Homeowner Forum / Construction / December 2006

Does anyone know what a 8 inch I beam weighs per foot?
How far will one span un supported. We are looking at a spanning 40
foot in 2 sections with poured post / piller in the middle for support.
2 X 12 floor joists will be attached.

I am in the progress of purchasing a lot in Los Angeles County, right
on the border line between LA and Kern County.  I have over 2 acres to
work with and i am interested in building one house and selling it.
My question is does anyone have experience with the blueprints and

Do any of you speak English?  - translates to
Por qué hace no usted cabezas de frijol de taco-comiendo van a casa a
donde usted vino de.
I can take you to the work place in my truck - translates to

I hired a general contractor to replace a load-bearing wall in my
basement, and I have a couple of concerns about the work (in progress,
almost finished).  The structural engineer proposed a 14" LVL header
supported by two columns composed of 3 2X6's.  So that's what the

We're buying a house (upstate NY) where there's been some damage to the
wood planks near the top of a cathedral ceiling from condensation.  [There
is no attic and the place was uninhabited and without heat for 18 months]
The building inspector said that the ventilation "appears ...

http://video.google.fr/videoplay?docid=-4049590380102614532
Your constructions will have resisté with the planes!

Any cobbers on these groups?
It's wind resistant, energy efficient, insect-proof, fireproof, and
made from natural materials. Why wouldn't you?

I am a doctor in the Children's Hospital in Manchester, United Kingdom.
Among other things, I deal with children who injure themselves falling
from heights on to indoor floors.  Parents, lawyers and other doctors
often ask me whether injuries are more likely when children fall onto

My house is under construction and the plumber just installed the LPG gas
lines. I am suspicious that he might not have this right.
I have a buried gas tank which is not yet connected to the house. It will
be supplying a furnace, a cook-top, a fireplace and a tank-less water

Hi;
I live in Virginia. Starting this spring, I want to build a detached
garage / workshop in my backyard. I am hoping to buy a package that
will come with the plans and all the materials. I will sub out the

I was wondering if someone could explain to me the advantages and
disadvantages of poured foundations vs. block foundations. I am interested
only in building on a full basement but will likely build a garage on a slab
as well so please include info. about slabs as well.

I am interested in floating a solid hardwood plank floor  (3/4" x 3").
Has anyone successfully done this?  I am leary of glue down application
onto the above grade cement slab.  Here in Hawaii we have alot of
moister in the air and I feel that allowing the the floor to shrink and

I am hoping for some basic advice for constructing a small two room
house here.  Engineering help here is only for huge projects and of
dubious quality.
Size: 12' X 24' with a divider wall to end up with two 12' X 12' rooms.  

I want to move from Ogden, Utah to Hemet, California. I want to do the
packing, they just have to drive. Any idea what this costs? (One
bedroom)

I am a mason of over two decades that has recently purchased a home in Port
Richey, FL.
Soon after moving into the home I noticed termites had all but eaten the
frame of a garage door (the tin door was already in disrepair aside from the