November 2015 Table of Contents

Features
Installing Prefinished Strip Flooring Installing Prefinished Strip Flooring

The prep work is the same as for unfinished strip flooring, but the installation requires more care because of the prefinished surface. Read more

Major Surgery for a Failing Fat Wall Major Surgery for a Failing Fat Wall

The worst decades for building science weren’t in the 1800s; they were late 1970s through 1990s. Here’s one from the 80’s that’s getting a major overhaul. Read more

A Tiny But Roomy Bathroom A Tiny But Roomy Bathroom

Choosing the right products can make the most out of limited space. Read more

Letters
November 2015 Letters

Letters from readers Read more

Q&A
Concrete for an ICF Foundation Concrete for an ICF Foundation

How the right concrete mix and good placement practices will keep defects in an ICF foundation to a minimum. Read more

Pressure-Testing Exit Plumbing Q&A Pressure-Testing Exit Plumbing

To keep sewer gas out of a house, pay attention to fixture traps, the integrity of the exit plumbing, and whether or not the house has balanced ventilation. Read more

Finishing Old, Unpainted Drywall Finishing Old, Unpainted Drywall

Why a stain-blocking primer may be needed before texturing or painting older drywall. Read more

On the Job
Wayland Passive House: The Airtight Insulated Shell Wayland Passive House: The Airtight Insulated Shell

JLC follows the action as the Auburndale Builders crew applies airtight taped fabric and exterior rock wool insulation to a Passive House under construction in Wayland, Massachusetts. Read more

Troubleshooting
Rethinking Window Flashing Rethinking Window Flashing

Flashing windows the "right way" requires three sets of instructions - for the flashing tape, the housewrap, and the window. Which set do you follow? Read more

Energy
Drain Pain: Furnace Condensate Proves Tricky to Manage Drain Pain: Furnace Condensate Proves Tricky to Manage

High-efficiency boilers, furnaces, and water heaters produce acidic water that can pose a disposal problem no matter how you handle it. Read more

Backfill
The Traveling Timber Frame The Traveling Timber Frame

When timber framer R. A. Krouse travels to a country fair, he brings along a barn. Read more

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