Judy Lazo has basement walls that are flaking away in Haddon Township, NJ. She can tell the story better than me; "I own a home that my ex and I bought in 1997. There was never a problem with water in the basement and still isn't. There is a french drain and sump pump. Around 1999, Read More »
Mark has an ice buildup and ice leaking out of his soffit where his dryer vent exits his home. It's pretty severe. Here's his story: "I am getting icicles on the side of my house near the dryer vent. This happens in Nebraska sub-zero weather. This side of my house faces the northwest. I made sure Read More »
DEAR TIM: We have a L-shaped basement storage area under our front porch. There's a metal ceiling in this space that supports the concrete porch slab above. There are no cracks in the concrete porch. This space has no ventilation and everything stored in this area becomes damp and then moldy. We installed a small Read More »
When you think of a man up in the mountains digging with a mattock and shovel, you probably conjure up a vision of a prospector looking for gold, silver or other valuable mineral. I doubt you'd imagine a man creating caves full of sculptured art. When you watch this video, I hope you take away Read More »
Basil Pallone lives just south of me in Sudbury, MA. But he's got a problem with his older home he's trying to improve. Here's what he wrote to me: "I recently installed spray foam insulation in the attic of my two story colonial home, built in 1968. Since I installed the spray foam insulation, the windows Read More »
John Sneddon, who hails from Glasgow, Scotland, in the United Kingdom, just purchased a metal shed and realizes he could have an issue with condensation. "Hi there, I have just purchased a Yardmaster 10ft x 13ft Metal Shed but have just found out that these are prone to condensation inside. What I am looking to do Read More »
Quick Column Summary: Tar paper or 6 mil plastic vapor barrier Leave an air gap to avoid mold Video link Charles Gregoire is perplexed up in Ottawa, the capital of Canada. "Confusion on whether to use tar paper or 6 mil plastic. In repairing a 64" section of an existing basement interior wood framed dry Read More »
Quick Column Summary: How to reduce humidity in basement You may be doing everything right Damproof or waterproof foundations Run a humidifier Tom Donohue, who lives up in Ontario, Canada, has a humid basement. He's not alone. Millions have this issue. "How can I reduce humidity in my basement in the summer. I do not Read More »
Quick Column Summary: Musty room is an embarrassment Vapor barrier will help Control the water to dry out the space Run a dehumidifier Missy Merritt, who lives in Ocean View, NJ, has a problem in her pool house. " I have a pool house that was build without a foundation. You have to step down to Read More »
Quick Column Summary: Add wall insulation to balloon framing Based on where you live...no You need that opening to allow water vapor an escape Ruth Hendrickson, who lives in Lincoln, MA wrote to me with a very fascinating question: "My wood frame house built in 1927 has wood shingles outside and plaster over rock lath Read More »
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