Ask an Old House Pro

Banishing Ice Dams

Partner Post: Maine Preservation

This month, Maine Preservation tackles your questions about ice dams.

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three historic homes

Reading Historic Roofs

Partner Post: Maine Preservation

In a monthly column, the experts at Maine Preservation answer your questions about maintaining antique and vintage homes. This month, we discuss the roofs of historic houses.

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Brunswick carriage barn

Restoring a Buckled Barn

Partner Post: Maine Preservation

In a monthly column, the experts at Maine Preservation answer your questions about maintaining antique and vintage homes. My 2 ½-story carriage barn, built in the 1890s, has walls that are bulging outward on the upper floor, just below the roof line. I am told that the building is “balloon-framed.” What does that mean and can […]

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Leak-Proof Your Chimney

Partner Post: Maine Preservation

In a monthly column, Christopher W. Closs, an expert with Maine Preservation, answers your questions about maintaining antique and vintage homes. Q: How can I prevent water from getting into my house through the chimney? – Peggy Gierhan, Auburn A: Historically, when fireplaces were used on a daily basis for cooking, rain was absorbed into […]

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Safford House, Portland, Maine

10 Steps to a Tighter Home

Partner Post: Maine Preservation

In a monthly column, Christopher W. Closs, an expert with Maine Preservation, answers your questions about maintaining antique and vintage homes. Q: What are some practical ways to make my 1911 home more energy efficient? – B. Randall, Portland As the temperature drops and the threat of higher energy prices looms large, this is an […]

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Removing Artificial Siding

Partner Post: Maine Preservation

In a monthly column, Christopher W. Closs, an expert with Maine Preservation, answers your questions about maintaining antique and vintage homes. Q: Our historic Georgian home was clad in vinyl siding about 30 years ago, prior to our purchasing the house. In your July 2017 article, you discouraged the use of artificial siding, which is often […]

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Exterior Painting Pointers

Partner Post: Maine Preservation

In a monthly column, Christopher W. Closs, an expert with Maine Preservation, answers your questions about maintaining antique and vintage homes. Q. I live in a seaside clapboard house built in 1856. Three sides of my home need repainting desperately, as bare wood is showing where paint has peeled off. What are the considerations I […]

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Repairing Brick Walls

Partner Post: Maine Preservation

In a new monthly column, Christopher W. Closs, an expert with Maine Preservation, answers your questions about maintaining antique and vintage homes. Q. I live in a brick house built around 1900 and I’ve noticed that some of the mortar between bricks is cracked or missing. Several workers have told me I should have the […]

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Caring for Historic Windows

Partner Post: Maine Preservation

In a new monthly column, Christopher W. Closs, an expert with Maine Preservation, answers your questions about maintaining antique and vintage homes. Q: Our 1923 shingled house in Cape Elizabeth still has its original wooden windows. I love them, but they’re not energy efficient. Some window companies claim I’ll save a fortune with vinyl replacements. […]

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