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A combination of to-do lists, paper calendars, and a computer contact manager keeps multiple jobs on track.
A combination of to-do lists, paper calendars, and a computer contact manager keeps multiple jobs on track.
A kitchen remodeler tells how he determines if cabinet refacing is a viable option, and how to ensure professional results.
A remediation contractor explains how improperly installed synthetic-stone veneer can cause severe rot damage in the wood framing underneath.
Manufacturers have developed specialized tools for laying out, cutting, drilling, and installing stair parts. Here's a close look at how they work on site.
The answer, says a Maine business-systems consultant, depends on whether you like packaged reports or prefer to customize the program to match the way you do business.
A Massachusetts builder explains how he built a structurally sound vaulted hip ceiling without collar ties.
Stone counters require meticulously planned cabinetry and sturdy support. A stone contractor tells what you need to know.
A mason describes how he detailed a pair of large block walls to carry severe lateral loads.
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A longtime custom framer evaluates eight 7 1/4-inch saws and chooses his favorites.
This sturdy, portable chop-saw stand speeds finish carpentry while getting rid of the dust.
A Northern California stucco contractor describes how he uses foam-based trim and pigmented finish coats to revitalize tired stucco exteriors.
Two foundation remediation specialists show how they use an engineered system of pin piles and wall ties to give new life to a failing foundation.
Balancing cooling with humidity control is a tough job in the coastal South. A North Carolina hvac pro explains how the latest generation of cooling equipment meets the challenge.
Storm-resistant windows are now required by code all along the eastern seaboard. Here's an overview of how these beefed-up units work to keep storm pressures out of the structure.
Designing dormers that fit
A Massachusetts building mover details the process of lifting a 1772 post-and-beam house completely intact, transporting it over land and water, and setting it to rest at its new home.
Electric-resistance tile-warming systems can increase comfort in the kitchen and bath without greatly increasing the client's electric bill. A tilesetter shares his method for a foolproof installation.
The dangers of lead exposure are well documented, so it makes sense to take precautions when disturbing old paint. A restoration carpenter discusses legal liability and shares practical measures for minimizing the risk.
We compare seven popular thickness planers for cutting capacity, power, quality of cut, portability, and noise output. Here's how they stack up.
For customers who want the look of a timber-frame outbuilding without the cost, this Massachussetts builder has developed a straightforward approach to stick framing with heavy timbers.
Forming concrete counters on-site requires careful preparation and perfect timing. A third-generation concrete contractor shares his secrets for getting the job done right.
Nothing like rolling the shop to the job to slash setup time. A GC tells how he built a custom saw trailer with a 14-inch radial arm saw, a large-capacity air compressor, and tons of storage space.
A crawlspace expert describes how he turned a damp bug- and mold-infested crawlspace into a clean, dry, sealed environment.
Air compressors vary in terms of portability, noise output, recovery time, and ease-of-use. We sent ten twin stacked-tank models out in the field to find out which ones deliver; here's our report.
Trying to speed production and increase accuracy on the job? These tools deserve a look.
A California remodeler tells how he retrofits weatherstripping on existing wood windows for sound and thermal insulation.
JLC's annual pick of products designed to help you work faster, better, and smarter.
An East Coast builder describes the process of forming and pouring a structural garage slab using polystyrene deck forms.
Chimney caps are too often poorly detailed and are the first part of the chimney to degrade. A mason explains how to build a durable cap.
Are weep holes in a typical wood-frame brick-veneer home required anywhere other than at the bottom? What about over and under windows?
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I've been unsuccessful in finding a permanent method of securing dishwashers to the underside of stone countertops. I've tried using construction adhesive and epoxy to secure the small metal tabs, but with no long-term success. One countertop installer sa
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I'm about to pour a slab on a site where several stumps were removed, leaving 2- and 3-foot-deep holes about 4 feet across. The backhoe operator went ahead and filled in the holes with dirt from the site (sandy loam, pretty good stuff), drove over them a
I've been a builder for more than 20 years and have come across my first serious mold problem ? in my own home in Maine. The house was for sale and under contract pending a building inspection. The inspection revealed mold growth on one entire underside of the roof sheathing (the other side was not...
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Q. The building codes don't allow you to rip graded lumber to a narrower width (to make a 2x6 and a 2x4 out of a 2x10, for example). But what about ripping LVL?
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Q. I'm doing a basement remodel and am thinking of finishing the block foundation walls by painting the masonry with Drylok, then adhering 4-mil poly over that. Next, I plan to fur the walls with Z-studs, put 2 inches of foil-faced polyiso board between t
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Q. Is there any way to can keep mice out of insulation? I am working on a remote cabin in southern Illinois, and the mice seem to come and go at will. I'm getting ready to insulate another room and I don't want to provide new places for the rodents to nes
Lightweight pneumatic hose; paint for fiber cement; wet-dry central vac; landscaping products; metal stairs; fire prevention products
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Q. I have read conflicting reports about the use of housewrap. Does the building code actually require the use of housewrap under siding?
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Q. I need to fix a problem with ice dams in a new house. The ice dams form in two valleys over a cathedral ceiling and are causing leaks. The roof is standing-seam metal, and there is not enough venting in the valley area. Is there a solution short of tea
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Q. How cost-effective are solar panels?
Q. The plans for a new house call for saltillo tile over a 3/4-inch plywood subfloor with 1/2-inch concrete backerboard (Durock) thinset and screwed to the plywood. The floor joists are Dietrich Trade Ready Floor System 12-gauge steel joists at 16 inches
Q. Can I use type X "fire code" gypsum board to reduce clearances to combustibles for a woodstove pipe? For example, could I attach a layer or two of gypsum board to the side or bottom of a nearby cabinet to reduce the required 18-inch clearance?
Q. I'm planning to form a simple 4-foot stem wall foundation for a single-story garage using plywood, snap ties, and walers. It needs to have a brick ledge for the top 10 to 12 inches, which will show above grade. What's a simple, effective way to do this
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Q. Recently I've run into a couple of incidents where a crystallized white substance has formed on the shower floor and in the drain. In both cases the showers have mud-set floors and are entirely tiled. The water is from a public source. In one case, the