Place for readers | We answer your questions

Based on the many questions you have sent us, our collaborator gives you advice and possible solutions once a month to carry out your projects.

Stephanie Levesque
General contractor, guest collaborator

How to fix a radon infiltration?

I am the owner of a house built in 1917. Since there were slight water infiltrations, we had the foundation work done (concrete slab in the basement) with a drainage bottom along the walls. Last fall, my spouse and I ordered a test to assess the possible concentration of radon that could be present in the house. The results are not alarming, but slightly above the recommendations. Is it possible to do sealing work and, if so, which ones do you suggest?

Martin Pineault

Radon is still unknown, but it is easy to find relevant information. The acceptable threshold established by the Canadian Radon Guideline is a maximum of 200 becquerels per cubic meter. That said, even if the health risk is considered low below this threshold, it is important to note that there is no level considered to be completely risk-free if this radioactive gas is indeed present. that you can’t see, smell or taste.

The presence of radon in the air of a home is usually associated with infiltration through the foundations. Old or not, these sometimes have cracks, shrinkage joints and perforation zones for the passage of pipes. It can be difficult to achieve a seal that will sufficiently reduce radon levels, as the infiltration pathways are hidden by the finish of the walls and floors. It is therefore necessary to plan to remove all the coverings, seal and put everything back in place. Each house being different, an inspection by a certified contractor who can offer solutions applicable to your situation can be a good solution.

According to experts, one of the techniques commonly used to reduce radon infiltration is active soil depressurization. A small exhaust fan constantly applies suction under the concrete slab through a small hole, which prevents radon from entering and sends it outside through a drain pipe.

For more details, I invite you to consult the following document: Radon: Reduction Guide for Canadianss.

Upgrade your bathroom for less

We would like to improve our only bathroom, which is 15 years old, without putting a lot of money on it. It’s the shower and the color of the cabinets that bother us the most. What could you suggest to us?

A retired couple

I don’t have details on your shower model, but I assume you have an alcove tub-shower combination with three-sided ceramic installation. The cuts are straight with this kind of pose.

It is possible to install ceramic on the old tiles. If you are certain that everything is healthy, without infiltration and without leaks, this option is interesting. However, you must use a mortar specially designed for this type of work. The steps are then similar (first row at level, application of tiles with different cuts, respect of drying time, grout, silicone bead. You can then stick an aluminum profile on the edge of the double thickness of tiles or even This solution requires the intervention of a tiler, but if you are comfortable with this type of work, you can do it yourself. The result will be much more durable and resistant than painting on tiles.

For your cabinets, it’s different. You can transform them using the right finishing products. Or you can only change the doors, especially if the measurements are standard. Otherwise, a change of vanity is quite simple. We often repeat it, but a solution to save some money is to do small jobs yourself. Manual autonomy has many advantages when you are an owner.