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| bio | website | axiomhomeservices.com |
|---|---|---|
| location | Windham, ME | |
| age | 60 | |
| visits | member for | 2 years, 9 months |
| seen | yesterday | |
| stats | profile views | 2,309 |
General Building Contractor, Certified Home Inspector and Licensed EPA Renovator. I am winding down my years of pounding nails, building custom homes and additions, renovating kitchens and bathrooms, and converting cellars and attics into beautiful living spaces. I am doing more and more home inspections as my bones age and my back gives out. Now I find it easier to look objectively at home structures than to build them. My goal here on Stack Exchange is to help DIY'ers do it the right way and share my years of building experience with them. I may not always give the most popular answer, but I will always give my best informed advise.
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Apr 22 |
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Can I use mixed shellac flakes in place of Zinsser BIN primer? why wouldn't you want to use Bullseye shellac primer? It works great. |
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Apr 21 |
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How long does setting-type joint compound have to dry before priming? Setting type compound is usually only used for the base coat. Whipped GP compound for finish coats. Setting compound tends to have a lot of air pock and is hard to sand to a smooth finish. Hope your's comes out good. |
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Apr 20 |
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Is it feasible to cover low-pile carpet with a 1/4" subfloor and vinyl tile in a kitchen? snap lock vinyl planks are a great alternative to a traditional tile floor. I have used them in laundry areas with good results. Not sure I like the sandwiched carpet however, sounds like a breeding ground for odors and mold. |
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Apr 17 |
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Are most contractors capable of building any home? BTW, thanks for the compliment David. |
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Apr 17 |
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Are most contractors capable of building any home? Not sure why you have such a negative opinion of GC's. In fact, most custom builders are actually GC's. They may have their own carpenters and finishers. but often sub contract plumbing, electrical, HVAC, granite, excavating etc. They usually use the same subs job after job, so they know the quality of the work they are going to get. We may not be using the same vocabulary here. If they don't have every trade employed internally and sub anything out, by definition, they are a General Contractor. |
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Apr 15 |
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Does one need to be certified in order to do residential electrical work? I am a GC in Maine, and there is no such thing as a "handyman's licence". As a matter of fact, other than electricians, plumbers, oil burner and gas techs, there are no licenses for other tradesman. |
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Apr 14 |
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What are these holes in my concrete wall and how can I mount things to them? Look for "plumbing pressure test plugs" they are available at most plumbing depts of your local box or hardware store. |
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Apr 12 |
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Does it matter how the chuck on a drill is set when it is stored? I always preferred it attached to the drill. hehehehe sorry, couldn't resist. |
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Apr 10 |
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How can I clean oil stains from vitreous floor tiles? Great idea, I hope it works. I'm gonna remember that one! +1 |
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Apr 10 |
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Will a Dremel multipurpose bit cut through 1/2 inch polycarbonate? how much do you need to cut? |
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Apr 10 |
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Will Polyurethane bond to a surface that was sanded with 320 grit? be sure to sand between coats of urethane with super fine paper, 220 or finer for a nice smooth finish. Be sure to remove all dust before putting on the next coat. |
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Apr 9 |
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When can I seal the picnic table I made from pressure treated lumber? In my opinion, products like Thompson's or any of the clear water seals are a complete waste of time and money. Opt for a good grade house siding stain with a fungicide. They come in transparent to solid color. Wait a month or two or until you can see and feel the PT to be fairly dry and the grain starts to slightly open a bit. It is not going to open like a crack, but you will see the grain more distinctly when dry. |
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Apr 9 |
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Will Polyurethane bond to a surface that was sanded with 320 grit? I don't know where you got the idea to use such a coarse sandpaper. You can urethane on the smoothest of surfaces. As long as it is clean and dust free, it will bond fine. |
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Apr 9 |
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Can I use engineered I joists as studs in a wall? It is rather unique to use fab beams as studs, but practically speaking, I don't see any reason not to use them for a shed. The "timber" portion of your beams adds up to enough to use as a stud. Not sure of the spacing however. Here we use 16" to 24" OC studs depending on roof load etc. Insulation comes in 14/23" widths for this stud spacing. Guess it might be slightly different for metric measurements. The top plates should be solid wood for your rafters to nest to. |
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Apr 9 |
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What should I do about a crack in the concrete slab in my living room? is the floor still flat or has there been any displacement? Can you see any rebar embedded in the floor? |
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Apr 9 |
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What size lumber do I need for a mezzanine floor to support a 20,000 lbs load? Are you going to park a truck on this? 20,000 pounds is a lot. |
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Apr 9 |
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Will Polyurethane bond to a surface that was sanded with 320 grit? Sure, I see no reason it wouldn't if the surface is clean and dust free. |
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Apr 5 |
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Should I peel off the top layer of vinyl in preparation for tiling? @ppumkin- You better read some of my answers. I always offer advice, alternatives and I will tell a DIYer if they are barking up the wrong tree or need to seek a professional. Doing a job right is the first priority, regardless of what the questioner wants to hear. They don't have to take my advise, but i'm not gonna give them the answer they want, I give the answer that works. |
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Apr 5 |
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Should I peel off the top layer of vinyl in preparation for tiling? Ok, here is the answer to his direct question: Cover the entire area as is with embossing compound, lay your tile and then come back in a few months and do it all over again when you have the time and money to do it right. |
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Apr 5 |
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What is this rectangular device on my apartment wall? I vote doorbell also. I'll double down and say it's a Newtone. lol. |
