To make a cutout in a tile for, say, an outlet, support the tile on a wood block and move it slowly into the blade of the wet saw. Cut one side, flip it over and make another cut to drop out the waste piece. ...Read More
Ducts carry heated or cooled air. Under normal operation, they don't carry combustion byproducts and are sealed as a matter of energy efficiency, not combustion safety. Sheetmetal flue pipes, on the other hand, carry combustion gases from the furnace or the boiler to the chimney. They are not sealed to the same extent that ducts are. Read More
July 2006: Professional Engineer Norman Becker discusses how to get rid of termites, ensure that a roof deck will stand up to both weather and time, shop for a good cellar door, address peeling laminate on kitchen cabinets, raise the height of a concrete walkway and strip urethane paint from a concrete floor. Plus:An interview with DIY to the Rescu...Read More
Professional Engineer Norman Becker explains what dimmer switches are best for saving on energy bills, gives guidelines for installing a shower, highlights resouces for using solar energy in your home, tackles the issue of using a sealer with grout and investigates the issues behind a faucet that likes to shut itself off. Plus: Learn more on vacati...Read More
Nearly 2000 years ago, the Romans constructed a temple of a size and design that engineers still look upon with awe. It was a massive circular building, 143 ft. in diameter, covered by a monolithic dome. The building still stands. It's called the Pantheon--and it's made of concrete. Whether you dream of creating your own temple or just a pad to pla...Read More
The soffits on the addition to our house rot out after only a few years. The soffits themselves are not vented, but there is a large gable vent. There are identical gable vents on the main part of the house. The soffits on that portion of the house are not vented, yet they are still in great shape after nearly 30 years.
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You're anxious, worried and feeling as if you've lost all control. Your stomach is in knots and you have no appetite. You sit by the phone nervously, waiting for it to ring. These are the unmistakable symptoms of someone who has either: 1) fallen in love for the first time, or 2) put a house up for sale. If you happen to be lovesick, you're on your...Read More
