Exteriors

Question: I live in a house that was built in 1957. Last summer I had a new roof put on, trying to be proactive before I retire. I received a tax credit for the next 5 years for this project. In the spring I noticed that the walls on one side of my living room had cracking paint that was peeling … [Read more...] about Roof Leak

Question: We have a cottage in the Lake of the Woods area and want to replace the vinyl siding.  We are considering the cement based product by James Hardie but have heard there may be issues, such as mould and discoloration, at the lake with a product that requires extensive … [Read more...] about Replacing Vinyl Siding with James Hardie Siding

Question: I regularly read your column in the Free Press and am interested in your suggestions for dealing with a painted stucco problem. Several years ago (15 – 20) I took the advice of a paint store salesperson and painted the exterior stucco on my bungalow. I am unsure whether the paint was … [Read more...] about Painting Stucco

Question: Is it possible to paint asbestos siding? Answer: Your question is very timely, but not in the way you may think. We have heard and will be hearing a great deal about asbestos in homes lately, due to the recent discovery of asbestos content in some types of Vermiculite insulation. … [Read more...] about Painting Asbestos Siding

Question: Last fall we purchased a new home in Winnipeg . Last fall the concrete driveway was fine and free of cracks, but when I looked at it this spring I found a crack extending the width of the driveway. Now I know that concrete cracks and that surface cracks will happen, but this crack is … [Read more...] about New Driveway Cracks

Question:  I read your column faithfully and always find it very informative. Could you please comment on mud jacking. I spoke to a contractor who felt this process wasn't durable and I'd be better off getting the concrete slab of my garage re-poured. What do you … [Read more...] about Mud Jacking

Question: Your article in the Winnipeg Free Press about painting stucco got my curiosity about a different problem we are having. It is not about stucco. We have vinyl siding and unfortunately, the B-B-Q was placed a bit to close and it warped the siding. It is not too big an area, about 2' wide … [Read more...] about Melted Vinyl Siding

Question: Is it possible to remove a kitchen window, that is fifty seven inches high by fifty four wide, and replace it with a much smaller size and style? My reason is that it takes up almost three quarters of the kitchen wall, from the baseboard up. No shelf can go beneath the window frame. The … [Read more...] about Installing Smaller Window

Question: I read your comments in the paper on Sunday. I have a problem with air leaks at my skylights. Either they are not insulated properly or I have vapour barrier problems. There are 3 of them side by side and I get quite an ice build up on shingles, which last winter I chipped off. Previous … [Read more...] about Ice on Skylights

Question: Mr. Marantz, We need new shingles for our 20 year old home in Tuxedo area.  We have gotten a few quotes on the job and of course have gotten a few opinions about some of the options available to us.  We would like to know if there is any benefit to installing felt paper on … [Read more...] about Ice & Water Shield on Roof