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Spanish on the job site; sting operations trap unlicensed contractors; insurance discounts for wind-resistant houses; contractor behind iron bars for lead paint violations
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A veteran stucco contractor and industry expert describes the ingredients that make for a durable, trouble-free exterior.
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Even foundations built with insulating concrete forms need to be made water-resistant. A builder shows how he applies a self-adhering membrane to guarantee a dry basement.
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Leaky condos lead to builder fees; cellulose fibers dramatically reduce stucco cracks; failing septic systems spawn class-action suit; new precut SIPs; expansive soils wreak havoc with floor slabs; labor unions go after non-union workers in Boston
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Q: We have had good luck using the old-fashioned technique for exterior stucco: 1/2-inch plywood, felt paper, wire mesh, then 1 inch of plaster in three coats. Last year our luck ran out. We built a house on a hill where the wind just didn’t stop. A year later, one face — the gable end of a...
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Widespread problem with leaky copper pipes, toxic mold blamed for infant deaths, recharging your NiCad batteries, lumber export fee agreement reached with Canada, U.S. importing drywall from Britain
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Q: When making a patch in stucco, is it possible to use hydraulic cement or a fast-setting cement for the first couple of layers so that the patch can be completed in one day?
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As a veneer on exterior walls or masonry chimneys, manmade stone looks like the real thing, but without the weight and the cost.
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Stucco weep screed detail, piggyback truss bracing, stud sensor clarifications, termites & foam, site safety reminder
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Defect litigation has become a billion-dollar industry in Southern California, driving many contractors out of business. A defect specialist describes the most frequent errors he encounters — from structure to finishes — and tells how to prevent them.