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Ask a Pro: Bathroom floor fix

Ask a Pro: Bathroom floor fix

The vinyl tiles on my bathroom floor were laid over existing tile, which caused the top layer of tiles to shift. I have removed all the tiles down to the concrete, but now the floor is too uneven to lay a solid piece of linoleum over. I am thinking...

Ask a pro: When to use epoxy

Ask a pro: When to use epoxy

I recently finished building my own workshop and I wonder whether I should paint the concrete floor with epoxy. Do I need to have a smooth surface before I paint it? — Djunaedi, via email

Ask a pro: Vapour barrier

Ask a pro: Vapour barrier

Vapour barrier I gutted the entire basement and added new insulation. Below grade, there is simply 1 1/2" of white-foam insulation board over concrete blocks. Above grade, there is new Roxul R14 insulation and then the foam board. Do I need to put a...

Ask a pro: Tung oil protection

Ask a pro: Tung oil protection

I am going to be using tung oil as a finish for my current project. I would like to complete it with some sort of protective layer, but I'm not sure what would work best with the oil. Does using tung oil limit my choices? - Jimmy See, Kingston, Ont.

Ask a pro: Not hot shower

Ask a pro: Not hot shower

My hot water supply lasts five to 10 minutes. I'd like to drain the hot-water tank and see what's up, but I can't turn off the cold-water supply to the tank; the red tap spins freely instead of turning on the nut, and the tap nut is cracked so I...

Ask a pro: Loose hinges

Ask a pro: Loose hinges

Over the years, I have had to repair many door hinges in our home that have been damaged through use; we have six children who all went through a door-slamming phase. There comes a time when the screws holding the hinges onto the door work themselves...

Ask a pro: Leaky eavestrough

Ask a pro: Leaky eavestrough

My eavestrough leaks, between the aluminum fascia and the eavestrough itself. I installed it according to the instructions for slope and fastening. What did I do wrong and what can I do to fix it? -Ross Johnson, Saskatoon

Ask a pro: Drying lumber

Ask a pro: Drying lumber

I recently had some white birch logs milled into rough-sawn lumber. I have approximately 100 board feet of 5/4 boards that are 4" to 7" wide and 8' long. I stacked them under cover with 3/4" stickers between each layer. Do I need to have the...

Ask a pro: Covering concrete stairs

Ask a pro: Covering concrete stairs

My home has concrete stairs leading to the basement. We're renovating the basement, but so far I'm at a loss for a way to upgrade the look of the stairs, which are in very bad shape. I have been looking for a reasonable solution to covering...

Ask a pro: Build your own windows

Ask a pro: Build your own windows

I want to replace my old aluminum sliders with some classic-looking wood windows, but the estimates seem pretty expensive. Is it possible to build reasonably efficient windows myself? - Quinn Black Aurora, Ont.

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