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11.10.2012

Paint Pro Tip #35

by Scotty-Scotts Contracting, St Louis Renewable Energy

*As seen in the following photo: Use an Old T-Shirt to cover the Tank on a toilette bowl before painting for easy clean up. See the Benton Rehab Green Blog Series at:http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com/2012/10/series-green-blog-posts-covering.html 


Paint Pro Tip #35 by Scotty, Scotts Contracting-St Louis Renewable Energy

* * * I recommend to remove the Tank Lid before placing the T-Shirt around the Tank before painting.  This will alleviate the possibility of breaking an expensive Tank Lid when removing the T-Shirt after painting.




Send your construction tips to scotts contracting and I will gladly post them on this Green Blog.  Build a Green St Louis, Scotty



This Tip was used in the Benton Rehab Project- Total Rehab of a 4 Family Building see the Blog Series via Google + or at http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com



Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP. Company Web Address: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com


What were they thinking?

Fixing A Prior Home Repair Gone Wrong- Instead of fixing the wall correctly they choose to cobble it together.



 I want to point out the 2nd Floor Area.  Note: There are 2 Floors.  Why would the prior no-good carpenter build the double floor this way?  The Answer goes back to the prior photos and a hint in the History of the Building.

  • See Photo Above
  • Hint: I mentioned a water collection system called a Cistern in the History of the Building.  
    • My Definition: Small Water Collection Tank, that is generally attached to a home kitchen area via a "Old Time Hand Pump" which brought the water into the home.
    • Though the original plumbing was long gone.  We did find a 200 Gallon Cast Iron Cistern located just off the Corner of the Building.  Directly under the Corner of the Building in the spot where the Pier Footing should be.
We determined that:
    1. The Original build of the Structure had started to sink in this area.

    2. the prior carpenter had built (flim-flamed) a 2nd Floor above the Sinking Floor.

    3. Eventually the corner still continued to sink and when it sank enough for Water to work its way into the building. The Damage escalated.  Once that happens-as you can tell;it is a major renovation project, to fix the water damage.


Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP. Company Web Address: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com

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11.08.2012

BREAKING: ITC Makes Unanimous Decision on Chinese Cell & Modules

The International Trade Commission (ITC) has voted 6-0 that imports of Chinese solar cells have harmed U.S. solar manufacturers. The ruling means that tariffs will indeed be added to solar modules that include cells manufactured in China. Further, the ITC has determined that there were no critical circumstances, and thus no reason to apply the tariffs retroactively, a move applauded by the Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy (CASE).

http://soc.li/Is0Jhxj

11.07.2012

Tuckpointing the Attic Walls-Brick Home Rehab Project



As you can see in the following photo you can see daylight through the Brick Wall.  This generally is your first clue that if you do not fix the problem soon-there will soon be structural damage to the Masonry Building. In this article for the Benton Rehab Series I am going to share:


Scotty, Scotts Contracting Photos
Attic Tuck-pointing Pictures and Information about what to do when the Bricks have completely deteriorated.
Attic Tuck-pointing Pictures and Information about what to do when the Bricks have completely deteriorated.

As with most of the Older Brick Homes in the St Louis Region.  The Brick Walls in this home are three courses thick.  In this particular area 1 to 1 1/2 of the brick courses had completely deteriorated.  Without relaying the entire brick wall the only way to fix this problem is to fill the missing brick up with mortar and trowel smooth.


In the following photo you can see how I completely sealed the damaged bricks in this area.

courtesy Scotty Scotts Contracting, St Louis Renewable Energy
Brick wall is ready for another 100 yrs of Service!!!
 When filling large areas in; such as in this photo.  Apply the Tuckpoint Mortar in 1 to 2 in lifts.  Pre moisten area with Hudson Sprayer to allow adequate time for the Mortar to cure and reach its design strength.







Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP. Company Web Address: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com

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11.05.2012

Benton Project CAD Drawings



On Mon, Nov 5, 2012, Scotty-Scotts Contracting, St Louis Renewable Energy scottscontracting@gmail.com wrote:

CADD Courtesy-Scotty,Scotts Contracting-St Louis Renewable Energy



Eighty Percent of the Time Construction Projects seem to run more efficiently, finish on-time, and stay within budgets when a set of Design Plans are available for the project.


Old Western - Old South St Louis Architecture Decor and Feel for a Modern Day Apartment- Benton Gut Rehab

Typical Wall Framing Detail-Benton Project, courtesy of Scotty, Scotts Contracting
Floor Plan #1256 Benton Project, courtesy of Scotty, Scotts Contracting



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11.04.2012

Exterior and Interior Warehouse and Storage Space Available

Safe~Secure ~Indoor and Outdoor Storage and or Warehouse (st louis)



 Warehouse: 100-2,400 sq ft avail. Electric, Water, 20 ton hoist, Overhead doors

Exterior storage spaces: 100-1,500 sq ft avail.

Property surrounded by 10 ft fence and masonry block wall.

RENT, LEASE, OR SALE

$100 and up monthly rent or trade
Email for additional details.


Part 8: 1st Floor Weatherization





Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP. Company Web Address: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com

11.03.2012

Tuckpointing Interior- Rehab of 4 Family Part 3



 How we  brought the Old Western - Old South St Louis Architecture- Decor and Feel into a Modern Day Apartment- Benton Gut Rehab


We performed extensive tuck-pointing on the Building for
  • Aesthetic Purposes -for the Interior-see Soulard* Red Colored Mortar in this picture below ) and 

    Structural Purposes  (see upcoming Green Blog Post) both of which have Energy Saving Benefits!

    Soulard Red Decorative Tuck-pointing



Materials/Tools Used for the Project:
  • Type N- Masonry and Tuckpoint Mortar Mix
  • Red Coloring (Soulard Red)- Dry Mix
  • 4 in Diamond Plated Grinder Wheels
  • Various Tuck-pointing tools- Concave Pointers
  • Hudson Sprayer
  • Step Ladders and Walk Boards
  • Safety Glasses / Dust Masks
  • Wheel Barrow and Garden Hoe
Before During and After Pictures of this stage of the project



Scotts Contracting Decorative Interior Tuckpointing Soulard Red Mortar Mix Type N 

  
After we Ground out the Mortar Joints we then Tuck-pointed the Soulard Red Decorative Mortar Mix into the Mortar Joints.  Type N Masonry Mix "Pro Mix"
Scotts Contracting Decorative Interior Tuckpointing Soulard Red Mortar Mix Type N
  • Before We Removed the Damaged Exterior Wall.
  • We First Tuck-pointed the Brick Walls of the Building.
  • We could then Safely Remove the Damaged Lumber and Walls- after shoring up the existing Ceiling Joists (upcoming post in the Series)
  •  Rebuild the 2x6 Walls (upcoming post in the Series)
     

scotts Contracting Gut Rehab St Louis Missouri
Building the 2x6 Walls and Door Frame

  1. Removed all the old plaster from 2 walls int the Apartment then
  2. ground out all the mortar joints to a depth of one-half to three-quarters of an inch
  3. We then blew all the loose mortar from the area -To clean out the joints and prepare the Mortar Bed for the New Mix
  4. Dampened the area with a Hudson sprayer filled with water- before applying the Masonry Mix -On older buildings this is a critical step as it will help the Masonry Mix adhere to the Bricks while the New Mortar cures.
  5. We then filled the cracks with Type N Masonry and Tuckpoint Mix
  6. Brush the area for a consistent look
  7. Clean Up the area and enjoy the Decorative Look of the new Red Accent Walls




 

   
Scotts Contracting Decorative Interior Accent Wall Tuckpointing with Soulard Red Type N Masonry Mix

Soulard Red Interior Tuckpointing by Scotts Contracting 

Scotts Contracting Decorative Interior Accent Wall Tuckpointing with Soulard Red Type N Masonry Mix
 The 'Soulard Red' Decorative Tuck-pointed Accent Walls- when combined with: 
  • Modern Drywall that has a 
  • Smooth Textured Finish and a 
  • 'Refinished Douglas Fir Wood Floor' which Mother Nature has provided a natural reddish tint will give this kitchen and bedroom area the:

Old Western - Old South St Louis Architecture Decor and Feel into a Modern Day Apartment- Benton Gut Rehab






Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP. Company Web Address: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com


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