FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

Podcast Episode 168: Should You Share Your Trade Secrets With Other Craftspeople?

Today's building pros are more willing to swap stories about their crafts than their predecessors were. Is that good or bad for business?

By Patrick McCombe, Justin Fink, Rob Wotzak
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast Episode 168 (site)
Today's building pros are more willing to swap stories about their crafts than their predecessors were. Is that good or bad for business?
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
/
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time -0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
    • captions off, selected

      This is a modal window.

      Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.

      Text
      Background
      Window
      Font Size
      Text Edge Style
      Font Family

      End of dialog window.

      This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.

      This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.

      Follow the Fine Homebuilding Podcast on your favorite app. Subscribe now and don’t miss an episode:

      Watch on YouTube

      Justin Fink joins Patrick and Rob this week and starts off the show with discussions about learning from other tradespeople and about what it would take to get started in blacksmithing. Then the crew dives into several listener questions about insulating without removing siding; avoiding moisture build-up under mats in a basement rec room; keeping cold air out of a walk-up attic; and building a tornado-proof house with ICFs.

       


      Teaching skills to others is the foundation of our work

      Rob Wotzak kicks off the conversation this week with an observation he made at the 2019 International Builders’ Show: tradespeople seem more willing than ever to inspire and help others in the business by sharing information and ideas. A good way to see this in action is to follow #KeepCraftAlive on Instagram and join in the conversations happening there.

      The talk of craftsmanship and teaching rolled into a question about learning to forge metal. Rob is an avid blacksmith, and Justin asks him what it would take to get the equipment to try to do some forging in your own backyard. The gist of his answer is that you can get started for very little money, and that there is a lot of information online to help you figure out how. ​​

      Related links:

      • KeepCraftAlive.org
      • AnvilFire.com
      • A Blacksmithing Primer: A Course in Basic and Intermediate Blacksmithing

       


      Question 1: How can I insulate my 1920s craftsman bungalow without removing the siding?

      Chris from Puget Sound writes: Hi Guys,  We have a 1920 craftsman bungalow on Vashon Island near Seattle in Puget Sound.  The house is balloon-frame construction, and lacks insulation except for some 16 in. batts in the attic space. The attic framing is 24-in. spacing, so there are gaps. The second floor has sloped ceilings (attached directly to the 2×4 rafters) down to knee walls with closets behind. I can get access to almost the entire underside of the roof (the sloped part of the ceiling accounts for 6 or 7 linear feet of rafter but I can access these spaces from the closets. Many of the exterior walls need to come down to fix, and I’m not opposed to taking out the ones that haven’t already had plaster and lath removed if I need to. Windows on the front of the house are original, but others have been replaced with more modern double panes. I plan on building or buying interior storms for the original windows (not to mention full restoration of the original double hung windows at some point). The cedar siding is in pretty good shape, and I’d like to repair and paint it, rather than replace it (I don’t even want to think about how much all that cedar would cost these days). As far as I can tell, there is nothing between the shiplap nailed to the exterior of the studs, and the cedar siding.

      Knowing now that the air space in the wall is important to ensure the siding and sheathing can dry out when they get wet, my question (now that you hopefully have enough information) is: how can I insulate this house so we don’t lose all the heat from our wood stove (or from the electric heat pump furnace we will eventually install) without removing the exterior siding?

      A contractor (not the same one from the beginning) recommended taking out all the drywall/plaster from the interior faces of the exterior walls, wrapping the bays with house wrap/wrb and then insulating the inside of the bays, covering back over with drywall.  This doesn’t seem like it would promote drying of the sheathing, studs, or siding any more than filling the cavity and putting poly over the interior.

      Should I worry about trying to vent the attic? If I cut and cobble rigid foam into the bays between the ceiling and roof do I need to leave an air gap? Would I be able to get enough R value out of the ceiling if I insulate the underside of the roof deck, or do I have to blow all attic spaces (above and behind knee walls) full of cellulose?

      Is there a way to insulate an old house without residing it? I know we’re never going to approach the efficiency of a new building without making some serious changes, but we’d like to be able to use our house in the winter without having to run expensive electric space heaters 24/7 just to stay warm in all but the boiling hot living room with the stove.

      Thank you guys so much for all the episodes. I’ve learned so much and I really enjoy the conversational approach you take to building issues. And thanks in advance for any help. ​​​

      1920s craftsman bungalow
      1920s craftsman bungalow

      Related links:

      • Sliding Insulation Between Rafters From Above
      • Insulating Walls in an Old House With No Sheathing
      • Airsealing and adding rigid foam over old clapboards with no sheathing but under vinyl siding
      • Innerglass: Interior storm windows

       


      Question 2: Why am I getting moisture below the mats in my basement workout room?

      Dan from West Haven, CT, writes: Hi fellas, long time listener, and DIYer.  My home was a complete gut job that I did mostly on my own. There’s nothing like listening to FHB Podcast while doing home projects.

      Here’s my latest issue….

      The finished portion of my basement floor is coated with speckled epoxy coating, and that is covered by foam mats, like at a martial arts studio.  Very soon after installing the mats, condensation began accumulating in spots under them. I bought dimpled underlayment thinking that additional air circulation would prevent the condensation, but it hasn’t.  There is never “bulk water”, and due to the epoxy coating I find it hard to believe that the moisture is working its way through the concrete & coating. This basement used to be carpeted, with the carpet padding glued directly to the concrete, and it was never moist. The room is primarily meant as an exercise & laundry room, hence the matting.

      The walls are insulated with 1″ XPS glued to the walls, then R15 Roxul. The room IS conditioned with central heat & AC.  I run a dehumidifier for a few hours per day, and it’s unclear whether or not that is helping.

      I know this is a rather unconventional “floor system”, but do you have any ideas and/or products to help prevent this? Should I be cleaning / mopping up this condensation asap when it does happen?  Or is it ok to let it sit and dry out on its own? I hope I provided enough info.

      Thank you!

      basement mats
      basement mats

      Related links:

      • Finishing a basement floor
      • Discussion Forum: Condensation on Basement Concrete Floor
      • Waterproofing a basement from the inside

       


      Question 3: How do I air-sealing around my chimney, vent my hip roof, and insulate my walk-up attic stairway?

      Jim from Haverhill, Mass., writes: Hey guys! My 1923 Foursquare in Haverhill Massachusetts is in need of some insulation!

      Under my floor boards is about 4″ of cellulose insulation….and live knob and tube! Obviously I’ll have to fix this before I air seal and reinsulate.

      1. What’s the best way to air seal the plaster ceiling?
      2. My chimney only vents my water heater, is spray foam still a no go to air seal around it?
      3. The attic is an unvented hip roof. Money is tight, should I keep it that way?
      4. It’s a walk up attic. Should I just lay some 2″ foam board over the opening?

      Thanks!​

      Related links:

      • Attic-Ventilation Strategies
      • Insulating Attic Stairs
      • Sealing an air leak next to a chimney

       


      Question 4: Are ICFs a good system for building a tornado-resistant home?

      Justin from Mt. Sterling, IL, writes: Hi guys, I recently found the cast and am enjoying listening. I am hoping to have a new home built soon, so I am trying to put in my due diligence in understanding best practices/ options. Being the particular type, I could probably ask a question a day for a year and still have more. From the best I can tell I live at the southern edge of climate zone 5A, Mt. Sterling IL. We have wide temperature ranges from bitter cold in the winters and hot humid days in the summer. As we say in Illinois, “If you don’t like the weather, stay another day”

      As of now I am waiting on a quote to build the entire house with ICF, ( we are in tornado alley).  The home will be 1300 sq ft, 1 story with a full basement. Regardless of whether I go all ICF or just for the basement; my questions are as follows.

      I can’t make heads or tails of water/air/vapor/thermal barriers, given my location. My thoughts are: ICF basement with form-a-drain around footer, eps foam under the slab butting up to ICF, polywall or similar stick and peel with a dimple mat outside of that to relieve hydrostatic psi. Prosoco R-gaurd products on OSB/plywood sheathing, 1 inch foam on top of that then siding. Rock wool batts in the walls, then drywall. Finally pump the attic full of blown in cellulose. Assuming my budget can afford all that am I thinking correctly? Am I missing something? Is there a cheaper but just as effective way of achieving all of this?  Any thoughts or just some conversation on the topic would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for what you do.

      Related links:

        • Wind-Resistant Framing Techniques
        • A Foundation Like a Cooler
        • Blue Heron EcoHaus: Making an ICF Foundation

       


      #KeepCraftAlive trucker hatJLC-LIVE and #KeepCraftAlive

       

      Join us at JLC-LIVE in Providence, RI from March 27 – 30, 2019.

      And don’t forget to support the trades! Buy a #KeepCraftAlive hat or t-shirt.

       


      This episode of the podcast is brought to you by MiTek, ZipSystems, and Danner boots

      This episode of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast is brought to you by MiTek for Breakthroughs in Building. MiTek offers integrated Solutions… for more affordable, sustainable, safe, healthy, efficient and resilient homes. As a diversified, global supplier of software, engineered structural connections, engineering services and automated manufacturing equipment, MiTek provides a technologically advanced, high-quality, and reliable approach to building better homes with better technology.  Work with the industry leader to solve the labor shortage, reduce cycle times and eliminate waste. 

      Also brought to you by ZIP System building enclosures. With thirteen flashing tapes, stretch tapes, and liquid flashings that can be applied between zero and one hundred- and twenty-degrees Fahrenheit, ZIP System products offer a seam sealing solution for every twist and turn. Easily flash corners and curves, including door and window frames, pipe penetrations, and panel seams, using an enhanced acrylic formula. Find your flashing fit at your local lumberyard or Amazon dot com. ZIP System building enclosures – the fastest way to a tight, dry house.

      Also brought to you by Danner boots. We’re not fortune tellers, but when you lace up our new Stronghold work boots, it’s easy to see that the future looks strong. We’re Danner, and after 85 years of making boots for the unforgiving Pacific Northwest… well, that means our boots come with deep roots. And the new Stronghold work boot is no exception. This is what happens when iconic quality runs into modern technology. You get tomorrow’s classic today. Get into the Stronghold for strength that starts right from where you stand. Find your local store at Danner.com.

      We hope you will take advantage of a great offer for our podcast listeners: A special 20% off the discounted rate to subscribe to the Fine Homebuilding print magazine. That link goes to finehomebuilding.com/podoffer.

      The show is driven by our listeners, so please subscribe and rate us on iTunes or Google Play, and if you have any questions you would like us to dig into for a future show, shoot an email our way: [email protected]. Also, be sure to follow Justin Fink and Fine Homebuilding on Instagram, and “like” the magazine on Facebook. Note that you can watch the show above, or on YouTube at the Fine Homebuilding YouTube Channel.

      The Fine Homebuilding Podcast embodies Fine Homebuilding magazine’s commitment to the preservation of craftsmanship and the advancement of home performance in residential construction. The show is an informal but vigorous conversation about the techniques and principles that allow listeners to master their design and building challenges.

       

      Other related links

      • All FHB podcast show notes: FineHomebuilding.com/podcast.
      • #KeepCraftAlive T-shirts support scholarships for building trades students. So go order some shirts at KeepCraftAlive.org.
      • The direct link to the online store is here.

      Sign up to get the Fine Homebuilding Podcast newsletter and special offers delivered to your inbox.

      Signing you up...

      This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
      See all newsletters
      See all newsletters
      ×

      Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

      Signing you up...

      This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
      See all newsletters
      See all newsletters

      New Feature

      Fine Homebuilding Forums

      Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

      • X
      • facebook
      • linkedin
      • pinterest
      • email
      • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

      View Comments

      1. Veteran_Apprentice | Mar 15, 2019 09:53am | #1

        Long time listener and magazine subscriber.
        Love the podcast, but loved it even more today with Justin back. His input is great and he makes a good podcast a lot better.
        Consider making today's trio a regular thing.
        Thanks,
        John

      2. yourfriendfricka | Mar 15, 2019 09:31pm | #2

        Simple idea for preventing condensation on inside of interior storm window coverings. Just use a cheap suction-cup window bird feeder (the kind that torture cats). Fill with desiccant and put inside the window instead of outside. Put some trimmed short fake flowers in for the old-school Brooklyn grandma look, or pop for some real flower stems if the storm coverings are easy to pop off and back on. The flower stems will wilt over time, but the moisture absorbed by the desiccant will keep 'em fresh for surprisingly long.
        Also, sharing info is def good! Thanks.

      3. jerrydad | Mar 27, 2019 07:26am | #3

        I really appreciate this post thank you for sharing these type of posts. (:
        residential roofing companies in alabama

      Log in or create an account to post a comment.

      Sign up Log in

      Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

      More The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

      View All
      • Podcast Episode 686: Brick Steps, Ground-Source Heat Pumps, and Greenhouses in Nova Scotia
      • FHB Podcast Segment: Efficient HVAC for a New Build
      • Podcast Episode 685: Patching Drywall, Adding Air Barriers, and Rotted Walls
      • FHB Podcast Segment: Patching Drywall Near a Shower
      View All

      Up Next

      Video Shorts

      Featured Story

      Affordable Scans, Accurate Plans

      Hover's smartphone app offers an easier way to get precise 3D scans.

      Featured Video

      Video: Build a Fireplace, Brick by Brick

      Watch mason Mike Mehaffey construct a traditional-style fireplace that burns well and meets current building codes.

      Related Stories

      • Beat the Heat: Cool Innovations
      • Materials Make a Midcentury Remodel
      • Ranch Redux
      • FHB Podcast Segment: A Homemade Radiant Heat Floor Assembly

      Discussion Forum

      Recent Posts and Replies

      • |
      • |
      • |
      • |
      • |
      • |
      View More Create Post

      Highlights

      Fine Homebuilding All Access
      Fine Homebuilding Podcast
      Tool Tech
      Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

      "I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

      Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

      Signing you up...

      This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
      See all newsletters
      See all newsletters

      Video

      View All Videos
      • FHB Podcast Segment: Insulating the Roof of a Small Balloon-Framed House
      • FHB Podcast Segment: Old Home Insulation Troubles - How to Find the Right Contractor
      • FHB Podcast Segment: Is There a 'Right' Spot for a Vapor Retarder in this Climate Zone?
      • FHB Podcast Segment: Ductwork in a Vented Attic
      View All

      Craftsman

      View All Craftsman Articles
      • Period Kitchen for an Arts & Crafts House
      • Historic Preservation Month 2025
      • A Greene & Greene House Restored
      View All Craftsman Articles

      Fine Homebuilding Magazine

      • Issue 331 - June 2025
        • A More Resilient Roof
        • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
        • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
      • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
        • Deck Details for Durability
        • FAQs on HPWHs
        • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
      • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
        • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
        • A Kominka Comes West
        • Making Small Kitchens Work
      • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
        • How a Pro Replaces Columns
        • Passive House 3.0
        • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
      • Issue 327 - November 2024
        • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
        • Plumbing Protection
        • Talking Shop

      Fine Home Building

      Newsletter Sign-up

      • Fine Homebuilding

        Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

      • Green Building Advisor

        Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

      • Old House Journal

        Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

      Signing you up...

      This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
      See all newsletters

      Follow

      • Fine Homebuilding

        Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

        Start Free Trial Now
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • X
        • LinkedIn
      • GBA Prime

        Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

        Start Free Trial Now
        • Facebook
        • YouTube
      • Old House Journal

        Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

        Subscribe Now
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • X
      • Fine Homebuilding

        Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

        Start Free Trial Now
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • X
        • LinkedIn
      • GBA Prime

        Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

        Start Free Trial Now
        • Facebook
        • YouTube
      • Old House Journal

        Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

        Subscribe Now
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • X

      Membership & Magazine

      • Online Archive
      • Start Free Trial
      • Magazine Subscription
      • Magazine Renewal
      • Gift a Subscription
      • Customer Support
      • Privacy Preferences
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Careers
      • Terms of Use
      • Site Map
      • Do not sell or share my information
      • Privacy Policy
      • Accessibility
      • California Privacy Rights

      © 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

      Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

      • Home Group
      • Antique Trader
      • Arts & Crafts Homes
      • Bank Note Reporter
      • Cabin Life
      • Cuisine at Home
      • Fine Gardening
      • Fine Woodworking
      • Green Building Advisor
      • Garden Gate
      • Horticulture
      • Keep Craft Alive
      • Log Home Living
      • Military Trader/Vehicles
      • Numismatic News
      • Numismaster
      • Old Cars Weekly
      • Old House Journal
      • Period Homes
      • Popular Woodworking
      • Script
      • ShopNotes
      • Sports Collectors Digest
      • Threads
      • Timber Home Living
      • Traditional Building
      • Woodsmith
      • World Coin News
      • Writer's Digest
      Active Interest Media logo
      X
      X
      This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

      Main Menu

      • How-To
      • Design
      • Tools & Materials
      • Video
      • Blogs
      • Forum
      • Project Guides
      • Reader Projects
      • Magazine
      • Members
      • FHB House

      Podcasts

      • FHB Podcast
      • ProTalk

      Webinars

      • Upcoming and On-Demand

      Podcasts

      • FHB Podcast
      • ProTalk

      Webinars

      • Upcoming and On-Demand

      Popular Topics

      • Kitchens
      • Business
      • Bedrooms
      • Roofs
      • Architecture and Design
      • Green Building
      • Decks
      • Framing
      • Safety
      • Remodeling
      • Bathrooms
      • Windows
      • Tilework
      • Ceilings
      • HVAC

      Magazine

      • Current Issue
      • Past Issues
      • Magazine Index
      • Subscribe
      • Online Archive
      • Author Guidelines

      All Access

      • Member Home
      • Start Free Trial
      • Gift Membership

      Online Learning

      • Courses
      • Project Guides
      • Reader Projects
      • Podcast

      More

      • FHB Ambassadors
      • FHB House
      • Customer Support

      Account

      • Log In
      • Join

      Newsletter

      Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

      Signing you up...

      This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
      See all newsletters
      See all newsletters

      Follow

      • X
      • YouTube
      • instagram
      • facebook
      • pinterest
      • Tiktok

      Join All Access

      Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

      Start Your Free Trial

      Subscribe

      FHB Magazine

      Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

      Subscribe

      Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

      Already a member? Log in

      We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

      Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

      Start your FREE trial

      Already a member? Log in

      Privacy Policy Update

      We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

      Cookies

      Analytics

      These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

      Advertising/Social Media

      These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

      Essential

      These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

      Delete My Data

      Delete all cookies and associated data