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Get the answers you need to get the job done right. Home-building and remodeling pros and industry experts answer your questions about construction details, materials, tools, building codes, and more. Email Fine Homebuilding at [email protected] to have a question considered for publishing in the magazine.

Removing Old Insulation
You can remove fiberglass batts yourself, but you'll need some professional tools, and should always keep safety in mind.
Refinishing Old Oak
Cleaning, sanding, and finishing with an oil-based varnish brings new life to old wood.
Which PEX to Use?
The three types of PEX offer different levels of flexibility for different applications.
Deck Footings in Rocky Ground
When it's not possible to dig frost-depth footings, a freestanding deck may be the best option.
Why Do I Have To Separate Grounds and Neutrals?
One of these wires is meant to complete a circuit and the other is there just for safety.
Plumbing Dope or Teflon Tape?
Sealant and tape both work in similar ways, but one may be a better choice than the other.
Thinning Finishes for Spraying
If you're exceeding the paint manufacturer's guidelines, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Expanding an Opening in a Masonry Wall
If the brick or block is laid in a running-bond pattern, it forms a corbelled arch that can often hold itself up with minimal bracing during construction.
Fix a Timber Retaining Wall
Rather than repairing a failing wood wall, replacing it with a dry-laid modular concrete-block system is a more durable option.
Why Is There an Angled Header Over My Door?
Diagonal braces above openings in bearing walls are old-fashioned but still functional solutions.

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