What should I use to strip paint off one outside wall of my house? The last time I stripped before painting I used a propane torch on the other walls, but that was before I realized I was dealing with…
We bought a new home and have a problem with the cold cellar.Help! The roof is corrugated steel, on top of which has been poured a concrete slab that forms the porch floor. The walls are poured concrete, too. In…
Our insurance company tells us that our 25 year-old oil tank needs to be replaced or they won’t extend coverage. Is it better to spend $1,100.00 on a new oil tank or $3,000.00 on a gas furnace? The heating oil…
I’m planning to restore an 1860’s board-and-batten home, and need some advice about insulation. Right now there’s none in the wall cavities and I want to change this as part of the restoration. What’s the best type of insulation to…
There’s a load-bearing wall between the living room and kitchen in my son’s home and he’d like to open this space up and make one large room. I’ve heard this is possible. Can you offer suggestions for how it can…
I’m looking to build a new energy efficient home. Do you have any recommendations on energy efficient features that I can incorporate into the design? In this video, I respond to a homeowner looking to build a new energy efficient home who,…
What kind of coating can I put on some oak stairs to stop dogs and people from slipping? I really don’t want to use carpet. On June 12, 2012, a homeowner from Texas asked me what kind of coating they…
I’m looking for information on floor and roof supports in new houses. I’d like to have a home built with a completely open basement, and I’ve heard of floor systems that eliminate the need for pillars. Please fill me in…
How can we stop frost from forming on the inside face of the garage walls on our three-year-old home during winter? The drywall is getting ruined. Our builder wants to help, but doesn’t know how to begin. This sounds like…
Most vinyl windows are white, and the reason has largely to do with the way vinyl expands and contracts with changes in temperature. Light colours reduce heat build up in the window frames, eliminating the bowing, bending and cracking that…
We’ve just rebuilt our cedar deck and want to apply the best staining treatment to protect it. In the past everything we’ve put on other decks has either peeled off or was quickly damaged by the claws of our dog….
How can I boost the energy efficiency of the floor-to-ceiling windows in my high-rise condo? Heating costs are very high here, and I’m thinking of trying window blankets this winter. Any coverings I choose will also need to keep early…