More Roofing Choices than Ever

A few months ago, Hurricane Ike passed smack dab over my house. I was up most of the night listening to the wind howl like a pack of psychotic wolves. We did alright - just lost some picket fencing.

Others were not so lucky. Down on the coast (two miles away), along Toddville Road, it was mostly devastation.

Many homes had roof damage. And yes, there are still blue FEMA tarps on homes here and there. Luckily, insurance will cover most folks. And the roofing material choices are better than ever.



Metal roofs are the way to go if your pockets are deep enough. Of course, many homeowner associations (neighborhood Nazis) won't allow them. Some will though, if they're the style that look like shingles.

Shingles. They're not what they once were. Modern asphalt composition shingles are available to resist wind, fire, and hail. My favorite are architectural shingles. I had a roofing contractor that I found through Angie's List. re-roof my home with them last year.

Now, if we don't have any hurricanes for a while...

Contraband Toilets?

Yes, it's true, odd as it may sound. So many people are dissatisfied with low-flow toilets that regular tank models have become a hot commodity. They're slipped over the border from Canada to the US under the cover of darkness.

They're still legal up there. Years ago, smuggling liquor was the hot ticket, now it's commodes. It's a goofy ol' world, as John Prine reminds us.

If you've still got your old toilet, I urge you to keep it when you remodel. If it acts up, it's a snap to fix common toilet problems. Nine times out of ten, the easiest thing to do is just replace the guts with a new Fluidmaster fill valve and flapper. Under $10 at home Depot. Such a deal.



Not long ago, there was a report on the radio (I listen to the radio all day as I write) about some global summit aimed at improving the availability of clean drinking water throughout the world. I recognize that it's a serious problem, but the proposed solution was kind of a head-scratcher.

They suggested switching all our toilets to waterless models. I would have thought desalination plants. But then again, I'm not a hot shot scientist. If they did ever mandate that, I'd have to become a plumber!

Bi-Fold Doors and Laminate Floors

There's no denying that laminate is an increasingly popular building material. But since it's a floating floor system, it comes with its own set of challenges. The main one is that you really shouldn't do anything to impede it from floating. Obviously.

One of these challenges is when mounting the pivot bracket when installing a bi-fold door. These doors are popular for closets and in other places, like clothes washer alcoves in apartments, where every square inch of real estate must be used.



Essentially, the trick is to cut the hole in the laminate larger than it needs to be while not making it too obvious. Reader Mark Sick clued me in to how he solved this particular dilemma by using a minimalist approach using a metal sleeve from Home Depot. And he did it economically. Now that's a DIYer!

The most important consideration is to start with a door that doesn't use a guide track on the floor. Obviously, that would complicate things significantly. And as Mark pointed out to me, those tracks are the source of headaches. They are dust and dirt magnets.



I hope this post solved a challenge for you or at least entertained you. Visit my site to read more free home improvement articles and drop me an email to let me know how you solved a DIY challenge. Mail me at admin@icanfixupmyhome.com.

Woodworking Glue Continues to Evolve

Back in the old days (really old days), the only woodworking adhesive commonly used was hide glue, so named for being made from steer hide and collagen. Things have been on the move since then.

Hide glue is still in use. If you are refinishing a piece of antique furniture that was built with it you'll have to use it to maintain the value of the piece. It's a bit hard to locate but you can buy hide glue online at Rockler Woodworking and Hardware Superstore.

Other glues on the market are now being produced to fill niche market needs. There's your construction adhesive like Liquid Nails, epoxy glue, water-resistant formulations, and so on.

I recently bought some Loctite marine epoxy glue. The eye on the end of my spinning rod snapped off (don't ask, Oy Vey!) so I bought a new one at the local Marburger's Sporting Goods store. I plan on using the epoxy to attach it.



Speaking of fishing, it's too dadgum cold to go today. But towards the end of the week it should be better. Fishing in the bay this spring is going to be a learning experience. Hurricane Ike changed the bay floor so much that the old honey holes no longer apply.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to make that repair!

Best Christmas Gift Ideas for DIYers

Ok, the economy is in the tank. Entry level Christmas trees have gone from last year's $19.95 to $29.95. Enough with Wall Street and the bloated auto industry, are we going to have to bail out the holiday festivity industry as well?

Let's hope it doesn't come to that. But whichever way the wind blows from now until Santa flies, people will buy Christmas presents. The question is what?

Hand Tools, Anyone?

I may not know a silk tie from a Garmin, but I do know tools. And what better to give a DIYer than a gift box of hand tools? Real estate is not moving just now, so it makes sense to fix up the home you've already got.

This is actually a good time for this because the big box stores like Home Depot usually put up some good sales. Internet gift shopping is also big this holiday season.

Baby, it's Cold Outside

I know a lot of you are already into the snow. I kind of remember what that's like from the time I was stationed in Maine. Not so here in South Texas. It was in the low 60s yesterday. Brrr. Hey, but it's a humidity-infused chill, OK?

Christmas Sneaks up Once Again

OK, maybe sneaking up isn't the right phrase. After all, Wal Mart has had their Christmas stuff out for about three months now. It's just arriving so quickly.

This Year I Pledge to Avoid the Christmas Rush

Yeah right! Like that's going to happen. But one thing I want to do is try out LED Christmas lights. I'm all about going on the cheap with the electricity bill. And they say they last forever. Troubleshooting light strings is not my favorite chores.

We'll probably end up going to the Christmas tree farm and chopping down a choice one. We missed doing it last year because the tree rancher was giving the land a break. He just raises them for fun so he can afford to do it right.

Pre-Winter Chores

Actually, come to think about it, doing the holiday decorating is a great time to take care of those change of season chores. Home maintenance never ends. No complaints though. I'm lucky enough not to be an ARM or sub-prime mortgage volunteers, uh, I mean victims. Locked in at 6% and glad of it.

Do Your Christmas Shopping Early

This is something I've always wanted to try! It's one of those things most people keep saying they're going to do so as to avoid the crowds. I don't mind being out there in the mall on December 24, as long as I'm not standing in line. I just like the people-watching aspect of it.

No, this year I'm going to do my shopping on the Internet. Low stress, no mess...

Select a Roof Contractor with Caution

Those of you that read this blog know that I recently underwent the Hurricane Ike experience. That was one rip-roaring ride!

Anytime a storm of this magnitude happens, folks experience roofing problems. The big blue FEMA tarps are still all over the place. Since my roof is new, I didn't have any roof issues (knock on wood). But a lot of my neighbors weren't so lucky.

What Kind of Roof Material do You Want?

If your home insurance company is paying for a complete new roof, this is the time to ask yourself flavor you want, a metal roof or composition shingles. Composition is cheaper but steel shingles or panels last longer and boost home equity.

How to Hire a Roofing Contractor

Man, this is an important issue. There are a lot of "storm chasers" out there. Easy to spot - out of state license plates. Even Houston's Mayor White is running radio ads warning citizens to use caution. They may be professional or they may not. The bottom line is that they won't be around later, no matter what their warranty says.

So, what to do? Follow a vetting checklist and do your homework. Only then hire a roofing company and accept the bid.

What's on the Contractor Checklist?

Basic things, mostly.

• Check the company history.
• Get references.
• Call the BBB.
• Ask to see and verify bonding and insurance paperwork.
• Is everyone on the construction crew working legally in this country? (If they cheat here to cut corners, they'll cheat other ways.)
  

Do these things and you'll do well!