Daily Book Review – The Kite Runner

Here is a strong recommendation for the author Khaled Hosseini. His novel, “The Kite Runner”, is my selection for today. I was reminded of this when I read that a Turkish Novelist has just been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. That, in turn, reminded me of Prize winner Salman Rushdie and the obvious comparison to the powerful writing of Hosseini. I won’t repeat the summary and details that are referenced here by links. Readers of this blog know that I like to read books before they are forever transformed by film adaptations. So, read The Kite Runner before you see the soon-to-be-produced film version.

Daily Tip for Home Builder – Drywall Continued

Tip: Use tape measure ruler and utility knife to measure and score sheet at the same time; then snap at the score Check for protrusions in studs/joists before hanging a sheet. Use “Metal Lifter” to lift bottom of sheet slightly off floor and then screw it. Need screw gun with a slip clutch to prevent overdriving drywall screws; it also creates a dimple to set screw head Run the blade of trowel over the drywall surface before taping and mudding to hear/feel any protrusions. Don’t rough up or scrape drywall when using tools and sanding because it will cause dull spots under the paint Drywall on ceilings must always run perpendicular to ceiling joists. Bottom chord on trusses rarely runs level so attach strapping to bottom chord (1” by material) lengthwise and level with shims to make perfectly level plane for drywall. Never force drywall sheets into tight fits. Instead trim off butt edges and plaster the edge gaps later. Don’t fasten inside corner edges of drywall; place screws 12” back from corner. A technique for stronger bonding and less popping is to place two screws 2” apart every 12 inches; Use self adhering fiberglass mesh tape; no base coat required; but use paper tape for corners since it is easy to make a stiff and straight crease in the paper. Use as little mud as possible (and only 2 coats) in inside corners and only flair out 6″. Use high strength setting type compound for first coat only (and corner bead coat); use rounded edge corner bead (not square edge) for more professional outside corners. Hand tighten bead with Phillips head screw driver to avoid dents and bends. Cover over all window and door openings with drywall and then cut out with router or keyhole saw. Install drywall on ceilings first; mark stud locations on both the floor and the ceiling. Sand each coat using a sanding pole with open mesh abrasive screen being careful to never scuff the drywall paper.

Daily Book Review – All the King’s Men

Here is another selection from the 100 Best Novels. “All the King’s Men” by Robert Penn Warren. Previously, I’ve mentioned the Modern Library’s list and reviewed a number of their recommendations. Not only is this one of the very best novels of all time, it is the perfect expose of politics and politicians – past, present and future. You will never again be able to listen to a politician speak without thinking of mythical Governor Willie Stark. If you haven’t yet read this novel, you might want to put a rush on before the new film version forever destroys the original intent of the author.

Daily Tip for Home Builder – Drywall:

Always start drywall with outside wall first (after ceiling). Start at top of wall and work down. Use toe lift to leave 1/2” gap under lowest piece. If more than one horizontal seam is needed make it disappear by running it below eye level in center of wall. Type X drywall must completely enclose an attached garage interior. All walls and ceilings where it adjoins house. Steel beams and columns must be enclosed in 2 or 3 layers of type X drywall for fireproofing. Check local code. Drywall screws for studs are 1 1/4 inch. Drywall screws must be non-corrosive Use shorter screws when attaching drywall over pocket doors install drywall perpendicular to ceiling joists For 9’ ceilings run drywall 4’ X 10’ vertically cut down to actual height. This should make fewer seams than running it perpendicular to studs. For 9’ ceilings run 4.5’ X (10’ up to 16’) sheets perpendicular. Goal is the least total length of seams and no junctures with 4 corners. Long side of drywall sheet is factory tapered which makes it easier to tape and plaster the seam. Cut edges almost always look worse when plastered so don’t use scrap pieces. Some drywall has treatment for resisting mold and mildew. Good idea to treat interiors of all wall cavities. Don’t cut out openings in drywall opposite from each other in adjoining walls. Stagger them for soundproofing. Outdoor patio ceilings can be sheathed in exterior grade drywall with V-shape tongue and groove. Mildew proof and seal them before painting. Consider spray-on acoustical plaster for drywall ceilings No drywall seams over door or window edges to avoid cracking; instead join in center of rough opening. Always use 3 coats of mud over drywall – use flashlight to examine seams and screw/nail holes Mark all stud positions on floor before drywalling!!!! Don’t fasten drywall to multi-board beams because they move and crack; instead bridge the seam. Always run drywall and sheathing perpendicular to studs. Leave 1/2” gap between drywall and finished floor base to eliminate wicking later from water spills/flooding. Taper mud further out on butt joints than on factory tapered joints 3 coats of mud over three days; sanded after each coat. Drywall has factory tapered edge (longwise to eliminate crowning of taped and plastered joints). Caution for odd size widths. Omit fasteners in drywall where walls and ceiling meet to prevent popping and cracking; otherwise, 7” to 1st ceiling fastener 8” to 1st wall fastener. 4’ X 8’ x 1/2” drywall sheet weighs 55 lbs; X-board and green board 66 1bs. Minimize the number of joints by using 10’ or 12’ (16’?) drywall sheets. Drywall also comes in 4.5’ widths for 9’ ceilings.

Daily Book Review – The Hiding Place

I never wanted to bother reading “The Hiding Place” by Corrie ten Boom because a) I thought it was a Christian book and b) I imagined it was for young readers; I couldn’t have been more wrong. Although it certainly appeals to Christians and young people, it is also a powerful and poignant account of the holocaust. If you have not yet read this work, I strongly urge you to do so – the sooner the better. Our world desperately needs more people like Corrie and perhaps this story will inspire some to rise to the challenge.

Daily Tip for Home Builder – Concrete Slabs

You can read anywhere about the actual pouring of a slab. But, here are some tips that you might otherwise overlook: When laying a slab that will be tiled or set with stone/marble, finish the slab surface with just a wood float and not a steel trowel and no additives to concrete. This makes the best bonding surface for later thin-set mortar. Slightly rough surface for slab is best for many reasons (hides imperfections, slip proof, bonding of cementateous coverings, etc.) Move the screed in a saw-like motion resting it on outer boards that act as guides. Powered screed does the best job. Drains can be installed under the slab before pouring if needed for natural springs or if the surface of the slab could collect water. Be careful that the drain cannot work in reverse and pump water onto the slab years later. Consider special termite-sand under the slab. The sand particle size is too large for the termite to carry and too small for them to get between them when packed tight. Run all electric, gas, water, and cable in PVC conduit under the slab and in block walls. Cover ends with duct tape to keep conduit clean and ready for runs later. Waste/drain lines should be cast iron when buried in concrete. Don’t use a Hilte gun to attach your bottom plates to slab; instead use J-bolts set in the wet slab to create strength for hurricane-force wind. Or, use a butterfly shape strap that is set in cement and then later wrapped over plate and up the side of stud and nailed onto stud.

Daily Book Review – Robinson Crusoe

The concept of survival after a shipwreck has become trite after years of television treatment. Daniel Defoe was not exactly the first to invent the genre since he was influenced by real tales of shipwrecks in the Pacific. In any case, “Robinson Crusoe” is indeed THE classic – not just for being first, but for being so much more than an adventure story. There is a whole other level to the novel, one of the internal struggles between Man and his God, a subject of much interest in America. But, the reader can skim past that extra level and appreciate the work for its outstanding narrative and detail. In my mind, this book still deserves to be on your reading list.

Daily Tip for Home Builder – Drywall Over Concrete

There is always some debate on whether to drywall over concrete or CMU block walls. Some people like to just paint the concrete, or first apply a cementateous seal and then paint. If you’re going to apply the cement-like material, you can have a textured stucco or a smooth plaster finish so don’t let the finish be your reason for wanting drywall. The most important thing to consider before installing drywall is moisture buildup behind the wall. This means that the wall must be waterproofed before you close it in. This is especially true for basements. Another aspect of moisture is that the cool cement can condense water vapor in the space behind the wall. So, a vapor barrier of 4 mil plastic is a good idea, followed by insulation batts to keep the warm air from the cool wall. It is also a good idea to spray the back side of the drywall with a mold-resistant chemical. Once you have decided that drywall is the way to go, you have a choice of either building a classic 2X4 stud wall, or thinner furring strips. A good alternative is just turning the 2X4 on their sides. If you don’t build the classic stud wall, remember that space for outlets and pipes will need to be knocked out of blocks during construction and before filling the block with grout. Remember to calculate space for insulation and any door or window sill depth.

Daily Book Review – A Bend in the River

Africa is still on my mind after posting yesterday’s recommendation, so today I recommend the author V. S. Naipaul. I’ve previously discussed his Nobel Prize and the wonderful work “A House for Mr. Biswas”. His novel, “A Bend in the River”, is a dark tale of the emerging African Rage. If we are to ever solve the problems of Africa, it will be because writers like Naipaul force us to understand the poverty, brutality and politics of this place.

Daily Tip for Home Builder – Framing

If your foundation is not completely level, cut the sill plate slightly or use shims at 1 foot increments to make it level all around. Start laying the sill at highest point if you don’t want to cut the plate. Remember to use pressure treated lumber and lay down a sill gasket or seal. Always square-up exterior walls to the inside edge to account for any slight differences in sawn dimension and have all “bows/crowns” faced to exterior. This will make interior walls as square as possible and exterior finish can more easily hide defects than can be hidden by drywall. Nail a few spacers to outside edge of walls and then tie a string so that spacers can just touch the horizontal string. Move the wall to adjust the spacing and then nail it down. (similar to lining courses of block). When framing walls, don’t install the top of double top plate until after partitions are up. Then install top plate being careful to not have butt joints over another joint, but do butt-join over the middle of a stud. This overlaps the plates and increases the strength. Plus, the top plate of a partition will join the exterior wall with an overlap. To install a 1”X6” let-in brace; lay board diagonally across studs while wall section is on the ground and tack it in place. Cut each stud on both sides of 6” width and then cut ends of board where they cross the leftmost and rightmost studs. Plunge-cut the studs for 1X6 notch. Nail each end of brace in place but leave all other nailing into studs until after the wall is up and plumbed/leveled/squared. Or, use L shaped metal brace by cutting kerf for the small end of L. Do not attach the top plates of interior partitions to the bottom chord of trusses; it could cause the wall to move with expansion/contraction and crack the drywall seams and moldings.