Can moist air cause mould? Some homeowners have had moist air causing condensation on their windows for years and never given it a second thought. It’s not bothering anyone and seems to dry fairly quickly when it gets warmer outside. Window condensation might only occur when it is extremely cold outside. For the most part, if your home is susceptible to condensation, you’ll see it on your windows once the temperatures drop in the fall and it starts to frost and freeze outside. You can also get condensation in the summer months on the outside of your windows when warm moist air outdoors, perhaps from fog, comes into contact with cold, air-conditioned windows. This often happens in cars and wipers are needed to remove the condensation. Moisture in Windows On the rare occasion condensation can be found in between two layers of glass it’s evidence that the airtight seal is broken. To repair the problem, the glass probably needs to be replaced. Contact your window supplier. Having moist air in your home is not…

Why do I have condensation on windows? A cozy winter scene with a snow storm outside and a warm fire burning in a fireplace inside can be marred by the sight of drippy windows. It’s also a sign there are serious moisture issues inside the home. Water or frost on your windows is condensation and is created when warm, moist air comes into contact with dry, cold air much like when two different weather systems collide except this is inside your house and not outside. Is the problem my windows? It may seem like the problem is your windows because that’s where the water rests and makes a watery mess. Condensation isn’t created because your windows are cold instead it’s the coldest place in your house so the phenomena of two air systems smashing together is more noticeable. So what causes condensation? It’s the moisture in the air that causes condensation and it’s more noticeable on your windows because newly constructed houses are more sealed and less drafty than older homes. New construction methods lock cold air outside…

What do I do if my pipes freeze? Last year’s winter was a four-month stretch of brutal cold weather and freezing pipes. Don’t become vulnerable again this year! If you are a snowbird and leaving town for a few months, it’s best if you drain all your pipes of water by turning the main water valve off and then running the taps until they are dry. Insulate any exposed pipe. You can use heat tape if nothing else. If you are at home during the winter, during cold snaps you can leave a trickle of water dripping from indoor faucets to keep them from freezing. A small trickle will cost money, but it will be far less than catastrophic damage from a burst pipe. Keep cabinet doors below sinks open so they get more warm air. If you are going away for a few days, do not turn off your heat. Lower it, but keep enough heat in the house to prevent pipes from freezing. If you find there is no water coming out of the faucet, you probably have a frozen pipe. It’s best to turn off the water at the main junction and shut off your hot…

How do I prepare outside my home for winter? With fall quickly vanishing, you may only have a few more weeks to care for the exterior of your home before winter sets in. In particular you want to look after your deck, patio, gutters and downspouts because they are all expensive items to repair or replace. What do I look for on the deck? Check annually for damaged boards on your deck. Over time the wood cracks or rots and replacing the damaged boards is the first step in maintenance care. Decks often discolour and get coated in mildew and fungus. Once a year you should power wash your deck and scrub away mildew and fungus. You might need to use warm soapy water to attack mildew with a scrub brush. Once done, rinse the deck. When the deck is dry remove any remaining finish or sealer. Sand the deck until smooth and then refinish it. Apply with grain of wood and leave to dry. Add a second or third coat to protect your deck. How do I maintain a patio? A brick paver patio is attractive but not maintenance free. It requires some work to…

How do I know if my chimney is leaking? A lot of older homes have a brick chimney to ventilate the furnace or a fireplace. The brick chimney can be a major source of roof leaks if it isn’t well maintained. A chimney should be inspected annually to see if the bricks are still in good condition and whether the stack is free from deposits. An inspection should also look around the base of the chimney to ensure the flashing is in good shape. A chimney connected to an open fireplace should be cleaned regularly to prevent soot buildup and to keep out animal nests. If you find your fireplace has an odour, it’s probably from creosote deposits, a byproduct of burning wood. A good cleaning should solve the problem, otherwise baking soda or kitty litter set in the fireplace can absorb odours. Even gas chimneys should be inspected because while gas is a clean fuel, the chimney can still be obstructed with a bird nest and other debris blocking the flue. There are five main reasons for a chimney to leak: Rain is going into the top of…

I had a leak in my attic last year, how do I prevent a leak this year? While you wouldn’t know it looking outside, it is still fall. It won’t be winter for at least a month, so you still have time to prepare and get your house in shape for the freezing cold and snow. Before it gets too chilly and snowy, now is the perfect time to check out the exterior of your home to make sure it’s in tip top shape.  If you are hesitant to get out the super tall ladder, you can call R.C. White Ltd. to do the inspection for you. They are roofing experts after all. We’ve had to major wind storms this summer with the wind whipping up so many swirls that it’s possible you have roofing damage and don’t even know it. You want to address any possible leaks coming from your roof for several reasons. When water gets into your attic and makes the insulation wet, you run the risk of mould growth. When the rafters get wet wood can rot. What was once a small leak can become a massive repair bill with replacing roof shingles, insulation, and wood beams and having experts…