Water naturally will take the path of least resistance. That would be down hill. If it is coming up then there is one of two causes, either the drain lines are too small to handle the waste, which will not be the case if they are 4" or larger, or the drain lines are partially blocked. Partially...

I agree metal skirting is the only/best way to go especially in light of the fact that your old skirting rotted. As far as siding is concerned if it rots it's no good. Go with vinyl siding. Not only is it more attractive it also helps to get away from the "mobile home" look that panel sidi...

Greg do you make your own footers or buy them ready made. Are you permitted to use 4 X4 pressure treated footers. Two layers played in alternate directions and spiked together. I am curious as I am setting up a new home this summer and our building code does allow for pressure treated footers on gra...

I have a simple fix that usually improves the situation. Spray foam insulation, The type that the home building stores sell for insulating around new install windows. Purchase a spray can of the non expanding spray foam. Turn off the power to the outlet. Remove the cover plate and outlet. Insert the...

If Greg is correct in that the underbelly is a vapour barrier, and I have no reason not to believe him, then installing a vapour barrier under the floor would not be a good Idea. It would create a enclosed space that could not breath. However a vapour barrier on the cold side of the insulation serve...

You do need to put down a vapour barrier. Did you move your water lines to inside your home. When the home was built the main water lines are run along the primary heating duct to prevent freezing in winter. If you are changing to in floor heating no heat will go down to insure the water lines do no...

I have sided older homes. The main issue is with the fact that under the tin is 1/4" chip board. This has very little holding power for nails and will require the use of screws for all attachments. To add siding you need to add vertical strapping first spaced about 12" on center and around...

At 600 lbs I would not put it along a outside wall without additional support under the home at that point. The floor will hold the weight but over time it could definitely cause the floor/wall to sag.

The question is not whether the floor will support the gun safe (it will) but rather what is under the floor in the location you chose. If placed along a outside wall as opposed to directly over a beam or pier support the effect on the structure of the home is entirely different. Where in the home i...

There is no magic bullet. Electricians fish the wiring through the attic and down walls to switches by cutting small access openings where necessary and repairing afterwords. Fishing through the attic is fairly simple the issue is getting through the wall top plate down to the light switch. This usu...

The water was not shut off, and indeed, the effect was almost as they hoped..several residents were up in arms and marched into the managers office with pitchforks in hand. (We are not the only new residents here) The above statement of yours clearly supports what I said. Intelligent people will in...

It is unfortunate but there will always be a small segment of society willing to take up arms without wanting to know the facts first. The reality is they do not do it to defend their rights they do it to elevate their own importance in the eyes of others. As a landlord I would expect the residents ...

I am not sure what you mean by "inside the water heater" but I can assure you that condensation can not form on a warm surface, or even a surface at room temp. The temperature of the surface must be below the temp of the air in order for moisture to be released forming condensation. You ha...

The problem with the on demand heaters is not the temp of the cold water it is the fact that many will shut off if the water pressure drops below 30psi. The tank jacket will have no effect on condensation they are only used to help keep the water in the tank hot longer. The condensation is a direct ...

Get the black/grey foam tubes for insulating water pipes and place it around the cold water line. If condensation is from the cold line this will stop it from happening. If it is the tank I would also advise replacing it with a conventional electric hot water tank. On demand heaters do not work well...