Construction, Remodeling, Pro Tool Reviews, Best Practices, How-To Tips, Tool Buying Guides, Home and Garden, and Solutions to Remodeling Problems Targeted to the Professional and Do-It- Yourselfer
W.P.L Bager House | Concord, MA | House Remodel W.P.L. Badger, a blacksmith in 19th century Concord, Massachusetts began construction on his house in the early 1830s. In its nearly 200-year history since then, the house has undergone at least three significant expansions, plus numerous interior remodels, the latest in 1980. By the time homeowners…
LeveLok Ladder Stabilizer Standoff Brackets Every tradesperson and homeowner alike needs an extension ladder standoff, for reasons that I trust are obvious. I’ve gone through several types and, bottom line up front, the LeveLok ladder stabilizer standoff brackets (Model ST-ORS-3XL) are the best I’ve found. As a bonus, they aren’t very expensive! You may already…
Saving A Barn From Falling In: I was recently asked to reside a barn that had decaying siding. The main reason for this decay and rot was directly related to the fact that the barn did not have gutters which resulted in the bottom third of the siding to prematurely wear away and rot. I…
Basement Wall Insulation Using Rigid Foam Board Best practice for basement wall insulation [best insulating and vapor barrier system] is closed-cell foam, the second-best is using foam board, especially if you’re trying to save money. Using a rigid foam board creates a good vapor barrier along with an insulation layer that won’t promote mold growth. Rigid…
Masonry Steps Against Wood Whether concrete, pavers or granite, masonry steps, should never be placed directly against wood. Doing so WILL result in rot and water damage to the homes sill foundation. It will also be a neon sign inviting carpenter ants and termites to come into your house and start munching on your home.…
Cleaning Stone Masonry Stone is a building material as old as man himself. It was used as the some of the first tools as well. It is a very durable and attractive material. I works very well to construct building facades. It is attractive by itself or when used as an accent in a brick…
Common Mortar Joint Profiles Next time you’re out and about take a look at the masonry buildings near where you work and live. Do the mortar joints disappear into the brick and stone or do they contribute to the look of the facade? Are they recessed from the surface or are they proud of the…
Temporary Job Site Safety In the masonry restoration industry we almost never have the luxury of working on unoccupied buildings. The job site is always at schools, condos, office, or church buildings. Buildings that have people living or working in them at all hours of the day. When working on buildings of this type, not only is…
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