Moisture Building Up?
It never fails, folks. Every Fall I start getting calls about condensation on windows, mold on the walls in the bedrooms, stains behind bedroom dressers, stains on ceilings and it goes on and on. Some homeowners stress the fact that they have just put in new windows; so why the moisture? Well let it be known you have tightened your home up a few notches so lets go back a few steps.
1. What have you done all summer long to vent you home i.e.: Basement or Crawl Space?
2. What improvements have you made to your home windows, doors, ventilation, siding, roofing, insulation etc.
3. What have you done to compensate for these changes in exhaust ventilation, heat recovery ventilation, continual flow furnace motors ? Oops! None of these? Not even crawlspace or basement ventilation ?
The moisture you are now fighting with in most cases has been with you all summer, locked in the basement or crawlspace waiting for you to start up the heating system. Incidentally, this holds true for those of you who have radiant heat as well. Now, you’re heating air containing moisture, expanding it many times, and now it is looking for a way out of your home. So vent the crawlspace or basement with a Humidex System or use a bathroom fan controlled by a dehumidistat or open a window with your summer furnace blower activated or even use your range hood fan in the kitchen.
When you see signs of moisture you must start venting to reduce the relative humidity to a level below dew point. Purchase a humidity indicator to control moisture levels.
There should be a guide on the dehumidistat for the recommended inside humidity setting that is acceptable for the outside air temperature.
Summer Temperatures = 50% Humidity Setting
0 to -12C = 40% humidity setting
-12 to -18C = 35%
-19 to -25C = 25%
-25 to -30C = 20%
-31 or below = 15%
For information on this call Resources Canada 1-800-387-2000 and order the book Consumers Guide to “Keeping the Heat In.” It’s Free!! It’s Just That Easy Folks.
Following is a link to their website and I encourage you to visit it to learn ways that you can make your home more energy efficient, healthy and comfortable. www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca
Remove film that was left in steel door
Q: A renovation that I started about three years ago is finally finished. I installed an exterior steel door that came with a protective plastic wrap on the interior and exterior sides. I removed the interior almost immediately but left the exterior thinking I would take it off when the work was finished. Now three years later it will not peel off. I have tried goof-off, thinners etc. without any success. Any suggestions?
A: Wow, how did you put up with the blue colour that long? Prepare a pail of soapy hot water (dishwashing soap is fine) and using a sponge soak the door from top to bottom keeping it soaking wet. Now apply heat from a hair dryer and repeat until all the plastic is off. The water will migrate back in behind the plastic and the heat will steam if off.
Good Luck.
Sealing Patio Paving Stones
Q: This summer we are having a large area in our back yard done with patio stones, we are looking at sealing the patio ourselves, in order to save some money. What product and process do you recommend we use?
A: Before sealing, you must acid wash (Muriatic acid) the surface to etch the cement to enhance penetration of the sealer. (Add 1/3 acid to 2/3 water, not the other way around and you should always wear safety glasses & gloves.) Use a solvent based concrete sealer for the initial application; 2 – 3 years down the road acrylic coating may be used.
Note: To apply sealers, it’s best to use a low-pressure garden sprayer apparatus, or puddle on the surface and spread with a 10mm roller.
Caution: Do not do the project in bright, hot sun.
Repair deck leak
Q: I have an above ground sun deck that is half over my garage and half
over the driveway. The deck has a torch down covering with stamped
concrete on top. The problem is it leaks at the seam against the
stucco house, it is a slow leak as I have put caulking along the seam,
the caulking sticks wonderfully to the stucco but not to the
concrete. I have had tradesman come and look at it and their
recommendation is to redo the deck at a cost of $4500.00. Is there a
product out there that will allow the caulking to adhere to the cement?
A: It sounds as though the contractor did not put in place a metal counter flashing at the time the deck was installed. A 90-degree metal counter flashing would be cut into the stucco (this is called saw kerfing) caulked and then placed under the concrete or vinyl decking giving you the best water seal. This can still be done but would require a professional service trade to do so.
In the meantime, you may want to try Poly Urethane caulking. It will stick to both types of surfaces. You may have to re-apply every year in order to seal the joint.
Hairline cracks in stucco/ painting stucco
Q: I would like to ask about an economical way of cleaning up the stucco on our house. It has some cracks that have been filled but they still show up.
Is there something that we can do to paint or spray that will cover up the cracks and leave it with a clean look? I have heard there is a substance that also insulates as well as coats the stucco?
A: Coating stucco with an “Elastomeric coating” such as Cloverdale Paint’s Towerthon product will add enhancement and warmth as well as a waterproof protective coating. Colour is the main essential to energy savings (radiant heat gain from the sun) especially in the summer time in the event that you have air conditioning. The lighter the colour the more reflective the exterior coating becomes.
It’s Just That Easy!
Bri-wax for furniture marks
Q: I have a large round pedestal oak table that we use as our dinner table. I had a large quilt over it as my tablecloth. Over Easter my son placed a large cookie rack full of cooled cookies on the tablecloth. He and I had assumed (wrongly) that the cookies had cooled completely. It wasn’t until a few days later when I removed the quilt tablecloth that I noticed a large (the size of the cookie sheet) white spot on the surface of the table. What, if anything, can be done by myself to bring back the table to its original beauty? Any suggestions would be helpful….
A: The white mark on your table was caused by heat, however it can also be repaired. To repair you will need to purchase Bri-Wax as well as super fine steel wool (0000). I would suggest you do the entire surface of the table starting in one corner and working with the grain. When you reach the white mark concentrate on the area until the mark has been removed. Finish the entire top and allow to dry for 2 – 3 minutes then buff with a soft cloth. You can purchase Bri-wax at Rona or Windsor Plywood stores.
Insulated concrete foundation forms/walls
Q: I am building a new home and the builder has suggested using insulated concrete forms for the foundation. What do you think of this?
A: I agree with your builder since I believe that one day all homes should be built with Insulated Concrete Forms. ICF foundation walls are built with a reinforced concrete core, between two layers of expanded polystyrene foam insulation. This method is known to be more effective in reducing drafts and cold spots, especially in basements.
Typically, there is an R-Value of R-22 or even greater. Definitely an energy efficient way to go.
To find out more it’s best to contact the manufacturer directly.
carpet stains and odors
Q: Do you know of an effective product that will remove and deodorize carpet
stains caused by a dog’s urine?
A: Well, have I got the products for you. Shell Busey’s “It’s Just That Easy” line of products has both a carpet cleaner as well as an odor remover. In Winnipeg as well as most other areas across Canada, you can purchase both these products at Windsor Plywood Stores.
“It’s Just That Easy”
Moisture problem in basement or crawlspace
Q: We live in a 20 year old home, 4 level split. Just recently we noticed as we
went down to the basement there is a damp, musty smell. The smell is not always
strong. There isn’t a wet spot anywhere around. Would you kindly give me
advice as to what I could do?
Thank you for your assistance.
A: I would suggest you call Humidex – Air Tech Equipment Ltd. Toll free at 1 800 416 9111. They have a representative that can inspect your basement to see if a Humidex system would rectify your humidity problem. The Humidex is designed to vent and control the moisture/humidity level in crawlspaces and basements. This will eliminate any further damp or musty odours.
Fire Prevention Month – Ten Winter Safety Tips
Insulation
In this age of high energy costs, adding insulation to your house can save you energy, but it could also lead to a fire. Have your home electrical system checked and have deficiencies corrected by a qualified electrician, especially before installing insulation. Always, always, make sure insulation is kept away from ceiling light fixtures and other heat sources.
Fuel-burning furnace
Your furnace flue must be inspected regularly. Your furnace give off heat and something else too – carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide gas has often been described as the ’silent killer’. Clear, colourless and tasteless, it is difficult to detect. Have your flue inspected on a regular basis by a qualified workman.
Wood burning appliances
These are a subject of expanding use and concern due to rising energy costs. Experts do no recommend the purchase or installation of any wood burning stove unless it is air-tight and has controlled airflow. Your fire chief advises you that if you are burning a lot of wood, your stovepipe and chimney may have a heavy buildup of creosote. If the creosote were to catch fire, your roof could catch fire too. So clean out creosote before it wipes you out. Fireplace chimneys should be inspected and cleaned at least once a year, stovepipe chimneys once a month.
Furnace Maintenance
If your furnace is not properly maintained you could be in very big trouble. Carbon monoxide, the ’silent killer’ could be spreading throughout your house as a result of the malfunction, it is highly flammable and explosive increasing to a great degree the risk of fire, injury, and death. The fire chief advises you to have your furnace inspected on a regular basis by a qualified professional. Why take a chance when your life and that of your family depends on it?
Smoke Detectors
Approved-type properly installed and maintained smoke detectors are critical life saving devices. While a smoke detector won’t prevent or extinguish a fire, it can save one’s life. Smoke detectors are designed to warn of fire danger in time to allow for escape or call for help. The ear-piercing alarm of the smoke detector may provide you and your family with the precious extra minutes that you need to escape, especially at night (when most fires occur).
When installing smoke detectors, take the following steps:
Install at least one smoke detector in the hall leading to the bedrooms
Consider installing additional smoke detectors, especially if your home has more than one level
Make sure smoke detectors are of a type approved by Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada or other recognized testing laboratory
If your detectors are battery operated, check the batteries often to make sure the units are operational.
Keep and eye on your chimney
It may never be necessary to sweep chimneys of homes heated by oil or gas. Any problem with the chimney should be spotted during the annual inspection of the furnace performed by a qualified, knowledgeable professional. However, it is necessary to sweep regularly chimneys of homes heated by solid fuels (wood and coal) because of creosote buildup associated with the burning of some grades of wood and coal. The resins and gases produced by a smouldering fire don’t burn off but go up the chimney where they condense into creosote and present a fire hazard. After a period of time, starting a fire can set the chimney aflame.
Coal and wood burning appliances
These types of appliances and their accessories are a subject of expanding use and concern due to rising energy costs. With the increased use of wood and coal stoves more information is needed by the home owner. For someone considering the installation of a wood or coal stove, a fireplace, or a solid-fuel furnace, careful consideration must be given to the safety aspects of the equipment and the installation. Expert advise is often required. Instructions must be followed to the letter. Anyone intending to change or modify his heating system should discuss the matter with his insurance agent, broker, or company. The proposed action may be considered an additional risk for which an appropriate premium may be required. For additional information on the safe installation and use of solid fuel burning appliances and accessories, contact your fire department.
Frozen Water Pipes
If your domestic water pipes freeze do not try to thaw them with anything other than a hand held hair dryer. For any problem larger than this treatment a professional plumber should be called.
Practice Child Safety
- Keep trash in covered containers and dispose of it regularly.
- Store paints, paint thinners and other flammable materials in their original containers and in a well ventilated area, away from all fire sources.
- Clean work areas of paint, sawdust, or trash after every do-it-yourself project.
- Don’t overload circuits or use frayed electrical extension cords
- Have all electrical wiring checked by a competent electrician periodically to make sure it is not faulty
- Use only fuses and circuit breakers, which bear the labels of nationally recognized certification and testing agencies
- Never run an extension cord under a rug or behind curtains
- Do not let large amounts of trash accumulate either indoors or outdoors. Clean attics, basements, closets, garages, and sheds frequently.
Fire Drills
Sketch the layout of each floor, including windows, doors, and stairways. Make sure that every family member is familiar with the layout.
Work out TWO escape routes from each room and mark them clearly on the sketch
Hold frequent fire drills. Designate a meeting place outside of the home and instruct everyone to go there at once in case of fire.
To learn more about Fire Prevention Week go to the “Fire Prevention Week” web-page hosted by the National Fire Prevention Association or go to the City of Vancouver Fire Deptartment” webpage for the complete list.
