It would be nice if every home builder and tradesperson followed Mike Holmes' sage advice, "If you're going to do something, do it right the first time." But as many home owners are aware, there are often mistakes, shortcuts and shoddy workmanship hidden behind walls, under floors and sometimes even in the air you breathe. Too often, people are living in homes with problems that can compromise their safety - and their bank accounts.
Mike learned the ins and outs of home building from his father, and he has been fixing poor carpentry, electrical and plumbing work for the past two decades. He understands how the trades work and shares his knowledge with viewers on his popular HGTV program, Holmes on Homes.
Mike Holmes was online earlier to answer questions about your home renovations and repairs.
Mike Holmes is the host of Holmes on Homes on HGTV. See the house Mike built in the two-hour Lien on Me special February 28 at 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on HGTV. Then visit www.holmesonhomes.com and see more.
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Danielle Boudreau, globeandmail.com writes: Hi Mike, thanks so much for taking the time to speak to our readers today. Many readers have written to you today looking for advice. I was wondering if you think it would be possible to regulate the contractors in Canada. Could this be one way to keep people from getting ripped off by shady characters who are just looking to make a quick buck by cutting corners or even worse, taking off with a homeowner's money? It seems that many people don't know who to trust.
Mike Holmes writes:I believe it is possible. I'd love to see it happen. But there seems to be a lack of will on the part of government to make it happen. I've talked to homeowners, to contractors, to educators, to police officers and fraud investigators and consumer protection people in various government agencies. I've talked to the media. I've talked to various levels of government.
Everyone seems to agree that something needs to be done. But nothing is happening. But I'll keep trying.
Lora Tisi from Campbellville, Ontario Canada writes: We are in the process of renovating a 125 year old stone farmhouse. We discovered there was a 12 foot vaulted roof line above the 8 foot lathe and plaster ceiling and wondered your thoughts on the best way to insulate this new 'peaked' roofline. We have had several contractors suggest that you should apply the spray foam insulation directly to the roof and others suggest that you need air flow. Can you let us know which way you think is best as well as any other suggestions for a reno from this date. Thanks a million! Lora And David
Mike Holmes writes: Hi Lora. Restoring and renovating a 100+ year-old structure and discovering outdated building materials and practices is always a challenge. You have to proceed slowly with caution and make sure you do your homework—research as much as you can.
Under normal circumstances; the application you are considering would be—I think—perfect for the use of a closed-cell polyurethane spray foam insulation, such as "Walltite" from BASF. I would have it applied directly to the underside of the vaulted ceiling structure. A closed-cell polyurethane insulation acts as both an impermeable air barrier and vapour barrier in depths of over two inches.
This type of application would require no ventilation as the insulation is "closed-cell" and does not require the passage of air to keep moisture/condensation from developing.
But, there is an on-going debate among municipal officials about this. Some local inspectors are still slow to realize the differences in the new insulation technologies and can sometimes hold up approvals for this type of application.
