27
votes
ICF home -- are columns in the photos load bearing?
In a concrete wall (which is what an ICF house is built from) those are certainly load-bearing concrete columns. It would have required some very deliberate design to make the header over that space ...
- 201k
14
votes
How do I go about repairing/redoing this uneven and damaged basement concrete floor?
The best solution would be to break it all up and re-pour a nice monolithic reinforced slab. That's also expensive and a lot of work, so you might want to consider attempting "not the best" ...
- 201k
5
votes
How can I fasten wooden stair treads to porcelain tile on concrete?
IRC R311.7.5.1 specifies that the difference between the largest and smallest riser in a flight of stairs shall be 3/8" (9.5mm) or less. If your applicable code isn't based on that, it still very ...
- 201k
5
votes
ICF home -- are columns in the photos load bearing?
Caveat: Amateur rather than professional here.
I am almost certain these are load-bearing. Tell-tale signs for me:
Columns which are this thick (or rather, with minimum dimension this big) - some of ...
- 2,657
4
votes
Concrete Control Cuts
His tool probably couldn't reach all the way to the house.
Your concrete is going to crack regardless of how many control joints there are. The control joints are analogous to electrical fuses, where ...
- 5,173
4
votes
Why is my neighbor's A/C causing my walls to sweat?
This plan seems to assume that water is coming through the wall from the neighbor's side to yours.
If the problem is caused by temperature-based condensation, this has no hope of working, because the ...
- 1,592
3
votes
Concrete/ cement screws for dry wall?
So, it's difficult to understand exactly what you're asking--are you are asking "What is stronger than a drywall screw for hanging heavy things like pictures or fire extinguisher brackets?"
...
- 31
3
votes
Accepted
What's this grey stuff on concrete wall
Dirt, mold, mildew and/or algae.
Wash it, bleach it, possibly pressure-wash it with likely paint removal as a result.
Repaint it once dry with suitable masonry primer and paint for exterior use.
- 201k
3
votes
How do I go about repairing/redoing this uneven and damaged basement concrete floor?
Any half hearted attempt to "repair" the floor will eventually end up cracked again, in all the same spots as they move independently from one another. The only real chance would be to cut ...
- 104
3
votes
Accepted
Anchoring aluminum pergola to 4" slab
You need to drill at least 1/2" deeper than the screw. Concrete debris accumulates in the hole quickly and would prevent full penetration of the screw. All that's in the instructions, though:
...
- 129k
2
votes
How can I fasten wooden stair treads to porcelain tile on concrete?
Heavy duty construction adhesive will do the job, assuming that the tile is all well bonded. Use a 3/8" (8mm) bead in a zigzag or grid pattern and hit the perimeter well.
I'd be concerned about ...
- 129k
2
votes
ICF home -- are columns in the photos load bearing?
Assuming that the rectangular box above the sliding doors is HVAC duct feeding an upper story, then yes those columns are load bearing. The ceiling joists run perpendicular to that HVAC duct. That's ...
- 5,173
2
votes
Why is my neighbor's A/C causing my walls to sweat?
A much simpler solution here would be to add thermal insulation to minimize the heat transfer pulling your side to below the dew point.
None of what that contractor is proposing is adding thermal ...
- 11.6k
2
votes
Which wire and conduit with already-present outlets in the basement
Romex sleeved in conduit for physical protection is FINE. But annoying when already installed, as you have to disconnect, sleeve and reconnect, which is a pain, doubly so if you are not entirely comfy ...
- 201k
2
votes
Running 14/2 Romex vertically up a concrete wall
Most LAHJs consider it exposed to damage, so some form of protection is required.
That could be schedule 80 PVC conduit. It does not need to be metal. That could be a board. Typically it needs to ...
- 201k
1
vote
Waterproofing concrete wall
Tile sets well on block walls. There is not a requirement to cover with cement board, but if you feel you must, add firring strips and then the cement board.
I have used the Aquadefense on many ...
- 25k
1
vote
Anchoring aluminum pergola to 4" slab
Replace the shipped concrete screws with screws of equal or greater diameter and equal or greater length.
How big of a deal the anchors are depends on what they're doing. If your pergola uses moment ...
- 5,173
1
vote
What happens if I paint a concrete floor without pre-treating it?
It's 2023 now and I painted this floor in 2016. I figured I could post a photo of the floor from this year, when I cleaned out most of my woodworking machinery to move it to another building. The ...
- 141
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