Armchair Builder

CAT | Fix it!

Are you familiar with recessed electrical outlets? These little guys help conceal the plugs in your home for everything from lamps to wall mounted TV’s. Wherever you need power but have little clearance, recessed electrical outlets can help. Where Are Recessed Electrical Outlets Used? As you can see in the photo above, many people haven’t […]

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    Those clear glass cabinet doors sounded like such a good idea when you were planning your new dream kitchen.  You had seen them in high-end kitchens in magazines highlighting the home’s classy china or crystal.  But in reality, your kitchen cabinets typically hold everyday items like plastic tumblers from your last vacation to […]

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Reader Question from Terry B. in Wisconsin:  “Do you know if drain tiles are required by law in Wisconsin?  We do not have them and are getting water from the cove joint.” Building Codes First off, your local building code dictates the types of drainage systems required on new homes.  When a builder, or armchair […]

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We recently had a reader contact Armchair Builder with a question about icicles on gutters.  Yogi S. from New Jersey wants to know if he should be concerned about the icicles hanging from his home.  Snow has accumulated to about 10 inches on his roof while temperatures have remained below freezing.  Yogi asks, “Are icicles […]

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Are you thinking of applying a garage floor epoxy, stain or paint?  A new covering for your garage concrete will not only make it look better, but it can also protect the surface from harsh chemicals.  But before you dive into your project, there are some pitfalls you should be aware of to prevent problems.  […]

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Frozen Pipes

January 7th, 2014 It’s extremely cold today throughout much of the country which can lead to frozen pipes.  The best case scenario with frozen pipes is a trickle of water coming out of your faucets…and the worst case is flooding in your home due to a burst pipe.  Since some of you don’t see really […]

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The storms moving across the U.S. this week are bringing massive amounts of ice to many homeowners.  This brings us to the question…What are the best methods for ice removal around the home?  The goal is to keep your home functioning properly while making sure everyone is safe.  But sometimes the process of removing the […]

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Is Your Home Wiring Safe?

November 12, 2013 One of the big benefits of building a new home is that everything will be installed to meet the latest advances in the building code.  But some of you might not be ready to build your dream home just yet.  In the mean time, how do you know if your current electrical […]

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Have you ever had a problem with a product or service you purchased?  Most of us have at some point in time.  A new study released yesterday claims the second biggest consumer complaint this past year involved home improvement and construction.  Let’s take a look at some of the details from the study and discuss […]

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Avoiding Roof Fatalities

Your roof can be a very dangerous place.  Whether you’re cleaning the gutters, checking for damaged shingles, or repairing your roof, it’s imperative to take precautions to ensure your safety.  The number of workers that fall off residential roofs each year are staggering…and these are people who are familiar with being up there.  Let’s take […]

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