July 2008 Table of Contents

A successful job starts with a moisture test. Read more

Our annual pick of products designed to help you work smarter, faster, and better. Read more

Where unstable soil and periodic tidal flooding are a concern, helical piers topped with a concrete stem wall rise to the challenge. Read more

A simple reorganization of existing space and thoughtful material choices maximize efficiency and “green” appeal. Read more

Catch these common framing and sheathing errors now to avoid inspection failures and customer callbacks later on. Read more

Vapor retarders in North Carolina; cost of curved coffered ceiling; hiring illegal immigrants Read more

Pneumatic nailers under fire; assessing the risks of broken compact fluorescents; big builders rank low on sustainability; DeWalt recalls popular table saw; more Read more

Q. In an older house wired with BX cable, can the original two-prong outlets be upgraded to three-prong grounded outlets, provided they're properly bonded to the original metallic boxes? Read more

Nail heads that penetrate the applied protective barrier on the face of the panels won't necessarily compromise the moisture barrier's integrity, but can still be a problem. Read more

Q. After working for several years as an employee, I recently headed out on my own and began shopping around for liability insurance. Most policies offer "occurrence" coverage, but one company offers a "claims made" policy that provides similar coverage for less money. What's the difference between the two types of policies? Read more

Imagine two builders. Builder No. 1 is an experienced project manager who decides to start his own business. His technical skills are finely honed, he knows how to manage a crew and schedule, and he builds homes that customers love. But a few years after hanging out his shingle he is still struggling financially. Read more

Basement finishing; flashing Read more

Phantom loads cost electric-utility customers $3 billion annually. Read more

Few things are more irritating than having a power tool repeatedly come unplugged from an extension, or dealing with a knotted connection that keeps snagging on framing members or ladders. Read more

Working outside in the winter usually means your extension cords will be about as supple as a frozen garden hose. Read more

If you regularly cut high-pressure laminate, melamine, wood veneer, or acrylic sheet, Forrest's Duraline Thin-Rim blades promise reduced chipping and a better quality of cut. Read more

Designed primarily for pruning and other fast cuts through wood, The Ugly recip-saw blade from Skil is perfect for trimming those overhanging limbs that get in the way while you're painting, siding, and roofing. Read more

I've always found that Irwin's Marathon saw blades offer a good combination of value and performance. Read more

As a remodeler, not a day goes by that I don't have to do some kind of plumb or level layout. Read more

Sometimes setting up a jackhammer and a compressor takes longer than doing the actual work. Read more

Paul Bias, a green builder in Arcata, Calif., frequently works on sites where it’s difficult to get temporary power. Rather than use a generator — which is loud and dirty and easy to steal — he powers his tools with energy from the sun. Read more

This schematic shows how to wire the trailer-mounted photovoltaic power system described in July’s Backfill article. Read more