Building A Deck
When I go to friends' houses and open houses, I am often shocked to see how do-it-yourselfers and even paid contractors attach deck beams to wooden posts. What astonishes me is the lack of forethought into the amount of weight that is supported ... [... more]
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Window Glass
Some glass manufacturers have gone even further. They have suspended thin, low-E transparent films in between pieces of glass. This Low-E film has excellent performance characteristics. Some of these films can block 99.5 percent of UV light. It ... [... more]
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Lights Dim When Ac Comes On
I built a new home about 2 years ago. I have the electrical pole next to my barn, not next to the house. The pole has a transformer, meter and a 200amp service. I had the contractor dig a trench (200 ft) from this pole to the house. This is how ... [... more]
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Slate Porch
To insure the slate stays attached to the concrete for many years, you need to do several things. The concrete surface needs to be completely clean and dust free. Scrub it with a scrub brush and soap or use a pressure washer to deep clean it. ... [... more]
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Kitchen Sink Back Up Video
The thicker drain cleaners tend to work better. Follow the directions on the bottle. If that does not work, get a foaming type drain cleaner. This type cleaner actually fills the entire pipe with foam and hopefully with remove the clog. Be sure ... [... more]
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Online Courses - Asphalt Driveway Sealers
The National Asphalt Pavement Association and Asphalt Institute as sources of information about asphalt sealers A three part series about sealing new and old asphalt driveways. Fill out the form below to begin your free online course! A list of ... [... more]
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Window Films
The least complicated window film is one that is a Clear or Dyed / Non Reflective. The clear films in this category are commonly used for just safety, security or modest fade control. If you desire some glare control on the glass or privacy, then ... [... more]
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Heating Installation
The reason you are suffering from sticker shock on the installed price is simple. Heating installation is hard work, it is dirty, it requires a variety of great skills and a boatload of specialized tools. You couldn't have picked a more ... [... more]
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Plywood And Osb Literature
Take plywood for example. For the most part, it all looks the same. Nothing could be further from the truth! You must use the right plywood for the right job or you can have all sorts of problems. Plywood made according to the Engineered Wood ... [... more]
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Play Sets - Fun And Dangerous
When this column appeared in April, 1999 in the St. Petersburg Times, it was seen by one of the nation's top experts on playground equipment. He quickly contacted me to tell me that the set I had built for my daughter had glaring safety defects - ... [... more]
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Three Way Switch Video
The wiring circuit shows the incoming cable from the circuit breaker panel. It has 3 wires. The black wire connects to the black screw in the first switch. The brass screw on the first switch gets connected to the red wire going between the two ... [... more]
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Caulks
You and I have shared a similar experience. When I first used a clear acrylic latex caulk, I thought the manufacturer had made a mistake. I never believed that the white caulk would dry clear. I was wrong. The white color in the caulk is caused ... [... more]
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