Cold-air ventilation will fix moisture problem in camp's crawl space

Question: My camp is up in Sudbury, Ont., and I have a problem with moisture in the crawl space. It is mostly enclosed, due to the previous owners living up there full time, so they required this for the plumbing. The . . .

Posted: 2019-04-13

Vent blockage a common cold-climate problem

QUESTION: I enjoy reading your column and hope you can make a suggestion that will eliminate a problem I am having. I have two roof vent pipes installed on the north side of my home and they face the prevailing . . .

Posted: 2013-12-21

MIKE HOLMES: To air is human

To caulk and weatherstrip your home, divine

Weatherproofing means keeping the weather -- wet, cold or heat and humidity -- on the outside of your home. That covers water possibly coming in through your roof and flashing or through bad mortar joints in your brickwork, as well . . .

Posted: 2009-04-19

Sealing and improving ventilation in attic worth the effort

Question: I am in an old 1950s house in the forest of New Brunswick and it is -19C outside. The thermometer in the attic registers -13C. That isn't too bad of a difference, considering how cold it is out? The thing . . .

Posted: 2021-02-13

Attic hatch in garage ceiling an issue

QUESTION: A previous column of yours has me thinking about my own garage. It is not attached, the walls are 10 feet high and I have finished insulating them with R12 fibreglass. The ceiling joists are covered with three-quarter-inch sheeting . . .

Posted: 2010-10-23

Roof-mounted vent should eliminate icicles

Question: Can you tell me what I can do about ice forming where my bathroom fan vents into my soffit? I have a bungalow where the bathroom fan on the main level vents along a smooth three-inch duct for about five . . .

Posted: 2017-11-18

Battle mould by eliminating moisture

Question: I am wondering if you could help me out with directions on how to deal with mould under my cottage. I use the cottage year round. My cottage is built on four foot piers around the exterior and a few . . .

Posted: 2014-08-14

Insulating a garage a worthy project but proper steps required for health, safety

Controlling fire, containing gases critical considerations

Question: I have an attached, unheated garage. I am considering spray-foaming the walls and ceiling. The roof vents will still be exposed and the shared wall to the house has drywall. My question is, do I need to drywall over . . .

Posted: 2020-09-19

Sealed up against the weather

It has been an incredibly hectic and often overwhelming year of renovations and construction both for hire, as well as with several large undertakings on my own property. And as a “checklist” guy, it is extremely satisfying to have . . .

Posted: 2024-11-23

Sealing crawlspace prevents excess moisture

Question: I have recently acquired a house with a crawlspace about four feet deep. The crawlspace walls and under the floor have been spray-foamed, but with an open dirt floor. The crawlspace is currently not heated. As you can imagine, . . .

Posted: 2020-08-01