Q: Our vertical cedar board siding became uniformly cupped with outside edges pushing outward along with knots pushing outward. Does the direction of cupping and knot displacement suggest where the moisture came from? Thank You -- Dan A: Wood expands and contracts as its moisture content rises and falls. Increases in wood moisture content can result from exposure to liquid … [Read more...] about What Caused Cupping in Vertical Siding?
Moisture Problems
Vented Vs. Unvented Crawlspaces
Q: What are the best practices for a vented crawlspace? I bought a townhome last Nov. that has a vented crawlspace with a sump pump. There is a vapor barrier on the ground. There is a truss floor system that has faced batts that hang below the subfloor (the facing does not touch the subfloor), the rim joist was sealed with spray foam at the top and bottom and filled with … [Read more...] about Vented Vs. Unvented Crawlspaces
How To Stop Leak Onto Garage Floor?
Q: We recently purchased a property that has an old detached garage on it. Water is leaking into the garage all around the perimeter at the bottom of the wall (first photo). The garage is slab-on-grade construction with a 12-in.-high concrete stem wall placed on top of the slab. The problem is that the slab extends 6 in. beyond the stem wall, forming a horizontal skirt around … [Read more...] about How To Stop Leak Onto Garage Floor?
Preventing Mold On Bedroom Walls & Ceilings
Q: I have a damp spot in the corner of the bedroom. It is and outside wall corner. It is a bungalow so no bathroom over it. The damp spot seems to dry at times but there are tiny mold spots on it. Could it be that there is not enough circulation in the room? The window in the room becomes full of condensation when blind is down in winter so thought that may be part of … [Read more...] about Preventing Mold On Bedroom Walls & Ceilings
How To Find An Underground Water Leak
Q: A plumber disconnected service from our old well and connected the house to city water. The well was never capped. Could that be the source of our leak under the slab on grade? -- Thomas A: Capping of an old well keeps debris and surface contaminants out of the well in case you want to use it in the future. But a cap would not affect underground leakage. Unless you have … [Read more...] about How To Find An Underground Water Leak
How to Prevent Condensation in Cathedral Ceiling?
Q: I’m currently dealing with insulating a cathedral ceiling, which has become a major issue. I’ve been researching solutions but feel stuck in figuring out what’s the best way to go about dealing with the problem. I have a shed roof with 2:12 pitch, built with 2x8 roof joists. It’s a mobile home that’s 14x76, so the roof is just one continuous slope. I live in northern … [Read more...] about How to Prevent Condensation in Cathedral Ceiling?
How To Diagnose & Repair Rotted Framing?
Q: What is the cause and cure for wood rot in an exterior wall? I recently noticed that the corner of my house has rotting studs from the bottom up. The exterior sheathing is rotting as well. This area was never with siding due to being approximately 6 inches from a garage wall. What is the best way to repair the wall and to prevent future problems? The house was built eight … [Read more...] about How To Diagnose & Repair Rotted Framing?
What Caused Water Stains on Ceiling?
Q: How do I identify the source of a water stain on the ceiling? I’m not sure if a leak is from the bathroom directly above or from something else. Also, once identified, how do I go about fixing the leak? – A.G. A: Finding the source of a leak in a ceiling often involves a bit of detective work. Like a detective, you start with the most likely suspect. If you can rule out … [Read more...] about What Caused Water Stains on Ceiling?