Basements & suites
Project Guide2 min
Sump Pump Battery Backup: Plan the Failure Scenario
A sump backup needs more than a battery in the corner. Compare pump capacity, discharge, alarms, maintenance, and what happens during an outage.
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Basements & suites.Page 3
Make downstairs comfortable, dry, and useful. Plan the layout, moisture work, services, and approvals before the walls close.
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25–36 of 46Basements & suites
Project Guide2 min
Waterproof Vinyl Plank Does Not Waterproof a Basement
Waterproof flooring claims do not resolve moisture beneath a basement floor. Check the slab, assembly, and installation limits before covering a damp room.
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Field Guide3 min
A Sewer Smell From the Basement Floor Drain: Start With the Trap
A dry trap can let sewer gas into a basement. Learn the first reasonable check, what recurring odours can mean, and when a backup needs a different response.
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Field Guide3 min
Basement Alarms in Ontario: The 2026 CO Rule Matters
Finishing a basement or adding a suite? Check Ontario’s expanded carbon monoxide alarm coverage alongside smoke alarms and the approved renovation design.
Read the postDecision Note3 min
Basement Ceiling: Removable Panels or Drywall?
A smooth ceiling hides the pipes beautifully. That is less helpful when someone needs to reach one.
Weigh the optionsBasements & suites
Field Guide3 min
Basement Suite Soundproofing: The Ceiling Is Only Part of It
Footsteps, voices, and sound travelling through adjoining walls need different attention. Plan a basement suite ceiling as a complete acoustic assembly.
Read the postDecision Note3 min
Box In the Basement Post or Build the Room Around It?
The post is staying. The question is whether it becomes a small obstacle or the start of a useful wall.
Weigh the optionsBasements & suites
Field Guide3 min
How Much Space Should You Leave Around a Basement Furnace?
Furnace-room planning needs appliance clearances, service access, combustion air, and a replacement route. Avoid designing the room around one generic number.
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Basements & suites
Field Guide3 min
Sewage Ejector vs Sump Pump: Two Pits, Very Different Jobs
A basement bathroom and foundation drainage need different systems. Learn what each pump handles and what to establish before planning a secondary suite.
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Field Guide3 min
Those Capped Basement Pipes: Is the Bathroom Really Roughed In?
Existing basement pipes can help, but they do not confirm a finished bathroom layout. Check drainage, venting, elevations, and inspection records before framing.
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Basements & Building Science4 min
Basement Insulation Code in Ontario: What Goes Behind the Drywall?
The required R-value depends on the project and wall design. Moisture, the permit scope, and the complete assembly all matter.
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Basements & Healthy Homes5 min
Test for Radon Before You Finish the Basement
A basement renovation changes where people spend time. Measure radon before the floor plan and finishes make mitigation more awkward.
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