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Found 187 results for the keyword ‘Environmental’

  • Should a washing machine drain into a sump pump?

    No. I am sorry about that, Reese from Ingersol, Ontario.  The washing machine puts out far too much water far too fast for a sump pump to be able to carry it away. Also there is always a bit of lint in the drain water, which will eventually plug up the sump pump filter. In addition the soap can...
  • Gumbo Clay and what it does to your house.

    For those of you who have move into the area spreading roughly from Winnipeg to Regina, but you have not grown up in this area, the living nature of the soil itself may surprise you. Clay soil under and around a house can cause problems anywhere in Canada, but in this region there is a special cl...
  • How to get moss off roof shingles, and keep it off.

    Jim had an interesting problem with his mother-in-law's house. The 25 year old roof had no moss, ever. Then he re-shingled and the north and east sides have been constantly covered in moss. Why and what to do about it? Zinc impregnated shingles For a bit more money you can buy shingles that hav...
  • Dealing with insect invasions: Cluster Flys, Lady Bugs & Boxelder Beetles

      A viewer on my HGTV program asked: "Does the type of siding make a difference in attracting Cluster flies?" I always wanted to learn more about those flies that cluster on the side of houses (usually in the country) and mass in the windows in the early spring and late summer. They are larger ...
  • The EMF debate changes again: US government research proves that cell phone radiation does cause cancer.

    2016 --   A US government study from the National Toxicology Program shows a definite link between cell phone radiation and the development of cancer but the press says there is still no problem.  After reading the government report myself (you can get the full report here and read it for yours...
  • Tankless water heaters

      More and more we are seeing tankless water heaters, both for replacing our regular hot water tank and for hot water radiant heating. Do they work? Where did they come from? Are they proven technology or new gadgets? MOST OF THE WORLD IS TANKLESS Actually, we may want to ask: "Where have we b...
  • How do I keep a shallow Sump drain from freezing outdoors?

    Michael writes from St. Lazare, Quebec : We recently found a nasty surprise with our new house. The land has a high water table and as a result we have sump pump in the basement. The plumbing for this pump was hidden in the walls and ceiling of the basement. When our inspector inspected the home,...
  • Smart Meters & Fires

      Here is a lengthy response to a Facebook.com/AskJonEakes comments thread on a video entitled Smart Meter Fires. You can see the initial discussion at the bottom of this page.   Where fear is expressed, it is not always fear mongering but often precaution.  “Fear mongering” is a political tac...
  • Wash Down low flow dual flush toilets use water differently!

    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...
  • Mould on outside corners of the bedroom

    Ken in Sault St.Marie wants to paint his bedroom but has mildew on the outside corners. Anywhere where there is wood and no insulation in the walls, like where studs and other framing go right through the wall, we have a thermal bridge that cools the drywall more than where there is insulation. ...