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 ReadingAsk Steve
DRYER 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 […]
Continue ReadingQ&A: How to Stop Knot Stains Bleeding Through Painted Woodwork
Got some painted solid wood trim at your house? You’ve probably got ugly knots showing through, too. Solve the problem once and for all using more than just hope and an old wives tale.
Continue Reading“ROOF” LEAK ON A SUNNY DAY?: Melting Attic Frost May Be the Cause
Q: Earlier this spring I heard a faint drip-drip sound coming from the attic of my 17 year old bungalow. When I opened the attic hatch, I found the edges of the hole to be wet. There’s also lots of […]
Continue ReadingQ&A OF THE WEEK: What’s the best paint for my concrete basement floor?
Q: What’s the best option for painting my concrete basement floor? It has a few small cracks, but it’s in pretty good shape. Is there a product that can be used to fill these gaps before painting? A: The best basement […]
Continue ReadingSOLAR ENERGY Q&A: “Where Can I Learn More About Household Solar Energy?
Q: Where can I learn more about making solar energy a reality in a country home I’m planning to build? I need facts about the costs of various parts of the system, different suppliers and technologies, plus some sense of maintenance […]
Continue ReadingSNOWBLOWER BUYING ADVICE: Options to Keep a Rural Driveway Clear
Q: What’s the best way to clear snow from my long rural driveway? I’m a newly-single woman with a 16 year old son living on an old farm. My driveway is 800 meters (875 yards) long and last year we […]
Continue ReadingHARDWOOD REFINISHING Q&A: How Do I Finish Wooden Stairs?
How should I prepare dirty, interior wood stairs for finishing? I’m remodelling my parents’ home and part of the work involves finishing a staircase that was left bare and unprotected after it was built 10 years ago. Read on for Steve’s advice.
Continue ReadingHow to Eliminate Condensation on Windows
As cold weather descends, many homes develop wet windows that are prone to mold. But window condensation is a bigger problem than meets the eye. Read here to learn the real risks and discover a solution.
Continue ReadingNEW WINDOWS Q&A: Will They Reduce Street Noise & Condensation?
UPDATED 1Nov2019 + Video Q: Will new windows reduce street noise and wintertime condensation? Our home was built in 1995 and still has the original windows. Will new windows reduce the increasing street noise coming into my home? Will they […]
Continue Reading
Learn More from Bailey Line Road