Ask the Builder

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Ask the Builder home improvement podcast by Syndicated Columnist and National Award-Winning Builder and Remodeler Tim Carter. Tim calls homeowners and solves their problems. Plus a story from Tim's building past is sure to satisfy!

Tim Carter


    • Sep 16, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 16m AVG DURATION
    • 90 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Ask the Builder

    Submarine Voicemail Countermeasures

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2022 0:29


    Voicemail message for Tim Carter's cell phone.

    Home Ranger Show Demo Tape

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2021 16:09


    Tim Carter shares a one-of-a-kind demo tape used to market a syndicated radio show he did with Roger Puegot, a plumber from Kansas City. Tim describes in the first few minutes how the Home Ranger show came to be and who came up with the idea. You're about to discover how local radio stations make money from syndicated radio shows.

    Johnson Hardware Mystery Clue Game - Who is the Brunette?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2021 5:20


    This is the last part of a giant game of virtual Clue put on by Tim Carter, founder of www.AsktheBuilder.com. The game happens Sunday, February 7, 2021. Go sign up NOW at the home page to play.

    75: Front Loader Gasket Mold

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2020 7:51


    Jane wants to know how to clean her front loader washing machine gasket. It's got mold on it. She wants to know how to prevent it. Tim Carter shares how to do this using Stain Solver. https://stainsolver.com

    74: Water Leak Electrical Panel

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2020 6:42


    Kathleen has water leaking from her basement electric panel. She's worried it's dangerous. Her husband says it's not an issue. Tim Carter shares who's right and how to fix it.

    73: Mildew Deck Staining

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2020 6:45


    Tim Carter shares why Regina's new deck stain looks dirty. He also shares the BEST WAY to clean it!

    72: Repair Concrete Block Holes

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2020 7:38


    Tim Carter shares how to repair holes in concrete block walls. It's so easy you'll start your own company and make millions of dollars and soak it up with your soulmate in your hot tub.

    71: Water Damage Drywall Repair

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2020 11:30


    Tim Carter helps his friend Phil from Down Under with his water damage drywall repair. Don't skip the step about painting the rusty cornerbead!

    70: Fix Squeaky Floor

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2020 5:47


    Jim needs to fix his squeaky floor and asks Tim Carter if WD-40 will work. You'll be surprised at Tim's answer.

    69: Free Standing Tree House

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2020 13:23


    Joe, a novice carpenter, built an unsafe free standing tree house for his 9-year-old son. Tim Carter shares how to make the structure safe with minimal effort and expense.

    68: Crawlspace Wall Insulation

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2020 6:31


    Tim Carter solves Craig's crawlspace wall insulation problem. The fiberglass insulation is sagging on the walls and looks horrible. GREAT PHOTOS of this here: https://www.askthebuilder.com/crawlspace-wall-insulation/

    67: Wet Room Ideas

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2020 7:27


    Tim Carter answers Jen's questions about her wet room remodeling project. She asks all about plumbing drain lines and how they need to be sized. It's all about sanitation at the end of the day.

    66: Copper Roof Strips Shingles

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2020 14:05


    Gary wants to know if he should add copper roof strips to his shingles on his brand new roof. Tim Carter wrote the book on this topic! Seriously! https://roofingripoff.com and also go here: https://shop.askthebuilder.com/copper-roof-strips/

    65: Sink Smells Bad

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2020 11:47


    A vanity sink smells bad when Renee turns on the water. Tim Carter knows why and share how easy it is to make the smell go away.

    64: Sap Stain Removal

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2020 12:51


    Tim Carter calls Theresa and share how easy it is to remove a sap stain on her fireplace hearth. The key is to use certified organic Stain Solver. https://stainsolver.com

    63: Prevent Algae in Fountain

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2020 7:24


    Tim Carter discusses how to prevent algae in a fountain. Annette wants to know if you can put a copper pipe in the fountain. Tim has a better idea.

    62: Seal Asphalt Driveway

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2020 10:44


    Tim Carter answer's Russ's question about should or shouldn't you seal an asphalt driveway. Russ reads Tim's syndicated newspaper column and referenced two different ones that appear to conflict with one another. Tim clears the air!

    61: Insulate Basement Ductwork

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2020 5:22


    Tim Carter answers Mike's question about whether insulating basement HVAC ductwork will conserve heat. The answer will surprise you.

    60: Rheem Proterra Hybrid Electric Water Heater

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2020 19:40


    Tim Carter responds to Harlan's question about a Rheem hybrid heat pump water heater. To get the most accurate information, Tim interviews Ankur Maheshwari, a senior product manager at Rheem Manufacturing.

    59: Replace Shower Soap Dish

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2020 6:04


    Tim Carter calls Steven and walks him through how to replace his shower soap dish. It's not too easy because the tile man appears to have glued or grouted in the existing one.

    58: Sunroom Leak

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2020 21:12


    Tim Carter calls Karen and talks about how rainwater leaks under the walls of her sunroom. It's a complex situation and there's no easy fix. The problem was created by the sunroom builder who set the floor level too close to the ground outside.

    57: Yard Drain Cover

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2020 10:13


    Tim Carter calls Julie and talks about her yard drain cover that she wants to cover. At the end of the podcast, Tim comes up with a clever solution to the problem.

    56: Hot Water Turns Warm

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2020 7:27


    Tim Carter answers a question from Donna about why her kitchen hot water turns warm while washing dishes. Tim needs Donna to do a test!

    55: Debbie Duration House Paint

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2020 10:31


    Tim Carter calls Debbie and talks about Duration house paint. Duration used to be made with urethane resin, but now is made with lesser-quality acrylic resin. Tim share where to get urethane house paint.

    54: Fix Old Doorknob

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2020 8:47


    Tim Carter helps Sharon fix an old doorknob on her 120-year-old house! She fixed it LIVE during the podcast!

    53: Fix Broken Toilet Handle

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2020 5:58


    Tim Carter helps Debbie fix the broken handle on her toilet. It's easy and you can save about $200.

    52: Adding Attic Insulation

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2020 20:50


    Tim Carter talks with Christine in Chicago about adding more insulation up in the attic of her ranch house. He also discusses attic ventilation.

    44: Repair Handrail in Concrete

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2020 9:42


    Tim Carter talks with Bob in NY about how to repair his handrail in his brick wall. Tim shares a very special video he recorded showing how and the magic epoxy he uses to make a permanent repair.

    43: Replace Aluminum Windows With Vinyl

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2020 15:34


    Tim Carter gives Gary in GA DIY tips on how he can replace aluminum windows with vinyl replacement windows. Get AAMA-approved windows and have someone else take the measurements.

    42: Best Exterior House Paint

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2020 21:50


    Tim Carter shares with Maggie in NC the best exterior house paint. Paint is just colored glue and you want the house paint that has the stickiest glue.

    41: Tub Spout Leaking Water

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2020 11:01


    Tim Carter helps Jason in PA repair a tub spout leaking water. The secret is to remove the tub spout and apply pipe thread compound. Teflon tape is not always the best product.

    51: Prevent Sewer Backup

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2020 17:13


    Prevent Sewe Backup in Your Home - Tim Carter, master plumber and founder of AsktheBuilder.com, shares how he prevents sewer backup in his own home. Go here to watch two important videos how to prevent sewer backup: https://www.askthebuilder.com/prevent-sewer-backup/

    50: Laminate Countertop Repair Kit

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2020 7:22


    Laminate Countertop Repair Kit | Tim Carter describes the different repair kits for laminate tops. He then explains why they won't work for Robert's ruined laminate countertop. GREAT photo of the ruined top at: https://www.askthebuilder.com/laminate-countertop-repair-kit/

    49: How to Install Extension Jambs on Vinyl Windows

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2020 6:52


    Install Extension Jambs on Vinyl Windows - Tim Carter helps Steven in Florida install extension jambs on his new vinyl windows. There are a few secret tips you need to use to get pro results. Go here to see a photo of Steven's window job: https://www.askthebuilder.com/how-to-install-extension-jambs-on-vinyl-windows/

    48: Rough In Basement Bath

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2020 11:48


    Tim Carter, master plumber, helps Bill with his basement bathroom rough in. He needs to move the bathroom 15 feet and has venting questions.

    47: How to Install Floor in Attic

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2020 7:02


    How to Install Floor in Attic - Tim Carter helps Eric, who lives in Texas, how to solve the problem of installing a floor in his attic. There are wires on top of the joists and Eric has no clue what to do. Tim has two solutions.

    46: Leaking Patio Enclosure Roof

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2020 11:52


    A leaking patio enclosure roof problem is solved by Tim Carter, founder of AsktheBuilder.com. Tim recommends a sealant to try, then if that doesn't work, it's time to get a piece of rubber roofing.

    NP012 IRWIN® Speedbor Spade Bits

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2019 6:21


    Tim Carter chats with Jeff Burrill, the product manager for IRWIN Speedbor Spade Bits.

    NP011 IRWIN® One-Handed Bar Clamps and F-Clamps

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2019 7:54


    Tim Carter chats with Sydney Stevens, senior product manager for IRWIN, about the exciting new IRWIN® one-handed bar clamps and the F-clamps.

    NP010 LENOX® Carbide-Tipped Reciprocating Saw Blades

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2019 10:36


    Tim Carter chats with Brian Morrison, group product marketing manager for LENOX, about their new carbide-tipped reciprocating saw blades.

    NP009 LENOX® Carbide Hole Saw

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2019 10:29


    Tim Carter chats with Brian Morrison, group product marketing manager for LENOX, about the new carbide-tipped hole saws.

    NP008 IRWIN® Sets and Bits

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2019 7:55


    Tim Carter hosts an interview with Celia Flores, senior product manager for IRWIN Sets, about the wonderful bits and tools that will increase productivity.

    NP007 LENOX® Tubing Cutters

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2019 7:09


    Tim Carter chats with Aaron Jones, product manager for Lenox tubing cutters, about the new features about hand-powered tubing cutters.

    NP006 LENOX® Reciprocating Saw Blades and National Fallen Firefighters Campaign

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2019 10:25


    Tim Carter chats with Matt Lacroix, the director of Product Marketing of Lenox, about their new reciprocating saw blades and how Lenox is partnering with the National Fallen Firefighters Campain (NFFF).

    NP005 Lenox® Power Arc® Jig Saw Blades

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2019 24:48


    Tim Carter, AsktheBuilder.com founder, discusses the new Lenox® jigsaw blade with Irwin product manager Brian Morrison. More information on Lenox® jigsaw blades can be found here:www.cutwithlenox.com

    NP004 IRWIN® NextGen VISE-GRIP® Locking Pliers

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2019 21:32


    Tim Carter, AsktheBuilder.com founder, discusses the new IRWIN® VISE-GRIP® Fast Release™ pliers with Irwin product manager Matt Grella. More information on VISE-GRIP® locking pliers can be found here:www.irwin.com

    40: Gravel

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2018 7:18


    Ask the Builder podcast 40 is the 12th in a large series that follows the construction of Tim Carter’s daughter’s new home in Downeast Maine. In this podcast, Tim explores the nuances of boring gravel. But wait, it’s important for you to know what gravel to use where and when!

    39: Drain Tile

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2018 6:28


    Ask the Builder podcast 39 is the 11th in a large series that follows the construction of Tim Carter’s daughter’s new home in Downeast Maine. In this podcast, Tim talks about drain tile and why it’s so very important. Mess this up and you’re going to have a covered swimming pool in your basement!

    38: Dampproofing and Waterproofing

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2018 7:14


    Ask the Builder podcast 38 is the 10th in a large series that follows the construction of Tim Carter’s daughter’s new home in Downeast Maine. In this podcast, Tim discusses why you need to either dampproof or waterproof your new foundation.

    37: Reinforcing Steel

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2018 7:31


    Ask the Builder podcast 38 is the 10th in a large series that follows the construction of Tim Carter’s daughter’s new home in Downeast Maine. In this podcast, Tim discusses why you need to either dampproof or waterproof your new foundation.

    36: Poured Concrete Foundation

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2018 8:18


    Ask the Builder podcast 36 is the 8th in a large series that follows the construction of Tim Carter’s daughter’s new home in Downeast Maine. In this podcast, Tim talks about why poured concrete is the go-to foundation for most homes.

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