A remodeler shares his proven strategies for finding, training, and keeping good employees — even while the labor shortage continues. Read more
Favorite Drywall Tools & Accessories
A professional rocker shares the tools and techniques that make for a professional drywall job. Read more
Framing Roofs With Steel
A Midwest builder shares the simple connection details he uses to speed the framing of roofs with light-gauge steel. Read more
Raising an Eyebrow Dormer
Here’s a simple on-site method for laying out and cutting this curved roof pop-up. Read more
JLC Classic
Tips for Crack-Free Concrete Slabs
For a high-quality slab, prepping the base and proper layout of control joints are as important as placing and finishing the concrete. Read more
Q&A: Why Asphalt Shingles Won’t Seal
Q: Two years ago, in the middle of the summer, I re-roofed a house here in Montana with three-tab asphalt shingles. The south-facing slope came out perfect, but the north-facing slope would not seal. I know the temperature was hot enough and the installat Read more
Q: Can gutter downspouts be connected to 4-inch pipes connected to the footing drains? The footing drains eventually terminate at daylight, away from the house. Read more
Q: When 1/2-inch drywall is installed on ceiling joists spaced 24 inches on-center, will the drywall sag? Read more
Q: I want to vent an existing shed roof that intersects a vertical wall at the ridge. Because this roof is at the front of the house, I don’t want to place any visible vents in the roof. Is there an inconspicuous ridge vent available that can be insta Read more
Q: What is an arc-fault circuit interrupter? Are they expensive? Are they subject to nuisance tripping? Read more
Q: I am currently a contractor, but I’m thinking about going back to school to further my education. Where can I find a list of colleges with architecture, construction science, and construction research programs? Read more
Q: We installed a ceramic tile floor in a kitchen. The client is now complaining that the floor is very slick when wet, leading to dangerous falls. Is there any way to retrofit a non-slip surface on a tile floor? Read more
Q: What’s the best way to insulate plumbing supply lines in an exterior 2x6 wall? Read more
Q: Nine years ago I built a new house on a slab foundation. We put in a forced-air heating system, and the hvac contractor ran the ducts under the slab. The house is on a lake, and during certain times of year rising ground water enters the ducts. We Read more
Q: When inspecting the porch floor joists of an 1880s farmhouse in Illinois, I was surprised to see that the joists and the underside of the tongue-and-groove fir decking appeared velvety, and looked like they were covered with matted dog hair. The surfac Read more
Review of Master Builder Solo Read more
Working with sheet-vinyl flooring Read more
RotoZip review Read more
Gold leaf roofing Read more
