We would like to think that roofing systems today are well thought out, easy to assemble and trouble free. And then there is the real world. We went to the manufacturers of roofing systems and roofing components to get a handle on what are some of the real world field problems that shouldn't be...
Fastening to concrete or masonry? We've got three problems: choosing the right fastener, choosing the right tool and then doing it right. Here is some product information and trouble shooting tips.Power Actuated nailingExplosive shot nailling is the most common but the weakest of the serious ...
-- Oil base, resin base and polyvinyl acetate caulking do not hold up. There are far too many better caulkings available to waste time and money with these old formulations.-- Latex based caulking is inexpensive, can be painted and has medium durability. It is acceptable for baseboards and caul...
It surprised me to discover that most of the raw gypsum material used by Westroc Canada to make drywall comes from the "scrubbers" on the top of the power plant smoke stacks, and the rest comes from re-cycled boards. Yes, cleaning up air pollution produces a very pure gypsum that ends up on our ...
Fiberglass is a very interesting option in window frames in that it combines many of the best characteristics from the other window frame choices. In their energy efficiency they are similar to vinyl with the many dead air spaces and far better than the cold conducting metal frames. Their s...
Wood heating appliances get hot -- that's why we use them -- but they also burn down houses. They are only safe if you install them safely.
-- Let's start with the fascinating process of how wood burns;
-- and now let's see how that process can happen inside your walls or floors near woo...
Low flow toilets: do they work? do they not work? This is an ongoing very interesting debate. This history of the evolution was first written in 2001. For the latest updates on this story and current data on toilets that do work, click here.
The average Canadian household uses between 7 hundred...
More and more people are asking for powerful kitchen range hoods or bathroom exhaust fans. The logic appears simple, increase the power of the exhaust fan and get rid of pollutants quicker. In more and more modern homes which have been weather-stripped and sealed against cold air leaks and heat l...
Tools change so fast that is even hard for me to keep up with them. I think it is all a conspiracy to keep us buying new tools long before the old ones wear out. Of course I have to admit that my shop is rather over stocked as I am constantly receiving samples to try out, so I rarely manage to we...
For an overview on changing the roof or roof covering on a house and special information on Mansard roof shingles -- follow this link.
The starter shingle
If you put the first row of shingles on the edge of the roof just like all the rest, you will see the bare roof deck through the crac...
