Ask the Builder: Repairing wood rot
Wood rot is a sibling to mold growth. Mold growth requires but three things: a food source, mold spores and water. Those three things are almost always available in and...
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Ask the Builder: Why homes get flooded, and how to prevent it
Water is both your friend and your foe. You need it to live, your plants and landscaping need a sip, and if your pets are like my stunning American Dirus...
Ask the Builder: Troubleshooting and unclogging drains in your home
I've been a master plumber for over four decades in addition to building and remodeling homes. I was attracted to plumbing because it's a fascinating three-dimensional puzzle of interconnected drain,...
Ask the Builder: Tips on planning your outdoor firepit
Autumn is my favorite time of year. I love the eye candy Mother Nature hands out here in the great Northeast USA. Add the fragrant aroma of a crackling outdoor...
Ask the Builder: Poor building plans cost these homeowners $20,000
What you're about to read might be life-changing. It doesn't matter if you're building a new home, adding a room, remodeling a kitchen or bath or even building a deck....
Ask the Builder: Everything you need to know about plumbing drains and vents
I recently had a plumbing emergency in my own home. The main drain pipe under the basement floor got clogged with toilet paper. The culprit is a newer low-flush toilet...
Ask the Builder: To get your job done right, specify down to the smallest detail
Just before writing this column, I did a phone coaching call with a man who lives in northwestern Ohio. He wanted to know if it was possible to build a...
Ask the Builder: Making a homeowners insurance claim? Get ready for a big surprise
Do you have homeowners insurance? How much do you know about your policy or contract? Your policy is just a contract between you and the insurance company. When was the...
Ask the Builder: Stop giving contractors money upfront
I've set an ambitious goal for this column. I hope it will save collectively at least $100 million. If you and every other reader follow the advice I'm about to...
Ask the Builder: How to remove — and prevent — algae, mold and mildew
Days ago, Jerry stopped by my website, AsktheBuilder.com. He reads my column each week in his local paper and was perplexed by algae growth on the exterior of his home....