Help! Is an Insulation Gap a Big Problem in My Garage?
I recently installed R13 (4-inch) mineral wool insulation in my unfinished garage, where I've got 2x6 studs. This setup leaves about a 2-inch air gap between the insulation…
construction
Is My New Walkway a Disaster or Am I Overreacting?
I posted earlier about some aesthetic concerns I have with my newly replaced exterior walkway, but I've been thinking more about the structural issues, and it's starting to…
How Feasible is Adding a 25' LVL Beam in My Living Room?
I'm considering installing a 25-foot LVL structural beam in my living room to replace a load-bearing post. However, I'm struggling to find solid reference material, especially images of…
What Should I Do About This Crushed Beam Issue with My Builder?
I'm working on an addition to my home and noticed that the ridge beam was temporarily supported by a post that seems to have caused a significant point…
How Much Would It Cost to Remove a Load Bearing Column in Texas?
I'm considering removing a load bearing column in my home, and I could really use some estimates on how much that might cost. Just to give you all…
Can I Use Cement Board Instead of Drywall Throughout My Home?
Hey everyone! I'm diving into a pretty ambitious DIY renovation of our double wide manufactured home, and I'm curious whether using cement board everywhere instead of traditional drywall…
How to Deal with Persistent Bitumen Smell After Waterproofing?
Hey everyone! A year ago, when my house was being constructed, they waterproofed the floors using bitumen and foil, and then they poured a 5 cm concrete screed…
What's the Best Flashing Option for Hardie Plank Siding?
Hey folks! I've been reading a lot about how it's not recommended to use mill finish aluminum for flashing against Hardie Plank due to potential corrosion and bleed-through…
Why Are My Measurements Off by a Quarter Inch?
I recently took some measurements, but I'm noticing something strange: all my inside measurements are coming back about 1/4" longer than the outside ones. I checked again, and…
Cheap vs. Expensive Bubble Levels: What's the Real Difference?
I'm curious about the differences between cheap and expensive bubble levels. I've noticed that metal tools like combo squares seem to justify their higher prices with better precision…
Should I Replace Drywall with Plywood Behind Siding?
I'm in the process of replacing my siding, and I've discovered that on one side of my house, there's drywall installed directly behind it, which is quite unusual…
Is a French Drain Still Effective Without Filter Fabric?
I recently had an excavator dig a trench for a French drain, but I noticed they're running the pipe without any filter fabric. They're planning to cover it…
Best Way to Securely Stack Railroad Ties for Car Support?
I'm looking for advice on how to securely attach two railroad ties together, stacking one on top of the other. I'm planning to use them as a backup…
Can I Put Drywall Over Existing Drywall for Extra Fire Resistance?
I'm working on finishing my garage, which currently has a layer of 5/8" drywall, but I'm thinking about adding another layer for better fire resistance and insulation. There's…
Is it okay to take scrap wood from construction sites?
I was chatting with my neighbor while I was working, and he mentioned that he often goes to construction sites at the end of the day to ask…
How Should I Properly Waterproof My Shower Bench?
I'm installing a shower bench and I'm concerned about waterproofing it correctly. The structure is just a frame made of 2x4s, and the membrane seems to be hanging…
Do I Need Footings for My Deck's Sonotubes?
I'm building a large deck (16x30 feet) in the northeast and I've already dug 10 holes for 10-inch sonotubes to ensure they reach below the frost line, which…
What's the Best Material for 8-Inch Deep Steps Spanning 36 Inches?
I'm tackling a little DIY project and looking for advice on the best material to use for steps that will span 30 to 36 inches and are only…
What are your thoughts on the Highland pattern maker's vise?
I'm thinking about purchasing a Highland pattern maker's vise that I found locally, and it seems to be new in the box for a reasonable price. I wanted…
Best Substrate for Replacing a Sidewalk with Pavers?
I'm in the process of replacing a short sidewalk in front of my house. The existing sidewalk isn't level, and there's a low spot where water pools after…