What is truss uplift? Is this dangerous?
We live in a 3-year old house, a bungalow with an open floor plan. It’s divided down the middle by a wall and several sets of pillars. We’ve been in the house for three winters now, and every year the…
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ASK STEVE: Will this fix my rooftop ice woes for good?
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…
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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.
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…
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How should I insulate a cold floor underneath a bay window?
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….
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“Will weeping tiles prevent all dampness in my basement?”
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…
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Can leaks in a radiant infloor heating system be fixed?
Question: Can leaks in a radiant infloor heating system be fixed? The system was installed about 35 years ago by my husband and includes 1-inch diameter black plastic pipe set into the concrete floor. A leak has appeared near one…
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How do I reduce humidity in my basement? It’s over 80% down there!
Question: I just bought a 25-year-old house and the humidity is very high in the basement — regularly over 80%. It’s cold down there and our feet freeze when we go downstairs, even if the weather’s hot. There are small…
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How can I insulate the double-brick walls of my 100-year-old home?
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…
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How can I remove white pine sap from the 10-year-old cedar deck at the cottage?
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…
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Oiling Exterior Wood Easily and Effectively
Is your outdoor wood furniture or deck looking tired? Steve Maxwell explains how oiling your exterior wood is a low maintenance finishing option.
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Q&A: Insulating a Hollow Block Wall
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…
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What kind of flooring can I install in our unheated, 140-year-old cottage?
What kind of flooring can I install in our unheated, 140-year-old cottage? The floors are currently covered in very old rolled flooring on top of wide cedar boards. We considered using rolled flooring again, but we don’t want the curling…
