Avoiding mould grief in basement insulation

111I am currently developing my basement. My home was built in 1974. The previous owner had already framed the exterior walls and installed pink R12 fibreglass insulation along with a vapour barrier, probably around seven years ago. The vapour barrier . . .

Posted: 2015-02-21

Branching out

Family embraces challenges, rewards of launching a fruit orchard

Growing up on a farm near Boissevain taught Kelvin Hildebrandt many things. But becoming an orchardist has meant taking a comprehensive and strategic approach to acquiring a whole new set of skills. In the process, Hildebrandt has consulted with local . . .

Posted: 2026-02-21

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Zonolite in the attic? Better to leave it be

QUESTION: Thanks for the column on the Zonolite class-action suit in January. I had read the facts sheet on the website, but did not get from it that only a small portion of the removal/abatement cost would ultimately be covered. Before . . .

Posted: 2009-08-09

Fresh air worth a bit of frost

Older intake ducts have role to play in airtight homes

Question: My house was built in 1984, with a forced-air heating system and a standard efficiency natural gas furnace. The furnace was replaced 15 years ago with a high-efficiency unit. During the recent cold snap, I noticed that one of . . .

Posted: 2022-01-15

On the grow

Two-storey family home in South Pointe even has a bonus room

For many young, growing families, looking to move up from a starter home to more spacious quarters can be a financial stretch. Yet it's a necessary one. Once the child count begins to increase, trying to raise a family of four . . .

Posted: 2009-08-09

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Get rid of cold-storage room in basement

QUESTION: We recently bought a home with a cold-storage room in the basement. There is a vent on one wall near the ceiling. Should this vent be closed in the summer season? If so, any suggestions would be appreciated. . . .

Posted: 2010-07-17

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Lots of options for leaving cottage in winter

QUESTION: We have purchased a home for summer use for the next few years. However, it is actually a year-round home built in 1995, and we may move there full time after retirement. The first owner lived there year-round for . . .

Posted: 2013-03-09

Odour from laundry room hard to pinpoint

QUESTION: Please end this torment. I am troubled with a laundry-room odour that I can't successfully eliminate and it emanates from my washer. I tried running vinegar through the machine as well as filling the drum and surrounding tub with . . .

Posted: 2012-07-01

Disdain for the deck stain

If there's any job I hate to do, it's this one

Occasionally a potential client will request to have a deck stained. Due to my contempt for the process, a prompt and courteous reply details the following sentiment: "I build ’em, I don’t stain ’em." That said, it’s no secret decks built . . .

Posted: 2017-08-05

Old ceiling fans likely cause of cold bathrooms

Question: My house was retrofitted with a heat recover ventilator (HRV) system a number of years ago. Both of the home’s bathrooms had ductwork retrofitted at the time to connect to the HRV system. The two bathrooms also have ceiling exhaust . . .

Posted: 2020-03-21