What Causes The Board Behind A Gutter To Rot Out?
When the board behind a gutter begins to rot, it is usually a sign that water has been getting into places it should not. This board – often called a fascia board – sits right behind the gutter and helps support it. Because these are often made of wood, they can break down quickly when […]
Why It Is Important To Make Sure Your Exterior Light Blocks Are Properly Flashed
“Silicone” is NOT the answer. When installing exterior light fixtures on your home, there are some folks – even some professional electricians – who believe that simply running a bead of exterior-grade silicone around the light block that the fixture itself is mounted to is proper enough to guard against moisture, various types of weather, […]
Are Your Bluestone Caps Popping?
Bluestone stair tread caps can be beautiful and durable, but many homeowners are surprised when they begin to “pop,” loosen, or shift out of place. When this happens, it usually means something has gone wrong beneath the stone that needs attention before the problem becomes worse. Many homeowners have no idea that this is even […]
The Power Of The Tack Cloth
A tack cloth is a special type of cleaning cloth used in home painting and woodworking projects. It is a soft, loosely woven piece of cotton fabric coated with a sticky substance, often made from resin or wax. The sticky coating is what gives it the name “tack cloth,” because it has a slightly tacky […]
How To Best Paint Old Oil Trim?
A number of years back there simply was almost no question. Painting the trim on the interior of your home with oil paint was undoubtedly the way to go. Although latex paint was available, there really was no comparison between the quality and durability of oil paint being used on your trim instead of latex […]
What Is The Purpose Of A Cedar Closet?
Maybe you have one in your own home, or perhaps have an Aunt Betty who, once in a while, refers to her ‘Cedar Closet’. You may already even be familiar with cedar closets in general, but never really understood much about them other than they were good places to store certain types of clothing. What […]
What Is The Difference Between A 5″ And 6″ Gutter?
When it comes to protecting your home from rainwater, gutters play an important role. Gutters collect the water running off your roof and direct it safely away from your house, helping prevent water damage to your siding, foundation, and landscaping. One of the most common questions homeowners have when replacing or upgrading their gutters is […]
Old Fieldstone Foundation Water Seepage
If you are someone who owns a home with an old fieldstone foundation, you may have a good ol’ ‘Catch 22’ (a problem you can’t solve because the conditions conflict) on your hands. While it is not unusual to appreciate its historical beauty, as with many types of beauty, this beauty may come with a […]
What Is A Translucent Stain?
When it comes to the plethora of paints, primers, stains, etc. that are on the market today, there are certainly some products that I like better than others. One of the products that fits into this category is a ‘translucent stain’. I particularly enjoy recommending this specific stain product strain for deck areas that someone […]
What Is ‘Plastic Wood’?
Have you ever heard of the term ‘Plastic Wood’? ‘Plastic Wood’ is a common name for a type of wood filler or substitute material that is often used in home improvement and repair projects. Despite its name, it is not really made of plastic, nor is it a solid piece of wood. Instead, it is […]
