Precast Concrete Piers

By Robert Robillard

Precast Footings We recently had the opportunity to try out precast concrete piers on a deck project we were working on. These piers come in round and square and are made from 4000 psi concrete with a 1/2 inch captured bolt provision. embedded in each footing is a (1) 1/2 inch rebar. Precast concrete piers…

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Schluter DITRA-HEAT Heated Bathroom Floor

By Robert Robillard

Schluter DITRA-HEAT Installation and Tips I recently remodeled a 3rdfloor attic for a client. For heating we were only able to get a heat duct on one side of the floor. This heat duct reached every room except  a small bathroom, on the opposite side. To address the lack of heat, we plan to add…

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Cutting A Wall Down To Make A Half Wall

By Robert Robillard

How To Cap A Half Wall With Trim We recently were asked to enclose a covered porch from the garage to the kitchen/ Once this was done, the client wanted us to then remove the old exterior wall and make it a half-wall. Deal With Structural Walls First You cannot cut out a structural wall,…

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Fixing Holes In Floor After Enlarging Door

By Robert Robillard

How To Fix Holes In Bluestone Floor After Enlarging Door We were recently asked by a client to enlarge an existing door. The door was in a newly renovated, mudroom area and exited into a garage. The mudroom floor was 1” Bluestone that was wet-set [cemented] into place. We advised the client that enlarging the…

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Walls Ditch Digger Stretch Pants

By Robert Robillard

Walls Ditch Digger and “Kick It”Stretch Pants Review Article by Ralph Mroz What’s one tool that you use every day, all day long? Your pants.  Jackets, sweatshirts, and even t-shirts may come off during the day, but your pants stay on (at least I hope they do if you’re doing residential work!) This article is about…

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Napoleon Gas Fireplace Inserts – Oakville Series

By Scott Arnold

Napoleon Gas Fireplace Inserts When purchasing a gas insert, consumers want a reliable option that delivers on both performance and aesthetics. Designed with consumer interests in mind on aesthetics and heat output, as well as the dealer and installer with design functionality, easy to install, reliable and easy to service, Napoleon is pleased to announce…

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Baseboard Radiators Not Heating Room Up

By Robert Robillard

Hydronic Radiator Slant Fin Elements Facing Wrong Direction Over the years I’ve had folks reach out to me complaining that they have rooms that do not heat up well. The solutions all varied; including zone valves, circulator pumps, relays, and whether the thermostat is working properly. Sometimes as simple as a battery needs replacing. Slant Fin…

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Using the Schluter Shower System

By Robert Robillard

Waterproofing a Shower With the Schluter System What Clients Really Think About When remodeling a shower, the most important thing to consider is waterproofing. Unfortunately, many people do it wrong or cut corners. We all know countless shower pan and waterproofing horror stories. Leaks and call-backs take time, cost you money, and will hurt your…

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