Practical Solutions To Everyday DIY Challenges!
Basement Insulation And Vapor Barriers Dear Concord Carpenter, I'm refinishing my basement and am at the step where I start insulating the walls. The walls are 1/2 below ground, with field stone being the section underground and cinder block above ground. I framed 2x4 studs a few inches from the wall and will be using faced, fiberglass insulation. My question is: Do I need an additional plastic vapor barrier? … [Read more...]
Dear Concord Carpenter, I own a Dutch Colonial style two-story house. It is brick on the lower story and 1960s era Masonite type siding on the upper story. Roof is Gambrel. The windows were replaced by the previous owner and do not have visible sills or casing. I want to replace the windows as well but don't know what to do that would truly be traditional. But my primary question at this time is that I want to remove all siding, building … [Read more...]
The Environmental Benefits At this point, there really is not any need to further repeat the amazing environmental benefits of outfitting older homes with , products and materials. The immediate impact of these necessary changes will save water, energy, gas and oil usage. Simply by making these large and oftentimes small changes, there is an incredible reduction of environmental effect. Replacing ancient faucets, showerheads and toilets … [Read more...]
Plug ’n Save Energy Products offers a very cool and innovative product called the PV Solar Shutter Retro-Fit. The PV Solar Shutter is a way to add PV cells to existing plantation shutters. PV cells are embedded in the louvers and wired to produce power. For more information regarding Plug’ n Save Energy Products please visit www.plugnsaveenergyproducts.com … [Read more...]
The Town of Concord Massachusetts, my home town, is in the process of removing street lights in an effort to reduce the lighting portion of the Town budget. Street lighting is funded by the tax payers through the general fund. The plan calls for a 43% budget reduction in overall street lighting. When the street light reduction project is complete there will only be lights at intersections, sharp curves in roadway, and in the business … [Read more...]
When NOT to use a CFL: CFL’s are a great option to save energy but there is a time and a place to use them. Here are a few locations NOT to use them: Avoid using in fixtures that are turned on and off a lot. Doing so shortens the bulbs light – these types of bulbs are designed to be left on 15 or more minutes for best results. Avoid in areas that receive a lot of vibrations [ceiling fans, laundry room, and garage door … [Read more...]
Rainwater harvesting Rainwater harvesting is the accumulating and storing, of rainwater. This is not a new idea and has been used for years in many areas of the country and world. Rainwater is typically harvested and stored in a cistern or storage tank and later used for drinking water, water for livestock or irrigation. Rainwater collected from the roofs of houses into gutters and then to a storage tank. This system can … [Read more...]
. Correcting an Insulation And Air Leak Problem Solves Frozen Pipe Issue: I’ve worked for a client for the past six or eight years and for as long as I can remember they have had a problem with their master bathroom shower pipes freezing. One issue with this shower is its location. It is located above a garage [heated] and the water pipes ate in a corner with two cold walls and a cold roof. Frozen Pipes: Pipe freezing is a … [Read more...]
Robert Robillard is the Editor of A Concord Carpenter, Host of the Concord Carpenter cable tv show and the Principal of Robert E. Robillard Finish Carpentry & Renovation, LLC, a carpentry and renovation business located in Concord, Massachusetts.
He writes on all aspects of home improvement and remodeling, specializing in problem solving for all aspects of home maintenance.
In his spare time he enjoys reviewing new tools and products and restoring old tools back and using them on projects: A Concord Carpenter.
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