Homeowner Forum / Construction / January 2010

I am considering soffit vent options for aesthetics and to satisfy air
intake recomendations.  The number of existing 8"x16" soffit vent
openings are insufficient based on the 1/150 ratio recommendation.  In
order to reach the minimum intake and keep some symmetry with existing

I have a metal frame door and metal door on a cinder block building in my
back yard. I've replaced the door once as it was rusted out. Now the frame
is rusted as well and the door will not close as it is badly out of line.
It appears I will have to replace the door and the frame, ...

In a Williams in-floor furnace, it takes a thermopile millivolt (no
external electrical supply) gas valve numbered B67RA247 General
Controls with 1/2 inch fittings. I can't find an exact replacement. Is
there a universal one I can use? Where do I order it from? Is there

After last month's ice storm in North Carolina, I have decided to invest in
a portable generator.   After some research at various sites, I am certain
that around 8 kw will fit my needs.   However, I still have  **many**  very
basic questions about generator types,  fuel storage,  ...

I am doing the floor tile in a house that is around 50 years old. The house
was built by "kids" back in the 60's and they made a lot of errors.
Examples: the aggregate used in the concrete was smooth river rock. No wall
insulation was required so none was done. Several drain ...

Hello all;
I recently purchased a refurbished Propane Reddy Torpedo heater from
Self Serve Lumber (got a fantastic deal on it too imo). It has 3 heat
ranges low (65,000 btu), Mid (85,000 btu) & High (100,000 btu). Anyhow,

Any observations on the ability of fasteners to grip cement board and
resist pull-out compared to wood?  I need to replace a stretch of
fascia board due to rot and then re-attach gutters.  If there is a
difference, is there a simple way to figure out how many more

I still have my day job in the corporate world but have tinkering more and
more with my side business as the days go on. Hopefully one day, this
"hobby" will become a reality and I'll be able to leave the soul-wrenching
hell that is corporate America.

I have a 5 year old home just west of Houston, Texas.  I've noticed
cracks in the sheetrock (drywall), almost exclusively along the
sheetrock tape, where two pieces have been joined (I have angled
ceilings).  There are almost no wall cracks - just ceilings.  Would

I know it is not a construction question but, I recently replaced my deep
submersible pump in an 82 ft. deep well.  The pump was not running and air
is coming out of the top of the well in a small hole in the metal cap that
seals the 10" pvc pipe casing that goes down the well.

I am converted a existing 2 car garage into a wood shop. It is an attached
garage, with an open crawl space leading to the roof. Previous owners left
the existing roof and put a new roof a few ft. above the old one, with 1
basement window. My problem is I live in the colder ...