Exteriors

Question: I recently purchased an older home in the Wolseley area and am wondering what preparations I should be doing before winter to avoid problems with my foundation due to the moisture content of the soil. It has been suggested that I water around my foundation. Is this necessary and is it a … [Read more...] about Water Around Foundation in Fall

Question: I would like to inquire concerning the proper method and material for refilling sunken ground around a residence. The situation is that our area was a wet area that was built up for houses and over the years the ground has settled, is depressed and needs to be built up. I have added … [Read more...] about Void Under Stairs & Around Foundation

Question: We're planning on building a new home this year and have begun discussions with 2 builders. We've encountered our first debate. One builder insists we should wrap our home in a Tyvec or similar product while the other insists on the black paper type product. Both argue its because their … [Read more...] about Tyvec Vs Building Paper

Question: We recently had the roof of our 90 year old home re-shingled. The roof decking is boards, not plywood or particleboard, consequently there are gaps between the boards. We expected tarpaper to be installed before the shingles, consistent with previous installations. The roofing company … [Read more...] about Tar Paper on Roof

Question: Thanks for your column in the Winnipeg Free, read it all the time and look forward to your suggestions. We currently have stucco on three walls and wood siding on one. I would like to add Styrofoam SM on all the outside walls of our forty four year old house, then either install vinyl … [Read more...] about Styrofoam on Outside Walls 2

Question: I read your articles in the Free Press regularly but I believe that I missed the one about applying rigid insulation properly. I have concerns that if I apply an extruded insulation to the out side of my home I will create a moisture barrier and therefore potentially rot the siding … [Read more...] about Styrofoam on Outside Walls 1

Question: I have a question that I am often asked by my clients that I don’t know how to answer. It is regarding stucco on the underside of eaves on older homes.  I have observed stucco on soffits on many older homes, including my own. Can you tell me what the purpose of applying stucco in … [Read more...] about Stucco on Soffits

Question: Hi, I was just reading your column and it sparked a few questions about my house.  I have an older home in the late 40's with sand coloured (light brown) stucco that has never been painted, and I believe that moisture (from rain) is getting thru to the inside.  On two sides … [Read more...] about Stains on Stucco

Question: My house, about 40 years old, has a partial brick exterior. The bricks are in great shape, so far. But I think I am beginning to see the first signs of deterioration, especially on the sills outside the windows. I am thinking of putting a concrete sealer on the bricks, which it is … [Read more...] about Sealer on Brick