DIY Builds
DIY Builds
Photo: Zain Ali
Outdoors use 16d double-dipped galvanized nails (or stainless steel when called for) for installing hangers. It's true that hot-dipped galvanized box nails aren't as thick as common nails, but they are the acknowledged choice for outdoor work.
Buying a home during a recession can be a good idea — but only for people who are lucky enough to remain financially stable. Mortgage rates may...
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Insulating the pole barn with spray foam can help reduce monthly energy bills to heat and cool the structure. Spray foam insulation isn't a food...
Read More »Introduction If you install them properly, joist hangers will keep your decks and floors strong as wood dries, twists, shrinks and ages. We'll show you a four-step method for installing joist hangers that will ensure that your floor or deck stays flat and strong. So the next time you hold a square dance or weight-lifting contest on your deck, you'll rest easier knowing you used joist hangers and installed them the right way.
No, there is no limit to the number of solar panels you can have. However, there may be a limit on how much power your system is allowed to...
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Of course, it's also an investment in your yard that you hope will last a long time. That's why one of the most common questions we hear from...
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As noted before, concrete doesn't dry out to harden, it cures through a chemical reaction that needs water to facilitate the reaction. If the ground is dry, the ground will absorb moisture from the concrete and it won't cure properly. The ground should be very moist and compacted as well as you can manage.
Civil engineer here. The concrete needs to stay wet in order to cure properly. As noted before, concrete doesn't dry out to harden, it cures through a chemical reaction that needs water to facilitate the reaction. If the ground is dry, the ground will absorb moisture from the concrete and it won't cure properly. The ground should be very moist and compacted as well as you can manage. Also, wet clay is notoriously weak and you may end up with uneven support under the concrete, which will then lead to it cracking and settling after it's cured. Hard to say without seeing it but if you can remove as much clay from beneath the concrete slab, you'll have less chance of it settling and cracking. This is especially true if the clay is expansive. It will expand when wet and shrink when dry and your concrete slab will be a disaster. Best to get as much clay removed as possible, compact the sub-grade evenly, and make sure to water the ground before placing the concrete. Have you thought about proper joints? Concrete will crack. If you can get it to crack along a joint, no one will see it. Look at some professionally done concrete flatwork and you'll see what I mean. Good luck.
An airtight seal can be achieved in a building with a standard vapour barrier, however the material's lack of breathability means that problems...
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Painting the interior of a shed with white interior paint job is a good idea. It seals the wood, helps prevent mildew and insect damage, it...
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A window and door must therefore be evaluated for its ability to withstand extreme weather conditions as well. uPVC as a material is heat-resistant...
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Latex exterior paint Latex exterior paint is often recommended by painting professionals for barn applications, although some paints also mix in...
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