Stick Framed – Prefabricated – Modular – Which Is Best?

By Todd Fratzel on Framing

New Home Construction Options: Stick Framed, Prefabricated & Modular So you’re considering building a new home and the amount of options and choices are overwhelming. Everything from the style of the home to the smallest details can overwhelm anyone. One of the biggest decisions can be a discussion about the type of construction used to…

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Why Use Pre-cut Studs for Framing Walls

By Todd Fratzel on Framing

Using Pre-Cut Studs To Frame Walls For those that do not frame houses on a regular basis it make come as a surprise that most homes are not framed using 8′ studs (for traditional 8′ ceiling heights). In most areas of the Country framers are using pre-cut studs measuring 92-5/8″, not 96″ long. Pre-cut studs…

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How To Replace Taco 0014-F1 Circulator Pump Cartridge

By Todd Fratzel on Heating

Replacing Taco 0014-F1 Cartridge I like to try and fix things myself when they are easy and straight forward. Typically I’ll do some research and determine if a home repair is something I can tackle myself or if it’s time to call a PRO. Being a contractor myself I find myself hating to pay top…

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PVC Flue Gas Venting Pipe

By Todd Fratzel on Heating

System 1738 – Engineered PVC Flue Gas Pipe Years ago we started installing gas boilers that allowed venting through PVC Drain Waste Venting (DWV) piping. The use of PVC DWV piping to vent the boilers made for easy routing of vent pipes and the ability to vent up through the roof much like plumbing vent…

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FloLogic Smart Leak Control Review

By Todd Fratzel on Home Automation, Home Automation

FloLogic – Water Leak Detection Every year the insurance industry pays out more than $10 billion in claims due to water damage. As a contractor I can tell you water damage repairs are not only expensive, but they are very disruptive and in most cases insurance doesn’t cover all the costs. With advancements in home…

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Building Custom Chess Board

By Todd Fratzel on Woodworking

How To Build A Custom Chess Board I first learned how to play chess with my dad as a young boy. Now I get the pleasure of playing with my son so I decided to build a custom chess board for he and I to use. After scouring the web for examples I decided to…

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Grid-Tied PV Solar Systems

By Todd Fratzel on Electrical, Energy Conservation

Grid-Tied Photovoltaic Solar Systems With the continued increase in electric costs and improved solar panel technology, residential solar systems are becoming very popular. Grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) systems consist of solar panels, an inverter (sometimes more than one), power conditioning equipment, and a connection to the utility system (grid). By tying the solar system to the…

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Nest Pro – The Smart Trade

By Todd Fratzel on Home Automation, Mechanical

Nest Pro The Smart Trade Every day new technology is changing the world of construction and benefiting end users. Smart home technology is forever evolving how we control and interact with our homes resulting in reduced energy consumption and improved living comforts. As a builder and general contractor I know first hand how important it…

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