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Q: Recently we installed a new oak strip floor during renovation of an old unoccupied house, and now the floor has permanently cupped. The house is built over a fairly damp crawlspace and has diagonal board floor sheathing. The original yellow pine flooring was badly damaged by termites, so we laid...
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Q: Many years ago, a concrete contractor gave me a recipe for mixing concrete by hand or machine. It is the only mix I have ever used. Is there any way to know how strong the mix is? I use 1 part Portland cement, 2 parts clean sand, and 3 parts clean crushed stone (7/16 inch or 3/4 inch, depending...
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With cold weather setting in, this upstate New York remodeler decided to use a pressure-treated wood foundation to replace a crumbling cement-block wall in a hillside garage.
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Improper soil compaction leads to a host of concrete failures, from cracked pavements and slabs to leaking basements and settling foundations. A concrete expert tells how to avoid these problems by identifying the soil type, using the proper amount of moisture during compaction, and choosing the...
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It’s getting harder to find suitable soil for in-ground septic systems. A consulting engineer examines two new technologies for handling residential wastewater.
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Q: What type of preparation work is needed before placing a 4 1/2-inch-thick topping over an existing slab?
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Exposed concrete slabs don’t have to look dull and gray. Here’s how to use dyes and stains, stamped patterns, and exposed aggregate to create an attractive and durable finished slab.
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Q: In an upcoming remodeling project, we will be uncovering a section of hidden stonework that will need to be repointed to match the existing exposed stonework. How do we go about matching the color of the mortar?
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APA defends panel grading system, ready-mix radiant slabs
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New insulated concrete block, knock-down lumber rack for pickups, clips for patching holes in drywall, fix for squeaky floors