Where’s the best place to locate a furnace? My wife and I are designing a new home, and our plans require two furnaces. We’ve heard different viewpoints about where to place the second unit: basement, second floor, even the attic….
Last winter I had a lot of rooftop ice build up that led to leaking, and now I plan to install heating cables to prevent the problem in the future. I’ve heard these cables work well, but also that the…
How can I eliminate window condensation in a multi-story condominium unit? We’ve been experiencing lots of condensation for the seven years we’ve lived in the building. Window replacement isn’t an option since they’re considered common elements in this building. Judging…
It’s not unusual to require insulation upgrades in floor cavities that sit over unheated spaces, and there are two things you must consider when settling on an approach. If this were my project, I’d go with professionally applied, spray-on foam….
Question: We’ve just gone to a lot of trouble and expense installing drainage tiles around our basement, but we’re concerned it might not stop dampness and white, fuzzy efflorescence coming up through the concrete floor. We’re planning to finish the…
How can I insulate the double-brick walls of my 100-year-old home? One contractor says he can drill holes in the plaster and blow insulation into the space between the bricks. Another contractor says this isn’t possible. Who’s right? Home heating…
How can I remove white pine sap from the 10-year-old cedar deck at the cottage? I’ve tried deck cleaner, scraping, sanding, acetone and Comet. Nothing works. What you need is a compatible solvent, and I know for sure that turpentine…
Is your outdoor wood furniture or deck looking tired? Steve Maxwell explains how oiling your exterior wood is a low maintenance finishing option.
Q: Is it okay to add wall insulation to a hollow block wall by adding a loose-fill fiber product in the block spaces? The exterior walls of our 90-year-old house are made with stucco-covered cinder blocks. Is it a good plan for…
How can I restore the lustre of a cedar strip canoe that’s covered in fiberglass? The surface is dull and scratched. The problem you’re having is common and easily remedied. The fiberglass wasn’t the only material used on the outside…
Steve Maxwell is a fan of structural insulated panels due to the fact that they help ordinary people create strong, energy efficient buildings.
An in-depth look into R Values on insulation products from Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man.