How to Repair Stripped Bolt Hole Threads

Not many things frustrate me more than bolt hole threads when they strip out. I don't think anyone would be in disagreement with me that it always happens at exactly the wrong time. Who wants to spend an hour and a half searching for a tap and die set and then digging up a bigger bolt?

But there is good news! There is a cheap and easy DIY fix! I don't recommend doing this on your engine block, for obvious reasons, but it will work wonderfully in a number of light duty situations.

And further good news; it doesn't require any expensive new tools either. The initial thing you'll need to do is back out the bolt. This should be easy; it's already stripped, right? You might have to use vice grips on the head and pull while turning it counter-clockwise.

Next, fill the bolt hole with a compound, either Liquid Steel or J.B. Weld. This stuff has the advantages of wood glue and finishes like metal. You've got to love the folks that invented those products!

They're so good they don't even need to hire Billy Mayes to hawk them on TV. Next, coat the bolt (preferably a new one) liberally with liquid soap, including the head.

Run the bolt back into the hole and wipe up the excess that squeezes out around the bolt head. Do this gently; remember that you're making new threads.

When the compound is dried, you're set! You can now screw or unscrew at will.

It's Time to Monitor Concrete Slab Foundations

They tell me that Summer doesn't start officially until June 21, 2009. That's also Father's Day and the Summer Solstice, so that gives us three reasons to get out and dance by the light of the moon.

Problem is, here in South Texas, we didn't get the memo about summer starting so late. It's already sliding into the 90s on a daily basis so it's a good thing that we've got a couple of other things to occupy our minds on the 21.

I ran a 5K race on Saturday and it was already hot at 7:30. I was slooow. Since the run was put on by my running club, I wasn't too embarrassed. I guess I'll just have to to train harder and prepare mentally.

As hot as it is, and as dry as it's been, the dirt around our concrete slab foundations has been getting mighty dry. That can spell trouble as far as cracking goes.

If we don't keep an eye on conditions, we stand to be in for some expensive foundation repairs. Around here, that usually means piers or pilings, sometimes something proprietary like Olshan's Cable Lock technology.

Whichever it is, it's messy and expensive.

So, what to do? The best thing is to monitor it on a daily basis and water it as needed. The best method is to run soaker hoses around the slab's perimeter and water it enough to keep the repair demons at bay.

Does Father's Day Overlap Home Improvement?

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Father's day is fast approaching. This isn't going to be another "tie and soap-on-the-rope" year is it? Why not give him what he wants? And Dads, it might be time to start dropping hints, yes? What do we want? As Tim Allen would say, "Tools!"

Tools for Father's day are practical gifts. After all, this is something that us DIY types are going to buy anyway. And ladies, what better way to give your honey-do list a well-deserved nudge? Either that or find a handyman. Here are a few categories that might bear a bit of consideration:

• Automotive tools. That's right. In the economic recession we find ourselves mired in, we need to do all the repairs we can. Not many people are looking to purchase a new vehicle just now anyhow. Think about it; would you buy a car built by GM (Government Motors)? Or how about a Hummer now that the Chicoms have bought that division? And you thought you had lead paint woes before?

• Hand tools. Can't have too many of these babies. Just a couple of weeks ago I had to go to Home Depot and buy a set of torx screwdrivers to tweak the door strike on my Toyota Tundra. Who doesn't find themselves needing a pair of sharp Wiss tin snips now and then?

• Power tools. We can only do so much with hand tools, as much as we love them. Whether we're talking belt sanders, table saws, drill presses, or wood lathes, the choices are getting better and the prices are lower than ever.

Just a few home improvement tool ideas for Father's Day. You can thank me later.

Structural Integrated Panels (SIPs)

Northern climes are now thawed out enough to break ground for new construction, I suppose. It never gets cold enough to freeze the ground here. Bottom line, it's time to build, if the construction financing is available.

One green building technology to think about is Structural Integrated Panels, or for those into acronyms, SIPs.

So what are they? They're construction sandwich modules formed of exterior panel surfaces made of Oriented Strand Board (OSB). The "meat and cheese" is rigid foam plastic insulation.

Sustainable Benefits that Lead to LEED Certification


The benefits are many. First, OSB can be made from scrap material from other woodworking processes. Waste not, want not. Next, since the sandwich panels are designed by an architect using construction software, the shapes and sizes mean that they fit together on the job site like a jigsaw puzzle.

This means faster construction. There is minimal cutting and fitting, unlike conventional stud framing. This results in less scrap to haul off to the landfill.

Finally, the insulating value is effective. All these details add up to points that contribute to LEED certification.

Finding a Building Contractor

This is one of the hardest things about building green. It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks. It's hard enough to find residential building crews that even speak English today, much less understand and accept emerging construction concepts.

The best way to proceed is to work with an architect that has a few SIPs projects under his belt and use his network of general contractors and subcontractors.

So, take this green idea and run with it!

Take Advantage of Your Windows this Summer

Windows have been getting more attention in the past few years, and with good reason. The first reason is that they can save energy and lower electricity bills by taking advantage of natural sunlight.

The drawback? They can also let in the heat, making your air conditioner work harder and eliminating the savings you achieved on the lighting. unless you've invested in Energy Star low-E windows or installed solar window film.

Either of these two environment-friendly options can also reap you energy tax credits. You'll need them. Most taxpayers have yet to come to the realization that the "tax break" that Obama enacted by reducing withholding tax made no change on the tax owed.

Citizens used to getting a nice tax refund will likely have to cut a check to the IRS since they will have paid in less.

Windows also bring the beauty of the the outdoors inside. To really take advantage of this aspect of your windows, why not build a window seat as a DIY project. If you're not handy yourself, it's easy enough to hire a reliable local carpenter using Angie's List.

Depending on how fancy you want to get, the project can be done is as little as one weekend.

Be sure to update your homeowners insurance policy after making any of these home improvements.

How to Build a Deck Around a Tree

Spring is here, winter is over, and it's time for outdoor projects. Since the economic downturn has more and more people taking staycations rather than making the journey to Disneyland or Cabo San Lucas, why not combine the two by building a deck where the family can relax and cookouts can carry the day?

What better place to chill out after going for a long training run?

Designing a deck is a fun process. Sometimes, compromises must be made. For example, what if you have a nice shade tree? You hate to cut it down, because the shade makes your home more energy efficient.

Not only that, but the shade on the deck would be welcome indeed. Here's the obvious solution: leave it there! You'll just have to take an extra step.

DIY Tree Service

It's easy enough to frame the deck understructure around a tree. Likewise, a bit of planning makes the decking look just right. The horticultural challenges in this situation? The tree will continue to grow in girth and the topmost roots will threaten to invade the integrity of the deck postholes and footings.

First, estimate how much more girth the tree is likely to gain. If you are not sure, check in with a local nursery or county agricultural agent. Then you can properly lay out the opening.

As far as the lateral root system goes, you really want them to go down, rather than up. This is what I learned on the Randy Lemon Gardenline radio show. Three words: deep root feeding.

Deep Root Feeding

Strictly speaking, the term is a bit deceptive. The process has more to do with watering the tree rather than tree fertilization.

The idea is to poke holes straight down in the soil in concentric circles around the trunk periodically. This gives rain water a route to go deep to feed the tree's root system. The result? The lateral roots will be trained to aim downward, rather than out.

What do you poke the holes with? A length of rebar works well. Do this well before framing the deck and pour some pea gravel down the holes to keep them somewhat open. (For this initial poking, you'll have to use something thicker than rebar for the gravel to fit.)

You will have to cut the worst root offenders before you build the deck, but don't overdo it.

What I'm saying here is that you'll have to devise removeable "panels" in the decking that you can easily remove and replace when you need to.

Now get busy! Having trouble getting motivated? Try Brain Sync. We're burning sunlight here, Homer!

Finished Installing Radiant Barrier foil in the Attic!

My goal was to finish all my penny-pinching efforts in the attic before the summer really slammed us. And I did it! About three years ago I sprayed radiant barrier paint on the underside of the roof decking. But it was already hot. Boy, did I learn my lesson.

In this book shown on the left, the author goes into why we should take the lead in transforming America to be more energy efficient and develop alternate energy sources. He explains it in a short video that you can see if you click on it.

I won't get into a political discussion about greenhouse gasses here. I'm all about saving money on utility bills and boosting my home equity.

You see, after I did the painting, I noticed an immediate drop in my power usage from the central air conditioner. Being an insatiable fellow, and frugal, I wanted more.

Research indicated that the paint will stop between 10% - 75% of radiant heat from getting into the attic in the first place. The foil, applied to the attic floor, stops 97%. So, is my math off, or is the interior of my home being protected from about 150%? Just joking, I'm not a dolt!

I used Energy Q foil, the best on the market. This is the same stuff NASA uses. In addition to the foil, I also beefed up the attic insulation. In for a dime, in for a dollar, I always say. Do it right the first time.

There's a narrow window of opportunity between the income tax refund and the sweltering heat. I wanted to do it this year because part of the economic stimulus package is higher tax credits.

Have you gone over this energy efficiency checklist to see where you could be saving money. When Cap and Trade kicks in, energy prices are going up, up, up.

So now that I'm done, I'm going to go running, and then it's time to kick back and chill. Literally.