The Journal of Light Construction articles from September 2006

The Journal of Light Construction archives from September 2006

Proper water-heater temperature.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2006... In your June issue, plumbing contractor Dave Yates makes a comment I find very hard to believe (Q&A, 6/06). He states, "Estimates of the number of deaths from potable hot-water system bacterial infections range widely, but 10,000 per year is...

Should have known.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2006... As a new subscriber, I noticed in my first issue a review of the new Bosch impact driver (Toolbox, 5/06). The author begins, "I like to think that I keep up with building trends and new tools, so I was surprised to find a whole new category of...

Performance Guidelines defended.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2006... I want to set the record straight about the purpose of the NAHB Residential Construction Performance Guidelines (In the News, 5/06). The publication enjoys great success in the marketplace, which indicates that both homeowners and the...

Preventive maintenance: no more sewer backups.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2006... A couple of years ago, a group of likeminded remodeling companies began to meet monthly to share our trials and tribulations and to learn from each other. Recent discussions turned to plumbing blockage on a large project where the clients...

Coastal insurance crisis: windstorm policies are pricey and hard to find; new construction suffers.(In the News)
September 1, 2006... An ocean view--or even a faint whiff of salt air several miles inland--carries a high premium along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts this year. In the wake of catastrophic insured losses that totaled $61.2 billion in 2005--of which $40 billion...

Regulations meant to prevent heat-related illness went into effect in California on July 27.(In the News)
September 1, 2006... Regulations meant to prevent heat-related illness went into effect in California on July 27. The Cal/OSHA rules require employers to provide outdoor workers with one quart of drinking water per hour and access to shade for at least five minutes...

Massachusetts and Minnesota have become the eighth and ninth states to enact laws that require carbon-monoxide detectors in residences.(In the News)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Massachusetts and Minnesota have become the eighth and ninth states to enact laws that require carbon-monoxide detectors in residences. The Massachusetts law, effective in March, applies to all residences, new and existing, that use...

The number of middle-class neighborhoods in each of the nation's 100 largest metropolitan areas has declined since 1970 and the number of poor and rich ones has increased, says a study released in June by the Brookings Institution, a nonprofit research organization in Washington, D.C.(In the News)
September 1, 2006... The number of middle-class neighborhoods in each of the nation's 100 largest metropolitan areas has declined since 1970 and the number of poor and rich ones has increased, says a study released in June by the Brookings Institution, a nonprofit...

Dubai-based Emaar Properties, a multinational property-development firm, purchased John Laing Homes for more than $1 billion in June.(In the News)
September 1, 2006... Dubai-based Emaar Properties, a multinational property-development firm, purchased John Laing Homes for more than $1 billion in June. Based in Newport, Calif., John Laing Homes is the second largest privately held home builder in the U.S. and...

Allegations of kickback schemes continue to dog the title insurance industry.(In the News)
September 1, 2006... Allegations of kickback schemes continue to dog the title insurance industry. Two firms that were fined $23.8 million last year in California (see In the News, 9/05) came to an agreement in May with New York's attorney general, Eliot Spitzer....

Members of the University of Wisconsin-Madison team paddle their way to first place in the 2006 National Concrete Canoe Competition.(In the News)
September 1, 2006... Members of the University of Wisconsin-Madison team paddle their way to first place in the 2006 National Concrete Canoe Competition. The victorious vessel in the American Society of Civil Engineers event--held in June--measured 21 feet long and...

Toilet testing flushes out lax performers.(In the News)
September 1, 2006... Let's face it: No one wants to flush twice--and no one wants a callback to replace the ineffective flusher. To avoid installing a dud, check out the seventh and most recent edition of "Maximum Performance (MaP) Testing of Popular Toilet...

An average of 690 acres a day were converted from agricultural use in Colorado between 1997 and 2002.(In the News)
September 1, 2006... An average of 690 acres a day were converted from agricultural use in Colorado between 1997 and 2002. "Losing Ground," a report by the advocacy group Environment Colorado, attributes the loss to declining agricultural profitability, the...

Simpson Strong-Tie opened a new manufacturing plant in Eagan, Minn., in May.(In the News)(Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Simpson Strong-Tie opened a new manufacturing plant in Eagan, Minn., in May. The 56,000-square-foot facility includes a warehouse, a contractor training center, and an 8,000-square-foot shop for producing custom parts. The company expects to...

A Somerset County, N.J., luxury-home builder was sentenced in March to 14 days in county jail for his run-ins with building inspectors and other township officials.(In the News)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... A Somerset County, N.J., luxury-home builder was sentenced in March to 14 days in county jail for his run-ins with building inspectors and other township officials. The Newark Star-Ledger reports that John Bossany was charged with 12 municipal...

Andersen Corp., a long-time manufacturer of wood windows and doors, has expanded into the vinyl business.(In the News)
September 1, 2006... Andersen Corp., a long-time manufacturer of wood windows and doors, has expanded into the vinyl business. In July, the Bayport, Minn.-based company finalized the purchase of Silver Line Building Products, a leading maker of vinyl windows and...

Muddy ruling on clean water act.(In the News)
September 1, 2006... The Supreme Court announced its decision on two wetlands cases on June 19. A 5-4 vote sent the cases back to the lower courts for retrial, but without a majority opinion to guide future interpretation of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Both...

Local impact fees on new development in Mississippi are illegal, ruled the state Supreme Court.(In the News)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Local impact fees on new development in Mississippi are illegal, ruled the state Supreme Court. The June decision upholds a 2004 circuit court ruling that defines impact fees as taxes, which the state constitution doesn't authorize cities to...

In June, the EPA launched "WaterSense" (www.epa.gov/watersense), a program designed to encourage water conservation.(In the News)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... In June, the EPA launched "WaterSense" (www.epa.gov/watersense), a program designed to encourage water conservation. Just as the department's Energy Star labels offer consumers a way to identify energy-efficient appliances, the WaterSense...

The NAHB has launched a new program aimed at increasing the supply of college graduates with degrees in residential construction management.(In the News)
September 1, 2006... The NAHB has launched a new program aimed at increasing the supply of college graduates with degrees in residential construction management. Because most colleges and universities that now have construction management programs focus exclusively...

Remodeling pet peeves.(In the News)
September 1, 2006... What are the biggest beefs contractors and homeowners have with each other during remodeling projects? Payment problems and missed start dates, according to a recent survey sponsored by Kimberly-Clark DIY, a Roswell, Ga., company that sells...

Home refinancing numbers continue to shrink, measured as a share of all mortgage activity.(In the News)
September 1, 2006... Home refinancing numbers continue to shrink, measured as a share of all mortgage activity. The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that refinancing made up just 35.3 percent of all mortgage applications in late June, compared with more than...

California Building Industry Association economist Alan Nevin anticipates that overall housing starts in the state for 2006 will total between 170,000 and 180,000, which represents a decrease of between 15 percent and 20 percent from 2005 levels.(In the News)
September 1, 2006... California Building Industry Association economist Alan Nevin anticipates that overall housing starts in the state for 2006 will total between 170,000 and 180,000, which represents a decrease of between 15 percent and 20 percent from 2005...

Pulte Homes took a beating this spring in the softening real estate market: The nation's largest home builder reported that net new orders for April and May were down 29 percent from the same months in 2005.(In the News)
September 1, 2006... Pulte Homes took a beating this spring in the softening real estate market: The nation's largest home builder reported that net new orders for April and May were down 29 percent from the same months in 2005. Richard J. Dugas, Jr., president and...

Residents in the Sunshine State have as many as 20,000 new reasons to invest in solar energy.(In the News)
September 1, 2006... Residents in the Sunshine State have as many as 20,000 new reasons to invest in solar energy. Under Florida's Solar Energy System Incentives Program --effective July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2010--residential photovoltaic systems that are 2...

Home Depot is venturing into the convenience-store business, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.(In the News)
September 1, 2006... Home Depot is venturing into the convenience-store business, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Two pilot stores in the Nashville area, located in Home Depot parking lots, sell the usual snack foods and gasoline. The unique draw,...

Illustrated stair-code guide.(Resources)
September 1, 2006... Building codes, unfortunately, don't come with secret decoders that can decipher dense and complicated language. The next best thing may be this illustrated guide to the stair-building portions of the IRC, created by the Stairway Manufacturers'...

Moisture management.(Resources)
September 1, 2006... Written as a best-practices guide for designers, builders, and owners of wood-frame residences, "Moisture-Resistant Homes" is a new offering from HUD and the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing. It provides illustrated design...

Q. Rejuvenating aged drywall.(Q&A)
September 1, 2006... My company is converting a garage with drywall on its walls and ceiling into living space. The joints have been taped with one coat of mud, but some of the tape is dry and loose, and the drywall's paper surface which was never primed has...

Q. Borate-treated lumber okay for mudsills?(Q&A)
September 1, 2006... I know that some framers are using lumber treated with SBX (sodium borate) as a substitute for ACQ because it is less corrosive to fasteners, but I'm concerned about short-term exposure to rain and the longevity of the borate treatment itself...

Q. Noisy expansion tank.(Q&A)
September 1, 2006... Even though I followed the manufacturer's specifications when I installed the 2-gallon thermal expansion tank and check valve for my customers' domestic hot-water system, they still complain of "clicking" noises, mainly during the heating...

Q. Woodpeckers and cedar siding.(Q&A)
September 1, 2006... We recently completed a house that features vertical T&G cedar siding, but now my clients are complaining about woodpeckers making holes in the siding. Are there any simple techniques for dealing with this problem? A. Bert Snyder of...

Installing sheet piles.(On the Job)
September 1, 2006... When you live on a barrier island, just keeping your little piece of real estate from washing away is a constant struggle. Fred Sprinkle, a foundation and excavation contractor on Dauphin Island, Ala., frequently uses vinyl sheet pilings to...

Columns, posts, piers: what's best for the porch?
September 1, 2006... There's no question that a porch looks and feels best when all of its components relate to the rest of the house's design. In an earlier column, we focused on how porch guardrails can complement a home (5/06); here, we'll talk about ways that...

How to write a practical business plan.(Business)
September 1, 2006... A business plan is like a map. It can help you find the most direct route to your destination and avoid costly detours and delays. Yet most owners of remodeling companies have never written one. For them, the process seems daunting and the...

Different folks, different strokes.(Business)
September 1, 2006... A bookkeeper tells me, "He flies through here and drops some scribbled instructions on my desk, then gets annoyed when what I do isn't what he was looking for. How can I do my job correctly without getting the details I need? Maybe I should...

Keep your license current.(contractors)
September 1, 2006... The California Supreme Court recently made a decision that I personally disagree with. Does the court care what I think? I'm sure it doesn't. Do you care? Well, you should--even if you're in another state--because if you don't keep...

Framing rake walls: full-scale layout actual rafters is fast and accurate.
September 1, 2006... I'm always impressed when I drive by a framing site and see rake walls up before the roof. In my opinion, that's a sign the framers know what they're doing. The carpenter who taught me was uncomfortable laying out rakes, so he would frame...

Glass-block shower window: a cast-in-place concrete sill sheds water outside and protects the framing on the inside.
September 1, 2006... Having rebuilt a number of rotten bathroom walls, I've come to believe that windows should not be placed inside the shower enclosure. But there are times when there's no other option. When I expanded and remodeled the 5-foot-by-12-foot...

Eight great reasons to replace your replacement window.
September 1, 2006... 1 Replacement Options The Woodwright[R] double-hung insert window features a 3 1/4" pocket window jamb depth, allowing convenient replacement without disturbing interior window trim in most applications. For full-impact remodeling jobs...

Rotproof fences: keep water moving and seal up the end grain for a long-lasting fence in a wet climate.
September 1, 2006... Along with providing security and privacy, a nice wood fence can serve as a property's crowning design element. Leaving wood outside in a wet climate like mine, though, borders on criminal behavior--and so as a restoration carpenter working in...

Fast fixes for closet flanges: a few simple tools and supplies take most of the misery out of repairing these critical plumbing fittings.
September 1, 2006... In residential plumbing, brass, copper, and cast-iron closet flanges have largely been replaced by ABS and PVC flanges. Other than that, today's closet flanges look essentially the same as those made 50 years ago. They also suffer from...

Using a tablet computer: you write on it like a legal pad, but it has the computing and communication power of a desktop PC.
September 1, 2006... My company has built custom homes in Washington state's San Juan Islands since 1989. It's a family business: My wife runs the office and takes care of customer service and interior design, and I design homes and manage the construction. We...

Square deal.(Kitchen & Bath / Faucets)
September 1, 2006... Available in single-hole and double-hole-mount models, the Integrity Widespread Lavatory Faucet features a bold geometric design and solid brass construction with quarter-turn ceramic valves. It comes in polished chrome and brushed nickel...

Industrial design.(Kitchen & Bath / Faucets)
September 1, 2006... This minimalist lavatory faucet from the Urbane Collection--a suite of coordinated bath accessories--comes in widespread and monoblock models in 35 finishes. Suggested retail prices run from $770 to $990. Watermark, 800/842-7277,...

Look Ma, no hands.(Kitchen & Bath / Faucets)
September 1, 2006... So maybe the Pascal Culinary Faucet doesn't automatically wash the dishes, but it comes close. A hands-free proximity sensor turns the water on and off (a light tap of the finger works, too); the pull-down spray head activates when extended and...

Sink-side simplicity.(Kitchen & Bath / Faucets)
September 1, 2006... Side-mounted valves have long been popular in Europe; now they're catching on in the U.S. Take the sleek Parma Pull-Out Kitchen Faucet, for instance: It packs a single handle and a pull-out spout that delivers both an aerated stream and a...

Comes in quartz.(Kitchen & Bath / Countertops)
September 1, 2006... Countertops in the Mountain Series--Black Canyon, Sienna Ridge, and Giallo Quarry (shown)--pay homage to the natural beauty of solid stone. Unlike stone, however, these quartz surfaces never have to be sealed to prevent staining. Plus they have...

Faster fabrication.(Kitchen & Bath / Countertops)
September 1, 2006... Here's a solid-surface countertop that costs only slightly more than high-pressure laminate. Unlike conventional 1/2- and 3/4-inch-thick solid-surface products, 1 1/4-inch-thick Eos doesn't require labor-intensive lamination, making it more...

Treasure chest.(Products / Garage Storage)
September 1, 2006... Designed for industrial use, Lista's Modular Drawer Storage Cabinets hold up to 440 pounds and--according to the manufacturer--offer more usable storage space than any other comparable product. Available in seven heights and 19 paint colors,...

Cold cache.(Products / Garage Storage)
September 1, 2006... You just can't talk about garage storage without mentioning cold-beverage storage. Gladiator, maker of the original garage storage system, offers a 14-cubic-foot fridge that maximizes any garage's usefulness. The Energy Star-rated Chillerator...

Made to order.(Products / Garage Storage)
September 1, 2006... No longer do homeowners who want garage storage have to make do with plywood shelving and pegboard. Several companies provide specialty garage storage products. Garage Envy's Custom Cabinets hang directly from either the studs or the company's...

Wood insert.(Products / Windows)
September 1, 2006... Installing vinyl replacement windows in a beautiful historic home should be a capital offense. But what's the alternative? Here's one: the Andersen 400 Series Woodwright Double-Hung Insert Window. Available in custom sizes (in 1/8-inch...

Just venting.(Products / Windows)
September 1, 2006... With their uninterrupted expanses of glass, most picture windows make for a great view but--since they don't open--lousy ventilation. Marvin's new Venting Picture Window is different. It projects 2 1/4 inches outward to allow ventilation...

Window treatments.(Products / Windows)
September 1, 2006... Most ultra-high-end wood windows have hidden balance systems that eliminate unsightly vinyl jamb liners. These super-premium windows are too expensive for many homeowners, but Vetter has come up with an affordable alternative for its moderately...

Anti-infiltration.(Products / Flashing)
September 1, 2006... It's no secret that a house's exterior mechanical penetrations are a major source of air and water infiltration. With Quickflash Panels, you can skip the caulking, spray foaming, and duct sealing in favor of a product that's more likely to...

Reversible kickouts.(Products / Flashing)
September 1, 2006... Kickout flashings prevent roof water from missing the gutter and soaking the section of ' wall that intersects with the roof. They're a recommended detail with stucco exteriors--but frankly they're a good idea with any cladding. Water Out's...

Inset window help.(Products / Flashing)
September 1, 2006... Properly flashing a conventional flush-mounted window is hard enough; flashing inset windows--which are increasingly popular in Western regions--is an even tougher nut to crack. After conducting numerous water-intrusion investigations, Gene...

PLS2E laser.(Toolbox)(Pacific Laser Systems )
September 1, 2006... About a year and a half ago, I tested the PLS2, a line laser from Pacific Laser Systems (see Toolbox, 4/05). It worked very well indoors, but the line was hard to see in bright sunlight--a common problem with line lasers. To make the tool...

That Red Drywall Lift on eBay.(Toolbox)
September 1, 2006... My contracting business focuses on small renovations and handyman-type work. Since I don't employ any helpers, I need a lift when I hang drywall. In the past I rented one, but at $50 per day it was an expensive undertaking. Plus, I live in a...

Metal Mania.(Toolbox: Specialty Nailers)
September 1, 2006... Most metal-connector nailers evolved from conventional framing nailers, but the Bostitch MCN150 Strap-shot is based on a completely new platform. Weighing in at 4.8 pounds, it's about the size of a 15-gauge finish nailer and features a housing...

Air supply.(Toolbox: Specialty Nailers)
September 1, 2006... Cordless nailers offer portability and rapid setup, while pneumatic tools cost less to operate and are more reliable. If you're looking for the best of both worlds, check out the JacPac C[O.sub.2] Power System from Supplierpipeline. The tiny...

Step on the gas.(Toolbox: Specialty Nailers)
September 1, 2006... When it comes to high work and small framing tasks, it's tough to beat the speed and convenience of a gas-powered framing nailer. The Max GS683RH is a 21-degree full-head framer with an easy-to-load magazine, a reversible belt hook, adjustable...

Jack for all trades.(Toolbox: Lifting Equipment)
September 1, 2006... It weighs a mere 60 pounds, but the Ellis Bridge Jack can raise as much as 40 tons. And at just 13 1/2 inches tall, it's perfect for structural repairs and shoring in crawlspaces and other tight locations. The screw provides 6 inches of...

Big Boom.(Toolbox: Lifting Equipment)
September 1, 2006... Outside of a sky crane, hydraulic Tele-Booms are probably the coolest lifting devices around. Available for most popular skid-steer loaders, they extend from 8 1/2 feet to 20 feet for a total reach of about 30 feet (based on a typical machine's...

Wall Stand.(Toolbox: Lifting Equipment)
September 1, 2006... Sheathing walls while they're on the floor deck is a great way to save time--but raising a sheathed wall can be a back-breaking exercise. A pair of 16-foot TranzSporter Wall Jacks by Tie Down Engineering can help. The jacks--which boast a...

The biggest thing to hit town in 74 million years.(Backfill)
September 1, 2006... About 80 miles northwest of Des Moines, Iowa, lies the small town of Manson. Nothing much has ever happened there, unless you count the time 74 million years ago when a giant meteor crashed nearby. Actually, calling it "giant" doesn't do it...

No substitute.(View Point: First Word)
September 1, 2006... The Remodeling Show fills the same need today that it filled back in 1991 when it started--the need for reliable, first-hand information about the products, processes, and people upon which the success of this growing industry is built. ...

So much to offer.(View Point: First Word)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... As vice chairman of the National Association of Home Builders' Remodelor's Council and a lifelong resident of the Chicago metropolitan area, I would like to invite you to the 2006 Remodeling Show and to the great city of Chicago. I especially...

Peer review.
September 1, 2006... The Remodeling Show is unique in the industry--a conference that brings together the best and most diverse educational opportunities you'll find anywhere, unmatched peer networking, top-tier speakers, and access to a floor full of manufacturers...

Bring the crew.
September 1, 2006... Not only does the Remodeling Show have a wealth of educational opportunities for employees, it can inspire, motivate, and rejuvenate your staff, It also offers a chance for team identity to grow, strengthening your company, Here's how to make...

Second city: razzle dazzle: visitors come to Chicago to have a good time, and this good-time town has something for everyone.
September 1, 2006... What's your pleasure? An evening of blues or belly laughs? An eye-to-eye encounter with sharks or a panoramic view from the 103rd floor of a skyscraper? A see-every-brushstroke exploration of Impressionist landscapes or a stroll along a lake?...

Culinary Chicago.(RESTAURANT GUIDE)
September 1, 2006... Time was, Chicago was known strictly as a meat-and-potatoes town. Today, Chicagoans are likely to order tuna sashimi or squash risotto. Still, some dishes--and some restaurants--remain quintessentially Chicago. Here are a few spots to sample...

Giants of architecture.
September 1, 2006... Mrs. O'Leary's cow did American architecture a big favor. The Great Fire of 1871 (said to have started when that restive bovine kicked over a lantern) devastated Chicago, wiping out block after block of homes, shops, and factories. In the...