ASK STEVE: Peeling paint mystery
The paint beneath our south facing windows is peeling on the inside walls, but I don’t know why. Some of it’s coming off in large, wide pieces with plenty of plaster attached. The paint that’s still firm on the wall…
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Q&A: Cottage Insulation Help
A friend owns a cottage and would like to insulate the roof. The problem is the limited amount of space underneath the ceiling, and the view of the exposed rafters he’d like to preserve. That’s what got us thinking about…
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Do you still like the low flow toilets you installed at your place?
Do you still like the low flow toilets you installed at your place? I came across an old column of yours where you describe this technology and how to install it. I have two toilets in my house of unknown…
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Will a 120-volt, 12.5 amp tankless electric water heater fill a large, therapeutic bath tub with hot water?
Will a 120-volt, 12.5 amp tankless electric water heater fill a large, therapeutic bath tub with hot water? Filling this tub empties my current hot water tank so I’m looking for an alternative. I’ve done a lot of research into…
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What kind of subfloor products do you recommend for a basement renovation?
What kind of subfloor products do you recommend for a basement renovation? I don’t know what to make of the different brands. Basement subfloor tiles appeared on the scene about 10 years ago. I’ve worked with all brands and I…
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How should I install laminate flooring? I’d like to do the work myself, but I’m not sure how to proceed.
Laminate flooring came to North America about 20 years ago. I’ve been watching both the flooring and the people who choose it for their homes since then, and I’ve noticed something that’s not found in other flooring choices: there’s a…
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What settings should I adjust my new heat recovery ventilator (HRV) to?
What settings should I adjust my new heat recovery ventilator (HRV) to? I had a unit installed in my tightly constructed new house, but I find that running it continuously at low or medium makes the house too dry. The…
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Can I use spray foam to insulate the underside of the open roof on my 600 sq. ft. cottage?
Can I use spray foam to insulate the underside of the open roof on my 600 sq. ft. cottage? I understand that roof ventilation isn’t necessary in this case. Is this correct? Yes, is the short answer to your question….
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What can I do to fix the shrinking of my new laminate flooring?
What can I do to fix the shrinking of my new laminate flooring? It’s happening on the ends of some boards, and I figure that maybe the affected pieces came from one box that wasn’t acclimatized properly. My condo is…
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Why is condensation forming behind the fiberglass insulation in my basement?
Why is condensation forming behind the fiberglass insulation in my basement? I glued 1 1/2″-thick white styrofoam boards to all the exterior walls and in between the floor joists where they meet the outside walls. I sealed all joints with…
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What’s the best way to insulate and finish a basement cold room so it’s as warm and cozy as the rest of the basement?
What’s the best way to insulate and finish a basement cold room so it’s as warm and cozy as the rest of the basement? Right now this space is useless because it gets cold enough in winter to freeze food,…
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How should I choose a laminate floor?
How should I choose a laminate floor? They’re much less expensive than solid wood, and laminates are looking less artificial than they used to. What should I make of the big difference in laminate prices that I see? It’s true…
