PUBLISHED 3Jul2020 + video below Q: What’s the best way to clean rust and dirt off of an old door lock? It’s seized and rusty right now, but it looks like a nice old lock with potential. A: Good for […]
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SUMMERTIME BASEMENT MUSTINESS Q&A : Concrete Floors Often the Culprit
Q: What can I do about sky-high summertime humidity in our house? It’s 35 years old and sits entirely on a concrete pad. Indoor air quality is fine in winter, but in the warm months we smell mildew in the carpeting […]
Continue ReadingASBESTOS SIDING: Is It Safe or Dangerous?
UPDATED 19Jun2020: Every so often I get a homeowner asking me an asbestos siding question that goes something like this. It’s a good question and lots of people have to deal with issues like this one: “What can I do […]
Continue ReadingCERAMIC TILE INSTALLATION VIDEO: How Should I Reinforce My Floor Before Installing Ceramic Tiles?
Q: How should I reinforce my floor before installing new ceramic tiles? A written quote I received from a contractor includes 3/8” plywood fastened on top of the existing subfloor, but my friend says it should be 5/8”. What do […]
Continue ReadingQ&A OF THE WEEK: How Can I Get Rid of Stinky Drain Smell?
Q: How can I get rid of the sulphur smell coming from our sink and bathtub drains? We brought in a plumber to investigate but all he suggested is to get our air circulation system cleaned. The problem first surfaced […]
Continue ReadingPLANNING A NEW HOME OR ADDITION?: Follow These Steps to Make the Place Your Own
UPDATED 29MAY2020 Q: How should my husband and I choose an architect? We’ve bought five acres of waterfront property that’s blessed with interesting topography. We envision a small, green home, perhaps using water reclamation technology and solar energy, incorporating local […]
Continue ReadingQ&A OF THE WEEK: “How Should I Replace My Boiler & Water Heater?”
Q: Should I replace my 21 year old natural gas boiler and water heater with separate units like I have now, or should I consider a combination unit that handles both space heating and domestic hot water in one? I’ve been […]
Continue ReadingVIDEO Q&A of the Week: How Do I Get Quartersawn Lumber 2x6s?
UPDATED + videos below 8May2020 Q: I bought plans to build a workbench and the instructions mentions making the top from quartersawn lumber to guard against warping and cupping. I don’t know what quartersawing is. I plan to use 2x6s for the top, […]
Continue ReadingQ&A: How Can I Fix the Cracked Parging on My Foundation Wall?
Q: What’s the best way to fix the cracked parging on my house foundation? I live in a 13-year-old brick bungalow, with about 6 feet of parged concrete block foundation visible above ground. Over the years this parging has become […]
Continue ReadingDRYER VENT SUPREME: Video Review of the EcoVent
Ordinary dryer vents and bathroom exhaust vents hardly ever work properly. The flimsy plastic internal flap door opens and closes in the wind, and most of these flaps eventually fall off in time. The only vent I’ve ever seen that’s […]
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