Moisture

Question: I hope you can help me because no one else can.  I have a double detached garage with siding.  The problem is that the cement pad is all one piece extending to the sidewalk along side of the garage.  The rain runs from the sidewalk right into the garage & is rotting … [Read more...] about Water in Garage

Question: I enjoy your article in the Winnipeg Free Press. Can you help with a problem in my house please? I have a 1200 sq ft. bungalow in Thompson, built in 1964. It has a concrete and finished basement. The outside yard is well sloped away from the house. Our outside downspouts also drain … [Read more...] about Water in Basement

Question: I live in an older home with an outside chimney. Two years ago I replaced the old furnace with a new mid-efficiency gas furnace. When the cold weather was upon us, condensation formed in the chimney with water running down the wall and onto the basement floor. Is there anything that … [Read more...] about Water From Chimney

Question: I have a question about an outlet and a light switch at our cottage. We have a winterized cottage in the Interlake and a year ago we had a door installed in an outside wall that goes out to our screened in porch. Last winter the electrical outlet and light switch box on … [Read more...] about Water Dripping from Light Switch Box

Question: I have experienced leakage and somewhat understand insulation difficulties in cathedral ceilings. In my home, I had a serious problem with water causing damage to a kitchen wall. As a result they had to open up the wall and remove the insulation, which was soaked, re-insulate with … [Read more...] about Vaulted Ceiling Leakage

Question: I have a question about leaking basements. My house was built in 1918. My foundation is constructed of limestone (rock size pieces) cemented together and of course it leaks in numerous places. In many spots the cement has fallen out of the cracks and I expect a basement such as … [Read more...] about Stone Foundation Seepage

Question: I am having a problem with what I believe is black mould on my basement floor. It is occurring on the floor from the inside edge of my exterior walls, about 8” into the room. It looks like someone has dipped a sponge into grey-black ink and gently touched it onto the floor. It is … [Read more...] about Mould on Basement Floor

Question: I always read your articles in the newspaper and find them very informative and relative to our environment in Winnipeg. I was hoping you could help me with a problem. Our 2-year-old bungalow has a walk out lower level with a structural wood floor. The crawl space under the wood … [Read more...] about Moisture in Structural Floor Crawlspace

Question: I noticed your column in the Free Press and I have to ask about the humidifiersmy husband and I recently had installed in our house. It's a 10-year-old 3,300 sq. foot bungalow and the rooms have ceilings that are nine to thirteen feet high. Wehaven't had problems with dryness until this … [Read more...] about Humidifiers & Relative Humidity

Question: Every week I read your articles, as I am a do-it-your-selfer. I have recently moved my hot tub from the sunroom to the basement to create a kids playroom in the sunroom. As the basement and hot tub are not used regularly, it would be a perfect place to install it. A powerful fan will … [Read more...] about Hot Tub in Basement