Basements & suites
Workshop Notes3 min
A Window-Well Cover Still Has to Let You Out
Keeping leaves out was the easy part. We checked the cover from the basement side too.
Read the postThe Workshop / 46 useful reads
Basements & suites.
Make downstairs comfortable, dry, and useful. Plan the layout, moisture work, services, and approvals before the walls close.
A useful place to start
01
Start with the scope and the approvals it needs.
Do You Need a Permit to Finish a Basement in Ontario? ↗
02Resolve moisture before buying the finishes.
Waterproof the Basement Before You Finish It ↗
03Creating another home? Understand the suite requirements.
Legal Basement and Secondary Suites in Ontario: Start With the House, Not the Stove ↗
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1–12 of 46
Basements & suites
Workshop Notes3 min
Do Not Drywall Over That Little Plumbing Cap
It was only a cap in a wall. Until someone needed to put a drain-cleaning machine in front of it.
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Basements & suites
Workshop Notes3 min
Seal the Sump Lid. Keep the Pump Reachable.
We wanted a better seal. We did not want to entomb the pump.
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Everyday Renovations3 min
The Basement Pipe Is Sweating. Is It Actually Leaking?
The pipe looks like a cold drink on a humid day. That is a useful clue, but it is not a diagnosis. Follow where the water starts.
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Basements & suites
Workshop Notes3 min
Where Should the Basement Dehumidifier Actually Go?
The machine had a lovely little nook. Unfortunately, most of the basement was somewhere else.
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Basements & suites
Field Guide3 min
Why Is the Basement Dehumidifier Icing Up?
A cold basement can be outside a dehumidifier's useful operating range. Start with temperature, airflow, and the exact model's instructions.
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Basements & suites
Project Guide2 min
A Working Sump Pump Can Still Have a Frozen Discharge
Check the outdoor route before winter blocks your sump discharge. A powered pump cannot reliably protect a basement if the water has nowhere to go.
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Project Guide2 min
Carpet in the Basement: Comfort With a Catch
Basement carpet feels warm but can hide moisture and complicate cleanup. Assess the slab and consider removable softness before committing wall to wall.
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Project Guide2 min
Does Your HRV Need Attention After a Renovation?
New rooms, tighter walls, and altered ducts can change ventilation needs. Include HRV inspection, airflow checks, and controls in the renovation handover.
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Project Guide2 min
Seal the Rim Joist Before the Basement Ceiling Closes
The top of the foundation can leak air behind a finished basement ceiling. Check the rim-joist condition and air-barrier detail while it remains accessible.
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Project Guide2 min
Should You Fill Basement Floor Cracks Before Flooring?
Assess basement slab cracks for movement and moisture before covering them. Filler, levelling compound, and crack isolation solve different problems.
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Project Guide2 min
Soundproofing Can Be Undone by the Wrong Drywall Screws
Resilient channel relies on its installation detail. Check screw length, attachment, edges, and later fixtures before expecting a quieter basement ceiling.
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