Jon Eakes on CJAD 800AM in Montreal: Recent Episodes
Jon Eakes
Every Saturday morning Jon Eakes answers home improvement questions, LIVE, on CJAD's ‘Home Improvement with Jon Eakes’ show with Ken Connors
The Last Show - after 30 years of broadcasting on CJAD. Not retiring, but moving back to images and video with all the new media. The full last show is in the media player at the bottom of this page. If you want the latest breaking news – go to my social media If you want in depth understanding – stay on JonEakes.com Check out interactive Zoom Consultations on JonEakes.com Follow Jon on Twitter Networking Ideas : @JonEakes Follow Jon on Facebook Networking People : facebook.com/AskJonEakes Follow Jon on YouTube for a glimpse of the videos : AskJonEakes - https://buff.ly/3pX2obp Sign-up for Jon's free Monthly Newsletter on his favorite tools and products : https://joneakes.com/subscription Topics on the last show: Changing out poorly manufactured electrical circuit pannels; Still working on the Quebec Off-Oil heating ban; Can a popcorn ceiling be causing white dust; Pipes Clogged after a guaranteed renovation; Details on Jon's Zoom interactive Consulatitions; Legal actions to get companies to respect their guarantee; Fixing a sloping floor after removing a support wall below.
Topics: My free monthly newsletter -- https://joneakes.com/subscription ; Interactive video seminars coming in late February to teach single women of all ages to do their own home maintenance; Commercial kitchen fan in a home constantly dripping from thawing ice - cold air coming in causing frost; Thermostat and humidistat controls just not working in an all-electric house -- great success with a Tri-Energy Controller; Plumbing stack ice capping solutions; Where to find large electrical conduit straps; Sound proofing in a renovation; Ice in rain gutters – the heat pump installed in attic is a bad idea. If you want the latest breaking news – go to my social media If you want in depth understanding – stay on JonEakes.com Follow Jon on Twitter Networking Ideas : @JonEakes Follow Jon on Facebook Networking People : facebook.com/AskJonEakes Follow Jon on YouTube for a glimpse of the videos : AskJonEakes - https://buff.ly/3pX2obp Sign-up for Jon's free Monthly Newsletter on his favorite tools and products : https://joneakes.com/subscription
Topics: AskJonEakes YouTube channel; How do you inspect a French drain for the insurance company; Follow-up on a difficult toilet problem – got the drain cleared but found no plumber with a small video camera to identify why the blockage; Trouble controlling a heat pump in a dual energy arrangement, take a look at the Tri-Energy Controller that does much more than just properly controlling the Heat Pump; How to remove an old oil tank; Can you use hot water to get more humidity out of the humidifier?; Window condensation indicates when you have too much humidity in the house; Is it possible to recoat a cast iron porcelain sink; Avoiding pipes freezing in a cool bathroom; Cleaning out a poorly heating hot water tank; Garage entry sill is cracking – check for water leakage from the bottom of the driveway drain. If you want the latest breaking news – go to my social media If you want in depth understanding – stay on JonEakes.com Follow Jon on Twitter Networking Ideas : @JonEakes Follow Jon on Facebook Networking People : facebook.com/AskJonEakes Follow Jon on YouTube for a glimpse of the videos : AskJonEakes - https://buff.ly/3pX2obp
Topics: Water Hammer coming from turning the shower valve to the shower setting – Pressure Balancing valve may be sticking; Should I change my electrical panel just because it is old; Removed ceiling in renovation and need to level the ceiling, where to put the vapour barrier; Can I fill the gap between the floating floor and the outside wall where bugs come in; Another shower temperature mystery in a condo; Oil heating ban and the role of thermal pumps in all electrical heating - the Tri-Flex Controller; Another shower problem – this one is always whistling – flush out the valve; A cold kitchen and air leakage from the range hood exhaust through the wall. If you want the latest breaking news – go to my social media If you want in depth understanding – stay on JonEakes.com Follow Jon on Twitter Networking Ideas : @JonEakes Follow Jon on Facebook Networking People : facebook.com/AskJonEakes Follow Jon on YouTube for a glimpse of the videos : AskJonEakes - https://buff.ly/3pX2obp
Topics: Solving Windows 11 upgrades, including when you accidentally pushed the "upgrade" button and your computer is all messed up --UltraSoft -- the old fashioned but brillant repair shop -- keeping laptops going from Win7 through Win11; Two plumbers later, still a slow draining toilet – get a video camera inspection; Looking for a locking stapler able to go through thick material; Plumbing main line splitter showing signs of leaking; How to stop the banging noise of water hammer at the sink; Building a DIY epoxy counter; Small washrooms in a commercial space having toilet drain problems – low flow toilets and long plumbing runs; Should I put an exhaust fan in an old bathroom?
Topics: Using a snake to unblock a toilet; Battery back-up for a sump pump is not taking a charge – quality back-up systems; Should I drain the plumbing before leaving for Florida; What precautions to take against house plumbing freezing; Have an oil smell on the oil furnace start-up – have furnace inspected for dangerous cracks – you may need a combustion air duct; BIONEST super biologic septic system being used in Renovco’s lakeside mansion renovation; The kitchen drain is slow, will vent valves help?; Loud noise in the wall when the shower runs.
Topics: Eco Ice Grip wood chip slip protection; Whistling noise from faucet when toilet is flushed – it’s the faucet washer; Do aluminum wiring connectors work; Mystery ABS pipe from basement to attic – combustion air for a fuel burning furnace, the Hoyme Damper; Air quality testing for mould; Low pressure in shower hot water – clean shower head – clean faucet – check for steel pipe corrosion.
Topics: Still looking for legal help against the aspect of the off-oil heating decree that forbids homeowners who are changing from oil to install economical heating systems ; Stopping cold air from coming back in a kitchen rangehood exhaust; Bathroom has radiant heat in the floor but is not very warm – cool basement below – how to insulate the floor to block the basement cold and reflect the radiant energy back upward; How to use a bathroom reno job to catch the squirrels in the attic; Who to call to inspect the structural security of a 34 foot long balcony – google “Structural engineer Montreal residential”; A flat roof with a very low slope cannot be covered in shingles, a membrane is necessary; How to stop furnace fan noises; Planning a durable floor in a 3 season solarium; Air sealing drafts around windows; Good draft free kitchen exhaust hoods for walls; What makes good ductwork; Insulating a bathroom wall without breaking down the wall - a new Quebec technology that really works. Sunday Notebook: Should I build a deck with concrete pillars or Helix screw piles?
Topics: Tracing a ceiling leak in a cathedral ceiling with a Maxi ridge vent; A bird blocked chimney in an oil burning fireplace; Condensing furnace exhaust coming into a window; Why is only one hot water radiator not working; Improving a natural gas system with hybrid energy – Dual Energy – Tri Energy; Should I change my tank on an oil hot water system; Opened wall and still can’t see where water is coming in.
Topics: The oil heating ban has been enforced by decree by the Quebec government -- what is it and what to do now; Attaching lattice work to a foundation wall; Choosing double or triple glazing for new windows in Ottawa; Just how do you insulate a garage ceiling under a bedroom; Comparing heat pump quotes; Can I keep my oil furnace as a back-up despite the provincial ban; What is the most efficient electric heating system; Floating floor in a basement swelling up.
Topics: Homework- 10 year batteries and other requirements for smoke detectors; Flat roof leak; Patching and painting an old wall; Comment about plumber overcharging; New concrete steps cracking – what to do; Setting up hydronic heating and dual energy and financial subsidies; Apartment smoke alarms; Air leakage in a basement; Basement shower renovation and insulation and a strange exception to vapour barrier rules; Plumbing stack freezing – Ice Capping.
Topics: Is the clay shrinking away from your foundation this year? I’m looking for cases across the island; Baseboard thermostat has a blank screen; Should I use a load miser to install a heat pump without having to upgrade the electrical panel; Can I keep my water radiators and change from oil to electrical heat; What is the process to go to Dual Energy or Tri Energy to same heating costs; Daylight Savings clock change time – switch every circuit breaker in the panel before changing your clocks – it cleans the circuit breakers; Raising baseboard heaters off the floor, a good idea?; Baseboard heaters making clicking noises; Rain gutter down spouts going underground – no longer permitted and not a good idea; Underground hydro entry suddenly gushing water into the electrical panel when neighbor emptied swimming pool; Homework for me – listener reports that only 10 year batteries are accepted in smoke alarms today; Why does my house have both forced air heaters and baseboard heaters; Do I need to clear snow from the heat pump – only if it is blocking the fan.
Topics: Ice Dams - finding someone to do the attic work; Large floating floor and contraction problems; Shutting down the water for the winter; Unique solution to no bathroom ventilation – direct an exhaust duct to the overly dry house; Are pellet stoves worthwhile; Details on turning off a cooling system for the winter.
Topics: Gas furnace changed to all electric, do I need an HRV; Refinishing a laquer finish; Cleaning rain gutters; Do I need a lining on an old oil chimney; Finishing a garage floor; Leak into basement only when ice on the roof – Prevent ice – Melt ice that you can’t prevent; How to paint my bricks; Asphalt shingle underlayment; Ridge vents.
Topics: Fall is the time to prepare for Spring; Lowering a bathroom ceiling and moisture control - air tight recessed light fixtures; Water pump cycling too often; How to raise up sinking paving blocks; Preventing ice dams on the edge of the roof; Capping wooden windows with aluminum trim; Controlling moisture in a crawl space; Changing out a heating oil tank – time to change the heating system? – avoid all electric as it is the most expensive option in the long run – click here for lots of information on All Electric, Dual Energy, Tri-Energy, Oil, Propane, Pellet furnaces.
Topics: Clean air ducts or not – where does the fuzz on the bathroom floor come from? ; Avoiding hose bib freezing; 10 year limit for Hot Water Tank; How to know if an old washing machine drains totally; Need to change an oil furnace but want to keep the Dual Energy rate from Hydro – gas is available so definitely go to a regular gas furnace – could even update to Tri-Energy; Replacing a hard wired smoke detector – most only last 10 years; Does an old well working electrical furnace need checking? New to a condo – when to use the baseboard heaters, the heat pump and the ventilation controls.
Topics: How do you use spray foam in a can; Noise in kitchen sink when the toilet upstairs is flushed – the vent valve; A cathedral ceiling with poor roof insulation always has peeling paint but not water coming from above – cover the ceiling with insulation and new drywall over that; Is it a good idea to install a thermal pump with an all-electric furnace; Will spraying insulation to the underside of the roof help to stop ice buildup on the eaves; How to know if a new window well will drain in the spring; Do I need a shelter for my heat pump; Working on a roof safety; Which is better a Maximum vent or a ridge vent – actually the Ventilation-Maximum Ridge vent with an incorporated copula is the best.
Topics: Heat pump replacement – replacing a gas furnace with a more efficient gas furnace, the payback can depend on your hydro rate – and is going all electric a good idea–NO; Serious tree roots in the house drain – no-trench drains; Will putting storage hooks over a door destroy a door; Odour coming out of a sink that gurgles; Repainting peeling paint on a metal door; Ice Capping on the plumbing stack and gurgling sinks; Cigarette smoke coming through the walls from a neighbouring apartment – Both hydroxyl generators and negative ion generators can neutralize smoke odours, while killing germs.
Topics: Electrical wiring errors that are dangerous; Repairing and finishing a parquet floor; Low water pressure in one faucet in a condo; Painting bathroom tiles; Zinc pellets for moss; Furniture refinishing – testing for lacquer or plastic finish first; The quandary of changing out an oil furnace – all electric heating is not the most economical solution.
Topcs: Smart Shopping Montreal , get the book -- Montreal fix it store -- Fix-R-Us; Balcony covering and leaking below; Elect wire touching a hot water heating pipe; Wood burning chimney flue repair; Sump pump back-up for power failures; Plumbing noise, both faucet vibrations and water hammer; What is good low VOC window caulking for someone who is hypersensitive - ADSEAL Hybrid at BMR and Canac; Repairing parquet flooring, putty and finishing tips; When does an old sewer pipe need to be replaced – possibility of an epoxy liner.
Topics: Techniques for using a pressure washer on a softwood deck; Neighboring 5th story balcony spilling water on neighboring deck – how to resolve without expensive legal action; Finding a small appliance repair shop -- and finding things in general in Montreal see SANDRA PHILLIPS' SMART SHOPPING MONTREAL; Low water pressure in the house, but the city says they have full pressure – you may need to work on the line underground – get bids on both digging out the existing pipe and a trenchless epoxy liner like Form-a-Drain; Are shark bite plumbing connectors reliable; How to refinish a cedar deck so it won’t peal next time.
Topics: Automatic Water shut-off valves – the Quebec solution – www.water-protec.com; Air conditioning ducts are sweating in a condo ceiling; Getting the best quality stain on a deck; Bathroom ventilation not working in an apartment building; DIY air conditioning repair; New hardwood floor finishing problems; Rain gutter covers; Stove vent to outdoors or recirculating.
Topics: Toilets gurgling; Concrete slab in yard covered in moss – zinc pellets; Finding the Re-Mov Silicone caulking remover; Are wall mounted split-head air conditioners good; Servicing electrical problems in a 25 lodgment co-op; Sound proofing a basement ceiling; Clothes dryer and exhaust fan together through the same exhaust hood; Painting or staining brick – check out the US Heritage Group for the bible on masonry and colour.
Topics: Jon's Homework -- Reducing, not banning, fossil fuels in home heating – a Quebec homeowner’s realistic roadmap for 2021-2022; Are apartment buildings built to earthquake standards; Refinishing a curved shower ceiling; Insulating garage walls to add heating, where to place the vapour barrier; Cleaning dryer vents; Carpenter ants in a log cabin – Epoxy filler; Repairing or replacing a damaged brick; Repainting concrete; Making a temporary replacement for an overhead glass panel in a solarium.
Topics: Two dryer vents with one exhaust hood should have backflow dampers; Should the garden hose be always on for an automatic irrigation system; FunTak mounting putty not coming off of brick fireplace - don't let the cleaner dry; Is a top or bottom feed best for a new hot water tank; Leveling floor transitions after installing tiles; Dealing with a sinking asphalt driveway; Window leaking through the frame; Covering the extra holes when changing from a three hole shower faucet to a single handle faucet; Should the shower tiles be sealed to the tub when using a waterproof membrane construction on the walls; Getting rid of an irritating smell in the house – Hydroxyl may do the job.
Topics: A polished granite slab balcony is too slippery – how to make it non-slip; Creaking ceramic floor after renovation; Re-covering a flat roof; Choosing contractors for a flat roof; Using geotextiles to stop soil erosion through a driveway retaining wall.
Topics: Ridge vents in snow country – Maximum-Ventilation; Building a new roof over a balcony; Refinishing a cedar deck; Do I need a sump pump in my garage; Special screws for cedar; Do we need to run an air-changer in the summer; Stretch ceilings; Removing marks from a hardwood floor.
Topics: Forced air circulation and balancing air flow in heating and air conditioning systems; Moss is growing on a shady area of a balcony, how to clean it and keep it off; There is a skunk smell in the ventilation system - MH-45 from SOS ODEURS, a Québec company, works well against outdoors or in ductwork; Finding stylish pocket door handle hardware; Roof leaking near the skylight and finding roofing contractors willing to look at a small job; Does a chimney need a cap; Should a perimeter drain be put inside or outside the foundation wall; Why are there pin holes leaks in the copper tubing of my air conditioner; Before buying a portable room air conditioner make sure you can connect the ducts through your style of windows; Drying out water between tiles in a shower floor where grout is missing.
Topics: New vinyl floor over old vinyl floor; Crack in ceiling – Truss Uplift; With major renovation does the electrical meter have to be moved to the outside; Who is responsible for foundation cracks caused by work in the townhouse next door; Patching a parquet floor with new parquet; Repairing a crack in a metal fence post; Getting contractor and insurance company back on a delayed job – the mise en demure or Demand Letters; What paint to use for a concrete patio; Blocking cannabis smoke from coming through a party wall.
Topics: Reroofing, what to do about skylight leaks; Cleaning a clothes dryer duct; cleaning air exchanger ducts; Sanding floors while living in a condo, controlling dust; Landscaping slopes to the foundation, can he cover the bricks with soil, creating an intercept drain in the landscaping; Lights flickering during a heat wave in Ontario; Strange brick weeping holes at the second floor level; All about air spaces in walls.
Topics: What is the best way to finish a basement from the outside while fixing foundation cracks and installing a new perimeter drain – Air Gap Membrane – insulation; How to find someone to fix a chimney; Controlling Ants in the house; Flex ducts coming off in the walls of a forced air furnace; Which driveway sealer to use; Support posts for a balcony on a condo hanging free from the balcony above; Oil tank in garage is 20 years old – must it be replaced?
Topics: Making old computers quiet again -- UltraSoft magic; Mice in basement; Heat pump dying and oil furnace is old – all electric – Dual Energy – Tri-Energy; Slight oil smell from long removed oil tank – Oil Lift will get rid of the oil and the smell; Using composite decking; Sealing asphalt driveway; Is it reasonable to still buy sliding windows; Cleaning up a line of mould.
Topics: TekSill water flow spacer for basement walls – minimize the consequences of any water spill in a basement – a new Montreal invention; Choosing a skylight – Pyramid with vent or dome; Musty smell at a cottage – the HRV air changer; When is the new deck stain I have talked about coming – Jon’s Homework; When do I know I need to change a hot water tank; Cracks in the brick mortar; How to purify household air next to extreme highway pollution; Can I get an air exchanger for an apartment – yes.
Topics : Building codes now free for everyone; Porcelain repair of an old sink; Removing silicone caulking – Re-Mov; Removing parquet flooring; Will tile adhesive stick to a concrete floor covered in epoxy; Rebuilding a bedroom in a basement, walls, insulation, flooring; What material to use to re-roof a flat roof – membranes vs asphalt; Refinishing a floor in a furnace room – get down to bare concrete.
Cement falling off of a roof of a cold room – use a primer -- force thick concrete mix tightly overhead and close off with wood to let it set -- insulating a cold room; Uncontrolled heat in an apartment building – need social pressure of many occupants with the same problem for the administration to fix a group problem; Cleaning walls and ceilings stained with cigarette smoke: clean with TSP – Dish soap well rinsed; Oil Lift for cleaning strength and safety for hands; Sound coming from a toilet valve; Building a new basement washroom – comfort tub with air or water jets; Clean-up after new roof leaked – re-seal the vapour barrier with “blue vapour barrier tape”; Connecting an ABC floor drain to a cast iron drain; Getting references for roofing contractors.
Topics : Cesar has been killed 10 feet away from the children he was playing with -- leading to reflections on the danger of electric cars that make no warning noises on residential streets – reconciling freedom to drive with the security of children on residential streets; How to reduce radon levels after receiving the results of a radon test – there is a lot on radon on this site – the general understanding of radon – the total construction details of radon preparation or remediation; How to stop water from coming through a tongue & groove balcony; How to avoid floor cracks with floors on a condo concrete slab -- Engineered flooring; How to know if you need to line or repair a chimney; Keeping squirrels from nesting under the balcony.
Topics : Choosing the material for recovering a flat roof; Looking for good decking materials – Kebony is an excellent alternative to exotic hardwoods; Vent through the roof for the bathroom – check out the Ventilation-Maximum roof exhaust hood; Noise in the house from the plumbing in the winter – freezing of the plumbing stack and solutions; The corner of a second floor balcony is rooting under the railings – BCS penetrating epoxy to the rescue; How to restore the smell of a cedar panel in a closet; More on wood decking materials; Dryer has a burnt smell – Magnetic exhaust connector – Lint Alert; Fiberglass panel balcony rotting.
Topics : Static electricity; Replacing kitchen back splash; Can I put the heat pump on the roof; Changing the lead water pipe; In duplex changed to all electric and one went very expensive, not the other; How to put engineered flooring on concrete; Does the ceiling/attic temperature difference affect ice on the roof; Tracing water on the floor in a lower garage.
Topics: Soil dropping around foundation; Deck staining on treated wood; Industry overview of residential flat roof coverings; Cooking smell goes directly to master bedroom – updating the range hood; Can I nail hardwood onto an OSB floor; What size gas supply tube is required for a propane fire place; Installing de-icing cables; What is a good deck stain; Tracing strange water entry.
Topics : Flat roof replacement – which product to choose; Should I change my electrical circuit breaker panel – and should I shift from a gas to an electrical water heater; Insurance requirements for furnaces; Tracing a mysterious basement water appearance; Do Maximum roof vents need to have open soffit vents; Quieting a squeaking hardwood floor.
Topics: What is the Québec requirement for gas supply to a propane fire place: manufacturer says 3/8”, contractor says larger; How serious are hairline cracks in parging at window corners; Saving money on residential heating in 2021 -- a look at the financial side; Changing aluminum siding on a mobile home; Is an old hydronic heating system in the basement repairable; No opening for an attic; Cracks in garage floor and drains.
Topics : Fixing a leak in the corner of a ceramic shower; Sink hole in driveway under carport is back; Water into basement where gravel driveway has sunk near the foundation; What glue to use to build a fish tank – special non-toxic high strength silicone from aquarium stores; New heating system that will work with Dual Energy down to -30deg C – my homework to check with Hydro; Landscaping drains freezing – using electrical cables – HeatLine.com; Storage space under sunroom overheating – moving air through with a fan; Understanding and controlling condensation on new windows.
Topics : Making an attic house heater more efficient – using a heat pump – using both together with Tri-Energy; Which technique to remove bounce in a floor works best; Can I use a sump-pump to remove water that collects near the house – not in freezing weather – In Canada a drain to the street with a heating cable works better; Co I really have to change my hot water tank every 10 years – Technically NO, but for Insurance coverage YES; I insulated my chalet basement and no real improvement in heating costs – did you seal the header area before insulating?; Should I change an old circuit panel – only if you want to change the brand of circuit breakers – but you could change the circuit breakers for new ones of the same brand if you are having trouble. If the trouble continues, have an electrician check the wiring; Choosing kitchen counter tops – I send you to Alaska for the OVERVIEW; What is the best exhaust duct through a roof space.
Topics : Before you change the clocks, switch off/on all circuit breakers to clean the contacts – then reset the clocks that all read 12:00; Feeling vibrations from the neighbour’s heat pump across the street – doubtful if there is no direct connection, like a fence, between the two houses – check out plumbing vibrations first; Laundry drain pipe is suddenly making bad gurgling noises in a near-by sink; Are condensing gas furnaces a good investment – are Tri-Energy systems worthwhile; How to get a good job with epoxy paints; Solarium is leaking after installing a new shingled roof; Constantly cleaning mould off of the shower ceiling – no ventilation – no windows; The sink drain has slowed down after a plumbing job. Sunday: sound proofing a cinder block party wall.
Topics : Weeping mortar joints in a brick wall; When is the best time to replace a fan blade in an air conditioner unit; Plywood balcony with a polymer covering is cracking in a straight line, how to repair; Is it necessary to waterproof the floor of the counter under a sink; Re-finishing old hardwood flooring; Sewer smell when using a clothes washer; Bathroom gurgling and knocking faucets; Banging from the humidifier installed in the heating ducts; Clothes washing tub squeaks; Floor drain box often dry giving off smells, keep it wet or install a “dry trap” or Dranjer; Toilets slowing down over time – clean out the drain line to the stack – or if it is in winter check for stack “ice capping”; What is the best insulation to use in an attic given that my wife has asthma – seal the ceiling first – look both at products and techniques; Sound proofing a duplex partition wall.
Kitchen sink drip sound - maybe junk at the joint with the plumbing stack; Checking for outdated medication; Smart water problem detectors; Applying a liquid membrane for a shower - round off inside corners before applying a liquid membrane; Ice Dams and icicles; Combustion air supply for a gas heater – HOYME; Dual Energy and Tri Energy; My Open Letter on why we should not ban heating with oil in Montreal; Bungalow not well insulated; Removing squirrels from the attic; Vinyl over tile in a kitchen floor and is the space between the flooring and walls really necessary? Sunday Notebook – Kebony wood – softwood turned into hardwood as an ecologically responsible replacement for exotic hardwoods for decks and walkways. What is the ecological and moral story behind Îpe hardwood from Brazil?
Topics : Icicles; Flat roof asphalt vs membrane related to puddling; Extending the life of an oil furnace – Tri-Energy; Why not to ban heating with oil; Heat pump is leaking; Relation between new roof and new boiler problems? Controls are the most important part of the heating system; Cold drafts through basement electrical outlets – sealing the wood sill plate to the concrete foundation wall; Cleaning brush blocking the toilet – how to remove it.
Topics : Furnace filters; Swiss wood chips for slippery ice; Is an air exchanger a good idea; Who can I recommend for roof gutters – Adam’s Eves; Landscaping for water next to house; Heat Pump emergency mode; Changing a gas furnace; Painting or replacing aluminum siding.
Topics : Locating a membrane leak on a flat roof; Oil smell occasionally from an oil furnace – the Hoyme Damper for control of combustion air for gas and oil furnaces or boilers; There is a ghost in my toilet; New hot water heater not giving enough hot water; How to fix screw holes that are too loose in a door latch; Tooling caulking; The Dranger dry trap for a floor drain box; Is a radiant heated floor in a bathroom worth the trouble; Eaves through dripping over the edge making ice cycles.
Topics : Motion detectors for the driveway; Double handle on/off valve for washing machines; What are the signs of aging for an acrylic shower; Should a sump pump have holes in the sides; Re-Calking techniques; Is changing from Oil with dual energy to all electric a good idea – NO; Choosing a new bathtub; Exhaust fan controls; Soffits blocked creating ice cycles; Can I put a vinyl floor over parquet?
Topics : Sticky slider in a bathroom window; Dual energy forced air and Heat Pump - looking at propane to replace oil and keep the dual energy electricity rate; Heavy duty winter gloves : Amsalinc.com and Unisafety.com; Ice cycles and ice dams; Flushing out a heating boiler; Can’t find the leak from a balcony; Opening a heavy trap door to the basement; Bad smell intermittent in the basement; Ice cap on plumbing stack.
Topics : A rolling counter could be a useful transition from an old to a new kitchen; Removing caulking from around a sink & a bond breaker for silicone; Can I use cork for a solarium floor; How to operate an electrical circuit breaker; Filling in a half-inch gap between ceramic tiles – using tile profiles; Cleaning out tile grout manually and with power tools; Where to place the vapour barrier when adding insulation to an attic; Testing for asbestos; Replacing a 10x10 balcony with a 12x12, what material to use.
Topics: Temporary ceiling fan noise associated with high temperature on thermostat; Cracks in stucco ceiling in concrete condo after a roof leak - check if mould is present; Brick bulging out above the garage; Bathtub occasionally gurgling when flush toilet -- check out plumbing stack obstructions; Replace flooring in concrete condo; Levelling a basement floor; Cracks in the toilet tank, not leaking yet.
Topics : Shoveling snow and cardiac stress – slow down and use a smaller shovel; New furnace cutting out with thermal overload often – mismatch between new furnace and old ducting – possibly downsize the furnace using only the first stage with a Tri-Energy Duct element under the dual energy program; Need to replace humidifier in furnace after water damage - I recommend AprilAir; Sealing a rough basement slab in an old house; Air bubbles coming out of under sink filter system; Sink faucet now working finally solved by finding a stone behind the spout filter; Can’t find a contractor for a kitchen makeover; Furnace overheating, maintenance man recommending duct cleaning; Indoor or Outdoor below grade foundation crack repair in garage; What to do with the crawl space in a cabin.
Topics : Sewage back-up flood in neighbour’s condo unit not cleaned up, will it affect my basement; Sound proofing the floor in a duplex; Poor installation of an air changer; Cold upstairs after re-insulating outside, must not have an air space between the insulation and the wall – see all about air spaces in residential walls; Hot water tap making a creaking sound when it warms up and cools down; Finding the source of a leak in a sunroof.
Topics : Eco Ice Grip for slippery ice – where to find it; Kitchen exhaust fan under soffit; Hose bib is dripping ice cycles; Electric Furnace is cycling too frequently – Link to the Tri-Energy Controller; Basement pipes still banging after installing hammer arrestors; Sump pump and Iron Ochre; Water running sound in pipes – not resolved yet; Installing an HRV – the basement is a good place to reduce sound upstairs and running ducts through hallway fals ceilings.
Topics : Jon’s homework on “Are IKO ArmourZone shingles really good” – Yes, they are inspiring serious changes in the architectural shingle industry; Keeping outdoor hose bibs from freezing; The new toilet wobbles - proper installation -- radical leveling; Bathroom tile grout turning black – is this mould behind the tiles?- testing for maybe - and shower membranes to avoid mould problems; Comparing various techniques in insulating basements – Spray Foam – Foam boards – insulation batts – “intelligent” vapour barriers (MemBrain); Eco-Ice Grip wood chips rather than de-icers; Wood vs Plastic kitchen cupboard doors -- Polyester vs Polymer.
Topics: Replacing an electrical hot water tank with a propane tank; Sound of constant water leak in the walls – check the toilet tank; Toilet wobbling on the floor, how to fix temporarily as new plumbing is due in the spring; What happens if my rusted toilet float ball rusts off – water flows into the toilet bowl through the overflow; Sound proofing between upstairs and downstairs; Choosing shingles for replacing roofing in the spring; Installing insulated blinds in the window – serious cautions in our climate.
Topics : Metal topping as an alternative to an asphalt and gravel roof; Milky water out of only two faucets; Water leak into outdoor stair well to basement; Water tank warm, not hot; Should I buy a new water tank with two or three elements; How to cover a stain in the ceiling from an old roof leak; Leak detection shut-off valve for main water supply; Freezing in a 4 season solarium.
Topics : Where is the water coming from that is backing up in the basement floor drain; Detecting if a water problem caused mould in the wall or not; Hose bib constantly leaking; Insulating hot water pipes in the basement – insulating cold water pipes in the basement; Painting a garage floor to keep the dust down; Foundation for a garage rebuild.
Topics : How to check for mould in the floor under a slow sink leak; Cluster Fly and Lady Bug traps – PowderTrap – they really work; Comparing flat roof coverings – asphalt and gravel vs. elastomeric membrane; Window installer has purposefully left the gap between the top of the window and the brick ledge without caulking – is this right?; Feedback – my recommendation to cut holes in wood blocking that prevented attic ventilation did work and stopped the ice dams; Can spray foam be put over blown in insulation in the attic – only if you follow the 1/3rd / 2/3rds rule; Can spray foam be put on the heating duct that runs through the attic; Feedback – digging a window well drain down to the foundation drainage tiles worked to stop water ingress in the basement window; Sulphur odour coming from a shower – perhaps a problem with the vent stack being blocked by birds nest.
Topics : Odour problem solved, floor drain hidden under hot water tank; Replacing an electronic air filter with a 4 inch pleated filter; Insulating the walls of a cold bedroom from the inside; How to control the chimney of a wood stove that is rarely used; Condo balcony French-doors handle broken, no safe exit – what to do while waiting for parts – use a gate latch as a temporary fix; Drawbacks to all electric heating; Draining water where no gravity drain is available – SaniFlow; Can I paint while we have this great weather – yes, but check all the weather limitations, first as a general guide on my site, then read the label on paint cans carefully, there are many variations that could prevent you or allow you to sneak in a last minute paint job; Can I tile over tile – yes, but use thin-set mortar, not organic mastic; Block foundation cracking.
Topics: Will putting gravel in shallow water puddles do any good on a asphalt and gravel flat roof; The bathrrom lights flicker when the humidity is high; Workmen dropped a bundle of shingles on the roof, dislodging pieces of a chandelier - could this have caused structural damage to the roof?; Does it make sense to change from oil to propane for central heating?; Tracing water coming into finished basement wall near a sink and below an outdoor hose bib -- how hose bibs can break and leak only when turned on; Building a base for an outdoor jacuzzi; Condensation on new windows - the difference between frost and condensation -- raising humidity to fight viruses and lowering humidity to avoid mould -- increasing fresh air supply.
Topics : Sound proofing in a rental apartment – floor to ceiling below; Installing a plumbing safety shut-off valve for an apartment; A strange switch on a thermal pump; Air flow control from air conditioning to heating season; How much weight can be put on a floor that has no support wall below; Who will build a front door awning; Is there any value to adding insulation to a new electric hot water tank; Oil converted to gas, should anything be changed with the chimney – make it narrower with a gas flue gas liner; Is a dryer vent pipe passing through a wall insulated with foam insulation boards a hazard; The hot water tank has been turned off for replacement but now no cold water comes out of one of the showers but does come out others.
Topics: Non corrosive deicing products; Measuring STC sound ratings in an unusual ceiling; Bathroom thermal window fogging after a window repair; Vent stack blocked with a birds nest packed down to an elbow, using plumbing acid from the roof; Placement of split heads for a thermal pump; When replacing a window do we need to put a membrane on the rough opening; Gravel and asphalt roof vs. membrane roof; Why are my dimmable LED light humming; Wood deck sanded but too late to paint.
Topics: Heat pump needing constant repair; Is a liquid roof membrane over an asphalt membrane a good idea; Ventilation strategies for Covid-19 and other air borne health problems; Trane combo heat pump making frightening noises and installed can’t fix it; Fogged thermal pane windows – use the drill holes cleaning method or replace the glass?; Cleaned up mold but a family member still sneezing; How to get curling shingles through the winter.
Topics: Installing a floating floor on a new concrete slab; Side pane of patio door broken, how to replace; Do I need a Snow Guard on my heat pump; Maintenance for an electronic air cleaner; A heat wire for a plumbing line to the well; How to plug off an unused 1” dia. plastic pipe through the foundation wall; Country house – deck patio turned into problematic four season room; Dig down or raise the house; Garage door interface not insulated or sealed.
Topics : Can a backwater valve be installed outside the house – no – you need maintenance access; Techniques for installing shrink wrap cover for windows to avoid condensation; Are two backflow dampers in the same drain line a problem; Contractor wants to send water from a crack down under the basement slab where there is no outdoor or indoor perimiter drain – bad idea; Replacing a 50 year old oil furnace, what are the options with oil being eventually banned in Montreal; Repairing old window glazing on fixed windows; What does it take to install a humidifier in a furnace and what to avoid; What was the automation water shut off control I was talking about – AquaTrip; Are screws better than nails for rain gutters – yes, but not always necessary; Should I continue maintenance on roots in a perimeter drain or replace the drain.
Topics : Should I use Nails or Screws in rain gutters; Removing faucet handles; Low pressure in one faucet; New roof had rain damage through a vent, looking for mould; Back to low water pressure in one faucet; Sealing screw holes in vinyl siding where a deck was removed; Water dispenser inside fridge leaks when outdoor hose bib is used – dealing with water hammer; Removing a split head wall mounted air conditioner squirrel cage fan blade.
Topics : Raising sinking driveway paving stones – sealing water out with self-healing sand filler - EnviroSand; Cutting a no longer used chimney down below the roof; When repairing roof shingle damage, you should not reverse the first row of shingles but rather cut off the first set of tabs; Calculating how big an electrical generator you need; Should the water be turned off and the hot water tank shut down every time you leave the house – automatic shut-off valves to stop leaks - AquaTrip; How to stop the pinging noises from radiant heaters, – Radiant heat is the only heating system with no noises; Buying a condo with a noted leakage problem that can be controlled with maintenance of caulking under the patio door; Repairing hairline cracks on a small patio concrete slab.
Topics: River rocks leaving rust staining on patio stones - Oxalic Acid; Isolating a radio room – electromagnetic shielding, see www.em3e.com; Walk-down side door freezing at landing; Replacing an old drywell with a modern SaniFlo.ca plumbing pump; Looking for a plaster contractor to replace a stucco ceiling with a smooth plaster finish; Soundproofing an office; Hot water tank is rusting – what is the life span of the tank?
Topics: Finding plastic electrical re-work boxes in Quebec - installing metal re-work boxes -- legalities of doing electrical work; How to protect brick weeping holes without blocking their drainage function; Is radiant heat under ceramic tiles enough heat for a bathroom; Need to remove wood to get a photo of a bees nest -- work at night; Garage drain pit giving off odours - needs to waterproof cracks -- maybe add a water/gas valve; Converting a concrete balcony covering from mortar & tile, to wood -- waterproofing the concrete before adding the wood -- Armorthane Montreal 514-569-5050; Listener gives details on how to relocate a bee hive; Creating a trench drain to stop heavy rains from getting into the basement.
Topics : Sloped roof losing gravel; How to choose replacement windows; Sliding windows bowed in the centre and can’t remove the panes for cleaning; You might want to play back a radio show for your landlady; Birds coming into soffit opening – check for wood damage before just blocking the hole; Fog and dripping inside a thermal pane window; New patio slabs wobbling; Adding a heat pump to an electric furnace – see my article on heating system combinations.
Topics : Deck stains; Unstick grass clippings from lawnmower; Leveling a seriously sloping basement slab; Water proofing deck joists – elastomeric, on top, down sides, wrap all around?; Controlling humidity in a crawl space; Filling a crack in a built up staircase column; Half inch crack in garage foundation wall; Finding a contractor; New mortar repointing is darker than rest of wall, how to colour match.
Topics: Deposits and payments in renovation work -- get a payment schedule in the contract so money matches work accomplished; Where to get good raingutters -- Adam's Eaves; Water coming in over foundation wall in crawl space, not surface water -- siding should not be caulked shut on the bottom; Controlling plaster dust from wall in garage; Broken door jam -- don't forget blocking to structure of wall; Using 4 tanks of oil with dual energy heating -- fix that with the Tri-Energy system that gets lots more out of the heat pump; Is caulking needed any more in showers and tubs -- not if you have a waterproof membrane on the wall before the tiles; Strange occasion knocking noise in kitchen when coming back from being outdoors -- humidity, temperatur, and maybe ants -- identify ants to rule out carpenter ants; Can I use solar power for a shed? probably for lights, probably not for power outlets; Closing the space between the concrete stairs hanging from the foundation wall and the soil.
Topics: For a stone facade different contractors are recommending different types of mortar -- what is S - N - O - M?; Four drains in the kitchen plumbing, often slow -- check for no slope and accumulated grease; Installing a basement window; What to use for a back-up sump pump -- short run, a battery, long run, an electrical gas powered generator; New air conditioner didn't last as long as the old one - maybe oversized - Heat Pumps and Air Conditioners last longest if they do less start/stop -- look at Tri-Energy for total AC or Heat Pump control at lower costs and extended life of all the elements; Which is more efficient, the large oven or a counter top oven; The toilet won't stop flowing -- work on the valve; Aluminum siding is bulging -- check when it is cool at night, it may just be nailed too tightly.
Topics: Should I request nails or screws for my raingutters; Looking for a throat microphone to improve quality of sound through virus masks; Kitchen drain under garage floor clogging regularly; Hairline cracks in a new garage floor; White stuff on garage wall -- it is called efflorescence -- solved by landscaping to get water away from wall; Water seeping into basement after replacing water main in a country house with no perimiter drain; Good oil furnace too expensive - want to change to what to cut costs -- don't change, but install Tri-Energy and use almost no more oil while getting a better electrical rate; Hearing a creak in an acrylic bathtub after changing the caulking.
Topics: Columbia hardwood plywood panels 2’x4’ and 1’x1’ delivered to your door service; Caulking on tub not sticking; Does a 2 stage furnace need a 2 stage thermostat – and using a Tri-Energy controller rather than changing the thermostat; Can an Air Conditioning coil be oversized compared to the compressor to increase humidity removal – not a good idea – change the fan speed on a balanced system is better; Swelling stucco siding needs work; How to protect a cedar deck; Clay soil sinking under a large tree; What re-caulking to use on windows; Newly sealed driveway leaving tire marks from heavy vehicles; Where to find new furnace wall grills; Window well spilling water into the basement.
Topics: Should outdoor outlet wires be run through the brick or the concrete foundation; Reinforcing beams notched for plumbing pipes; Choosing new heating systems; Closing off a chimney; Municipal rules about changing siding on a house; Protecting a new drain from roots -- the BioBarrier; Can 1940 radiators still be used today with a new boiler; Keeping air out of hydronic heating -- the SpiroVent; Condensation on air conditioning pipes; Just when does a large flat roof need to have a new membrane?
Topics: Brick weep holes blocked with foam; Air Conditioning not flowing into rooms; Who can fill in a swiming pool in Laval; Asphalt/gravel vs membrane for a flat roof; Shading a second floor deck; Waterproofing brick; When to repair and when to replace an old Air Conditioner; Choosing new windows; Using beet juice as a stain for brick; How to create vent holes in a brick wall that has no vent holes -- must have a flashing to move the water into the holes; Installing a sump pump on the roof for heavy rains that overflow the drain.
Topics: What Jon Eakes eats; Hose bib leaking - the recessed valve; Filling the hole cause by a downspout; Window mechanisms not closing; Repainting a wooden gallery after pealing paint; Ventilating apartment bathrooms through a vent chute; Stopping a leak in a gas furnace condensor drain tube; Polyaspartic Resin for concrete steps -- to be continued next week; Holding back a brick wall that is shifting forward.
Topics : Cleaning high wall split air conditioners; Jon Eakes does Zoom consultations where you can show him your problem without a house visit; Attic heating ducts with condensation in the ducts; Bathroom counter tile grout bleached out near the sink, how to bring back to matching the original grey; Artisanal ceiling lamp not working – how to get someone to fix it; What shingles can I put on my 1:4 pitch roof; -- my answer was wrong in the broadcast (I looked too quickly at an old reference book), a 1:4 sloped roof is too flat for any shingles in Canada, you have to go to some kind of a membrane covering, Soffit plywood has rotted discovered while installing a new roof, must this plywood be removed?; Popping sounds from unoccupied apartment above – to worry?; Tracing a very slow drip coming from the ceiling of the garage; Mould smell when I turn on the Air Conditioning; Should I waterproof my new concrete setps?
Topics: Remote trouble shooting inspections with Zoom; Maintenance free toppings for concrete balconies - Armorthane; Dirty water regularly backing up in the sink of a multi-lodgment building; Rattling noise from hot water tap; Filling a 10” chimney hole in a concrete balcony; Changing the glass in a patio door; Making a new tread for an old wheelchair – Try fitting a bike tire tread over the broken up original rubber – fill empty spaces with polyurethane caulking; Removing black plastic melted in an oven. Sunday: Spring cleaning of carpets and how carpets can be healthier than hard floors.
Topics : How to finish a newly poured garage floor; Finish comes off of deck every year; Replacing a fiberglass balcony; Details on a shed roof – building paper – drip edge; Mould in unheated garage; Membrane roof on apartment building aging too rapidly; Choosing composite boards for a deck; Preparing a tub surround to receive tiles – do it right and you never need to caulk.
Topics : Can I paint a bathroom arborite surface?; Can’t get the garden hose off of the faucet; Choosing contractors for a foundation repair; Proper chimney caps for gas and wood chimneys; Melamine paint works great on doors; Should I put asphalt shingles or a metal roof on a large garden shed – maybe even metal shingles; How to close off wood burning chimney; For a kitchen counter – Granit – Arborite – Tile; Looking to buy a heat pump assembly directly from the manufacturer; Water coming in at the sill plate – landscape before trying to waterproof – surface water must be below the level of the wood in the wall otherwise the wall will rot even if you control the water by a drain on the inside.
Topics: Homework from last week: looking for oil based deck stains to match a slightly worn deck -- yes they are still available except in California -- and here is a great deck stain website; Can’t get the hose off of the faucet; Running an clothes dryer exhaust into a large 40 car garage; Is it ok to place an ABS pipe in the gravel under a garage concrete pour for running electrical wires?; 127 year old house has old mortar turning to dust way under sill plate; Hot Water Tank door to door sales scam – renting a 40 gallon tank for almost $200/month - $2,400 a year!; What to use to stain a deck built last summer – DeckStainHelp.com; Should the gable end vents be closed off if I install a Maxi vent on the top – YES; Apartment on 10th floor of 16 floor condo infested with marijuana smoke from the neighbours – condo says all systems are working – talk to CondoLegal.com and search for "marijuana". Sunday: Most crawling insects are commuters -- Study the traffic patterns and you can stop the critters. More information
Topics: Are pillars under a house foundation a problem in buying a home & Thermal pump replacement; New apartment virus cleaning and paint prep – TSP; Water leaking through window – could be upper window leaking – or even flashing around flat top roof can let water in behind the brick; Painting knotty pine paneling; Trying to get humidity up in the house; Spreading out insulation in an attic; Changing a roof covering; Deck with oil based stain, looking for scratch fixes – great information at DeckStainHelp.com.
Topics: Old bungalow, repair or demolish and rebuild; Need to close off Chimney – chimney balloon; No soffit ventilation, need low entry hoods on roof just above the insulation; Clean cement or baked on grime off of windows; Catching a ground hog; Cedar deck – 4 years old with uneven staining; Removing mildew and restaining a fence.
Topics: Tin roof 30 years old, white powdery look when dry; Replacing joint mortar between balcony stones - weather considerations; Appling a small amount of parging to a newly closed off window – adhesion and pre-aging for colour matching; PEX water hammer and air access valve for new sink; Aluminum planks for third story balcony – fiberglass deck made of composite; Field stone facing with Unistone above the lower edge now showing signs of holding water on the wall. Sunday : Window and door screens : cleaning and fixing before re-installing as the bugs start coming out.
Topics : Peeling paint off of old plaster wall near a modified chimney; Country dock with white cedar decking need refinishing; Foundation cracks – draw two lines to follow any movement to determine if it can be just filled, or the house need new foundation support; Noisy sump-pump – water hammer arrestor; Replacing heat pumps; Insulating attic and pot lights. Sunday : This is the time to correct water flow on landscaping.
Topics: Flood preparation -- major water barriers replacing sandbagging being widely deployed this year --what are they and where to get them; Finishing outdoor fresh cut wood – permeable or impermeable finishes require different drying times; How to get better sound separation between two apartments with the least money and space taken up; Cleaning an apartment after a smoker has left; CNESST has put out rules for how worksites are to proceed during the virus crisis; Noise coming through ductwork – use the low speed of a two speed fan motor for continuous operation – and adding a HRV for fresh air; Flooding in a lower basement apartment doesn’t appear to be drying out under the floor and beginning to have breathing problems – have it inspected immediately by a flood restoration specialist, like Renovco, and they can determine the action required – need to install a back-flow damper in the drain line to the street to avoid future problems. Sunday: Ladder Safety -- lots of good information and links to special stablizers.
Topics: Some problems can be solved with Skype or Zoom inspections -- contact me; Which driveway sealer to use -- acrylic; Insulating attic duct work; Sound proofing commercial space; Putting a new floor covering on an apartment balcony; 15 year old shings are blowing off; Some details on sump pumps; Insulating a bedroom over a garage.
Topics: Deck waterproofing; Rain gutter leaf protection; Use outdoor acrylic paint in an unheated garage for best durability; Reducing water in a toilet tank to save water - not necessarially a good idea; Tracing a water leak after roof and window renovation; Removing mould in an atiic safely -- sealing off the ceiling to keep the house cleaner; Be warry of strange emergency preventative maintenance calls in condos -- check with the condo assosiation before letting anyone in as scams are showing up; City cleaning of the street pipes squirts water up through plumbing into first floor of house.
Topics: Hardware store function during the virus crisis; Replacing one broken tile to match the rest; What should I not flush down the toilet; A steel gallery in a condo needs some paint patching; Hearing water flowing after street valve is changed -- more pressure in the house, check the toilet valve; Lower duplex with an exposed brick wall showing water signs at the top - seal that brick; How to disinfect an appartment after a renter leaves; Water pipe cleaning in a 10 story condo as a "preventative" measure? One listener warns that such a Covid-19 unusual exercise could be a SCAM. Check that it is really the condo association who has organized a plumbing exercise and why. Special video on Facebook, scroll down to "Can I Flush This": A great kids experiment to understand one thing that can clog toilets. No wipes, even "flushable" wipes should go down the toilet as they can contribute to clogging. https://m.facebook.com/grovessewer
Topics: Wall paper over fireplace; Electrical floor heating having thermostat problems; Converting hot water radiator heating from Oil to Electricity; Can i remove a wall?; Fixing squeaky floors.
Topics: Insulating while changing a flat roof; Asbestos removial costs; Membrame or asphalt and gravel for a flat roof; Using a perimiter drain inspection pipe for water inflitration; Testing for pyrite under the garage slab; Black scum on water after being away -- check for degradations of the flapper; Who do you hire to replace a hydro pole; Rebuilding a deck over a flat roof -- where to attach the guard -- squirrel protection.
Topics: - Tracing the source of annoying sounds by recording them on your cell phone -- what you see on a wave form in an audio editor is more defining that what we can hear/ - The insurance company requires changing the oil reservoir, should I go all electric or keep the relatively new oil furnace -- what are the financial consequences of keeping or losing the Dual Energy rate -- in this case I recommend only changing the dead hot water tank for an electric tank while putting in a new oil reservoir/ - Basement windows leak during rain -- creating a slopped and caulked outdoor sill/ - Dual energy controls often leave the furnace running non-stop while the heat pump technician and the furnace technician each say their systems are working -- did they check the thermostat? -- possibly override both controls with a Tri-Energy Controller which brings all elements into harmony and even improves energy efficiency/ - Should I change out steel hydronic heating pipes in a mixed steel/coper system? -- not necessarily, open a coupling and inspect the steel pipe inside/ - Should I replace my old hot water tank with a tankless system? -- check if you will need to upgrade your electrical system or not/ - How to adhere ceramic tiles to a linoleum floor.
Topics: Mysteriously wet bricks; Odour coming and going in a basement -- plumbing vent possibly blocked causing ice capping; High pitched squeeking noise from hydronic heating system; Fragrance free health facilities; What is a "normal" ice cycle?; Walkway has begun to slope towards the house; New flat roof leaking -- no one can locate the problem -- at times it is useful to have a third party consultant who is not trying to sell you a solution. FRAGRANCE FREE HEALTH FACILITIES We all know that second-hand smoke can seriously bother a lot of people – but are you aware that fragrances or perfumes can make many people immediately sick – Asthma Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, Rashes, Migraines…? This can be especially problematic when in health care facilities where people are more vulnerable than usual. The ASEQ-EHAQ has initiated a petition before the Quebec National Assembly to do what we have already done with tobacco smoke, make health care facilitates fragrance free – get more details on the issue here. Sign the National Assembly petition and pass the link on to your friends: Petition: Measures to put in place a fragrance or perfume-free policy in all health-care facilities in Quebec https://www.assnat.qc.ca/en/exprimez-votre-opinion/petition/Petition-8231/index.html Pétition: Mise en place d'une politique sans fragrances ou parfums dans les établissements de santé au Québec https://www.assnat.qc.ca/fr/exprimez-votre-opinion/petition/Petition-8231/index.html
Topics: Are downspouts that go into the ground a problem?; Need an inspector for water problems on a flat roof; Duplex radiator pipe broken - freezing pipe needs insulation; Eaves troughs with leaf cover making ice-cycles; Changing the main electrical box; Sump pump battery back-up; Changing an oil boiler for an electric boiler; Getting formaldehydefree MDF cabinets. Sunday: We all know that second-hand smoke can seriously bother a lot of people – but are you aware that fragrances or perfumes can make many people immediately sick – Asthma Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, Rashes, Migraines…? This can be especially problematic when in health care facilities where people are more vulnerable than usual. The ASEQ-EHAQ has initiated a petition before the Quebec National Assembly to do what we have already done with tobacco smoke, make health care facilitates fragrance free – get more details on the issue here. Sign the National Assembly petition and pass the link on to your friends: Petition: Measures to put in place a fragrance or perfume-free policy in all health-care facilities in Quebec https://www.assnat.qc.ca/en/exprimez-votre-opinion/petition/Petition-8231/index.html Pétition: Mise en place d'une politique sans fragrances ou parfums dans les établissements de santé au Québec https://www.assnat.qc.ca/fr/exprimez-votre-opinion/petition/Petition-8231/index.html
Topics: New Hot Water Tank not supplying much hot water; Choosing an air purification system; Can I put a dryer vent through a basement window?; Comment on Heat Pump working in very cold weather; More on that hot water tank; Heated driveway; Runing a clothes dryer duct through a cabinet; Smaller heating systems.
Topics: When do I need to remove snow from the roof?; Water heater rentals & heat loss difference between 40 and 60 gallon tanks; What floating floor to use in a basement; Tiling the entry; Garage drain frozen - heating cable; Removing snow on a flat roof; Bathtub drain slow to drain; Getting a heat pump to work below 3deg C; Getting more heat in a back bedroom -- the duct booster fans; Filling a crack in brick between house and new addition; Making a trap door into an attic. Sunday: Should I remove snow from the roof or not?
Topics: Using vinyl plank flooring on a back splash -- possible to use "Quick Grab" adhesive; Relatively new basin roof membrane leaking -- or maybe the drain is pluged and the flashing is leaking; Seam Sealer for sheet vinyl; Putting ceramic over existing floor in a basement; Heavy rubber mats for fiberglass steps; Leaky window leading to sewlling masonite flooring in a condo -- a mould problem?; Shich roof shingles to buy; Putting ceramic over existing floor over wood joists.
Topics: Sump Pump working against an underground stream and overland water flow - multiple pumps; Toilet noises in the drain line; Windows Frosting up; Noise at the faucet after new plumbing work at the tank -- flush it out; Hydronic Heating Zones having banging in the pipes; Plumbing pipes banging against the wall studs; Moisture on new windows -- new windows trap humidity in a poorly ventilated house, just how much mosture can we tollerate; The whole yard is sinking.
Topics: Are my exteriour wall panels properly installed?; What extension cord to use for an electric snow blower; Will Rustolium Never Wet waterproof jackets? -- homework, check back next week; Rebuilt shower leaking at the double drain; Ice capping of the plumbing stack; Darkening the colour of oak wood trim; Too much humidity in the house -- ventilate with an HRV; Prepairing attic storage space; Toilet pipes banging.
Topics: Eco-Ice Grip wood chips for slippery ice - where to find them: Location of CO and Smoke detectors; Follow-up on water valve story; More on Eco-Ice Grip; Installing the outdoor portion of a MicroWave vent system; My HRV is drying out my new appartment; More on CO and Smoke detectors; Getting traction on ice over a fiberglass deck and steps -- sand -- Eco-Ice Grip.
Topics: Ventilating smelly projects in the winter; Street water valve replaced but still leaking; Poor HRV information from a furnace technician - how often should an HRV operate? ; Draining a low space in the back yard; Questionable calls from salesmen pressing to install something in the attic; Water dripping from microwave oven hood fan after a new roof was installed; How to refinish a garage floor; Chimney falling apart after installing Dual Energy - missing a liner; How to reroute a plumbing stack in the middle of a renovation -- I forgot that she could hide the rerouted drain in a false beam on the ceiling below the bathroom. Sunday -- Slippery Ice and Eco-Ice Grip and where to get it.
Topics: Eco-Ice Grip wood chips for slippery ice; Keeping the outdoor drain ice free in an ice machine; Condensation on new windoes -- what humidity level should we keep in a house in the winter?; How to heat cold tile floors; Plumbing flood in a mobile home; Tips and resources on upgrading from Win7 to Win10 without having to buy a new machine; Faucet installation problem on undermount sink; Paint continually peeling on the ceiling.
Topics: Doors moving out of place on an inside wall; Paint peeling; Bag test for tracing source of an odour in the basement -- clothes washer soap buildup?; Should window trim be caulked to the wall?; Roof leaking - repair until a spring re-roofing; Asphalt vs. elastomeric for a flat roof?; Intermitten power out on a stove -- breakers?; Using Root-X after a camera inspection of the house drain; Shower doors leaking after fresh caulking -- remove all the silicone before putting on fresh silicone -- check that track drainage was not blocked by the caulking. Sunday: Ice grips for shoes
Topics: Where to place conbination Carbon Monoxide / Smoke Detectors; Contractor went bankrupt, how to handle the fall-out; To use window film for the winter or not; White power popping paint off the basement floor; Can I cut a hole through the rim joist for a basement fan; Mold on the bathroom ceiling - must I replace the drywall; Water dripping between the flat roof and the raingutter - no drip edge.
Topics: Plumbing stack sweating -- block the humid air from the basement; Dual Eneergy system is cycling too mich -- poor control settings -- consider upgrading to a Tri-Energy controller; Filtering lead out of the kitchen sink water tap; Should brick mortar work be put off until spring -- yes, check my Weather Tab/Masonry/repair/Brick Mortar -- mortar needs warmer than 5deg C for 48 hours to cure properly -- emergency work can be done in cold wether with special materials and precautions; Three panel sliding window not installed "flat" - weatherstripping problems -- temporary caulking?; Renovators time delays in communicating; How to connect one fan to two bathrooms -- the butterfly damper; More on termites in Jamaica -- termite habits -- identifying insects. Sunday: Post-It Extreme - notes for outdoor and construction use -- they really work!
Topics: Termites in Jamaica; Thermostat location; Co Detector and smoke combined; Battery back-up for hard wired smoke detectors; Electrical boxes leaking cold air; Sealant missing on the glass to aluminum joint on sliding windows; Double window with ice on outside pane; Cigarette smoke from neighboring apartment; Contractor not fixing air leak in patio door. Sunday: Home Maintenance -- Repairing door bells that don't work anymore.
Topics: Maintenance plan for electrical furnace; Heating a garage; Choosing a new toilet; Gain gutter leafs all frozen; Heat pump control problem after power outtage; Dual energy control problems -- Tri Energy Controller; Hard wired CO detectors and smoke detectors; Controls for the air changer; Furnace controls not working; Whole house Surge Protectors; Caulking in cold Temperatures -- the Weather Tab on JonEakes.com, choose Sealants, Sunday: Hose bibs can freeze and burst pipes inside your house if you leave the hose attached.
Topics: Generators for power outtages -- getting from the generator to inside the house; Pure Lift slab jacking of sidewalk; Tankless water heaters; Change from Daylight Savings -- Flic all circuit breakers to clean the contacts, then change the clocks; Window blown out in high winds; Montreal wood heating ban allows wood heating after 3 hours of power outtage; Fitting a ceiling exhaust between joists -- can't find the right size in stores -- there are many older models on the web that are not stocked in the stores; Rubber roof coatings over shingles; New efflorescence on brick - find the water source; Rain gutter leaf covers.
Topics: Seporating one furnace in a duplex; Getting a small electrical water heater; Testing for asbestos in a stucco ceiling; Solvent odours from the garage drain; Caulk balcony to aluminum siding; How to solve a leaky roof vent after a new re-roofing job; Should I install rain gutters?; Roof shingles failing - how to document to force contractor for action; Closing off a fireplace in a condo.
Topics: Covering a ceramic floor with vinyl; Flat roof main drain pipe sweating in basement; Rat treatment in multi-lodgement; Metal steps with inserted tiles rusting out; Filling cracks in sidewalk - self leveling filler; Running water noise after changing main plumbing valve; Can I cover a leaking shed with a tarp?; Wind blown rain leaking - where?; Bathroom faucets whistling.
Topics: Changing a window pane where the thermal seal has broken and fogged the window; Where should the exhaust go from a high efficiency condensing furnace; Controlling concrete dust in a cold room; Can you glue a crack in a toilet tank; Installing an electric tankless hot water heater; Heat Pump controls shutting down when it is not even very cold -- look at the Tri-Energy controller wich gets the absolute maximum out of a heat pump; What caulking to use to caulk an epoxy deck to aluminum siding; What is the right underlayment for a basement floating floor; Using epoxy paint on a basement floor; Why you don't need to waterproof a trellis.
Topics: Glue for foam insulation in toilet tank; Mould in a cold room; Changing thermal pane windows; A furnace thermostat not talking to the furnace; Patching a hair-line crack in front portch; Drains gurgling -- the Vent Valve; Sealing a crack in a basement floor that has been cut open wide for sealant -- video on caulking techniques; Replacing the seal in an upright freezer; Caulking aluminum windows.
Topics: Seling old tools; Improving a cathedral ceiling ventilation -- Ventilation-Maximum ridge vent - VMax Cathedral; Country water pump working too frequently -- bleed the expansion pressure tank; Caulking and backer rod - watch the video; Choosing a new hot water tank; Moisture on basement floor - from air or from ground; Garage drain; Checking for mold with moisture under basement sub-floor -- Indoor Air Quality labs. Sunday: Driving screws in difficult places or at odd angles: Screw driver 90 degree ratachet; Flexible shafts; Driver guides with retractable sleeves; Milwaukee angle driver; DeWalt 90 deg power driver.
Topics: The Weather Tab for dealing with the weather changes during home improvements; Perimeter drain maintenance; Draining a dip in the walkway and Dry Wells; Refreshing warn Oak Parquet flooring -- ReNew; Cleaning anti-slip strips in a shower and making slippery surfaces not slippery; Asphalt driveway coating bubbling upon application; Patio door fogging up in the summer; Faucet leaking only when it is used. Sunday Notebook: The Environmental Health Association of Québec
Topics: Eco weekends -- see Upcoming special events lower down with hot-links. Wall of drywall buckling half way up the wall -- Boards too tight to ceiling and floor - Play the video on this page starting at 3minutes in; Putting a rain cap on a Pergola beam; Buying a new heatpump - the installer is more important than the machine; Floating floor boards with concrete bumps under -- how to grind down the concrete with little dust; Can I heat the bathroom from the ceiling; In a very old house I have two window counter weights in each side; Insulating a cathedral ceiling from the inside. Upcoming Special events: Ecosphere - Environment and Green Housing: Free Admission -- Saturday and Sunday 14-15 Sept. -- 10h to 5h Parc Jean-Drapeau – l’Ile Notre-Dame – right next to the Casino. Metro Station Jean-Drapeau. Details: https://foireecosphere.org/en/ Living Soil -- Free Admission -- Composting and regenerating soil -- A day on an ecological farm with both practice and seminars: Living Soil Through Composting 21 September 2019 pamphlet Facebook details about the schedule https://www.facebook.com/events/2368832013382638/.
Topics: The outter wall of a 3 story building is off the slab; Removing paint from concrete steps and refinishing; Aluminum wiring in the kitchen; Frequency of sweeping an oil furnace chimney; What to look for when buying a condo; Refreshing antique furniture -- Wood Re-Finisher; A concrete roof leak in Mexico - sealing a crack between two concrete slabs. Sunday: What glue will stick to what? New : LePage 100% Gel for shoe soles
Topics: Cleaning up mould; Applying Caulking -- AdFast at BMR - Silicone - Hybrid; Flood mould and repair; Bathroom ceiling finishing with sound proofing; Infra-Red cameras and a hot circuit breaker; Finding weather stripping for at garage steel door; Cleaning a garage floor prior to using an Epoxy finish -- Oil Lift and Flubber Dust found at Canadian Tire. Sunday: Bandaids -- I find ConvaTec DuoDERM Extra Thin professional wound dressings at FamiliPrix pharmacy in Quebec in single sheets -- larger quantities are available on Amazon -- cut large patches to size to fit the wound. Clean the wound, apply the patch, white liquid will fill the space, don't worry this is not infection but healing of the wound in a moist medium, only change if it leaks, up to 7 days later remove when the white liquid has reabsorbed.
Topics: Getting rid of mold constantly on white stained outside wall; Insulating the inside wall of a basement cold room; Do I need a vapour barrier on a party wall; Where can I find a high gloss hard finish for a floor; Placing large tiles for a kitchen counter back splash and do I need grout; Controlling cockroches; Closing a no longer used chimney; Stopping flys from coming out of the basement floor drain; Gluing a new covering to an exteriour steel door.
Topics: Fire protection over foam insulation; Poor dishumidification with new heat pump; Pipes sweating; Hum in bathroom toilet; Solar Film; ICD Codes for health problems caused by non-ionizing radiation; Asphalt & Gravel roof; Paint peeling on top floor in the summer humidity; Ceramic & marble adhesive; Humidity in new bedroom; Hot water radiators or ConvectAir.
Topics: Repairing vinyl siding; Condo inspection Pre-Delivery; Deck ledger board blocking siding; New metal roof ventilation -- metal roof consulting; Ceramic tile in garage spalling on the edge; Conflicting quotes on attic insulation.
Topics: Working in a heat wave; Legality of sub-contracting; Changing an oil boiler to all electric; The filter on my AC is slowing down the air; Hot water tank planned obsolescence by the insurance companies; Flat roof asphalt vs. membranes; Who is reponsible for a sagging hydro line: Tips making shade during a heat wave; Ants leaving sand on the floor.
Topics: Skirting against rodents; Outside double window fogging up in winter; Ants in walls; Dealing with skunks - they don't like noise (play a radio to drive them away) or light -- then skirt with embedded chicken wire like with the first topic; Removing wall paper; Finishing patches on an asphalt driveway; More on removing wall paper; More on ants; the legality of a roofing contractor sub-contracting the job; Painting a wooden door in a garage; Changing an oil heating boiler to electric.
Topics: Making a house earthquake ready; Carpet under kitchen counter; Sink hole in carport -- filling with 0-3/4 gravel; Why don't they sell 600 volt electrical panels at the local home centre?; Basement water via duplex chimney; Garden shed foundation. Sunday: Hypersensitive neutral building products: the Ecoasis housing project
Topics: Ants in kitchen, how to contol them -- how to identify ants; Buying a new heat pump; Priming a concrete balcony for a new floor covering; Electrical equipment should not be sold to untrained homeowners; Kick space heaters in a kitchen; Duplex foundation problem from a stair well. Sunday: Chalk Lines - their use, their colours and working tips.
Topics: Bothersome change in new heatpump; Where I can I find a Saber sump pump pit?; In a rental apartment, how to install a light in a long closet without a $700 electrican's bill?; Using epoxy/silicone paint on walls; Getting air conditioning to flow throughout the house; Flat paint on the ceiling; How to make a small quantity of harder plaster for drywall repair -- add plaster of paris; Cleaning kitchen backsplash tile grout for new tiles over the top; Using a grout knife.
Topics: Bamboo flooring; Using a garbage can for a sump-pump pit; What kind of vent should I put on a steel roof; Should perimiter drains (french drains) be inside or outside the foundation; Placing a vapour barrier when insulating a challet from the outside; Placement of hot air returns in a heating system.
Topics: Has bamboo gone out of style as it is hard to find?; Removing dog urine on a parquet floor - emzine cleaners; After new water tank, water pressure upstairs is too low; Details on BP roof shingle class action suit - yes this is still active in Quebec; Fiberglass vs Felt based shingles; Choosing shingles; Shower tower using too much water - how to slow it down; Can I extend a wood deck out from a concrete balcony?; Can I paint brown aluminum frames black - yes; Will flushing coffee grains down a drain help to keep it clean - maybe; How much clearance must be around a hot water tank - none.
Topics: Ventilation for roof shingles; Foam insulation touching furnace flue pipe; Can a tankless water heater work with a walk-in bathtub that requires a lot of water fast; How to prime a wall to receive stucco type plaster; How to stop reoccuring cracks in drywall above the corners of windows and doors; Can I put a concrete roof over a garage?; Are composite decks good in our climate?
Topics: Class action suit against BP Shingles -- still active; Covering a strange stain on a wall that won't accept a new finish; Replacing hallway doors in a 6 unit appartment; Outdoor plug not resetting; Insulating the house from a cold attic storage room; Class action against BP; Small claims worked for me against BP; Plumbing flood from upstairs appartment and the landlord won't fix my walls; Window opening covered in new concrete foundation freezing the water pipe. Sunday: the Robertson Screw story -- Why Canadians have square socket screws and Americans have cross style Phillips screws.
Topics: Oil furnace died -- go to all electric, maybe not; Flooding from a basement well; Closed soffits and icecycles; New super heat pump with exageted savings; High efficiency furnace and chimney mis-match; Squirles in the attic; Every tap in the house making noise -- high pressure from the city?; New large island ventilation duct has a 9" duct -- how to get to the outside -- attention such powerful fans can cause backfrafting and could kill you.
Topics: How to seal electrical outlets; My window is leaking - where is the water coming from?; Flat roof Asphalt & gravel vs. Elastomeric membrane; Repairing a chimney for future use with wood burning and how to close it off temporarially; Changing brick over a door and installing a flashing under the new brick; There is a bothersome gurgilling sound in the house; Choosing portable air conditioners -- limititations due to window styles; Which brand of asphalt shingle is best?; Can I insulate the roof over the top of the old roof? Sunday: Hiding the crack between an inside wall and the ceiling caused by Truss Uplift.
Topics: Most National and Québec building codes are now free!; How to evaluate an air quality test; How to test for where water enters a door; Are Shark Bite connectors really reliable? - they are good but they have limitations; Prepairing for a new concret landscaping slab; An old air exchange making noise; Ductless heat pump, or not; Patio stones or pavers.
Topics: Flood control overview -- what to do with minor to moderate flooding -- the 3 stages of basement flooding; A sink hole in an asphalt driveway -- underground errosion; The costs of all electrical forced air heating; Installing new windows; A vertical wall crack that keeps coming and going; Should I use gravel or black earth to slope the landscaping away from the house -- earth; Vinyl flooring in a basement; Baseboard heaters buzz with new electronic thermostats; Very old house where the forced air vents are not under the windows -- should I change it all with the new furnace?
Topics: Sump pump defficient power supply; New low flush toilet in basement not strong enough flow to open the basement backflow damper -- full flow backflow dampers; Yard water evacuation through house drain; Tankless electric water heater; Overview guide to dealing with a flood; Window add-on for sound proofing-- good idea, but may not fit many Canadian windows (openers etc). Sunday: Keeping one part of the basement almost dry while the rest has moderate flood waters -- like to keep the freezer or furnace running -- scroll down to Segmented Plumbing
Topics: Hot water tank and shark fittinga; Bbrick shed rotting at the bottom; Main drain repair covered in loose fill is now sinking; Residential generators -- getting the wires into the house; Noises in the roof, cracks in the drywall; Balcony cracked; Renting and wants air conditioning, do we have to have a duct to the outdoors - YES; Changing bathtub but wants one which will accept seats.
Topics: Replacing insulation after a leak in a compact roof; What covering to use in a heated basement floor; What product to use for heating a floor with electricity - FlexTherm; Can I put a humidifier on a fully ducted air changer - NO; Utility costs went way up when I changed from Dual Energy to All Electric - that's normal - what to do - look at the Tri-Energy controller for all electric heat; Basement leaks through brick with no flashing -- what is a Smart Membrane; Garage floor refinishing; Re-sloping landscaping concrete pads; Testing if the contractor got all the mould out of the wall -- use your nose.
Topics: How to size mini-split heat pumps - using contractor contridictions to understand your house's needs; Toilet bowl sweating; Can a membrane roof be installed in this weather; Black soot leaking out of oil furnace air ducts; Toilet refilling by itself; Connecting a main beam support with its post; Replacing toe-nailed joists with joist hangers -- nails not screws and caution with which nails.
Topics: Window replacement questions -- see Window Replacement Overview; What kind of air conditioning for an older house without ducts; Mould clean-up -- ozone or hydroxyl; Water entry under staircase; Shooting foam over crawl space sand; Crack in the basement leaking for the first time; Major redesign of the roof; Tracing water entry into basement. Sunday: Spring flooding of basements
Topics: Montreal initiative to ban oil furnaces -- a proposition not well thought out; The city is using heavy equipment to break the ice over the street drains -- is all that banging going to damage our house; Which is better to fix a main drain pipe -- dig and replace - or -- an epoxy liner -- and what is the city responsible for; I need to put electric heat in my basement - which is better, basefoards or Convect Air higher up on the wall?; What is the lifespan for a hot water tank -- the insurance companies have forced the manufacturers to make tanks that do not last as long as they could; How do I know that the inspectors sent in by the insurance company have doug deep enough in the wall to find the water problem; Switch your circuit breakers before you reset your clocks. Sunday: When you change the clocks for daylight savings -- flic all the circuit breakers just to clean the contacts and keep them working safely -- you have to change the electric clocks anyway! Which is better - fuses or circuit breakers?
Topics: Melt water into basement - Landscaping - Flood Alarms; Preventing tree roots from coming back into a house drain - escavation - epoxy liner - Biobarrier; Furnace moved leading to air flow problems; Roof leaking -- vent flashing to blame; Town house water in basements from weather patterns current ice problems -- sandless sand-bags; Removing ceramic floor tiles and thin-set mortar; Well pump buring out pumps - turns out it was a broken diapharam in the expansion tank. Sunday: Fire safety with wood burning appliances during the spring break -- Radiation Shields
Topics: Unusual weather creating ice problems around the house and covering street drains -- prepair for more water in basements than usual as this thaws -- be ready with Quick Dam or other sandless sandbags; Is it right for a contractor to put electrical wires directly behind the drywall in the space made by strapping over studs; How to clean up mould and find mould testing companies; Does the PanFan toilet bowl filter fan really work; Choosing new windows; Butterfly dampers to stop cold air from ceiling fan in bathroom; Do I need a sump pump?
Topics: Poor pressure from well pump; Bath tub faucet - no cold water: Eco Ice Grip - no-slip wood chips for slippery ice - where to buy it; Upstairs radiator that does not work -- the Spiro Vent for continuous removial of air from hydronic systems; Heat pump cyclying on/orr too quickly; Door to low with water coming in - can I raise the bottom of the door; Eleminating household dust; Where to find radon remedial services - scroll to the bottom. Sunday: Continuous around the corner and up the stairs hand rails by PromenAid.
Topics: 2 story Mongolian Yurts in Alaska; Bathroom fan dripping; Permenant disability pension and travel - CPP and QPP full permenant disability have no travel restrictions -- temporary disability and private plans may be different; Cleaning the inner tub of a clothes washer to get rid of musty smell; Sink backing up when other sinks are drained; Runing a gas furnace during a black-out -- deep draw batteries and converters -- outdoor generator and a transfer switch; Stove top vent letting cold air in - the Ventiloation-Maximum double seal damper; Limitations of a remote thermostat in monitoring a home; With hot water radiators, there is cold water running through an upper story radiator.