Why Are Some Outlets Installed ‘Upside Down’?
Have you ever been to somebody’s home or business and saw an outlet on the wall installed upside down [with the portion of the outlet where the ‘ground’ receptacle (the ‘round’ one) being on the ‘top’ vs. the ‘bottom’ of the outlet] and thought, “Why the heck is that like that? You might even have […]
The Most Unknown, Yet Possibly Most Effective Vapor Barrier In Existence
If you are familiar with modern building practices, you may already be well aware of the importance of having a vapor barrier underneath your finish siding when building or modifying your home. A vapor barrier under siding helps keep moisture from getting into your home’s walls. It stops water from rain or humidity from causing […]
What Is A ‘Pitch Pocket’?
Not to be confused with ‘Pickpockets’ (which tend to be a bit more dastardly), ‘Pitch Pockets’ are special parts of roofs that are used to seal around things which stick up through the roof, like pipes, wires, or support beams. These things are called roof penetrations. Pitch pockets help keep water from leaking into the […]
The Worst Room To Wallpaper In Your Home
In any walk of life, there certainly are no shortage of items that may make you scratch your head. Contracting is no different. Wallpaper in our homes has been variably popular throughout the history of wallcovering availability in general and although it may ebb and flow in terms of its widespread use in any individual […]
How Do You Know When Your Septic Tank Is Full?
Knowing when your septic tank is full is important because it helps prevent problems like bad smells, slow drains, or even sewage backing up into your home. A septic tank is part of a system that collects and treats wastewater from your house. Over time, the tank fills up with solid waste and needs to […]
What is a ‘Racked’ Doorframe?
There is seemingly tons of home improvement industry jargon which often sounds like a completely foreign language – even to many Contractors! One of these types of items that I think is fun to say – though VERY not fun to deal with – is when someone refers to a doorframe as being ‘racked’. A […]
Concrete Stain
One of my favorite products on the planet is concrete stain, particularly when it is a solid stain. If you have been associated with the coatings industry for any length of time, you may very well have a favorite type of product. A number of years ago, I was even quoted in an industry magazine […]
What is ‘J-Channel’?
J-channel is a type of trim used in building construction, mostly with vinyl siding. It’s shaped like the letter “J” and helps give the outside of a house a neat and finished look. J-channel is used to hold the edges of siding panels in place and to hide rough or cut edges. It also helps […]
Why Do Some Paths Just ‘Stop’?
Have you ever noticed a masonry, brick, or stone path in front of a house that just ends suddenly? If you are anything like me, the mystery of such a feature of one’s home can lead to some intriguing ideas as to why the path ultimately was left this way. Was it always meant to […]
What To Do Next After Media Blasting A Painted Surface
In situations where a surface is media blasted due to some type of paint failure and the hope is to create longevity in terms of how long the paint coating “lasts” WITHOUT peeling, there is a certain procedure that has to be followed in order to make sure that you give your paint coating as […]
