ASK STEVE: Peeling paint mystery
The paint beneath our south facing windows is peeling on the inside walls, but I don’t know why. Some of it’s coming off in large, wide pieces with plenty of plaster attached. The paint that’s still firm on the wall…
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Q&A: Cottage Insulation Help
A friend owns a cottage and would like to insulate the roof. The problem is the limited amount of space underneath the ceiling, and the view of the exposed rafters he’d like to preserve. That’s what got us thinking about…
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In general, should all woods, including hardwoods, be pre-conditioned before staining?
I’m making a small hall bench using maple and cherry wood, and I have a question about finishing. I intend to colour the whole thing with a cherry stain. Is it necessary to pre-condition the wood first? No, I wouldn’t…
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How can I stop my three teenagers from taking really, really long showers?
How can I stop my three teenagers from taking really, really long showers? We’ve tried begging, guilt trips and timers. Is there some kind of device that automatically shuts off water flow after a certain period of time? We’ve got…
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Do you still like the low flow toilets you installed at your place?
Do you still like the low flow toilets you installed at your place? I came across an old column of yours where you describe this technology and how to install it. I have two toilets in my house of unknown…
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Will a 120-volt, 12.5 amp tankless electric water heater fill a large, therapeutic bath tub with hot water?
Will a 120-volt, 12.5 amp tankless electric water heater fill a large, therapeutic bath tub with hot water? Filling this tub empties my current hot water tank so I’m looking for an alternative. I’ve done a lot of research into…
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What kind of subfloor products do you recommend for a basement renovation?
What kind of subfloor products do you recommend for a basement renovation? I don’t know what to make of the different brands. Basement subfloor tiles appeared on the scene about 10 years ago. I’ve worked with all brands and I…
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How can I apply a smooth finish on indoor wood?
How can I apply a smooth finish on indoor wood? I’m never satisfied with the quality of finish I manage to achieve on my indoor wood projects. Even when I use tack cloths to wipe down the surface, and take…
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How should I install laminate flooring? I’d like to do the work myself, but I’m not sure how to proceed.
Laminate flooring came to North America about 20 years ago. I’ve been watching both the flooring and the people who choose it for their homes since then, and I’ve noticed something that’s not found in other flooring choices: there’s a…
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What settings should I adjust my new heat recovery ventilator (HRV) to?
What settings should I adjust my new heat recovery ventilator (HRV) to? I had a unit installed in my tightly constructed new house, but I find that running it continuously at low or medium makes the house too dry. The…
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Can I use spray foam to insulate the underside of the open roof on my 600 sq. ft. cottage?
Can I use spray foam to insulate the underside of the open roof on my 600 sq. ft. cottage? I understand that roof ventilation isn’t necessary in this case. Is this correct? Yes, is the short answer to your question….
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How can I fix sunken patio stones in my backyard? Is there some kind of filler I should add on top?
Sinking patio stones and paving bricks are a common problem in Canada because the freezing and thawing temperatures we get cause more soil settling than experienced in frost-free regions. Regardless of the cause, the solution is the same: It’s a…
