Home Improvements
Ask questions or search for specific information in the Home Improvements section.
Have a question about a home improvement project? This section is a grab bag for general home improvement questions ranging from repairing trim to managing cost overruns and everything in between. Find your topic using the handy search button or simply browse the threads.
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The roof on the log home has little or no insulation. I'm thinking new insulation between trusses right on the plaster and lath, new plywood and then tin. Should I put a vapor barrier between the la...
5
January 20, 2013
I'm looking to vent a basement bathroom and wondering if there is a restriction as to how close to a window I can run the duct to the outside. Any help is appreciated. Thanks, John...
5
January 17, 2013
It is a more than 30 years old house. There was carpet on the second floor when we bought the house. We noticed the issue only when we installed laminate floors 6 years ago. The contractor used cement to r...
5
January 15, 2013
Heard about it. Just wondering if it has any requirement on the hardwood flooring. Is it easy to install and maintain? Will it consume lot of electric energy? Will it make the room too dry? ...
24
April 29, 2016
Is it better to hire a contractor to handle all the aspects of building the basement or do that myself and hire individual trades to do each part i.e. framing/drywall, electrician, plumber, pain...
30
January 16, 2013
The support is only 5'7". Once framing for new rooms, could this be removed for higher ceiling in center of basement?...
9
January 13, 2013
We are looking into renovating our basement. There is currently no windows, only french doors to the outside. To put bedrooms downstairs do you need windows or do you only need 2 exits out of a room?...
13
August 27, 2018
I'm in the process of removing the existing basement floor in my house along with the rock and dirt underneath, down to the undisturbed soil. Then put in the proper amount of crushed stone but have a q...
8
January 29, 2013
I was wondering what the cost would be to install 16 windows and 2 doors. The windows would have to be re framed and the out side french doors would have to be framed as well....
10
January 8, 2013
What is the Ontario Building Code minimum clearance requirement between toilet (center line) and wall or cabinet in a private residence? I have done some research but cannot find the specificati...
14
January 11, 2013
My furnace won't come back on after it has reached the programmed temperature. I have to shut off the power to it, then it will reset itself, come back on, reach the programmed temperature and d...
7
January 6, 2013
We recently moved into our new (to us) home that is approximately 22 years old. Among the many upgrades we'd like to do is upgrade the plumbing. Currently when any water source is being used in ...
10
January 4, 2013
I have had to remove the carpeting on my staircase inside my home due to the my cats ruining it and want to know what I could have done other than carpeting as the staircase is presently bare with the original ...
16
January 4, 2013
I noticed my water pump running when there was no water being used so I shut it off by the breaker for a few seconds then back on and it shut off. But now that doesn't work so what can I do?...
13
July 21, 2021
I have a 1 1/2 storey house built in 1920's, with an older addition. No basement, only a crawl space. There are cracks in lots of the walls in the house, and the window frames are splitt...
12
December 30, 2012
Does anyone know where I can buy two FLAT 32" bifold doors that are on the shelf? I.e. not a special order. Everywhere I look they have to be ordered. I'm in Burlington Ontario. Thanks ...
5
December 31, 2012
Is there a list available that shows the costs in order of expense for heating your home? ie. Wood (if wood lot owned), Natural Gas, Propane, etc. Showing which types of heating ar...
3
December 30, 2012
I have lovely subway tile to drill through. I was told we must drill through the grout. Is this right?...
22
June 25, 2022
What is the standard cost per square foot to install T-Bar ceiling in commercial buildings?...
6
December 2, 2016
For last couple of weeks I had an issue with hot water. The water was not heating up even though I had the water tank heat settings to maximum heating. I called someone who mentioned that mixing valve is the...
15
January 8, 2014