July 1999 Table of Contents

Features
A Simple Job-Site Notebook

Easy access to all job documents is the key to bringing projects in on budget and on time. A project manager tells how he organizes the paperwork so that critical job information is always available on site. Read more

Building a Pole Barn

By combining time-honored post-frame construction techniques with modern roof trusses, this Rochester, N.Y., builder-remodeler was able to save the cost of a concrete foundation while giving his clients the look of a traditional barn. Read more

Electrical Code Update Electrical Code Update

A veteran electrician gives you a leg up on your inspector with this summary of the latest NEC changes. Read more

Spray-Applied Foundation Waterproofing

One way to ensure a dry basement is to coat the foundation with a waterproof membrane. We look at the available options and explain how to prepare for and apply them properly. Read more

Unit-Pricing Pitfalls

Estimating by the square foot saves time, but sacrifices accuracy unless you're careful. We explain how the shape of the structure affects the square-foot price of everything from framing to finishes. Read more

Letters
Letters

Asphalt roof-over pros & cons, PT wood myths, preventing wood siding woes, lead paint caution Read more

News
Notebook

Coping with the labor shortage, water heater failures, higher fly ash content in concrete, new home ventilation standard Read more

Q&A
Q&A: Finish for Bare Slab

Q: What is a good, durable, transparent finish for a bare radiant slab? I’ve tried Glitsa over colored concrete. The finish looked great initially, but was not water-resistant. A year later, there was a fair amount of delamination and flaking. How should I refinish the floor? Would a polyurethane finish bond better? Also, for the future, should new concrete be acid-washed before applying a coating? Read more

Installing Crown in a Finished Room Finish Carpentry Installing Crown in a Finished Room

Is it better to pre-paint the crown and just touch up the nail holes, or paint it once it’s in place? Read more

Q&A: Moldy Basement Room

Q: I was hired to refinish a basement game room built in 1936 in a house on the shores of Lake Michigan. The T&G paneling in the room was badly warped and the bottom 3 feet were moldy and partly rotted. I removed the paneling to find that it had been installed directly over the poured foundation on furring strips embedded in the concrete. On hot, humid days the bare concrete sweated so much that water trickled down the wall. I checked during a rainy period to establish that there were no foundation leaks. Then I proceeded to insulate the wall and the floor, installing 2x2 pressure-treated furring to the concrete with 1 1/2-inch rigid foam placed tightly in between. I sprayed foam in all cracks and at wall-to-wall and wall-to-floor corners. I stapled up a 6-mil plastic vapor barrier, then installed drywall. I also installed a high-volume exhaust fan controlled by a humidistat. Now, three years later, there’s a new problem: mold growing on the drywall at the base of the walls and in the corners of the room. What should I do? The owners want a 4-foot-tall pony wall with a display shelf on top. I plan to stud-frame this and fill the stud cavities with insulation, hoping that will help. I also wonder if I should have killed the preexisiting mold with bleach before insulating the room. I would appreciate any ideas on how to cure this problem. Read more

Business
Strictly Business: Building Referral Networks

Strategies for increasing job referrals Read more

Legal
Computers
Computer Solutions: Computer Filing System

Using folders to organize your hard drive Read more

Review
Resources

Business management primer, door hanging, heating system overview Read more

Kitchen & Bath
Kitchen & Bath: Basement Bathroom Retrofit Kitchen & Bath: Basement Bathroom Retrofit

Up-flush basement bathroom options Read more

Products
New Tools & Materials for '99

Every year, we keep our eyes peeled for products that solve common job-site problems in a unique or inventive way. This year's collection has something for every phase of construction. Read more

Toolbox
Toolbox: Simple Chop Saw Stand

Site-built chop-saw stand Read more

Other Articles
JLC Online

Leaky power sander, chimney flashing in steel roofs, tools for cutting fiber-cement, Win95 alternatives Read more

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