Efflorescence on a basement floor due to moisture

Question: I am experiencing a white powder coming up through the basement tiles in my 40-year-old Charleswood home. Can you recommend a cure? Possibly, a sealer that I can purchase and apply myself. Thanks, Gary D. Answer: The cure to . . .

Posted: 2023-04-15

How to re-point your chimney

There are a few key things homeowners need to think about when preparing to repair their brick or cinder-block chimneys. Chimneys are being converted to the metal-insulated type of chimneys, rather than the old flue-liner type with solid brick/block chimney chases. . . .

Posted: 2013-08-24

No common condensation conundrum

Question: My house was built in 2003. The first sign of water leaking was from three electrical outlets in the kitchen, where I had light fixtures. It occurred during the first spring in the house. I mentioned it to the . . .

Posted: 2017-11-25

Torpedo the dams: insulation is key

Question: We have a one-and-three-quarter-storey 1920s house with the ends of the roof abruptly terminating at the lower walls, with no overhang. It’s very prone to ice dams, and we manage them as best we can with a combination . . .

Posted: 2022-12-24

High-efficiency furnace blowers built to last

Question: Could you please advise on the following dilemma? I have a Keeprite high efficiency furnace and a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) installed in my home, built in 2014. The HRV is connected to the furnace and both have a . . .

Posted: 2021-09-18

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Moisture under subfloor causes mould smell

QUESTION: I'm hoping you can give us some help with our basement floor. Our home is in North Kildonan and was built in the mid-'80s. It is a bungalow in excellent condition with an unfinished basement. We have decided to partially . . .

Posted: 2012-11-10

Deck brings a TIER (or two) to your eyes

Splendid split-level design complex and challenging

A multi-tiered deck is often by design, with a homeowner simply wanting the deck sectioned into several different functional levels. For a split-level home with exterior access at each level, however, a two-tiered deck is imperative if the deck stretches across . . .

Posted: 2021-06-12

Trimming time on baseboards

Trim takes time to install, because it is often a multi-tiered activity. It must first be primed and painted, then cut or mitered to length, fastened to the surface, and lastly receive the necessary touch-ups to hide small nail holes . . .

Posted: 2019-03-09

Manitoba climate poses special problems for A/C systems

QUESTION: I wonder if you might offer some suggestions for a couple of problems we have had since the installation of an attic air conditioning system? Six years ago we decided to rid ourselves of our one large in-the-wall A/C unit . . .

Posted: 2009-04-19

Moving basement window a task fraught with risk

Could weaken foundation, lead to cracks, damage

Question: We are planning to replace our wood-burning fireplace with a gas one. In order to do so, a gas meter would have to be placed below our kitchen window. Currently, the window for our basement bedroom is below the . . .

Posted: 2015-06-20