Flashing

I learned that flashing is put on the dormers of a roof to prevent leaking through the joints. It also sits against the chimney to do the same. It almost works as a gutter on the roof to run the water out onto the roof instead of in the crack. It is usually bent into an "L" shape. There are many different kinds of flashing. You have copper, which is usually used if it is going to be exposed, for decorative purposes. Then there is aluminum, which is used when you don't plan on being able to see the flashing. Finally there is vinyl, this is a newer material and what you would call modern day flashing. 

-Merideth

lowes hardware assignment

Hey so, while walking through the hardware section at Lowes there were a lot of things I'd seen before and a lot I hadn't (which had purposes not to hard to infer) but i came across this little piece of hardware next to the gauged wire and cables and whatnot. The guy who i asked at Lowes said that this thing I'd found is called a wire-cable thimble. After telling me its purpose he added that this is the most useless piece of hardware ever. Evidently it's purpose is to maintain a looped structure in places where a cable has to fold over itself. He said its useless because as soon as the cable gets tension it bends this piece of hardware accordingly and when the tension is released the thimble maintains the new bent form thus falling out of place. Sounds frustrating but now I know

What's the difference between Grade 5 bolts and Grade 8 Bolts?

Vs.


These different kinds of bolts can bear different amounts of weight and different kind of weight. Grade 5 bolts have been hardened and are often used for automotive reasons. Grade 8 are a lot stronger in that they can hold more weight, such as in suspensions. All this being said, the Grade 5 is a bit cheaper than the Grade 8, and it really depends on what you need to be held together. For reliable, heavy duty applications, Grade 8 would be best.