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It could also be the nails that hold down the subfloor. This is what "glue and screw" is supposed to prevent although glue and ringshanks work fine for me. Tough to fix if the finished floor is down...

Gutters and gutter covers have little to do with ice dams. They can contribute to the ice problem but really it's a matter of not having enough airtightness and insulation in your ceiling at the...

I agree with Harold. Attic fans are energy hogs and rarely lower the house or attic temp.

Is your attic vented or unvented? If vented, keep HVAC ducts completely out of the attic.

Surely you meant 6 sides including the ends. It would be best to use CPES and epoxy on the ends. This could extend the life of the boards to 75-100 years if the paint is maintained. Check out Rot...

I doubt your vinyl installer is the one to be taking advice on this topic. Taking off your housewrap is a bad idea unless its installed poorly. Iam betting your house isn't even that tight. Spray...

Hard to know without seeing the situation but I would probably seal the under belly and seal the vents all year long. Run the dehumidifier as needed. The ground plastic is a goodt idea vented or not....

Modern building science advises to establish the building envelope at the slab/dirt floor and crawlspace/basement walls and seal up the vents completely all year, especially when there are HVAC ducts...

This can be tricky especially if your goals include saving on energy costs. Foam board sheathing is your best bet as it will slow the energy flow through the rafters which can be quite significant. ...

Agreed. Even interior/exterior wood putty is a cheap fix compared to CPES and two part epoxy.

Its hard for us to know the situation without seeing it. If your rot section is only as big as you describe then you should be able to rip it out and replace it with some wood repair epoxy. Its...

I think you're right. Urethane is the way to go. If there is any room for foam backing rod, use it but it doesn't sound to be the case. Be meticulous about cleaning the joint prior to sealant...

I can't say I am familiar with artificial flagstone. Have a link? Most of the cost is in the labor to install and I can't imagine that they could create a good looking flag stone that's as attractive...

Hi Steve, Iam going to challenge the notion that you need the crawlspace vents at all. It really depends on your situation but current best practices in construction and building science are getting...

Yeah most building codes don't allow 4x4 posts any more.

Isn't the Quikrete a powdered version to added to the wet mix? Either way you can do as many colors as you want and I would advise doing at least two more dark brown or coffee colors. The beauty of...

Hi Cnsdirect. I should start by saying I don't see a cricket extending past the chimney walls which is a best practice at this problem location. Next time you do roof work you might want to consider...

Iam no flooring expert, but I think caulk may be a bad idea. Have you lived with the install for an entire year? Its possible the gaps will close up as the humidity and seasons change. If the...

Sorry kmjohnson, it does sound like a mistake was made or that the manufacturers recommendations were not followed. Good guess above but I think you didn't remove the acid residue enough or it was...

You're absolutely correct. Anyone digging should call the number. However, its intended to protect the utilities infrastructure which is not what has been damaged in this case.

I don't agree with the above answer and think that the fault lies equally with you for not providing the cable locations. Iam pretty sure your pool and deck light wires don't fall under the 811 deal....

Where do you plan on getting the beam? Many suppliers will size it for you.

Good advice so far. It probably is the window causing the problem and some exterior caulk may not cut it. Taking off the drywall and/or siding to get a better idea of where its getting in from is...

You are lacking in answers due to your lack of info. Where do you live? Is it below grade? Bathroom or all "walls"? What type of foudation, ext walls and heating/ ventilation system?

You are...

I agree with chuck. A few cracks may mean settlement but not necessarily warrant enough concern for remediation. A structural engineer who specializes in this MIGHT be a wise investment IF major...

Sorry for the trouble Libby. Iam no expert in this area by any means but I will offer an outside perspective. Unless you have good pictures of the wall prior to the work next door I suspect the city...

If they aren't already there, locate your soffit vents as close to the fascia and roof deck as possible. Use continuous strip vents as opposed to the smaller, circular port vents.

The solar panels(better term is PV panels or array) are producing Direct Current DC but the heater needs Alternating Current AC. You will need a transformer to accomplish this. Also the heaters are...

I ditto the pre-fab. The box stores have them in many sizes and offer foundation and delivery with the result costing much less than building on site. They are easy to dress up with different...

Being in hurricane country, your house would stand a better chance of surviving with sheathing. However, if you aren't replacing the metal I would side with twinkiedooter from a cost standpoint.

The climate you are in makes a big difference on whether you should have one or not. The colder the climate the more important. Of course 6.5" of cavity insulation is pretty lousy even for warm...

I would suggest going in the direction of amricca's suggestion. There are many problems and challenges associated with making the balcony into some sort of semi-conditioned space. Mainly expense to...

The most alarming part of your tale is the amount of water collected. Just doesn't sound right. Your water leak could be coming from any of the places you mention but I would first check the window...

It's a truss member repair and if you want an invisible fix, new plates will need to be pressed at both ends. However, ma0641's suggestion should work if its done correctly.

I agree, don't see the point of the plastic but you might want to check with your local code dept to be sure. I know its probably too late but I think this is a risky assembly. Its better for the...

I bet OP means that there is no concrete poured into the cells of the CMUs. Pretty standard practice for stemwalls or crawlspaces.

I like ma0641s suggestion best. A more affordable (more intrusive) method would be adding a diversion curb of bagged asphalt.

This is probably not an issue as the heating season will dry out the wood, the cracks will close up as higher humidity returns... hopefully. Its possible the wood was not acclimated properly but it...

It's a truss roof and the angled support is a web. Pretty easy fix, but not necessarily for a roofer. Call some framers to describe your problem and get estimates. I might even contact a truss maker...

Sounds like the window for sure. Could be faulty flashing or the window unit itself. Its generally good practice to NOT caulk the bottom of the window to allow water a path to escape. I would start...

Choose White Oak for species to get another possible 100 years.

I would give it a shot with your angle grinder. Test a scrap first if possible.

Blowing insulation into this space is probably a bad idea. Exterior masonry walls should have at least a 1" airspace to facilitate drying. The fiberglass could become saturated, not perform well and...

Sounds like its too late but should have done Energy Star certification with a Manual J. A mechanical engineer who does residential or commercial forced air systems should be able to help you out.

Hi msahay, sorry for your challenges. It sounds like you are speaking of Feng Shui which most Western people have a hard time believing in. I was fortunate to read a Feng Shui book that related its...

Should probably take this to the plumbing area Melissa. Well or city water?

The problems with nuclear are monumental when they go wrong. The waste will always be an issue as well. Renewables are the future.

Yikes! Have you not noticed any signs of water exiting or showing up around the cavity? Are you sure its not the sounds of the gutter?

Masking tape residue from the shower rail install?

My main question would be why are you insulating? If it's a Summer camp only, in New England, I don't see the point. Is it too hot in the summer? Are you converting it for Winter use? Above advice is...

Agree with gharlow and I might even wait 60-90 days. Use an alkyd oil based stain if you want less maintenance over time(minimum prep required for next application in 2-4 years). The darker the...