Is there any kind of plaster that can be applied over old drywall that’s getting damaged as we try to remove old wallpaper? Our house was built in the 1950s, and even though we’ve tried saturating the surface with a…
Where can I find a reasonably priced replacement battery for my Skil 2487 cordless drill? A long time ago I read an article of yours about a battery supplier, but I can’t remember the name. A: All cordless tool batteries…
How can I remove a reddish brown stain from an old coat rack so I can stain the wood black? Is there a particular stripping product that works with stain? The thing about stains is that they soak into the…
How can I get rid of moisture build up and mold in my 20×40-foot, window-free cottage garage? The structure is built quite tightly, and boats, cars and trailers all show signs of moisture and corrosion, especially after being stored all…
How should I choose a contractor to replace a residential heating boiler? The boiler in place is working fine, but it’s 60-years-old and not very efficient. Many homeowners assume that installing a more efficient furnace makes economic sense, but that’s not…
What kind of router should I buy? I’m a middle-aged woman, out on my own again, and I’d like to build the kind of basic furniture I need to set myself up in a mostly empty house. A router is…
Where can I buy creosote wood preservative? I used to find it on hardware store shelves, but not anymore. Creosote has been used to protect wood against rot since the 1800s, but it’s been phased out for use by consumers,…
Is it necessary to apply a vapour barrier to the 3”-thick foam installed on the insides of concrete basement walls? My step daughter and husband had a new house built, and are planning to finish the basement. The short answer…
What’s the best way to stop a small leak where the incoming water pipe connects to the water meter in my basement? My house is more than 30 years old, and the connections involve large hex nuts. I’m comfortable doing…
Will insulating my garage warm up the cold bathroom that’s above it? The garage doesn’t have any insulation now, just block walls and an open ceiling frame above. Should I be using spray foam? What kind? Insulating garage walls won’t…
Can you please direct me to a reliable source of information on the real cost of energy from wind and solar? It seems that these options requires constant government subsidy to remain viable. If nuclear energy is environmentally less friendly…
Do I need to anchor the new cultured marble vanity top I’ll be installing in my bathroom? One guy in the hardware store says to let only the plumbing hold it down, and other says to use “some kind of…