What length of warranty should we expect from a contractor who’ll be building a cottage addition for us? Hiring a contractor is trickier than it seems, and warranty periods are the least of your worries. That’s because it’s easy for…
How has that linseed oil paint you used a few years ago held up? I ran across your article from 2008 and was wondering if you’ve done any follow-up on the paint condition. I’m a contractor doing research on wooden…
What’s the best way to boost the energy efficiency of my 65-year-old frame house while I’m redoing exterior walls this season? My plan is to remove all exterior layers, including the original 1″ X 6″ sheathing boards, then fill the…
I have to disagree with your published opinion that outdoor wood boilers are an environmentally sound way to heat. While they do move the fire, soot and ash outdoors, they also burn twice as much fuel as an indoor woodstove…
How should I rout flexible synthetic water supply pipes underneath our cottage? I’m especially unclear about whether or not we need to use a manifold and where it should be located. Flexible plastic water pipes are becoming more popular because…
How should I finish my 18-year-old cedar deck? Over the years I’ve tried many products, and none have lasted more than a year. Even products with a five year warranty didn’t fare better. What should I do? The wood is…
Where can I buy oxalic acid crystals? I want to bleach dark water stains from wood I’m restoring, and I can’t find oxalic acid on store shelves. I’ve purchased oxalic acid crystals from my local drug store. Sometimes it must…
Where can I find a hand pump for priming my seasonal cottage water system? I’m ready to follow your previous articles on priming from the end of the water intake line, but I can’t find any kind of a hand…
How can I figure out how much energy my washing machine uses with each load? I’ve already asked the manufacturer, and they suggested I ask EnerGuide Canada. I never did receive an answer from them. All I know is that…
How important is it that wood siding be installed over strapping to provide ventilation? My husband and I built a home that we’re now selling, but the prospective buyer is concerned that we installed clapboard directly to the outside face…
What can I do about the sad, ugly finish on my 2 year old cedar deck? The original finish lasted less than two months. Do I need to sand the surface? This would be a huge job, and maybe not…
It sounds like you’re envisioning a kind of moulding called plate rail. This is a narrow, wood shelf-like arrangement, often with grooves milled along the top surface to prevent plates and other items from sliding outwards. Although plate rail is…