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Found 209 results for the keyword(s) ‘repair plaster shower ceiling ’

  • Article

    Re-wiring a lamp.

      Here are a few tips when it comes to re-wiring an old lamp.     Use the existing wire to pull the new wire through. You need to join them in a way that does not create a lump in the wire.           Avoiding a lump On the old pair of wires, cut one wire shorter than the other and s...
  • Article

    BBS: Raised Heel Trusses

      How do you get enough space above the wall and below the roof for both massive insulation and ventilation? One way in new construction, or even in the rebuilding of a roof, is what we call a Raised Heel Truss. This design forces the overhang of the house further out from the house, but does gi...
  • Article

    An alternative to ducting through the attic in a cold climate.

      In my experience, heating ducts that run through attics cause serious problems in snow country. Don't let a contractor talk you into it. In warm climates it is common practice to run heating and air conditioning ducting through attic spaces simply because it is easy to do. Unfortunately this ...
  • Article

    How to renew worn stairs without replacing them.

    David in Toronto sent us a photo of some very badly worn steps that he wanted to recover with wood without removing the old stairway. It is not easy, but it can be done. First sand or cut the round nose of each stair square. We will put a new round nose on as the last step. Clean the stair off ...
  • Article

    How do you fill cracks or holes in a driveway?

    Angela from cyberspace (you really have to tell me where you are from when you write in, it helps me to know things about your climate, even about your soil) wants to seal her driveway but needs to fill up the cracks first. How to do it? If we are talking about interlocking bricks, start by fill...
  • Article

    Restoring Heritage Windows

    When Heritage Window Restoration becomes an energy efficient & cost effective alternative to new windows Most of us who have worked in older neighbourhoods have at one time or another thought about or dabbled in restoring old building components rather than ripping out and installing new...
  • Article

    Fixing small cracks in a foundation wall.

    Randy in Winnipeg has found small cracks in a foundation wall and wants to know how to fix them. Right up front I want to make the statement that it is often not worth the bother to fix a small crack in a foundation wall that is not moving -- especially if no water is coming in.  The best way to...
  • Article

    Replacing a missing roof shingle

    One of our callers had one missing roof shingle. How to replace it?   Working on a warm day, lift the shingle above to expose the nails. Remove the nail, or cut out around the nail to release the damaged shingle. Pound the nail in flush or pull it out. Getting rid of this nail is probably the h...
  • Article

    The roof Drip Edge

    Barbara in Montreal had water damage in her bay window area as wind driven rain always found it's way in. Contractor repair bids ranged from $1,200 for a patch to $4,000 for a new roof. A study of the detail where the added-on bay window joined the very edge of the roof showed a flashing flaw tha...
  • Article

    Basement Perimeter Drainage and Leaking Foundations

    This article deals with walls below grade, foundation walls.  For insulating above grade cinder block walls see How do you Insulate a Brick and Block construction as well as Insulating an Above Grade Block Wall from the Inside. The best way to prevent water from leaking into the basement is not ...