The Spokesman-Review

First rule of decks: Don’t build a death trap

Q. Tim, I need your help. I contracted with a large home center to have a deck built. I came home from work and saw the carpenters had toenailed an outer joist to the side of my home. Many of the ...
The Spokesman-Review

Ask the Builder: Beware of rusted joist hangers and nails

One of my newsletter subscribers, Robert, does handyman work on the weekends for friends and other homeowners. Eleven years ago, he wanted to learn how to frame a large shed, including common roof ...
Columbus Dispatch

Ask the Builder | First rule of decks: Beware of flawed work

Q: Tim, I need your help. I contracted with a large home center to have a deck built. I came home from work and saw that the carpenters had toenailed an outer joist to the side of my home. Many of the ...
The Washington Post

Do’s and don’ts for hanging joists, sizing beams and connecting columns

The best things to use to attach the joist hangers to the beam are structural screws or bolts. Never use roofing nails. (Tim Carter/TNS) Perspective by Tim Carter Q: Tim, I’ve never worked with metal ...