Question 1

What's the best approach to re-pointing old sandstone foundation walls on a century home in Saint John's south end?

Accepted Answer

Re-pointing sandstone foundation walls is one of the most misunderstood masonry jobs on older Saint John homes — use the wrong mortar and you'll cause more damage in five years than a century of weathering did.

The single most critical rule: the new mortar must be softer than the stone. Historic sandstone foundations were originally laid with lime-based mortars (NHL 2, NHL 3.5, or a lime-putty mix) that were intentionally sacrificial — they were designed to absorb movement and moisture, then be

Question 2

How do i deal with radon in my Fredericton basement if levels came back at 400 Bq/m3 after testing?

Accepted Answer

At 400 Bq/m³, you're at twice Health Canada's action guideline of 200 Bq/m³ — this needs to be addressed, and the good news is it's very fixable. Fredericton sits on geology that makes elevated radon common, and you're smart to have tested before assuming everything was fine.

Start with a second test to confirm. A 90-day long-term test (using an alpha track detector, $30–$50 from hardware stores or online) is the gold standard. Short-term tests can vary with seasonal pressure changes and ventil

Question 3

How do i run new electrical to a detached garage 80 feet from my house in Rothesay — underground or overhead?

Accepted Answer

Running power to a detached garage in Rothesay is absolutely doable, and you have two legitimate options — underground conduit or overhead service entrance cable — but this is licensed-contractor territory in New Brunswick, not a DIY project.

Before getting into the technical comparison, the regulatory picture: all electrical work in NB must be performed by a licensed electrical contractor (licence issued by NB Dept. of Justice and Public Safety — Technical Inspection Services). Your contractor

Question 4

How do i prep my Bathurst home's exterior for painting when the old lead paint is flaking off everywhere?

Accepted Answer

Stop before you pick up a scraper — lead paint removal is one of the most hazardous DIY tasks a homeowner can take on, and Bathurst's older housing stock means this situation is very common.

If your home was built before 1978, there's a strong chance the original exterior paint contains lead. In Bathurst's older neighbourhoods — particularly around the downtown core and established residential streets — you're likely dealing with multiple layers of lead-based paint that have been recoated over

Question 5

How do i install a whole-house HRV system in my Fredericton home to deal with winter condensation?

Accepted Answer

An HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) is exactly the right solution for winter condensation in a Fredericton home, and it's one of the most impactful upgrades you can make to an older NB house. That said, a whole-house HRV installation is a significant mechanical project — part of it is DIY-friendly, but the ductwork, electrical connection, and integration with your existing HVAC system almost always warrant professional involvement.

Understanding Why Fredericton Homes Need HRVs

Fredericton winte

Question 6

What's the proper way to install a sump pump in a Moncton home with a high water table near the Petitcodiac?

Accepted Answer

Installing a sump pump in Moncton's clay-heavy soils near the Petitcodiac requires careful attention to the high water table and tidal influence on groundwater levels. The Petitcodiac River's tidal bore and seasonal flooding patterns create unique drainage challenges that make proper sump pump installation critical for basement protection.

Sump Basin Placement and Sizing

Your sump basin needs to be positioned at the lowest point of your basement floor, typically where your foundation drain til

Question 7

How do i build a frost-protected shallow foundation for a small workshop in Sussex?

Accepted Answer

A frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) uses insulation to redirect heat from the building and ground to prevent frost penetration, allowing you to build footings above the normal 4+ foot frost line depth required in Sussex.

This is an excellent option for a small workshop since it can significantly reduce excavation costs while providing a solid foundation. The key principle is using rigid foam insulation both horizontally and vertically to create a thermal barrier that keeps frost away fr

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