Recent content by SeattleSoxFan

Thanks for the advice/info... Confirms my initial thoughts and kills any fancy ideas I've thought of so far! - J

OK, so I've seen about 10 of these in the recent past, so I apologize for not quite finding out the answer after my search. There was a typical sink/dw/disposal in place prior to remodel. The remodel involved changing out the countertops (sweet new concrete counters!) and installing a...

A slightly defensive response... As a contractor and an occasional "flipper" I have to say I understand your disparaging remarks when I look at the "competition," but it's not always the case. Some of us do know what's what and have other successful businesses in the trades and flip to keep...

You can use drywall throughout. You can consider CBU's if impact resistance is important, but the drywall is definitely sufficient. Not if you mean plastic behind the drywall. I would use a PVA primer though. I don't know that they require it, but I like to have it flat to start with...

This looks like an old thread resurrected and the conversation is mostly moot, but as a general rule of thumb you don't want to oversize the fan any more than you need to. It's like a furnace or anything. Properly sized is more efficient and more isn't always better. The "standard" formula...

2x8 LVL's do sound a bit undersized, but the beam is actually not under all that much stress. It's supporting the ends of the beam that will get the brunt of the load. Any inspector is going to want a stamp unless it is clearly in the code already. LVL's are quite standard in construction, but...

I don't know much about typical "double-wide" construction. I also have no idea what "not much slope" means. You say you have shingles on the house.... are there shingles on the porch too? Typically you don't use asphalt shingles on < 4:12 pitch. Standard roll flashing is all that's required if...

I assumed he knew the difference between joists and rafters... I guess that that was my mistake -- somehow I missed the "attic" comment. If it's a standard-framed ceiling, it's a much easier problem... :) But, Duane, if you are having troubles with the basics then you should put down your...

Some good reading on the subject... These are both articles from JLC, 2007 and hopefully shows how competent pros approach this kind of problem. This is not quite the same roofing problem, but it is the article I was remembering. The main point is a creative solution to removing collar ties...

Though I agree with all the comments posted 'til now (especially jadnashua's who realizes you can't solve the problem by only looking "up" at the problem), I also think the answer may not be a beam... You surely will want an engineer's input regardless, but it could be significantly easier...

There shouldn't be any problem. As long as both ends of the cable are the same, everything should be ok. Cross-over cables have one end A and the other B, but those are for special purposes and not appropriate for your use.

No simple answer, I'm afraid! As you noted there are so many different "opinions" on this and a shortage of facts. Probably the only accurate statements are from one cable to another rather than from spec to spec. :( First on the solid copper versus copper-clad steel.. They both should work...

When hiring a professional the $$ equation changes, and most pros are wary of smooth coat finishes because clients can be quite picky. Smooth coat is marked up quite a bit more than other finishes. Skim coating is considered a high-end finish. High-end generally equals high cost whether or not...

You don't need a vapor barrier in a shower, you need it to be waterproof! I'm sure you wouldn't skimp on one wall of a shower because you didn't expect it to get much spray, would you? :) Anyway, keep the water out of the stud bays and waterproof the shower. The "vapors" should be taken care of...

Skim-coating it is another option. If you're mildly competent at taping it's pretty easy and fairly quick. The texture you have looks like it was brushed on (stippled) and may not be easy to reproduce. Ceilings aren't usually centerpoints of a room and you have more leeway on transitions than...