utopia78 wrote:BTW – That was fast, lol. Within seconds you replied to the thread. I didn’t expect the response that fast. Of course there is no rush to reading the thread, as you know I’m eager for knowledge and I know your very skilled in this trade.@dominionmasonry

I was in my e-mail and it popped right up haha

Cool project. Nice view, unlike most here I don’t mind heights. I actually enjoy them for the scenery. Nothing like an autumn evening with the sun going down and a 50 mile view in 3 directions. I will say that I’ve never been on a swing stage and over 60′ seldom.

I’m interested in the helical ties. I’ve heard of them and understand them in…[Read more]

Give me a minute…looks like I have some reading to do

As the others said, -12F is just too cold for mortar to cure properly no matter what accelerator or admixture you use…WAY too cold. If i understand correctly all you need to do is mortar the chimney cap back on….use an adhesive for now. Many will work in any temps so long as the product is above freezing when applied. Come back in the spring…[Read more]

Yes it’s a control joint. The architect was probably a commercial architect doing some resi plans. The reason it’s under the corner of the window is because there is less load under the window so the 2 walls have a potential for differential ettlement. HUGE overkill for a small reidential project. Where you see it more often is on walls that…[Read more]

You need weepers every 2′ or so, all around, but there is a possiility that you don’t have an air space between the concrete and the brick. The major reason for letting the water through the use of an air space and weep holes out is so that the wood substrate doesn’t rot. Since the steps and landing aren’t made of wood there is no necessity for…[Read more]

looks OK, but if the blade is just steel and not carbide it won’t last very long before it needs sharpening

I have one, no idea why don’t do anything with it

Nicely done…looks good, a satisfied customer, and you made some money,… best results possible

I’m not crazy about sealers. Masonry needs to “breath” and the sealers stop it from doing that. Water wins pretty much each time every time…the only thing that beats water is air and gravity, let the water flow out and let fresh air in to dry it out.

Kurts theory is possible but that generally happens with acid rain, the sulphuric acid precipitates through the masonry material and creates calcium sulphate and other compounds when the water evaporates. Since acid rain is much less prevalent now than it was in the ’80’s it happens a lot less than it did previously. The cure for this is to get a…[Read more]

x2 on tomato juice. My dog got sprayed from about 3′ away. At first it didn’t even smell like skunk, more like a weird hospital chemical or something. I tried a tomato bath at first and it did nothing. Then I bathed her in it but let it dry, after a couple hours I washed her off and most of the smell was gone. It was still there but very…[Read more]

I also see the makitas almost exclusively for corded and the stihls for gas powered. A very common proffesional tool, I use them very frequently. Bosch and any other tool company should consider making a cordless professional grade unit.

Finished a 2 week project that’s been dragging for a month and a half

Some people just prefer the open webs. MY FIl is a sparky and he loves them ofr running wire so when he built his house he used them, they’re usually engineered for whatever span you have. Those might only be 8″s

Every no wand again I’ll find a couple dozen pencils in one day here and there while I’m cleaning up. But usually i’m searching for one.

Hydronic as I know it is any system that uses circulating hot water (or more often glycol) to heat a series of loops that are covered then radiate the heat. In floor heat (non electric) is the only one I’ve seen.

does this system heat a baseboard like an electric baseboard heater, except instead of an electric element it has hot water/glycol…[Read more]

huh…never seen hydronic heat in a wall, only floors

i don’t get it…why doesn’t the concrete cover it? how can it move?

cold porkchop…wife is at soccer with the kids…actually Wernesgruner will probably be the most calories I consume tonight