The Journal of Light Construction articles from March 2004

The Journal of Light Construction archives from March 2004

Not generosity.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... To the Editor: Your December issue carried an item in the In the News section (page 20) that is, at best, misleading. You presented a report that first appeared in the Durham Herald-Sun to the effect that some developers were "voluntarily"...

Mold the result of bad technique.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... To the Editor: Even though OSB is prone to mold, I believe most of the problem is the result of poor building techniques. The general public, building officials, and insurance companies are all in a panic. We need to address this by...

Don't leave off building paper.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... To the Editor: In the article "Fixing the Holes Where the Air Gets In" (1/04), the author mentions that he just tapes the seams of the plywood wall sheathing and does not install housewrap because he doesn't believe that air travels...

A good idea.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... To the Editor: Our firm was asked to be "point man" for the correction of a sticky asbestos and mold situation here in Columbus, Ohio. The abatement contractor submitted a quote for their trade. Buried in the text was the disclaimer that...

Flashlight favorite.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... To the Editor: In this month's issue, you state that Maglites are good flashlights (Toolbox, 10/03). Have you ever reviewed Streamlight products? I have owned both, and Streamlights are far superior for a variety of reasons. The...

A few more favorites.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... To the Editor: Hello from central Oregon! Thank you for a great magazine with genuine helpful information. I am happy to be a second-generation hands-on builder and sole proprietor since 1972. Something came over me this holiday...

Canadian standoff: new twists but no solutions in lumber trade spat: U.S. quota proposal leaves Canadians cold.(In The News)(Availability of trees may be the final word on this issue)
March 1, 2004... Feelings are running high on both sides of the border in the seemingly endless trade dispute between Canada and the United States Commerce Department, following a December U.S. proposal to eliminate import fees in favor of a quota system, which...

Megabuilder takes heat over gag clause.(In The News)(KB Home Corp.)
March 1, 2004... If a builder wants to avoid bad publicity, one seemingly simple idea is to put language in the sales contract saying the buyers agree not to trash-talk the builder in public. But in Houston, Texas, that direct approach has back-fired for big...

A ballot initiative to overturn Washington State's complex ergonomic workplace regulations has gathered enough signatures to be placed before voters this fall.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... A ballot initiative to overturn Washington State's complex ergonomic workplace regulations has gathered enough signatures to be placed before voters this fall, reports the Puget Sound Business Journal. Washington adopted the most detailed and...

Pulte Homes has bought 500 acres at the Civano sustainable development near Tucson, Ariz.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Pulte Homes has bought 500 acres at the Civano sustainable development near Tucson, Ariz., and has plans to build 1,500 homes, local papers report. Civano has struggled to reconcile financial realities with an agenda of earth-friendly and...

An explosion in home teardowns in Chicago-area suburbs is prompting towns to impose a special fee on teardown permits.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... An explosion in home teardowns in Chicago-area suburbs is prompting towns to impose a special fee on teardown permits, with proceeds going to fund affordable home construction, reports the Chicago Tribune. Departing Illinois governor Rod...

DOE aims for simpler energy code.(In The News)(Department of Energy)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The International Energy Conservation Code, successor to the Model Energy Code, comes up for revision every three years. Change proposals in the current cycle face final action by the International Code Council's voting members in May 2004....

Innovation: air placement of gravel.(In The News)
March 1, 2004... What weighs a ton and a half on the truck, a ton and a half in the trench, and nothing in between? A yard of gravel and sand moving through the hose of Richard Dunlop's and Robert Griffin's invention. Dunlop, a concrete contractor with three...

The National Home Builders Association may take its International Builders Show to Chicago in 2007 and 2008.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The National Home Builders Association may take its International Builders Show to Chicago in 2007 and 2008, rather than return to Atlanta, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle. The prospect has alarmed Atlanta officials, and the Georgia...

A case pitting free speech against economic interests has reached the Colorado Supreme Court.(Off Cuts)(W.O. Brisben Companies)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... A case pitting free speech against economic interests has reached the Colorado Supreme Court, says the Denver Post. Lawyers for developer W.O. Brisben Companies say that Eric Krystkowiak caused them $16 million in losses by speaking to the...

Supporters of a city impact fee that would pay for a sewer system extension shut down a committee meeting.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Supporters of a city impact fee that would pay for a sewer system extension shut down a committee meeting of the Indianapolis City Council on December 2, according to the Indianapolis Star. The committee, anticipating a change from Republican...

Georgia congressman Johnny Isakson is pushing a measure to provide tax credits to landowners who protect their property from development with conservation easements.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Georgia congressman Johnny Isakson is pushing a measure to provide tax credits to landowners who protect their property from development with conservation easements, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. By allowing landowners to recover...

Arizona's Pima County can legally require builders to make new homes wheelchair accessible.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Arizona's Pima County can legally require builders to make new homes wheelchair accessible, the Arizona Court of Appeals has ruled. Advocates for the disabled hope that will pave the way for a Phoenix city "visitation ordinance" requiring wide...

Getting rid of vent gas smell.(Q&A)
March 1, 2004... Q. is there any practical way to get rid of the smell of vent gas coming up through the traps in a house? The house has a septic tank, and the venting appears to be to code. The problem is persistent, especially after rain. A. Dave Yates...

Roof truss spacing.(Q&A)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Q. We see ourselves as quality builders. We frame everything 16 inches on-center, including roof trusses. Most visitors to our job sites feel that this is overkill and that we're wasting the customer's money. Is putting trusses 16 inches...

What to do about mold on framing lumber?(Q&A)(APA)
March 1, 2004... Q. We're seeing more mold and mildew on framing lumber (or maybe we're just noticing it more, with all the recent attention to mold). Should we try to remove this before we insulate and put up drywall? How? Or is it safe to assume that it won't...

Troubleshooting open plans.(Design)
March 1, 2004... Over the last ten years or so, residential designers have made tremendous progress in offering open floor plans. Eliminating long hallways and unnecessary walls are both good ways to impart a spacious feel. Too much emphasis on openness,...

Good workers' comp records can save big bucks.(Business)
March 1, 2004... Before I had my own remodeling business, I worked for someone else. Every year, when my boss's workers' comp audit came around, he would be in a bad mood before the audit and an even worse mood afterward because he always ended up owing more...

Make subs part of the team.(Business)
March 1, 2004... In my work as a custom home builder, every day comes with its share of problems. Running from job to job to put out fires can be a full day's work in itself. The last thing I need is trouble with my subcontractors. So I've learned to apply a...

Use the 80/20 rule to improve efficiency.(Business)
March 1, 2004... Contractors suffer a deluge of information, much of it valuable and some of it vital, all of which must be sorted through to run a successful company. When your company is just starting out, you barely have a moment to step back and...

Sexual harassment liability extends to subs.(Legal)(subcontractors)(Column)
March 1, 2004... Okay, here's the situation: You've hired a female carpenter, and while your guys are cool, she's having trouble with the suppliers and the subs. Could you be in trouble if you don't do something about that? Well, you might. I'm not going...

Post-tensioned slabs: high-tension steel tendons enable slab foundations to withstand the stresses of expansive soils.
March 1, 2004... Thickened-edge slabs make practical foundations where soils are stable. But building codes mandate special foundation designs in areas with expansive soils, because seasonal swelling and shrinking of the soil can cause significant cracking of...

Load-tested deck ledger connections: lag screw and bolt schedules for attaching pressure-treated southern pine ledgers to SPF band joists.(Practical Engineering)(spruce, pine and fir)
March 1, 2004... Editor's Note In August 2003, we ran the article "Attaching Deck Ledgers," in which authors Cheryl Anderson, Frank Woeste, and Joe Loferski presented fastener schedules based on code-referenced structural design methods. Though the number...

Building stone arches: modern tools and ingredients enhance construction of one of the world's oldest headers.(business)(Cover Story)
March 1, 2004... I'm a masonry contractor in Truro, Mass. Recently, my crew and I laid a series of stone arches below the wood-framed terrace of a new residence. The deck above was independently supported on structural steel columns that would be concealed...

Refinishing a bathtub: before you tear it out, take a second look at that old tub.
March 1, 2004... Tearing out an existing tub or shower unit during a bathroom remodel is a real pain--especially if it was installed during the framing stage and won't fit back through the bathroom door. But if the only thing wrong with the unit is its color or...

On-site septic for problem soils: plastic leach chambers are lightweight and easy to place, and require less space than conventional trenches.
March 1, 2004... Northern New England would appear to have plenty of space for new homes. But as in most areas of the country, recent development has made building lots in desirable areas increasingly scarce. Many of the remaining house lots are smaller or have...

Installing home theaters: the room provided by the GC is as important as the equipment that goes into it.
March 1, 2004... Home theater equipment is one of the hottest-selling categories of consumer electronics. Most homeowners buy separate electronic components and wire them to freestanding speakers and a big TV. But when the budget allows, it's preferable to...

Scheduling software 101: we compare software packages and describe the features to look for in a computerized scheduler.(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2004... If you're running a successful building or remodeling company, chances are you've developed a scheduling system that helps you keep your jobs on track. It may be as simple as a xeroxed calendar or a dry-erase board. But if it's working, why...

High-tech countertop templating.(Kitchen & Bath)
March 1, 2004... Savvy entrepreneurs sometimes make their mark not by inventing something new, but by adding to or improving on an existing technology. In that category are two innovations in solid-surface fabrication. If this material doesn't soon dominate...

Don't let the bath bugs bite.(Jetted Tubs)
March 1, 2004... A hot bath is supposed to help you relax, not make you sick. Strange as it seems, certain unhealthful bacteria can thrive in the active piping of a whirlpool tub. Advise your concerned clients that StayClean antimicrobial action is available as...

Party line.(Jetted Tubs)
March 1, 2004... Good taste constrains us from showing this tub in an occupied state. But once installed, it's unlikely to remain empty. A six-seat capacity, 3-hp dual-speed pump, and 41 jets driving 310 gallons of water crazy bring health club conviviality to...

Bubble jets.(Jetted Tubs)
March 1, 2004... With a fill level of 21 inches, this tub makes it easier than ever for your clients to go soak their head. And the freestanding Serenity X claw-foot tub, at 72x40 inches, would look great in their traditionally styled bathroom. Sixty air jets...

Remodel Whirlpool.(Jetted Tubs)
March 1, 2004... Not every bathroom can accommodate a big built-in jetted tub. But average-sized bathrooms need not be left out. The remodel-sized Bella fits in a standard 5-foot alcove; it's 32 inches wide, with a floor-to-rim height of 18 1/4 inches. The...

Practical oven.(Undercounter Appliances)
March 1, 2004... The oven doesn't have to be attached to the cooktop to occupy the same slot in the cabinetry. Whirlpool's Gold model GBS307PD 30-inch single electric oven actually measures 281/2 inches wide, 27 3/4 inches high, and 23 1/4 inches deep. That...

Chilly drawers.(Undercounter Appliances)
March 1, 2004... U-Line's cool 24-inch 2075DWRR Double-Drawer Refrigerator has a crisper bin in the bottom drawer that slides out on a transverse axis to either side for convenient access. A glass shelf above provides a clear view of its contents and additional...

Ice advice.(Undercounter Appliances)
March 1, 2004... People use lots of ice, but ice making uses lots of standard freezer space. Give the DCE33 a 15-inch space of its own under the counter, and your clients can enjoy "perfectly clear gourmet ice cubes," without sacrificing ice cream storage. The...

Bonaparte's favorite boiler.(Products)
March 1, 2004... When your company has been around long enough to have made cannon balls for Napoleon, you probably know a little about metallurgy. De Dietrich Residential Cast-Iron Boilers are less susceptible to the problems associated with pitting,...

Top-shelf gutters.(Products)
March 1, 2004... Do your customers ever ask for low-maintenance gutters? LeafGuard might be the answer. The one-piece seamless gutter system is roll-formed on site and installed by trained franchisees. According to the manufacturer, the one-piece design...

Stick chic.(Products)
March 1, 2004... Epoxies are great for strong connections, but unless you're building an office tower or warehouse, common two-tube dispensing systems generally contain too much material. For smaller-scale structural connections, Powers suggests its new...

Plug In.(Products)
March 1, 2004... Good installers always put a service disconnect near the outside airconditioning unit anyway, so why not include a receptacle inside the disconnect's metal enclosure? Cooper Bussman's B222-60NFGF has an internal GFCI-protected outlet that makes...

Extreme lengths.(Products)
March 1, 2004... Attaching structural insulated panels calls for a fastener that can go the distance. Long-Length Screws are similar to self-drilling structural screws but with a smaller wire size, usually in the #8 to #14 range. Countersinking heads and...

Smart ventilation.(Indoor Ventilation)
March 1, 2004... If your customer is looking for an affordable and effective way to improve indoor air quality, you might consider the exhaust-only Occupant-Sensing Ventilation System from Resource Conservation Technology. The system uses a continuously...

Get in-line.(Indoor Ventilation)
March 1, 2004... Moving exhaust fans to an unoccupied space like the attic or basement has a lot of advantages, like reduced noise and easier servicing. It also allows the installation of additional ducts with minimal effort and expense. While Panasonic has...

Moving in the right direction.(Indoor Ventilation)
March 1, 2004... Installing huge range hoods and other high-powered exhaust fans can prevent combustion-appliance flue gases from making it up the chimney. If the flue gases from your customer's water heater, boiler, or furnace need some incentive to get going,...

Clever fan controller.(Indoor Ventilation)
March 1, 2004... Quality bath fans have become the mainstay of most cost-conscious ventilation systems, but occupant-controlled switches are generally the weak link in what could otherwise be an effective strategy. Fortunately, improving your customer's...

Clean lines.(Locksets)
March 1, 2004... If your customer is looking for something with a little more class than the typical polished brass home-center doorknob, you might suggest one of the offerings from Italian hardware maker Valli & Valli. The Chipperfield shown here is one of the...

Quick and easy installation.(Locksets)
March 1, 2004... Holding both sides of a doorknob while you crane your neck to line up the assembly screws is one job-site acrobatic act that you can eliminate. The new Kwik Install Assembly System uses captured assembly screws and one-way alignment plates that...

Easy upgrade.(Locksets)
March 1, 2004... While the $12 locksets on your new spec home might work fine for their intended purpose, the tinny quality and cheap finish won't send a good message to more upscale buyers. If you want potential buyers to notice that you care more about...

No-cut pocket lock.(Locksets)
March 1, 2004... Many of the pocket door locksets I've seen require a big notch cut into the door's edge. If you're worried that cutting into the door could compromise its strength (or the warranty), you could use the Pocket Door Lock from Johnson. Instead of a...

Paint for plastic.(Paints & Other Coatings)
March 1, 2004... While painting plastic with spray paint might sound like a recipe for disaster, the manufacturer claims that Fusion Spray Paint by Krylon will adhere to most plastics without priming. According to the manufacturer, it works with ABS, PVC,...

Tired of touch-ups?(Paints & Other Coatings)
March 1, 2004... Builders and remodelers love how flat latex paint hides everything, but homeowners are often disappointed when they try to scrub away scuffs and marks. If you're looking for a flat paint that cleans up better, try the new ColorAccents Interior...

Caulk of any color.(Paints & Other Coatings)
March 1, 2004... If you've ever had to deal with trying to match your caulking to your customer's bold color choices, you know how tough it can be to find caulking in "raspberry" or "mint julep." Red Devil has introduced Create-A-Color Caulk Mixer, so you can...

Mold-stopping multisurface coating.(Paints & Other Coatings)
March 1, 2004... With mold still grabbing headlines across the country, builders and remodelers are frequently left wondering how to protect themselves and their clients when they find mold during a project. While it's not a quick fix for bad flashing or...

JLC Live Residential Construction Show.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2004... Not your typical construction trade show. More than seven years ago, The Journal of Light Construction magazine recognized that builders and remodelers weren't getting the practical information they needed from traditional conferences and...

Ridgid 18-volt combo kit.(Toolbox)
March 1, 2004... I recently had the chance to check out Ridgid's new 18-volt four-piece cordless combo kit, model #R922. The kit includes a cordless drill with hammer function, 6 1/2-inch circular saw, reciprocating saw, flashlight, two-bay battery charger, and...

Cleanup goes cordless.(Toolbox)
March 1, 2004... Admittedly, I'm a bit of a neat freak, but I think DeWalt's newest cordless tool, the DC500 shop vac, is one of the best ideas to hit the job site in a long time. The two-gallon vacuum runs on any of DeWalt's standard battery packs from 12 to...

Not just a pretty face?(Jigs & Clamps)
March 1, 2004... While many clamps can be used for joining cabinets, Cabinet Claws from Pony have an additional screw for aligning the face and drill guides that ensure straight and accurate screw holes. The padded jaws have a 4-inch capacity and work with...

Good grip.(Jigs & Clamps)
March 1, 2004... Getting tight outside comers and preassembling coffers and other elaborate trim are a lot easier with these cool Miter Clamps from Collins. These spring-loaded clamps have sharp points that grip firmly without slipping, and the tiny holes are a...

Oil the fence.(Jigs & Clamps)
March 1, 2004... A good featherboard can improve efficiency, quality, and safety, but the time-consuming setup is frequently more trouble than it's worth. However, Grip-Tite Magnetic Feather Boards set up faster than traditional featherboards because the...

Two formed & foamed dormers.(Backfill)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Faced with building two opposing eyebrow dormers across a narrow, stress-skin foam panel gable roof, Narragansett, R.I., builder David Baud and collaborator Mike Rand came up with a SIPS-inspired approach. They cut dormer face profiles from...