Marie-Paule from Labelle, Quebec gave me the greatest compliment. She sent in a question in French and said that she watches the program all the time but doesn't understand English. I guess our models and graphics are doing some good.She was asking me how to paint her metal roof because she was...
We would like to think that roofing systems today are well thought out, easy to assemble and trouble free. And then there is the real world. We went to the manufacturers of roofing systems and roofing components to get a handle on what are some of the real world field problems that shouldn't be...
-- Take care of air barriers, ventilation and vapour barriers before insulating. Check out these three topics in the Search Tab above.-- Don't block the eave vents with insulation.-- Do cover the top of the outside wall.-- Don't put plastic foam on top of porous insulations (batts, loose fill) a...
Gary from Hamilton, Ontario writes :I know that brick veneer homes have vent holes in the lower rows to allow air to equalize the pressure and help keep water out. We have just bought a 50 year old solid brick (two layers of brick) house. I notice there are no vent holes and it doesn't appear t...
Brenda from Port Hardy, B.C. says that her wood burning insert smells of soot when it is not in use.The problem is obviously one of air coming down the chimney. Either the exhaust fans in the house are drawing air when there is no fire to maintain an upward draft, or the wind is twisted around on...
Karl lives in a new house next to an undeveloped area. Strong winds come across from the open North West. "The access panel in the ceiling of our walk-in closet lifts and dislodges on top of the 18 inch "passage way" that exits to the roof. What causes this and how to stop it?"An access hatch ...
Newfoundland is known for its brutal winds, all year round. So I thought there would be no better place in Canada to take a look at what to you do to a house to avoid wind damage, and keep that wind out of the house. I called on my old buddy Gary Reardon, a prominent new home builder in St. Jo...
This article deals with a block wall above grade. For a below grade block wall see Basement Perimeter Drainage and Leaking Foundations.
Bryan is faced with a totally un-insulated cinder block wall with 1x2 strapping and a plaster covering. He is thinking about stripping it back to the block...
Connect to your favourite weather forecaster and look for the following conditions:
Category: Finishes Product: Plastic enamel anti-rust Paint
Temperature Limitations: Use above +10 C (+50 F) and below + 29 C (+85 F)
Rain Limitations: No rain for 1 hour
Wind Limitations: No wind if sp...
Connect to your favourite weather forecaster and look for the following conditions:
Category: Finishes Product: Water Repellents for wood and masonry
Temperature Limitations: Use above +10 C (+50 F) and below + 35 C (+95 F)
Rain Limitations: No rain for 48 hours
Wind Limitations: n/a...
