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Home > View Profile   »   hkstroud
 
 
View Profile: hkstroud
hkstroud See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.hkstroud See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.
hkstroud hkstroud is offline
Home Improvement & Construction Expert
 
Last Activity: Today 08:31 PM 
 
     

 
 
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Harold,
The Left Handed Widget Maker
 
     

 
 
Topic Info Contact Info
Join Date: Jan 21, 2008
Posts
Total Posts: 1,576 (547 in the last 90 days) (8.46 (6.08 in the last 90 days) posts per day)
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Referrals: 0
Additional Information
Location:
Alex, VA
Experience:
Knowledge and skills
Experience from 40 years of home ownership, and 30 plus years of ownership of residential rental property including individual houses, condominium property, farm and a mobile home park. I have been an independent licensed home improvement contractor. I built my home, a two-story structure of 3600 feet of living space plus basement. I have a good working knowledge of residential electric and plumbing, a fair knowledge of heating and air conditioning. I have a rudimentary knowledge of refrigeration. I’m a pretty good carpenter; I’ve done both rough carpentry and finish carpentry work. I’ve done a little concrete work but not much. You might want me to pour a small pad for you but you wouldn’t want me to pour your basement floor. You might want me to repair your brick BBQ but you wouldn’t want me to build your wall. I’ve done some cabinetwork, that is, I have built “furniture grade” cabinets including the stain and finishing. I built and finished all the bathroom cabinets and some of the kitchen cabinets in my home. I have built cabinets for other people for their home and some for use in a restaurant. I have even built a couple of pieces of furniture. I’ve done some furniture repair. I have re-shingled a couple of houses; install gutters, painted, both interior and exterior. I have finished basements, hung and finished drywall, installed window and doors. I’ve done some ceramic tile work, floors and walls. I presently do small home repair jobs to stay active. Pastime at the present time is the lathe. I turned spindles, bowls, boxes, goblets, peppermills and pens. I done some automotive repair, was an part time aircraft mechanic for a little over a year.
Occupation:
Retired DOD Employee
 
     


    Latest Reputation Received
    Question Topic Date Comment
laying concrete Construction Jul 24, 2008 06:11 AM Well explained. Don't understand why you recieved negative mark.... Oh well...
Replacing a... Appliances Jul 23, 2008 06:01 PM very helpful
High pitch hum in pipes Plumbing Jul 23, 2008 04:21 PM good call
Sump pump, where to... Plumbing Jul 23, 2008 07:15 AM Thanks sounds like the right thing to do.
Plug Wrench? Plumbing Jul 22, 2008 05:56 PM Great anwser, I've been looking all over for one of these.
Whirlpool Refrig no... Appliances Jul 21, 2008 12:40 PM My side by side used to blow thru defrost timers about 1 a year.
Increase Well Pressure... Plumbing Jul 17, 2008 08:53 AM Excellent feedback.
Cut baseboard *on the... Interior Home Improvement Jul 16, 2008 05:54 PM good advise
Moen Bath Faucet Plumbing Jul 16, 2008 10:26 AM FANTASTIC and heretofore unsuggested answer! A+++++
Burned Out Duplex Box Electrical & Lighting Jul 15, 2008 10:04 PM Great answer, just had Time constraints in my Case.
I need to change a 220... Tools & Power Equipment Jul 15, 2008 06:56 PM correct.
screws into corian? Interior Home Improvement Jul 14, 2008 03:56 PM Good suggestions
Leaking shower head Plumbing Jul 14, 2008 11:38 AM Thanks for the help!
laying concrete Construction Jul 11, 2008 07:23 PM DEPTH - does not have to be in feet. Unless you are pouring a wall, otherwise you need to figure it in inches( depth or thickness of the concrete<Like a slab that is 20 ft. w and 50 ft long and 4'deep{DEPTH]F.B.E.
Wrong Fuel in Pressure... Tools & Power Equipment Jul 10, 2008 11:27 AM Excellent, fast response much appreciated. Worked perfectly.
Knocking Hot water pipes Plumbing Jul 10, 2008 07:13 AM yep
Fireplace Damper Lock Interior Home Improvement Jul 9, 2008 05:59 AM Thanks! I will contact the building department in my town to find out the code. If that was the code, I am surprised the builder did not do it that way.
Turn outside faucet 1/4... Plumbing Jul 5, 2008 11:12 AM Very good respnod it has happend to me couple times
Turn outside faucet 1/4... Plumbing Jul 5, 2008 10:43 AM Thank you! The explanation helps the answer make sense!
Shower diverter Plumbing Jul 4, 2008 05:38 PM Thank you...I will check this...this addresses what I was needing to know
laying concrete Construction Jul 4, 2008 10:57 AM Great answer. Of course, depth must be in feet also.
Adding switches and... Electrical & Lighting Jun 30, 2008 05:53 PM HK has been a tremendous help. He patiently went over things again and again until everything worked properly. Wonderful!
LP gas supply Heating & Air Conditioning Jun 29, 2008 02:56 PM He called it...worked like a charm. Problem resolved (excellent response).
Painting a chain linked... Exterior Home Improvement Jun 27, 2008 08:57 PM Yep, and be prepared to get Aluminum paint nearly everywhere. It's thin.
ABS vs PVC piping Plumbing Jun 27, 2008 08:40 PM :- D
sewer line Plumbing Jun 27, 2008 01:36 PM awsome and many thanks because you saved me a pile of money
tileing wall Interior Home Improvement Jun 26, 2008 07:12 PM I like the layout. I always center line the tile with 2 rippers on my own work. No spacers, but I have a good eye. LOL
Sub Zero Model 561 -... Appliances Jun 25, 2008 02:58 PM Accurate and very helpful. Saved me hundreds of dollars.
sliding glass door stuck Construction Jun 24, 2008 03:47 PM thanks, I ended up prying the door open.
how do you remove... Interior Home Improvement Jun 23, 2008 10:36 AM I've never heard of this before. Sounds like a good idea
bifold doors and width... Interior Home Improvement Jun 23, 2008 07:04 AM its an excellent answer ! hkstroud is a v.good source
Small cracks appearing... Interior Home Improvement Jun 22, 2008 05:05 PM Thank you for the help!
Sump Pump Lid/Cover Plumbing Jun 22, 2008 04:22 AM Good solution Harold
i can't remove pop-up... Plumbing Jun 21, 2008 06:57 PM only thing i needed to figure out was that the adapter used was a 1.5 x 1.25 to fit the drain properly.
Cannot relight gas... Heating & Air Conditioning Jun 21, 2008 06:40 AM Yep, theromcouple, not too difficult to replace, make sure the tip of the new one is positioned in the flame of the pilot, just as the old one is when you remove it.
light switch Electrical & Lighting Jun 21, 2008 06:01 AM thanks have changed it 2 a plastic one but all my lighting downstairs has tripped cant get it back on help if u can im in england
Seat is stuck in... Plumbing Jun 20, 2008 12:49 AM Very Good Answer & Thank You Som Much.
beam, post size and... Exterior Home Improvement Jun 19, 2008 02:28 PM some very good points
mitering molding joints Interior Home Improvement Jun 17, 2008 05:33 PM nicely done Harold
Which product to use... Other Home & Garden Jun 14, 2008 06:44 PM Thank you. I had not thought of that possibility.
Stanadyne Shower not... Plumbing Jun 12, 2008 08:03 PM This did the trick, thanks!!
Can't get water back on Plumbing Jun 9, 2008 02:11 PM good point Harold...first place to start!
plumbing Plumbing Jun 7, 2008 10:09 AM I liked your trap test idea.
kitchen drain smells in... Plumbing Jun 6, 2008 07:16 PM very helpful information
Installing taller... Plumbing Jun 1, 2008 05:32 AM Hugs all around Harold! We will always be tight!!
Learn button for garage... Other Home & Garden May 28, 2008 04:12 PM Excellent! Thank you very, very, very much!!!
floor corner tile on... Interior Home Improvement May 28, 2008 05:55 AM Very clear solution to the problem.
floor corner tile on... Interior Home Improvement May 28, 2008 12:16 AM Genious....That is the answer I was looking for!
replacing toilet water... Plumbing May 18, 2008 09:45 AM Advice is well founded.
Gaps in crown molding Construction Apr 29, 2008 11:38 AM and wait for caulk to dry/set completely to avoid hairline cracks in paint finish, and even if caulking is the same color, ie white ,it can change color in less than a month from uv exposure etc.
Gaps in crown molding Construction Apr 17, 2008 02:17 PM definatly before you paint, to keep the caulk from being a different color
door hinges Home Safety & Security Apr 16, 2008 05:36 PM pretty good idea I might have an application for that one myself
wells and pumps Exterior Home Improvement Apr 16, 2008 11:50 AM Thanks!
Well water pressure Plumbing Apr 16, 2008 05:38 AM I will find the sprinkler requirements from the man who will install it. One thing that concerns me is that he states a 2" well will work but I need a bigger pump. I will also get another opinion from another sprinkler installer.
Tapping into elecrical Electrical & Lighting Apr 15, 2008 05:59 PM Excellent ideas. That's what this forum is all about. Thanks!
Backerboard screws not... Interior Home Improvement Apr 15, 2008 05:30 PM sounds like stroud knows what's up
Gaps in crown molding Construction Apr 15, 2008 06:02 AM Yes, before
installing a basement... Plumbing Apr 13, 2008 06:04 PM yep, best way to handle this.
Roll Top Desk Furniture Apr 13, 2008 03:26 PM Good find, hkstroud!!
toilet overflows... Plumbing Apr 8, 2008 11:38 AM I think you might have nailed it Harold see my last post
Dish waser air gap... Plumbing Apr 8, 2008 08:22 AM Thanks for your suggestion. I took out the big hose that is attached to the desposal and checked out if the steel plug, it is not there. I put one 1/2" round wood in the hose pipe and it went through and I felt it in the disposal. There is no blockag
Low water flow from... Plumbing Apr 7, 2008 06:48 PM worth a greenie for humor and collegiality.
Leaking Masonry Front... Construction Apr 5, 2008 06:40 AM it would be very hard for water to travel from the landing back to the main house. I think the loose tiles are a red herring
slow filling toilet -... Plumbing Apr 2, 2008 10:09 AM yep. it would seem to be the faulty part.
Replace parts inside... Plumbing Apr 2, 2008 09:15 AM Very helpful .... A+
Basement leak Other Home & Garden Apr 1, 2008 04:59 PM Good advice to get the water away from the basement and foundation. There is no other sure fire way than that.
tub surround walls dont... Plumbing Mar 31, 2008 07:35 PM I understand what you are saying. We will give it another go tomorrow. I think your instructions may be just what we were looking for. Thank you.
new boiler installation... Heating & Air Conditioning Mar 31, 2008 05:17 PM thank you!
Installation of Bay... Exterior Home Improvement Mar 30, 2008 09:13 AM Good overall explanation
Hot Water Tank Running... Plumbing Mar 28, 2008 05:22 AM Given the symptoms, build up in the bottom of the tank or a defective/aged dip tube is a good diagnosis.
3 way bulbs Electrical & Lighting Mar 27, 2008 09:51 AM Thanks for clarifying.
Confused On this! Electrical & Lighting Mar 25, 2008 02:46 PM Right on money.. Helps more than you know!!!!!!!!!!!
Retrofit vent chutes in... Construction Mar 22, 2008 02:04 PM Thanks!
Repair shower diverter Plumbing Mar 21, 2008 10:32 AM Very Helpfull Thanks!
Backed up kitchen drain... Plumbing Mar 21, 2008 05:52 AM exactly, somethings seems fishy
leaking garage floor Other Home & Garden Mar 21, 2008 05:49 AM again, we don't know the amount of water, and i too think it is ground water.
220V power to separated... Electrical & Lighting Mar 19, 2008 10:35 AM Pigtails, of course. Forgot about those. Always like doing it neet. Then forget about the bridge breaker.
Backed up kitchen drain... Plumbing Mar 19, 2008 07:03 AM very helpful thanks
220V power to separated... Electrical & Lighting Mar 19, 2008 06:45 AM However, the gentleman misunderstood my question & problem. I'm sure I'm not clearly stating my case.
Bathroom sink leaks... Plumbing Mar 18, 2008 07:15 PM dang nice, correct detective work. Soap bibles cause the water level to be higher above the trap.
Hooked up little... Plumbing Mar 16, 2008 10:40 PM Solved my problem... Thanks! You're awesome.
Asbestos floor tiles? Home Safety & Security Mar 16, 2008 03:46 PM yep you can't tell by looking
Two Lights on One... Electrical & Lighting Mar 15, 2008 02:01 PM Short and to the point. Good answer.
Catching washing... Plumbing Mar 14, 2008 12:42 PM I am familiar with oil filters -- not meant for lint filter -- would plug fast
soldering a floor... Plumbing Mar 13, 2008 01:40 PM On the spot, thanks!
Shower Leak and toilet... Plumbing Mar 12, 2008 08:09 PM Thank you so much. Since it is very late, I will check this out tomorrow.
How to wire a 20-40#... Other Home & Garden Mar 11, 2008 07:49 PM Yes. Right to the point and in great detail. Many thanks to HK Stroud
Applying mud and tape Interior Home Improvement Mar 11, 2008 07:28 AM Thanks for the help.
Basement window below... Construction Mar 9, 2008 06:39 PM Harold is right on with the sump pump.
washer lint catcher -... Plumbing Mar 9, 2008 12:33 PM Thank you this was extremely helpful and you have answered my question...
Installing drywall Interior Home Improvement Mar 7, 2008 11:09 AM This is exactly how I just finished the dry walling in my basement!
Townhouse Basement... Exterior Home Improvement Mar 6, 2008 07:30 AM Great answer!
Installing drywall Interior Home Improvement Mar 5, 2008 07:39 PM Thanks for your help
Basement wiring Electrical & Lighting Mar 5, 2008 01:15 PM Do not agree that one circuit will not work based on what the OP said
Trying to understand... Plumbing Mar 4, 2008 01:13 PM ah ha! that makes much more sense then. Thanks!
how to find shower leak... Plumbing Mar 4, 2008 07:16 AM Thanks for the help. Its great when you 'bounce' ideas off each other!
Moen shower knob spins Plumbing Mar 3, 2008 06:46 PM Accurate
Flushed earrings down... Plumbing Mar 2, 2008 07:38 PM Seems accurate and straightforward.
New 3 Way Switch Wiring Electrical & Lighting Mar 2, 2008 05:06 PM Outstanding, worked like a charm! Thanks very much!
Toilet Shut Off Valve... Plumbing Mar 2, 2008 04:03 PM Thanks..... No more leaks!!!




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