Why Your Deck Coating is 100% Going to Peel
It really does not matter whether your deck is coated with some type of stain system or some type of exterior floor enamel or specialty deck coating. Your deck is inevitably going to peel, and most likely WAY sooner than you would prefer. Why is this the case? Whether it is a home improvement company […]
What Is A ‘Murphy’ Bed?
Recently, while traveling, I stayed at a hotel where the clerk excitedly told me that my room had a “Murphy” bed in it. Though I was familiar with the concept of a Murphy bed, I do not believe I had ever actually slept in one before. A Murphy bed is a special type of bed […]
How Do You Attach A Column To Concrete?
Attaching a wood or steel column to concrete is an important part of building decks, porches, carports, pergolas, and other outdoor structures. The connection must be strong enough to hold weight, resist movement, and protect the post from moisture damage over time. One of the most common ways to do this is by using a […]
Roof Box Vents
Roof box vents are small metal or plastic vents placed near the top of a sloped roof. They are sometimes called static vents, turtle vents, or louvers. Their main job is to let hot air and moisture escape from the attic. Most homes have insulation in the attic, but even with insulation, heat and moisture […]
What Is A ‘Puff Back’?
A ‘puff back’ is a sudden burst of smoke, soot, fumes, or pressure from a heating system when fuel lights late. It can happen with oil, natural gas, or propane equipment. The event may sound like a pop, bang, thump, or whoosh. It means the burner did not ignite the fuel at the normal time. […]
Masonite
Masonite is a type of engineered wood product, often called “hardboard.” It was invented in the 1920s and made by pressing wood fibers together under heat and pressure until they form a dense, smooth board. The fibers are mixed with resins, wax, or oils, which help bind everything together into a solid sheet. While it […]
Why Am I Seeing Yellow Jackets Inside Of My House?
You might feel confused or even a little alarmed when you notice yellow jackets flying around inside your home. These insects are a type of wasp (although many people refer to them as a type of “bee”), and they are known for being aggressive at times, especially when they think their nest is in danger. […]
Spontaneous Combustion
Spontaneous combustion is a real thing. How do I know? Because about 20 years ago, we had a technician working on staining a number of deck boards for a client in the shop, he did not store the rags he was using properly after he was done with them, and I got awakened early the […]
Do ‘Baffles’ Baffle You?
Are you baffled about ‘baffles’? If so, you’re definitely not alone. A lot of people hear the term and imagine it refers to some kind of mysterious device with a complicated purpose, but baffles are actually pretty simple, especially as we speak of them in our focus here – how they relate to home improvement. […]
What Is ‘Durock’ And What Is It Used For?
When installing tile, it is important to fasten it to a surface with a particular set of qualities that make the tile installation most likely to last for as long as possible without developing some type of an issue. The best “backer board” of this type that I have come across is a product that […]
