CAT | Fix it!
New Roof: Builder Tips and Secrets to Save
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Fix it!, Quality Check
A family member recently asked what tips we could give for buying a new roof. In her case, the new roof would be replacing an existing cedar roof. As we put together the important considerations for choosing and selecting materials and contractors, we realized some of you might need this same information. So, we have […]
Drilling floor joists to run plumbing, wiring or ducts can be tricky. There are very specific locations and sizes in the code telling you what is allowed. The picture above shows what can happen when an untrained plumber is working on your home. Let’s review what is wrong with this particular joist and discuss what […]
No More Nightmare Experiences Getting Work Done on My Home
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Fix it!, Owner-Builder
It’s 7 am and the plumber just pulled into your driveway. This early start time appears good to the outsider, “that guy must be ready to tear it up!” The only problem is, he’s four days late! You can’t help but wonder, if he’s four days late for a job that he’s getting paid for, what kind of turnaround […]
Melting Siding from Window Reflections…Fact or Fiction?
2 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Fix it!, Quality Check
If you had told me five years ago that windows are the cause of melting siding, I would have chuckled. I’ve built, remodeled and repaired several thousand homes and I had never heard of melting siding until the last couple years. But believe it or not, some of the new energy efficient windows are creating […]
How Can You Get Carbon Monoxide Poisoning From a Range Hood?
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Fix it!, Quality Check
How can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from a range hood?, Guest Post by James Toon. So, how can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from something as simple as a range hood? Large, stainless steel range hoods are the centerpiece of many modern kitchens. Gone are the days of small, under-cabinet hoods. Everyone wants a […]
How Much Insulation Do I Need in My Attic?
6 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Fix it!, Quality Check
How much insulation do I really need in my attic? One of our readers recently asked this question for his cellulose attic insulation along with…If I need to add insulation to my attic, what is the least expensive material and method for installing? In this article we review attic insulation requirements and discuss cellulose insulation […]
Do you need to Restore a Deck? Does your wood deck look like the photo above? Exterior wood takes a beating from the sun and weather so it takes proper maintenance to keep it looking good. Here we will share with you how to restore a deck from the ugly, weathered look above to the […]
Structural Problems: What are Your Chances?
1 Comment | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Fix it!, Owner-Builder, Quality Check
What are the chances your new home building project will have structural problems? This is one of those good questions owner builders frequently ask. Here we will discuss the more common types of structural problems, their causes, and we will give you some statistics relating to their occurrence in homes. A recent article,” Lessons Learned […]
Heat Recovery Ventilator: For Healthy Air in Your Home
2 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Fix it!, Great Products, Quality Check
Do you know what a heat recovery ventilator is? Over the years, we have improved the way we build homes. We foam all the gaps and cracks in walls and ceilings, apply whole house wrap to prevent air infiltration, caulk base plates to floors and windows to framing…these are just a few of the quality […]
A friend recommended I write a post about how to get a company you’ve already paid to come back to make home repairs. Let’s say you’ve had a company come out to your home to do work. Maybe they installed a deck or replaced your hot water heater. It’s been a few weeks or months […]
