbed -...
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Q: I'm refinishing a 70-year-old oak floor with inlaid mahogany accents. Some areas are damaged and need a few minor patches. How can I maintain the contrast between the oak and the mahogany while minimizing color variations between new and old material?
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Q. I'm doing an addition on a house I built several years ago. Some of the eastern white pine exterior trim - which was primed on all four sides with oil primer and top-coated with white latex - is showing sap stains. None of the knots or obvious sapwood was preprimed with BIN (www.zinsser.com)...
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Q: The label on my bottle of Rhino Ultra Glue states (in capital letters) "Keep from freezing," but doesn't say what to do if you don't. Can polyurethane glues be thawed and reused? When they freeze and then thaw, is it obvious that they've been affected? Even though these glues are pretty...
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Q: As a home inspector, I'm exposed to fiberglass insulation almost every day, and although I wear a dust mask, I'm concerned that this may not provide enough protection. I also am concerned about the possible health hazards to the occupants of these home
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Q: My clients want to use as living space the new walkout basement of an addition I'm building for them, but they're concerned about potential moisture-related problems with the planned carpet flooring. I've proposed installing a layer of rigid EPS foam f