
Addition problems: the foundation
Design and structural issues with the foundation of our addition, and why simply tearing down and rebuilding the addition is the best option for us.

Structural Repairs: Load-Bearing Walls
Restoring, replacing and altering structure where load bearing walls had been damaged or removed.

Structure: Supporting the house from the basement
When it comes to fixing structural issues in a house, start in the basement and work your way up.

Adding ventilation and fixing leaks in back dormer
Extending the roof to add soffit ventilation and solve water issues in the back dormer.

Fixing water damage and structure in the Dormer
A water leak and a window installed without proper structure. How we removed rotted framing and framed the wall correctly.

A closer look at the stairs
Details of the instances where our stair rails and spindles do not meet the minimum requirements of the Ontario Building Code.

A step in the right direction?
I planned to paint the stair rail and spindles but that was too hard so I came up with a better plan: build a wall instead at some point in the future.

Framing with metal studs
Comparing of advantages and disadvantages of framing with metal studs vs wood, especially in a basement, plus tips for working with metal framing.

Installing a pre-hung exterior door
Replacing a screen door on the garage with a new steel door on a block and stucco garage.