MIKE HOLMES: Proper venting important for plumbing to work

Avoid making a stink, do it right

You understand the importance of the drains in your home: They carry waste and water away from your toilets, sinks and appliances into the municipal sewer system. Drains work basically by gravity, so waste and water flow down and out . . .

Posted: 2009-07-26

MIKE HOLMES: Seal in comfort by sealing leaks in home

BEFORE you know it, the hot weather will arrive and you need to make sure your home is ready for summer. For some people, that's simply a matter of taking the cover off the air conditioning unit. Some even go . . .

Posted: 2010-05-01

Venting alone can't keep upstairs cool

Question: My wife and I own a 21/2-storey house in the West End, and we need to replace the roof in the next couple of months because it is leaking. The fir planks underneath are in good condition, according to . . .

Posted: 2013-09-21

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Keeping a dry roof over your head

QUESTION: Your column has me thinking about my double garage. It is not attached, the walls are 10-feet high and I have finished insulating them with R12 fibreglass batts. The ceiling joists are covered with three-quarter-inch sheathing to provide a . . .

Posted: 2009-10-25

Too darn hot? Keep cool and save

As the mercury soars, your air conditioner will be working overtime to keep the house comfortably cool. Dave Walton of Direct Energy offers these helpful tips to save money on your summer energy costs: 1. Keep the outdoor air conditioner clear . . .

Posted: 2013-07-06

Poly sheeting, new fan can help dry crawlspace

QUESTION: I built my home four years ago in accordance with strict U.S. county and state energy requirements. My problem is condensation in the crawlspace, along the foundation wall on the north side of the house during the winter months. . . .

Posted: 2008-02-17

Address issues with home before warranty expires

Question: We've been living in our newly built home for about a month now. We have a home warranty that will cover some of the problems we might find and I just came across some issues that I was hoping . . .

Posted: 2014-11-22

Up the ladder to the roof

Frozen vent the cause of plumbing issues

Cabin fever getting you down? We’ll deal with that in a bit, but first, do you have any strange gurgling noises happening? Don’t seem to be draining properly? Concerned you might be backed up? This is exactly what was happening to me . . .

Posted: 2020-01-25

MIKE HOLMES: Ensure home is sealed against windy blasts

IT'S the middle of hurricane season: Earl has just made its way up along the East Coast of North America, and more storms are expected before the season ends in November. Hurricanes bring strong winds, heavy rain and the possibility of . . .

Posted: 2010-09-18

Using the right parts for sink will keep you safe from sewer gas

QUESTION: I have a sink drain that includes a vertical pop-up vent after the trap, and just before the one-and-a-half-inch pipe connects into the two-inch drain. It’s been in place about six years. Do these devices wear out? I thought . . .

Posted: 2019-02-02