The existing deck is nearing end of life. It's old and in need of replacing. I would NOT go by anything that was done here previously: most certainly not the worst, but in no means the best. Below-grade footings are generally the better way to go. In this case, though, I'm looking at dissimilar foot...

Note: "on-grade" is what I mean when I say "float." I'm continuing to pursue my re-deck project. Planning on replacing our current deck with a similar sized one (replacement will include a patio/covering part of the deck- the details for the roof construction still elude me, so i...

Though not a "solution," look to incorporate bucket traps (there are Youtube videos if you search). I re-did the skirting our our house (sits on a monolithic concrete pad) with metal roofing and still encountered mice! Might be because I have only re-skirted three sides, but the one side I...

Mark, could you provide a source reference for the "1 sq/ft of ventilation per 150sq/ft of floor space" requirement? I spent a lot of time researching venting when I was re-doing my skirting and none of my local codes specify this: one can do a search and find provided references. As a mat...

Q: Would mixing R-value insulation be a waste of money? Underbelly has areas devoid of insulation. Maybe max of 150 sq-ft. Repairs, by previous owner, left belly wrap open and some crap insulation was tossed in but then pretty much sagged out (I've yanked it). I have run out of time to do a proper r...

I will probably just repair the existing door's frame (and sell the new door).

Work has been done for some time now: I've been busy working on skirting. Here's the result: RimJoistDone_resized.jpg I had a replacement door but found that it's not the right size: it's for a 2x4 wall; cannot find one for a 2x6 (that's 32"x80"). Will end up replacing some of the outer, l...

I've read about this but am not sure of the exact methodology for creating the furring-to-wrap connection. I'm not good with origami. :lol: Pictures would help. For my immediate requirements I need to reattach the belly wrap to the rim joist along a 15' section. I will try and make do with multiple,...

Can you provide pictures? With regards to the squishy spot in your living room floor, it could either be that there are loose floor joists, OR, there is missing supports or supports that need some adjustments. No way of knowing for sure how much existing rot there is without opening things up and or...

Wanted to provide this tip in case someone else might find it useful... The sister rim joist needs to be fit in behind remaining, good rim joist material. That meant cutting a couple of floor joists while preserving the rim joist in those areas. Once cut (trimmed) and the wood removed I needed to de...

What staples? (I've only got a simple T50 stapler.)

The material (at least along the rim joist here) is sound.

What does one use to reattach the belly wrap to the rim joist? I popped out quite a few staples. I'm figuring that the staples are more substantial than what I can use in my standard stapler.

Would something like roofing nails (large head) work?

OP, could you please chime in as to what your actual issue is? We're guessing here.

OK, despite there being a ton of folks espousing the wonders of sill pans, and lots of products out there, nobody seems to stock them, I suppose I will have to craft a solution.

Can anyone point me towrd a good reference for how to detail weather proofing the sorry sill?

"Flat" is NOT the same as "level." You can have a perfectly flat surface that is not level. I'll return the example of my house... [with carpeting removed- because I was ripping it all out] I found that laying a straight edge across the floor spanning the floor joists I could see...