The Workshop / 62 useful reads

Basements & suites.

Make downstairs comfortable, dry, and useful. Plan the layout, moisture work, services, and approvals before the walls close.

Keeping an eye on basement humidity, with the meter beside the storage shelves.

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A useful place to start

Unfinished drywall and an open ceiling in a basement renovation.

5 min read

Ontario Basement Permits and Finishing in Stages

Start with the scope and the approvals it needs.

Basement foundation and drainage planning before interior finishing

6 min read

Waterproof Before Finishing a Basement: Leaks, Dampness and White Powder

Resolve moisture before buying the finishes.

Ordinary unfinished basement being assessed for a future renovation

6 min read

Legal Basement and Secondary Suites in Ontario: Start With the House, Not the Stove

Creating another home? Understand the suite requirements.

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1–12 of 62

A closed flush access hatch in a mudroom floor with a clear approach and recessed lifting ring

Basements & suites4 min read

The Crawl-Space Hatch Is Still Under the New Floor

A beautifully hidden hatch is less useful when opening it requires removing the kitchen.

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A high basement window above household storage and a small humidity meter

Basements & suites4 min read

Do You Need a Mould Air Test Before Fixing the Basement?

Visible mould and damp materials usually call for moisture investigation and correction, not a routine air test. Define what a proposed test would change before paying for it.

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Basements & suites4 min read

Does a High Moisture-Meter Reading Mean the Wall Is Wet?

Read the moisture meter's mode and scale before interpreting the number. Compare like materials, map the pattern and confirm the cause before opening a wall.

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Covered basement basin with a white pipe beside a utility sink

Basements & suites4 min read

How to Check a Sump Pump Before the Next Storm

Test the pump, float, discharge, alarm and backup using the equipment instructions. A motor that makes noise is only one part of a working sump system.

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Low crawl space with exposed floor joists, concrete walls and plastic ground covering.

Basements & suites4 min read

Insulate the Crawl-Space Walls or the Floor Above?

Choose the insulation boundary around the crawl space, its pipes and its moisture conditions. Wall insulation often keeps services inside the warmer enclosure; floor insulation needs a separate freeze-protection plan.

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Wet concrete basement stairwell with a grated drain and fallen leaves on the landing.

Basements & suites4 min read

The Basement Walkout Fills With Rainwater

A flooded walkout needs an entry-and-discharge investigation. Separate runoff entering from above, a blocked drain and a drain that cannot discharge before choosing a repair.

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Small black passive radon detector on an unobstructed side table in a sitting room

Basements & suites4 min read

The Radon Fan Is Running. How Do You Know It Worked?

A running radon fan does not measure radon. Keep the commissioning record, complete the recommended long-term follow-up and retest when the house or system changes.

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Metal ruler across an exposed concrete slab crack beside a wood-look flooring sample and basement storage shelves.

Basements & suites4 min read

When Can the Basement Walls Close After a Flood?

Close flood-damaged basement walls only after contamination is addressed, affected materials are assessed and drying is verified. A dry surface or a set number of days is not clearance.

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