Renovation & Design

Renovation & Design

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. The moisture is wetting my rim joist, floor joists, insulation and mud sill. I installed more foundation vents, but this hasn't helped. Do you have any suggestions?

ANSWER: The good news is that the energy-efficient techniques that were employed in the construction of your home have helped to create living space that is less drafty and more comfortable. The bad news is that while the home is less drafty, the crawlspace is also less drafty -- permitting a buildup of moisture and condensation.

The fact that you have an abundance of moisture and condensation is evidence that there is a lack of ventilation in the crawlspace of your home. It sounds like you have already employed step one of our recommendations -- the installation of additional foundation vents at the perimeter of the home.

If this doesn't work, and it sounds as if it hasn't, then we suggest you install a layer of six-mil (that's the thickness) polyethylene right on top of the ground in the crawlspace. You'll want to be sure to carefully cut around any interior piers, leaving enough excess material so you can tape a "collar" around these piers to minimize the transfer of air. All seams should be lapped a minimum of 15 centimetres and taped with an industrial-strength tape. Duct tape like that used by heating contractors will do just fine. Most major hardware stores or home improvement centres will have just what you need.

If this doesn't solve the problem, then we suggest you consider contacting a heating and sheet metal contractor and examine the possibility of an auxiliary fan in the crawlspace, which, in combination with the other preventative steps, should do the trick.

--Associated Press

James and Morris Carey
February 17

Renovation & Design

Today's steam showers also make good 'scents'

IF you are anything like us, your first morning challenge during cold winter months is maintaining your body temperature once you've left the warmth of your bed.

Accomplishing this usually involves waiting for hot water to preheat the shower stall. If you have a steam shower, even toastier.

Recently, after 10 years of cosy mornings, our steam shower went on the blink. Not one drop of steam. No more billowing warmth. We rushed to find a replacement to end our frozen mornings -- and discovered a whole new kind of steam.

Before we elaborate, we need to explain that a steam generator is nothing more than an overdeveloped electric tea kettle. Electricity turns water to steam, which is then sent through the wall via a short pipe or "spout" into your enclosed shower.

The shower has to be tiled everywhere, including the ceiling, and the opening over the shower door needs to be sealed with a piece of safety glass, which corrals the steam and keeps it within the enclosure where it can do the most good. You can take a steam shower and a regular shower all at the same time to get really, really clean.

You've been waiting for what we discovered, right? In our search for a replacement we found that steam shower technology has improved over the past 10 years. Steam generators used to merely produce steam. Today they definitely do more.

We interviewed Martha Orellana, vice-president of Mr. Steam, one of the country's largest manufacturers of steam generators. Orellana, known by company employees as "Mrs. Steam," gave us an inside look at some pretty cool innovations.

Aromatherapy: Do you like the smell of eucalyptus, lavender or mint? How about during a shower? Orellana told us that today's steam generators can be fitted with a built-in automatic scented-oil dispenser that injects and blends aromatic oils directly into the steam. The Carey wives have spent more money than makes good "scents" at fancy health spas for nothing more than these soothing whiffs. Orellana says it's a calming therapy -- even more so without the big spa bill.

Chromatherapy: "Like water and heat, light can affect how we feel," Orellana says. If you don't believe her, ask John Travolta how he felt in the '70s, dancing under a disco ball illuminated by coloured strobe lights. Orellana says certain colours ranging from soothing shades of blue and green to sensual and energizing colours like red and orange can be selected to saturate the steam environment.

Music therapy: Also known as Beatles-therapy or Bach-therapy. Speakers can whisper your favourite tune in the shower. Sorry, Mrs. Steam, you're too late. We've had waterproof speakers in the ceiling of our shower for more than 10 years. And yes, you're right -- music in the shower is incredibly soothing.

Now, for the rest of the story. There was absolutely nothing wrong with our steam generator. It was a bad wire in a nearby electric panel. Within an hour of discovering the problem, our unit was up and running again.

We had steam again. What a disappointment.

-- Canwest News Service

Morris and James Carey
February 10

Renovation & Design

solutions

WHETHER you are organizing the kitchen or preparing food for the family, there's no room in the house as busy as the kitchen, so make the most of what you have!

1. Organize meat in freezer by dividing each product into type: ground beef, chicken, seafood, deli-meat, pork & ham, beef, etc. Put each meat into its own plastic basket labelled with a laminated card. This will make locating supper a snap. Replenish newly bought meat, by placing it onto the bottom of the container so that everything is used in the order it was bought.

2. Store cheap measuring cup sets inside bins. One entire measuring cup set in the flour bin, another set inside the sugar, whole wheat flour, icing sugar etc. Bring your mixing bowl to the correct bin and always have the right cup for measuring ingredients. No need to wash measuring cups after each use, simply toss them back into the correct bin.

3. Before plunging into a new recipe, line up all of the ingredients on the counter and remove each lid. Close each lid after it is used, this way you do not need to wonder whether you already added that ingredient to the recipe.

4. Proper disposal of used cooking oil is an important waste-management concern. Oil is lighter than water and tends to spread into thin and broad membranes that hinder the oxygenation of water. Because of this, a single litre of oil can contaminate as much as 1 million litres of water. Also, oil can congeal on pipes causing blockages. Because of this, cooking oil should never be dumped on the kitchen sink or in the toilet bowl. The proper way to dispose of oil is to put it in a sealed non-recyclable container and discard it with regular garbage.

5. Enjoy bread longer when you buy the freshest loaves. Did you know that bread is delivered fresh to the stores five days a week? Commercial bakeries colour-code each day's production with a different colour plastic clip. Always buy the loaf with the twist tie or plastic clip indicating the most recent delivery date. Monday-Blue, Tuesday-Green, Thursday-Red, Friday-White, Saturday-Yellow.

6. When making sandwiches for lunches, wrap lettuce and tomatoes in waxed paper or plastic wrap, instead of adding them directly to the bread. This way when lunch comes around there are no soggy veggies taking up space between the slices.

7. When preparing stuffed ground beef peppers, cut the peppers crosswise instead of lengthwise, leave the seeds in each pepper to add flavour to the beef. This allows each pepper to fit nicely inside a muffin tin before baking. Fill peppers with cooked hamburger meat, before baking.

8. If you purchase ice cream but don't often use it, wrap the container in aluminum foil to prevent ice buildup on ice cream. (Ugh, I just caught a chill).

9. Messy, messy ice cream. Slip a chocolate chip into the bottom point of the cone to prevent ice cream from dripping out. My motto: You can never go wrong with chocolate.

10. Lumpy gravy got you down? Blend 1 tsp. salt into the flour or cornstarch (depending on what you use) before adding water. Tip: Darken and liven up gravy by adding 1 tsp. instant coffee to the roasting pan.

11. Put your grater to good use. Grate hard-boiled eggs for egg salad sandwiches instead of slicing or mashing. What a grate tip!

12. Need soft butter but forgot to take it out of the fridge? Been there. Measure the correct amount of butter and grate it with your cheese grater. Small pieces of butter are easy to work with. Or shave butter with a carrot peeler and shape into roses (that's getting very Martha Stewart).

13. Speaking of eggs, want to make a speedy breakfast for the entire family? Break up eggs into a non-stick baking pan, add a little water or milk and whisk. Bake in the oven (350 degrees) until eggs are the desired firmness. Season and serve. Sooo, simple!

14. Cheese will not harden as quickly if you butter or oil the exposed cut edges before storing in the refrigerator.

15. Before barbecuing shrimp, thread them onto two skewers instead of one; this keeps the shrimp from spinning around when you turn them on the 'que.

Solutions, is compiled from various sources: en.wikipedia.org, daringyoungmom.com, rogerandbrenda.com. Thanks to all who sent in tips and tricks! Similar information may be found elsewhere.

Solutions Sleuth, Reena Nerbas is a home economist and speaks professionally on the topic of household challenges; she is also the author of two national bestsellers, Household Solutions 1 with Substitutions and Household Solutions 2 with Kitchen Secrets. She can be heard on radio programs across Canada and seen on the CBC TV show Living Winnipeg.

www.householdsolutions.org

Reena Nerbas
February 10

Renovation & Design

Colour your décor black and white

COLOUR is paramount to a sumptuous and interesting space but the lack of colour is what makes those colours really sing. What do I mean by lack of colour? Well, black and white, basically. A little of both can go a long way to bringing your décor to the next level.

White

Alone, white can be stark and cold. Using white to balance colour, however, is a great way to up the ante with your décor. White piping on a navy sofa, white wainscoting in a vivid pumpkin-coloured dining room or white stair rails against mahogany stairs add dimension and contrast to what might otherwise be dark or overpowering.

Colour needs contrast in order to work. If you painted a small bathroom navy, for instance, and didn't have any white accents in the room, it would appear dark and gloomy. Add a white shower curtain, white linens and white accent tiles and suddenly the room pops with drama. People often shy away from dramatic wall colour for fear of overpowering a space but if you have a good balance of white or cream accents to add to the mix then strong colour can really work.

Trim and architecture

Rambling old houses with tons of ornate trim, molding and other architectural details are great places to use strong colour. By painting the trim in white or cream you can use colours like brown, pumpkin, red and navy successfully because the trim will provide tons of visual interest and will help break up the strong wall colour. If your home doesn't boast ornate trim, add to it in order to make it look substantial enough to do the trick. You could also use white window treatments to offset rich wall colour if your window trim is insufficient in size.

White on white

For those who prefer a restful, monochromatic space, a white on white room can be glorious with the right elements added to it. In a restful bedroom, for example, tone on tone of white and cream will provide a luxurious and peaceful setting. To keep it interesting, use lots of texture and subtle pattern. Satins, brocades, chunky knits, cording and braiding and tons of trimmed accent pillows on the bed will create an oasis built for a queen.

Black

Black is dramatic but often necessary in small doses to give dimension to a space. Black picture frames against a vivid wall colour, for example, would be more stylish than wooden frames would be. Black and white photography is a wonderful way to add a personal touch to your décor in an artful way. Rethink all of those dated, colour portraits that are hanging up now and change them into black and white art. Display these photographs on black or ebony floating frames for an updated look. Other black accessories like those made of black iron are good fodder for a balanced décor. A touch of black here and there creates punches of subtle drama and sophistication. Black furniture can be visually overpowering so opt instead for touches of black in accents like lamps, accessories and shelving. Highlights of black in items like area rugs and draperies can be stunning touches as well. Don't rule out black because black rules!

Black and white together

The classic black and white tile floor comes to mind as just one example of how black and white together can create dramatic effect. While this look is not for everyone, black and white can work together in more subtle ways which can be just as interesting. Black toile, for example, would be a wonderful fabric for draperies or toss cushions in just about any colour décor. The black and white tones bring this timeless pattern into the present beautifully. Medium-sized black and white checks in bedding denote a masculine décor which would be great for young boys. Black and white stripes in small doses (like on an accent chair) can give a real punch of drama. A faux zebra print rug might be stunning in the den while a pattern of small black and white dots on a lampshade add subtle charm to a bedside lamp. Other ways to incorporate black into your décor is by using black cabinet hardware or blackboard paint on a pantry door.

Espresso is the new black

Espresso seems to be replacing black in the décor arena in places like bathroom vanities and cabinetry. This almost black colour can work well in place of plain black so don't shy away from it. Again, the balance of white (sink and tub) against this dark, dramatic colour makes it work. Balance is the key.

So, don't be shy of using great colour, just include some elements of white and/or black to balance the look and to add drama.

Coliver@3web.net

Connie Oliver - Room for Change
February 10

Renovation & Design

Sump pumps not the whole story in sewer backups

QUESTION -- My neighbour and I have had discussions about the subject of backup valves and sump pits for two years now. We live in Brandon and we were flooded in July 2005. Ours is an older neighbourhood, about 30 years old. Neither of us had the mainline sewer check valves or sump pit and pumps and we were flooded because the sewer lines were overloaded and black water backed up into our basements.

I installed a main check valve, a sump pit and pump and a floor drain check valve. My neighbour only installed a main check valve. He refuses to put in a floor drain check valve. His reasoning is that the weeping tile cannot be blocked. He says if the weeping tile is blocked it will cause the basement walls to crack and floors to heave from the resulting pressure built up in the weeping tiles. I say, the weeping tiles are only blocked for a relatively short time and the pressure he's talking about would not happen that fast. He says he would rather have a flooded basement than a cracked wall or heaved floor. Remember, he does not have a sump pit and pump.

My neighbour says a sump pump is useless because in a storm, often the power is out and then the pump doesn't work. That is what happened at his brother-in-law's place in Winnipeg and his basement got flooded from weeping tile water. A floor drain check valve would have prevented that and a water-tight sump pit.

With all the precautions I've taken, most say, it will never be flooded again. That's theoretically. Nothing is ever fail-safe.

Getting back to the question: When the main line check valve is closed by sewer backup, will having a floor drain check valve cause the floor to heave and the walls to crack because it has blocked the weeping tiles from draining?

-- Nathan T. Larry, e-mail

ANSWER -- I think you and your neighbour have a relatively good grasp of the concepts of the function of the backwater valve operations, but you are confused about the function of the weeping tiles relative to the floor drain in your older home. Your backup prevention measures are much more reliable than the home next door, but that is because of the sump pump, not the floor drain valve. I will explain the functions of those items in your homes and answer your question about damage due to blocked weeping tiles.

You are quite correct about the fact that the pump in your sump pit may not function until the next big storm that causes the sewers to exceed their capacity and force your main backwater valve to shut. In that situation, the rainwater flowing into the catch basin below your basement floor drain should drain into the sump pit through an overflow pipe connecting the two. Once enough water flows into the sump pit, the pump should engage and pump that water to the exterior of the home, through pipes attached to the sump pump. In some retrofit situations, one or more of the weeping tiles may have been cut to empty into the sump pit, rather than the old catch basin. In that situation, the sump pump may come on periodically. In my opinion, that is a better arrangement because it forces the sump pit to work, occasionally, which may prevent seizing from lack of use.

What your neighbour does not fully understand is the function and location of the back-flow prevention devices in your home. You state in your submission that you both have installed main "check valves" in your home. I assume these to be backwater valves located in the main house drain, located near the entrance of this sewer pipe into the home, below the basement floor slab. If that is indeed the case, the drain of the catch basin is located upstream of that valve. This means that once closed, wastewater can neither enter nor leave the catch basin from the main sewer. In other words, the small backup valve you put in the bottom of your floor drain catch basin is redundant. It will not be required, because water and sewage from the main drain cannot back up once the backwater valve is closed. If this one-way valve was installed at the top of the floor drain, that is a different situation that will be addressed later.

While preventing from sewage intrusion in the above scenario, this may open the door for a second issue to be dealt with. Since no water can now enter or leave through the blocked main sewer line, where does the rainwater go that is collecting in the catch basin from the weeping tiles? In your neighbour's home, it may quickly fill all the weeping tiles and catch basin and start to empty into the basement. That will be creating the same problems as before the backwater valve installation, only with clean rainwater this time. Your sump pump is the only proper protection from this occurring and the issue of having a catch basin valve will have no bearing on the outcome.

To address your neighbour's concern of full weeping tiles created by the catch basin valve and damage to the structure, it generally does not happen. Unless you have a valve installed at the top of the floor drain, rather than at the bottom of the catch basin, the extra weeping tile water will not cause extra pressure on the floor slab, it will just flow through the top of the floor drain into the basement. Your neighbour may not understand that the weeping tiles empty above the typical catch basin backup valve, not below. If you do have a backup device installed at the top of the floor drain, flush with the top of the basement floor, you should definitely remove it.

The final issue is the potential non-operation of the sump pump due to power failure or inactivity. I always recommend that clients test their sump pumps at least once a year, usually in the early spring, to ensure they are working. This can be done by simply filling the pit, partially, with water. As for protection from a power failure, I know numerous homeowners, mainly in Ontario, where power outages are a regular occurrence, who have a second battery-powered sump pump in the pit. This is normally hooked up to a typical marine battery situated near the pit. That may be the final part of the puzzle to ensure that you have the best protection possible in case of future sewer backups.

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 e-mailed or sent to: Ask The Inspector, P. O. Box 69021, #110-2025 Corydon Ave., Winnipeg, MB. R3P 2G9. Ari can be reached at (204) 291-5358.

trainedeye@iname.com

Ari Marantz - Ask the Inspector
February 10

Renovation & Design

A hot pink bedroom? Umm...

I receive many e-mails from kids, particularly girls around 10 years old. They've watched my shows and know that I believe in their innate ability to choose great colours and designs. Our rooms are or should be an extension of who we are and what we hold dear. Freedom of expression at any age is a wonderful gift. That said, there is always a place for some guidance, and that's where parents come in, and that's when I try to help, too.

Last week I heard from a very polite young lady who wanted to paint her room HOT PINK. She wanted her room to have a grown-up look even though she wasn't grown-up because she liked the look. Well, Kayla, a whole room painted hot pink would be bold, cheerful and surprising, and few adults would have the courage to go this wild.

You will discover that a bedroom drenched in hot colour would be tiring, kind of like too much of a good thing. So, here's my advice to you. Think about ways to infuse your room with your favourite colour, but use it as an accent. You told me your walls are blue now. You could mark off thin stripes, about three inches wide around the room. Vary the distance between the stripes, and you can even change the width of the stripes. Or paint the background any muted shade of orange, green or pink. Experiment with colour combinations on a piece of card until you find your favourite.

Another option is to paint one wall hot pink -- the wall behind your bed is a perfect place. Then choose a softer colour for the rest of the room, just like the background of the stripes.

But the walls are only part of the picture. What about bedroom furniture? A desktop, bookshelves or chest of drawers can be painted every few years as you grow and your tastes change. Inexpensive laminates can be painted as long as you prepare the surface carefully first. Remember that paint will not stick to a slippery surface, so you must use sandpaper or a sanding block to rough up the shine. Sand until the surface is dull, then wipe clean and dry. The next step is a coat of high-adhesion paint primer. Ask the paint store for the primer that is designed to cover slippery surfaces. Apply the primer, and let it dry overnight. Now you can paint with water-based paint, latex or acrylic and it will stick. Apply two coats and let dry. For a more durable finish, ask for semigloss or even high-gloss paint. Your hot pink will really dazzle with a highly reflective sheen.

If you look at the photo you will notice that most of the bedroom is white. The slanted ceiling beams, window trim and blind, and the furnishings are white; however, the pink shelf-top and blue accessories really stand out. I'd add a hot pink blanket at the foot of the bed, and a lamp or shade to match. There are plenty of accessories brimming with colour at stores that will give you all the pink you crave. Your room will look pretty cool, and I'd forget about the grown-up bit for now.

Debbie Travis' House to Home column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Please e-mail your questions to house2home@debbietravis.com

Debbie Travis - House to Home
February 10

Renovation & Design

Homestuff

IF you're looking for a jetted tub that's as much about function as it is about art, you might want to consider Neptune's series (there are 15 models in all) of minimalist, yet creatively-shaped (and contoured) jetted tubs. The goal, says Neptune, is to enhance the overall bathing experience by providing optimum water immersion, while fulfilling the main purpose of bathing: to keep you clean. For more information on Neptune products, see www.bainsneptune.com. Available at local bath and fixtures stores such as W.C. Potts, prices vary by model.

Who couldn't use a hue?

DOING a bathroom makeover and wondering how to add a tasteful dash of colour to your (hopefully) brand-new day spa? If so, you might want to consider a hue or two from Centura. Available in more than a dozen different shades, infusing some durable, coloured ceramic tile into the mix could be the creative touch that helps make the old look brand new. See www.centura.ca for more information; available at W.C. Potts and other fine bath and kitchen stores. MSRP: TBA

Taking a bath on art
February 3

Renovation & Design

Glass and mirrors --versatile and timeless

DEAR Debbie -- I've seen a lot of glass and mirror in kitchen displays and wonder if they are just for show. What a cleaning nightmare! Would you use them in your kitchen?

-- Marisse

DEAR Marisse -- Glass and mirror have always been decorating favourites, chosen not only for their subtle aesthetics but also for their inherent reflective qualities. You are seeing more of these materials in kitchens and bathrooms as new products and styles evolve. Every surface can be transformed, from counters and backsplashes to cupboard doors and even ceilings. Glass can be added to an older kitchen to immediately update it. For an inexpensive backsplash, try cutting a piece of mirror that fits snugly above your countertops. Your local glass cutter will do this for you. This is an ideal solution for making a tiny kitchen appear much larger. Today, there's a huge variety of clear and coloured glass tile in squares, rectangles and blocks. These are both practical and decorative on walls, backsplash areas, countertop insets or tabletops. A popular idea for changing the look of old cupboard doors is to cut out the centre and insert etched and frosted glass panels. Glass is easy to clean -- avoid mirror in busy areas, but otherwise its serene purity is magical. Glass will never go out of vogue.

DEAR Debbie -- We are considering repainting some walls that were previously sponge-painted. The sponge effect has created a wall that is no longer perfectly smooth. We are concerned that if we prime and then paint over these walls, the bumps will be visible under a smooth coat of latex paint. The room to be painted is a well-lit bathroom. What do you suggest?

-- Shaun

Dear Shaun -- Yes, the horrors of some of the old paint finishes do come back to haunt us. The problem with a sponge finish is that if undiluted paint was used rather than thinned-down paint, you do get a thick, dappled effect over the smooth surface of the wall. I am afraid you will still see these sponge marks when you cover it with a roller. Don't despair; there are a couple of options. One is wallpaper, which is the big trend at the moment. You will not feel these slight bumps under the paper. Or, if a fresh coat of paint is your option, then I would run over the wall with a sanding pad. Remember, it's only paint, not plaster, so it will smooth down very easily. If your surface is very bumpy you may want to apply a skim coat of plaster, but this shouldn't be necessary in your case.

DEAR Debbie -- I have a beautiful floor-to-ceiling fireplace made of flat river stone. The mantel is a strip of 1 1/2-inch cedar. I'd like ideas for a new mantel with a little more substance. Also, decorating the mantel is a challenge to me. How large should the objects be?

-- Charlotte

DEAR Charlotte -- When building a new mantel, it's a good idea to cut one to size out of cardboard first to make sure the scale is pleasing to the eye. Too small and it will look dwarfed by the stone as your existing cedar mantel does; too big and it will look clumsy. Try a different material such as an old beam or any rough piece of wood cut to the appropriate size. For a contemporary look, try a thick piece of glass -- it will look like it's floating on the stone. Make sure the mantel is supported properly as it will be heavy; either have it inserted well into the existing stone, or build a surround for it.

Mantel decorations look best if they are grouped. A set of picture frames together and then a group of vases, or try two tall vases either end. This is the fun part of decorating, and it's all about what pleases your eye.

Debbie Travis' House to Home column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Please e-mail your questions to house2home@debbietravis.com

Debbie Travis - House to Home
February 3