Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
ASK THE INSPECTOR: Older low-pitched roofs present challenges
QUESTION: We have a low-pitched roof that is covered not by tar and gravel, but a polyurethane foam covered with a polymer coating. Our problem is there is no vapour barrier in our ceiling, other than this roofing material itself. We discovered this when our eavestroughs were damaged and allowed water into the house, necessitating the removal of part of a wall. Since moisture can pass through the drywall ceiling into the roof space, the moisture seems to collect and, during the winter, it freezes there. Come spring, this moisture buildup melts and seeps down the exterior walls, staining the stucco.
Does this need to be fixed, and how soon? If so, how can this be fixed, seeing as the roof space is only about 20 centimetres deep? Stacy Swanson
A few years ago I purchased a bungalow, built in 1962. The roof has a very low slope and is approximately 1,600 square feet in size. It is covered with tar and gravel and appears to have been resurfaced at least once in the life of the house, with the second layer being placed on top of the original. It appears the only roof insulation exists on top of the decking, under the tar and gravel.
The inside of the house is all cathedral ceilings, with half of it being exposed beams, the other half Gyproc, with the ceiling about 20 centimetres lower than the exposed-beam half of the house. The roof has had extensive ice jams in the past, and a few areas on the roof are quite spongy. I intend to have the roof replaced with the torched-on membrane for low-pitched roofs recommended to me. I have asked the roofer to install the appropriate insulation.
The existing old roof has no ventilation whatsoever. I was told by the roofers that no ventilation is required, since the insulation is on the outside of the roof decking, under the torched-on material. Is that correct? I have always been led to believe that venting a roof is important. Peter Mingo
ANSWER: Low-pitched roofs on older homes often provide significant challenges for homeowners as they age and deteriorate. You both have similar situations, with different approaches to the roofing materials, but also with ice damming and moisture problems common to this style of home.
The more traditional tar and gravel roof is actually a series of thin layers of roofing felt, or impregnated paper, individually coated with hot tar. This provides a built-up roofing system that is durable and moisture-resistant. The rock cover is installed simply to protect the roofing from damaging ultraviolet light from the sun and mechanical damage from fallen debris or human traffic.
The other home, with the more modern blown-on foam insulation, has a thin membrane coating sprayed or mopped on to waterproof the surface and prevent deterioration of the foam from the elements.
Because both of these applications have the insulation installed on top of the roof cavity, which is only the space between the ceiling joists, there is no room or need for ventilation from the exterior. Both of these systems should have good air/vapour ratings, but the location of this air barrier is the concern.
If the polyurethane foam is high-density, the inner surface of it may be quite impenetrable to air. But if it's lower-density foam, which may have similar properties in relation to air intrusion to the expanded foam sheathing likely installed in the built-up roof, this may be the source of the problem. Neither of these types of foam will resist warm-air infiltration at the surface, and they can allow a significant amount of heat and water vapour into the insulation itself.
The way to stop ice damming and leakage in both homes is to install insulation with a higher air/vapour rating in the entire roof cavity below the existing insulation. This could be done by cutting several layers of rigid extruded polyurethane sheathing and gluing them between the ceiling joists. Better yet, blow in high-density polyurethane to fill the cavities and prevent any warm-air intrusion.
In the home where the plan is to replace the older, built-up roofing, new insulation can be added when the roofing is removed. For the more modern foam roof, partial removal of the drywall ceiling will be required, or drilling multiple holes, to allow foam installation from inside.
Ari Marantz is the owner of Trained Eye Home Inspection Ltd. and the president of the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors -- Manitoba (www.cahpi.mb.ca). Questions can be emailed to the address below. Ari can be reached at 204-291-5358 or check out his website at www.trainedeye.ca
trainedeye@iname.com
Renovation & Design
SOLUTIONS: Ozone machine will rid home of cigarette smell
QUESTION: We recently purchased a 10-year-old home, which we love despite the lingering odour of cigarettes from past owners. We have repainted, burned candles, simmered cloves and cinnamon on the stove, etc. but the odour persists. The upstairs floors are wood laminate. The finished basement is rug, but the odour is not as strong down there. Do you have any helpful hints for getting rid of this nasty smell? Thanks. Barbara, Winnipeg
ANSWER: You may want to consider renting an ozone machine. This little machine is not recommended for regular use but it is great for enclosed areas that have had smoke or flood damage or just smell. The machine lets out a molecule called O3 (which of course is oxygen with an extra molecule attached). The third molecule escapes into the air and absorbs all odours. These machines can be rented at tool rental retailers as well as some hardware stores.
QUESTION: I had a cedar chest built for my home-sewn quilts. The chest is completely lined with aromatic cedar and now after a few years, I noticed that my quilts show a slight discolouration where they have touched the sides of the chest. I think this may be coming from the natural oils of the cedar, but the makers of the cedar assured me by email before I started storing my quilts in the chest that I should not worry that this would happen.
Should I now wash all my quilts? Some of them are being saved for future wedding gifts etc. Can I continue to store my quilts in the chest without worry? Should I line the chest with some other fabric before I put my quilts back inside? If so, what would you suggest? Delores, Winnipeg
ANSWER: It is not recommended to store quilts in a wooden chest/boxes unless extra precautionary measures are taken. Keep these extra special gifts in the chest, but line it with acid- free paper. And before folding the quilts, crumple up additional acid free paper and tuck it inside of the folds to keep them loose and prevent folds from becoming permanent. If acid-free paper is not an option, loosely wrap each quilt in a white linen sheet.
Since the quilts are gifts, washing them may not be the best solution. In order to remove the brown discolouration on your quilts, purchase a bar of Sunlight laundry soap. Wet the soap and scrub the stain. Rinse and let dry, check brown stains. If stains remain then you may want to consider hand washing the quilts. Dry well before storage.
QUESTION: Can you please tell me how much vinegar to put in a full load of laundry to be used instead of fabric softener sheets in the dryer? Thank you, D.M., Killarney
ANSWER: You can use between one-half to one cup of white vinegar to each load. Adding half cup baking soda to the vinegar will do an even better job at deodorizing your machine and cleaning out the hoses than plain vinegar.
QUESTION: I have a small plastic bird feeder and the suction cups that hold the feeder to the window keep falling off. Any ideas about how to hold the suction cups to the glass? Also, my kitchen window hasn't been opened in some time. How can I open the window without breaking it? It unwinds with a handle at the bottom. Mary, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Suction cups stick best to clean surfaces, therefore if you have not already done so, clean the window and the inside of the suction cup with rubbing alcohol or your favourite window cleaner. Wet the suction cup with either water or hairspray to help it stick.
In terms of the stuck window: As long as there are no screws or nails holding the window down, you should be able to open it. If the window frame was painted, it may stick and sometimes plain old moisture from outside will suction windows making them difficult to open. There are tools for this job known as window zippers but they can be tricky to locate. Sometimes all you need to do is run a utility knife around the perimeter of the window. Or use a flat pry bar to gently nudge the window open. If the window won't budge, it may be warped and professional help should be enlisted.
Feedback from Manitoban who cares:
Hi Reena,
Just finished reading your response on how to keep cheese from getting mouldy. I happened to catch a television segment and the hostess had an expert cheese maker from France talking about different types of cheese. She mentioned that she stores her cheese tightly wrapped in plastic. The expert immediately told her that was the wrong thing to do, and that cheese should be wrapped in wax paper and then stored in foil in the fridge. She was shocked, and since then that is how I store my cheese and I never have a problem with it going mouldy. We also buy the bigger bricks of cheese because they are a better price. It works! Pat, Winnipeg
Fabulous tip of the week:
-- Make your own scrub mitt: With the right sides together, fold a facecloth in half. Sew around the edges of three sides. In less than 30 minutes you have created a functional scrubbing mitt for your body or bathroom cleaning.
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming! Missed a column? Can't remember a solution? Need a speaker for an upcoming event? Check out my brand new blog/website: reena.ca
Renovation & Design
SOLUTIONS: Prevent rust from forming around paint can
QUESTION: How can I prevent rust from forming around the lid and the rim of a latex paint can after I have used it? I tried putting plastic wrap on the top but it still rusts and when I open it, the rust falls into the paint. Bob, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Rust has a way of forming on both the top and bottom of paint cans. To prevent rust from attacking the bottom of the can, paint the bottom rim with clear nail polish. Keep already rusted cans from damaging surfaces by positioning an ice cream bucket lid or a bottom dish for a flower pot underneath the can.
To prevent rust from forming inside or on top of the lid; always pour paint from the can into a clean container while you work with it. This way the paint can remains very clean and is less likely to rust. Seal the can tightly whenever not in use. A great way to store leftover paint is in a canning jar with a rubber seal. The paint lasts for a long time and there is no guesswork needed as to what colour is inside.
QUESTION: I bought memory foam for my bed. After a few days I consistently have to take the bedding apart and adjust it because it moves four to five inches off the edge of the bed. I bought some of that rubber netting to keep carpets in place but it didn't work. Any suggestions? Betty, Winnipeg
ANSWER: This is a frustrating challenge to be faced with when you are trying to get a good night's sleep. Hopefully you have removed all of the fabric covers surrounding the mattress making the cover less slippery. Rug grips and other mesh materials do not have a good track record of holding the pad in place. You can sew wide elastics from one side to the other side of the mattress so that the pad does not move. Bungee cords are another option; but while they hold the mattress in place, they look strange and bulky. Velcro strips are an alternative option. Lastly you may want to place a regular bubble type of thin foam mattress underneath the memory foam pad to hold it in place.
QUESTION: I would like to make holiday cookies for my daughter's classmates. My plan is to sprinkle the sugar cookies with coloured sugar; however I don't want to buy the sugar because I find it expensive. Is there a way to make my own coloured sugar? Angie, St. Leon
ANSWER: Into a sealable bag or jar, pour one cup white sugar and add two drops food colouring. Shake or blend with a fork until sugar colours evenly, add additional food colouring to darken hue. Extra Tip: The coarser the sugar, the better it looks on cookies, cupcakes and cakes.
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming! Missed a column? Can't remember a solution? Need a speaker for an upcoming event? Check out my brand new blog/website: reena.ca
