This page is a collection of solutions I've needed for my own use and have put them here largely because I wanted them easily accessible. I hope you find them useful.

Modding, Fixing and Restoring My Bayfield Log Home

Living Room Truss

ccSPF spray techniques

Fixing My Basement Water Problem

This is my latest research project. I actually started researching this subject over 6 years ago.

In July of 2000 I met a fellow on the web name Charles W. Bodey III. He just happened to write a book on the subject and made it available to me for free by downloading it from his webpage, which isn't up any longer. I did some poking around today and I can't find any reference to the book or him on the Internet any longer. I sent an E-mail to him, but it bounced back. I'm going to assume that he has passed away or is no longer in business. In the spirit in which he made the book available to me for free, I will make it available to you for free, that is until I get a cease and desist order. Just E-mail your request to me and I'll send it to you. I hope he or his family don't mind. It is an excellent resource for fixing the problem of a wet basement.    

Here's his E-mail to me

-------- Original Message --------

Subject: Re: Your rating of Wet Basement Manual

Date: Mon, 17 Jul 2000 12:06:09 EDT

From: LHuffs2528@aol.com

To: my email address

Dear roger,

Please feel free to download a free copy of my book available @ http://www.bestbasementsystems.com

The UltraDry basement!

The Basic Guide to Understanding and Correcting Foundation Water Problems

Charles W. Bodey III

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There are some things you need to keep in mind. DON'T depend on your contractor to teach you. Have the attitude that you must teach him. If he isn't teachable, find another contractor. You will be amazed by the varying number of opinions of handling basement water problems. Most of them are all wet!

Don't read just one book. Read all you can get your hands on and then research some more. Although these books are good, you'll find excellent ideas or methods in other places too. You won't have a good handle on the best method for your situation until you've digested tons of material. Yes it's time consuming, but you want to do this right the first time. The best way to cut your remodeling costs by 50% is to not do the job a second time.

Other books for learning how to fix water problems in the basement.

"The Original Basement Waterproofing Handbook"  -  2nd Ed. 1999   by Jack Masters - I've read this book and it has some great ideas and descriptions in it. Some things I will do differently, but this is where I got most of my book learnin'.

The Wet Basement Manual: Methods and Innovations Employed Since 1947 - This too is good, but a bit dated.

A few links I found useful.

http://www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=19471

http://www.askthebuilder.com/NH029_-_Dual_Purpose_Drain_Tile_-_It_Can_do_More_Than_One_Thing.shtml

http://www.askthebuilder.com/B339_Foundation_Waterproofing_Drain_Tile_Systems.shtml

http://www.askthebuilder.com/B14_Drain_Tile_Shallow_Foundations.shtml

http://www.askthebuilder.com/B14_Foundation_Drain_Tile_Installation.shtml

http://www.askthebuilder.com/014_Clay_Soils_-_Settlement_-_Water_Injection_Pipe.shtml

http://www.askthebuilder.com/Drainage.shtml

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/housingandclothing/components/7051-04.html

http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/pubs/cbd/cbd013_e.html

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Energy Comparison Calculator

Here's an excellent Excel file that will help you determine the best fuel value. I got it at http://www.eia.doe.gov/neic/experts/heatcalc.xls I have in mirrored here: HeatCalc.xls This file was found on this page: http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/ask/generalenergy_faqs.asp

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What Ants Can Do to A SIP Panel

Here are some interesting pictures of what ants can do to an EPS foam panel in 20 years.

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