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Extending A Privacy Fence With Wood Lattice Panels

Kelli — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 02:10:58 +0000

Recently the owner of a small house in an older neighborhood asked me to build an extension to an existing privacy fence. This small back yard originally had a 6-foot high privacy fence. In the foreground you can see the surface of a deck.

Given the dilapidated condition of the house next door (which is about 3 feet from the fence) I could understand the homeowner’s need for a taller privacy fence.

Is Lead-Safe Remodeling Worth It?

Kelli — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 04:56:31 +0000

As of April 22, 2010, federal law requires that all U.S. contractors be certified to work with lead-based paint in homes, child-care facilities and schools built before 1978. Details of the new RRP (Renovation, Repair and Painting) rule appear in a brochure, “Renovate Right,” which contractors must give homeowners before work begins. The law requires certified renovators to be on-site to ensure that employees follow specific practices to prevent lead contamination. These include posting warning signs, taping up heavy plastic to contain the work area, minimizing dust by wet sanding, then cleaning with a HEPA vacuum and a wet mop. Certification takes 8 hours of training by an EPA- or state-accredited provider and costs from $200 to $400 per trainee. Not every employee of a remodeling firm needs to be certified, but the firm itself pays a $300 fee to obtain EPA certification. Contractors failing to comply could get hit with a civil penalty of up to $37,500 per incident, per day.

How to Build a Mudroom Bench

Kelli — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:39:57 +0000

The second the sun goes away, out comes the umbrellas and the raincoats and the Wellies. And with them a lot of messy wetness that can warp hardwood floors and stain your best rugs. Short of forcing your family to disrobe on the front stoop, your best bet is to create a stopping area just inside the door where everyone can leave the weather behind.

How Prefab Houses Work

Kelli — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 01:58:48 +0000

Manufactured houses often get a bad rep. There’s nothing like getting stuck behind a truck hauling half a house to get the jokes rolling. And “trailer-trash” is part of the modern vocabulary. However, just as Starbucks redefined coffee and “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” redefined game shows, “prefab” modules are redefining assembly-line houses. Those who favor them tout benefits like smaller price tags, better construction, increased environmental benefits and quicker move-in times. Prefabs are growing in size, too. They’re no longer two-room cottages without indoor plumbing; modular houses can grow to thousands of square feet with multiple stories and basements.

Stair Treads

Kelli — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:42:03 +0000

Stair treads can take a beating in any home. You can refinish your hardwood stair treads or use stair tread rugs to cover the steps. Add character to your home by using a combination of rug stair treads and wood stair treads.

DEAR TIM: The stair treads in my home are in sad shape. One stair tread is cracked and others are scratched from years of abuse. I know I can hide the problem with carpet stair treads, but that’s not really my style. What’s it take to refinish oak stair treads? If that’s too hard, would you recommend stair carpet treads as an acceptable solution? As you can tell, I’m floundering not knowing really what to do. Please point out any pitfalls if possible. Mary Beth M., Cincinnati, OH

Treated Wood: Frequently Asked Questions

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:43:13 +0000

General FAQ’s
Why does wood need to be protected with preservatives?
How long will treated wood last?
How much weight does treatment add to the weight of wood?
Why is treated wood green?
Why can’t I burn my wood scraps?
What should I use to apply to the cut ends of my boards?
Can I use treated wood inside?
Where can I learn more about the safety and environmental aspects of CCA treated wood?

Installation & Maintenance FAQ’s
What type nails or screws do you recommend?
How long do I need to wait before I paint, stain, etc. my deck?
What do you recommend I use to paint, stain, etc. my deck?
Someone told me not to use concrete to set my posts – that it would void the warranty.
How do I remove the grade stamp from my deck?
What do you recommend I use to clean my deck?

Wood Preservative FAQ’s
What preservatives are used to treat pressure-treated wood?
What is CCA?
What is ACQ?
What treatment and retention level should I use for above-ground applications?
What treatment and retention level should I use for ground-contact applications?
What treatment and retention level should I use for freshwater contact?

Read the Answers…

How to Dispose of Pressure Treated Wood

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:36:36 +0000

Pressure-treated wood is used for building and gardening. It is often seen in play sets and decks and is used to build raised garden beds. It contains chromium, copper and arsenic (CCA). Pressure-treated wood can release these toxic chemicals so care should be taken to ensure the wood is disposed of safely.

Home Invaders

Kelli — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:48:25 +0000

WE LIKE NATURE on certain terms — as in, the less of it inside the house, the better. So perhaps you can understand what compelled C.W. Roseburr to smoke a family of raccoons out of his house in Kansas City, Mo., last May. Seems Roseburr had a long-running feud with the animals, which had taken residence in his eaves.

Potshots from his BB gun did no good, so Roseburr decided to frighten the adult raccoon by using a long stick tied at the end with a rag. Soaked in kerosene. Lit with a match. “I set the raccoon on fire,” Roseburr told reporters. “He’s the one that set the house on fire.” Firefighters called to the scene quickly extinguished the blaze, but not before it caused $25,000 in damage.

Read this article

How to Wire a 4 Way Switch

Kelli — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:10:22 +0000

How would you like to be able to control one or more light fixtures from three or more switch locations? It is done with a 4-way switch. This video will show you how to install a four way switch in your home.

Read this article.

Humidifier Maintenance Tips for Winter Season

Kelli — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 12:52:21 +0000

Home humidifiers are used more in the winter as humidity decreases. The home’s exterior is on a seasonal maintenance checklist. Heaters and humidifiers should be too.

A bit of background on how a humidifier works will be helpful. Anyone with a swamp cooler probably already understands the concept. The purpose of this appliance is to add a controlled amount of moisture, or humidity, to the home’s living space. Read more…