Building Confidence

Welcome to Dave's Shop Talk's Home Improvement Newsletter of questions from our members on their construction projects, a Tip of the Month and a home remodeling article, both from our website at http://daveosborne.com. We are into our 11th year putting out this Newsletter. Dan and I would not be able to do this without your input every month. Thank you and keep the questions coming!

Tip of the Month

Safety Tip: Maintain your power tools with care. Keep your power tools sharp, clean and lubricated. Wear safety glasses and dust masks. Use the power tool only when you are fit to operate a power tool, while not impaired. Ref: Electrical 1: Electrical Safety.

And a Bonus Tip:

Safety Tip: Keep your work area clean. Especially on table mounted power tools such as table saws, band saws, routers, etc. Clutter under foot is inviting an accident, a slight trip and a finger or hand can be cut or removed. Ref: Remodeling 16: How to Install a Prehung Door.

Ask Dave!

Hi George,

Yes, install the Tyvec, as usual. This stuff keeps rain out, but lets the wall breathe.

You are right on base!

Dave

I would suggest installing Z strips, acoustical strips, horizontally across the wall, then the two layers of drywall, alternating joints,vertically. These strips attach to the wall and the drywall attach to them, breaking the solid barrier. You should explain that even this will not stop the sound, only muffle it. I did this in an apt where a kitchen backed up against a bedroom. It only muffled the sound. I built a duplex for myself which had a double 2x4 wall separated by 1" spacing for the "party wall", with fibreglass insulation in both walls and 5/8" between the walls, with 5/8" on the outside of the walls. This was excellent for a sound barrier, my tenants said. If the client has room, another option is to put up a 2x4 wall separated by 1". Put another layer of 5/8" drywall on first then install the wall with another 1 or 2 layers of 5/8" drywall. The more drywall, the better. The separation is the key, though.

For the electrical boxes, add box extensions and longer screws so you don't need to mess around with changing the original boxes.

Dave

Hi Fernand, If I were you I would think twice about putting this product down. Here is Home Depot's own webpage on the product: http://www.homedepot.ca/product/trafficmaster-allure-12-in-x-36-in-corfu-resilient-vinyl-tile-flooring-24-s/973068

The reviews are not that great. In my opinion I would select a click together laminate flooring. Costco has the best quality I have ever seen for a fair price. Laminate flooring is well suited over concrete floors. You first roll out a 1/4" foam pad, tape the joints together and snap the laminate together on top of this foam, which acts as a vapour barrier as well as insulation. This is called a floating floor. Base around the room holds it in place.

With DMX 1-STEP you can use 1/2" thick plywood with the same securing mechanism and patterning used for strip hardwood. The vinyl manufacturer's instructions for subfloor preparation should be followed so the plywood panel seams don't show through the finished flooring.

They suggest this stuff to be used under click flooring which is laminate floor, not vinyl tile.

Dave

Hi Roger,

I found a couple of sites for you, one on pricing, the other on designs:
http://www.metalroofsnowguards.com/SnoBar-Rail-System_c_21.html
http://ca.images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=mcafee&va=Snow+rails+for+metal+roof

Here is a pic which I think would be a good design:

It comes with clamps for the standing seam and ice dams to keep the ice build up from sliding under the rails, as well.

Hope this helps,

Dave

Feature Article of the Month

(taken from our website: DaveOsborne.com

Deck 1: Raised Backyard Wood Deck

Most houses today come with a raised backyard wood deck or balcony built off the kitchen or main floor level, raised 6' or 8' off the ground. This is the best place for the family barbeque, close to the kitchen. If you own an older home and always wanted to build a raised backyard wood deck, let's get started.

I designed a raised backyard wood deck 12'x12' to use as an example.

Attaching the Raised Backyard Wood Deck to Your House

On the house side of the backyard wood deck you have the option of using a... Read more at Deck 1: Raised Backyard Wood Deck

Almost the End

Thanks for the questions, this month, I hope the answers were helpful to you, as well.

If you need advice on your projects at work or home, please become a member of our website, then send me an email. Check out our website! http://daveosborne.com

Hi, I'm Dave Osborne. With over 50 years experience as a journeyman carpenter, foreman and contractor in heavy construction I enjoyed working with apprentices and sharing the tricks of the trade that others shared with me. Now I get emails from Members all over the world and we include many of my answers in our Free Monthly Newsletters. Some of my answers include drawings and instructions specific to a project, but may also answer your questions. I use correct construction terminology, so you can confidently inform your building supply dealers or contractors exactly what you need.