Home Remodeling and Framing

Framing with plumbing in mind

montytx — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:54:56 +0000

When framing out a house consideration needs to be given to the where the plumbing is, or will be in relation to studs and walls. The last thing a plumbing contractor wants to deal with is removing an improperly located two by four where the main vent stack should be located for the entire house. For this to not be an issue the plumbing contractor and the framing contractor need to work together to make sure framing is properly placed. This will create more room in the walls if the framing is properly done where plumbing needs to be placed. An example of this is to frame the base plate to where the main vent pipe is going to be located, thus saving the time and labor of drilling large holes through the two by fours for the large pipe.

A well designed sewage and ventilation system will help prevent back ups and clogs. But, if your are in the Northeast then Balkans plumbing can help with Queens sewer problems.

Another example of good framing practices is to leave the correct amount of room needed to plumb in for a sink. Room needs to be left to bring in a drain pipe with a vent pipe moving up, and a hot and cold pipe to feed the faucet. It is a good idea to allow a few extra inches between framing studs for these pipes in the wall. Make sure you don’t forget to include a 2 by 6 if you are installing a pedestal sink to support the sink on the wall.

Making just a few minor changes to your regular framing practices can make for a much smoother construction or remodeling job and, in the end, create less issues during finish out. In the end, that is what we are all wanting.

The Logistics of Weight in Trucking Materials

montytx — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 15:00:54 +0000

Moving Freight and Materials related to the construction industry is a complicated and logistical challenge. Large trucks and trailers are used and the highways of the world are full of them as a result. One of the biggest concerns these large rigs have is their load weight when loaded with materials. Most states and countries have weight restrictions that are enforced by local authorities and the results of going over the allotted weight with an overweight load is a large fine and having to wait while another truck and fork lift arrives to take some of the load from overloaded tractor trailer. Truck scales are the key to preventing this costly delay and large expense. With these scales, a large rig or truck can roll on top of the scale before and after it is loaded and be weighed quickly and efficiently, leaving no question as to the weight of the load in the truck. Any large supplier of lumber, metal or other construction materials should have one of these installed.

These scales come turn key and are available in various designs, platforms and materials to fit just about any company’s budget and space constraints. The scales are available for indoor and outdoor use come with led screens and printer options. The price out starting at just under a grand, so they are very reasonably priced. The question is how can a material and supply company afford not to have one of these scales on site? I think its a no brainer.

Transportation for your Construction Business

montytx — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:12:31 +0000

If you are in the construction business you understand that the biggest obstacles you face outside of the job itself is logistics. You have to figure out how to get your tools and supplies from the store and shop to the jobsite. This frequently results in several trips a day to the local lumber yard to get those 2×4′s you need to frame out a job or you come up a short a box of nails and have to make a trip to the hardware store to finish the job up. This can be time consuming and if you are doing this in a truck you can be quite limited in how much space you have to put things. Looking for a cargo van for sale on line can help alleviate those issues. With cargo vans and box trucks you pick up that extra space you need to store your tools, both large and small, and you have plenty of room to load up your supplies from the hardware store or lumber yard. Remember, time is money and if you waste a couple of hours a day making several trips to the store you are really flushing time to wrap up the job down the toilet.

Cordless Framing Gun Reviews

montytx — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:06:24 +0000

If you are looking for a new nail gun and not sure whether to go with Cordless or hose air guns then these reviews may help you make up your mind. Paslode has come up with some great cordless units and they are quite popular.

There are two finish guns :

Paslode Finishing Cordless Nail Gun Model

and the Paslode Angled Finishing Nail Gun Model

If you are looking into a Framing Nail gun then the Paslode CF325 Nail Gun Review is well worth the consideration. All of these guns are huge time savers. I would recommend any of these to someone looking to save time and money.

Framing wood

montytx — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:09:38 +0000

Most framing wood used is pine, spruce or fir. Each wood has its own strength characteristics and must be properly selected when deciding what to use and where to use it. While standard pine/fir are fine for walls, they may not be adequate for a large floor or ceiling area. You may need to select a stronger material. There are lots of resources on line to help with this process such as southernpine.com which list all the load tables for pine. AWC has a calculator that has load and span information. Just make sure and don’t input some bizarre wood when using it.

Wood grades are another concern when understanding framing. Most framing uses #2 common.

See the NHLA website.

The best grade is FAS and it must be 83% clear or clearer on the poorest side. Clearness is measured in large rectangular areas called cuttings.

The next grade is No. 1 Common, which must be 67% clear on the poor side, etc.

Next is No. 2 Common, which is 50% clear. Then No3A Common, which is 33% clear. Then No. 3B, which is 25% sound.

There is also a grade called Select (which includes another popular grade called FAS 1-Face). Selects are FAS on the good side and No. 1 Common on the poor side.

Framing Nails

montytx — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:42:27 +0000

Framing uses larger nails to carry the load required in most Codes. Generally speaking this means 16d or 12d nails will be used. If you are using a framing gun then you typically have to step down to 12d nails with clipped heads. That would mean 3 1/4″ long nails with a diameter of .131″. Paslode and other manufacturers make these. If you are doing a small project, such as one small wall, then you can hand nail. But if you are looking into a larger project, then the extra $500 or so to purchase a compressor and framing nailer will save a tremendous amount of time and is well worth the investment. Porter Cable makes a pancake compressor with a framing gun kit for under $400 as well as Hitachi.

Other things to consider when using framing nails:

Bright Common: used for normal indoor nailing projects such as walls
ring shanked: help prevent nail from backing out
galvanized: great for outdoor wood project or moisture ( make sure they are compatible with pressure treated AZQ wood if using)
spiral: Used to hold nail in.