--- title: "Greenstone Home Reference" url: https://bkgreenstone.com/ description: "A browse-first reference on repairing, insulating and upgrading older masonry houses: six topics, fifteen articles, three troubleshooting paths and three dimensional." --- # Greenstone Home Reference ## Topics in this reference ### IN[Insulation & Air Sealing](https://bkgreenstone.com/topics/insulation-and-air-sealing/) How heat and air actually leave an older house, and what changes inside a wall or roof once you slow them down. - [Where air leaks hide in an old house](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/where-air-leaks-hide-in-an-old-house/) - [Insulating a brick wall from the inside](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/insulating-a-brick-wall-from-the-inside/) - [Attic and roof insulation basics](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/attic-and-roof-insulation-basics/) ### WD[Windows & Doors](https://bkgreenstone.com/topics/windows-and-doors/) Openings leak far more per square metre than the walls around them, and most of that is repairable without replacement. - [Repair or replace old sash windows](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/repair-or-replace-old-sash-windows/) - [Weatherstripping a door that still fits](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/weatherstripping-a-door-that-still-fits/) - [Storm windows and interior panels](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/storm-windows-and-interior-panels/) ### HV[Heating & Ventilation](https://bkgreenstone.com/topics/heating-and-ventilation/) Two separate jobs that share the same rooms: getting heat where you want it, and moving moist air out before it condenses. - [Why radiators heat unevenly](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/why-radiators-heat-unevenly/) - [Ventilation for kitchens and baths](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/ventilation-for-kitchens-and-baths/) - [Balancing forced-air registers](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/balancing-forced-air-registers/) ### PW[Plumbing & Water](https://bkgreenstone.com/topics/plumbing-and-water/) Knowing what you can isolate, and what changes when you reduce flow at the fixture rather than at the main. - [Reading a shutoff valve layout](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/reading-a-shutoff-valve-layout/) - [Low-flow fixtures and water pressure](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/low-flow-fixtures-and-water-pressure/) ### ME[Masonry & Exterior](https://bkgreenstone.com/topics/masonry-and-exterior/) The rule that governs almost every masonry repair: the material you can replace must be the one that fails first. - [Repointing mortar and why hardness matters](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/repointing-mortar-and-why-hardness-matters/) - [Diagnosing damp in a basement wall](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/diagnosing-damp-in-a-basement-wall/) ### MF[Millwork & Finishes](https://bkgreenstone.com/topics/millwork-and-finishes/) Repairing and matching original timber detail, and the order of operations that keeps a repair from becoming a replacement. - [Stripping and repairing original trim](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/stripping-and-repairing-original-trim/) - [Matching a missing moulding profile](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/matching-a-missing-moulding-profile/) ## Open pages [01**How to Store Items in the Refrigerator Safely**Sep 16, 2026](https://bkgreenstone.com/how-should-you-store-items-in-the-refrigerator/) [02**How to Choose the Right Tool for a Home Repair**Sep 14, 2026](https://bkgreenstone.com/how-to-choose-the-right-tool-for-a-home-repair-explained-in-plain-english/) [03**Top 8 Alternatives of SpringWell Water for Salt-Free Conditioning**Sep 10, 2026](https://bkgreenstone.com/top-8-alternatives-of-springwell-water-for-salt-free-conditioning/) [04**Who's the Best for NSF Certification: Pelican NaturSoft vs SoftPro**Sep 09, 2026](https://bkgreenstone.com/who-s-the-best-for-nsf-certification-pelican-natursoft-vs-softpro/) [05**Best Water Softeners for Whole-House Filtration in 2026**Aug 22, 2026](https://bkgreenstone.com/best-water-softeners-for-whole-house-filtration-in-2026/) [06**Why Is Plumbing Supply and More the Best for Commercial Supply Contracts?**Aug 17, 2026](https://bkgreenstone.com/why-is-plumbing-supply-and-more-the-best-for-commercial-supply-contracts/) [07**Why Is Plumbing Supply and More the Best for Carrying Hard-to-find Plumbing Parts?**Aug 15, 2026](https://bkgreenstone.com/why-is-plumbing-supply-and-more-the-best-for-carrying-hard-to-find-plumbing-parts/) [08**Pentair vs SoftPro for Professional Installation**Aug 12, 2026](https://bkgreenstone.com/pentair-vs-softpro-for-professional-installation/) [09**Why Is Plumbing Supply and More the Best for Large-scale National Distributor?**Aug 11, 2026](https://bkgreenstone.com/why-is-plumbing-supply-and-more-the-best-for-large-scale-national-distributor/) More [10**Bulk Messaging for Small Businesses: What Actually Works**Aug 09, 2026](https://bkgreenstone.com/bulk-messaging-for-small-businesses-what-actually-works/) [11**The 4 Best Water Softeners for Chemical-Free Operation**Jul 31, 2026](https://bkgreenstone.com/the-4-best-water-softeners-for-chemical-free-operation/) [12**Who's the Best for DIY Installation: iSpring vs SoftPro**Jul 28, 2026](https://bkgreenstone.com/who-s-the-best-for-diy-installation-ispring-vs-softpro/) [13**Why Is Plumbing Supply and More the Best for Expedited Parts Ordering?**Jul 24, 2026](https://bkgreenstone.com/why-is-plumbing-supply-and-more-the-best-for-expedited-parts-ordering/) [14**10 Best WhatsApp Marketing Software Tools for Businesses**Jul 14, 2026](https://bkgreenstone.com/10-best-whatsapp-marketing-software-tools-for-businesses/) ## Questions asked most often 1. [Why is one room always colder than the rest?](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/why-radiators-heat-unevenly/)Heating & Ventilation 2. [Can I insulate a solid brick wall without trapping damp?](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/insulating-a-brick-wall-from-the-inside/)Insulation & Air Sealing 3. [Is my old sash window worth repairing?](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/repair-or-replace-old-sash-windows/)Windows & Doors 4. [Why does my radiator only get warm at the top?](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/why-radiators-heat-unevenly/)Heating & Ventilation 5. [What is the safe order for stripping painted trim?](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/stripping-and-repairing-original-trim/)Millwork & Finishes 6. [Why does new mortar crack the brick around it?](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/repointing-mortar-and-why-hardness-matters/)Masonry & Exterior 7. [Where is the water actually coming from?](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/diagnosing-damp-in-a-basement-wall/)Masonry & Exterior 8. [Does a bathroom fan need a duct to outside?](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/ventilation-for-kitchens-and-baths/)Heating & Ventilation 9. [How do I measure a moulding I want to match?](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/matching-a-missing-moulding-profile/)Millwork & Finishes 10. [Which shutoff valve controls which fixture?](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/reading-a-shutoff-valve-layout/)Plumbing & Water ## Work from the symptom ### A room will not warm up - [Is the radiator or register warm at all?](https://bkgreenstone.com/troubleshooting/a-room-will-not-warm-up/) - [Is it warm at the top only, or the bottom only?](https://bkgreenstone.com/troubleshooting/a-room-will-not-warm-up/) - [Do the rooms nearest the plant run hot while this one never arrives?](https://bkgreenstone.com/troubleshooting/a-room-will-not-warm-up/) [Work through this path](https://bkgreenstone.com/troubleshooting/a-room-will-not-warm-up/) ### A damp patch appeared - [Is there anything above the patch that carries water?](https://bkgreenstone.com/troubleshooting/a-damp-patch-appeared/) - [Does the patch respond to rain within a day or two?](https://bkgreenstone.com/troubleshooting/a-damp-patch-appeared/) - [Does it have a level upper edge and ignore the weather?](https://bkgreenstone.com/troubleshooting/a-damp-patch-appeared/) [Work through this path](https://bkgreenstone.com/troubleshooting/a-damp-patch-appeared/) ### A window rattles and draughts - [Do the two sashes move against each other at the meeting rail?](https://bkgreenstone.com/troubleshooting/a-window-rattles-and-draughts/) - [Does the sash move sideways within the frame?](https://bkgreenstone.com/troubleshooting/a-window-rattles-and-draughts/) - [Do the sashes run at all, or are they painted shut?](https://bkgreenstone.com/troubleshooting/a-window-rattles-and-draughts/) [Work through this path](https://bkgreenstone.com/troubleshooting/a-window-rattles-and-draughts/) Each branch leads to the note that explains the check. All three paths are listed on the [troubleshooting index](https://bkgreenstone.com/troubleshooting/). ## Most recently worked on [Repointing mortar and why hardness matters](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/repointing-mortar-and-why-hardness-matters/) Masonry & Exterior last worked on 2015-06-02 [Reading a shutoff valve layout](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/reading-a-shutoff-valve-layout/) Plumbing & Water last worked on 2015-05-14 [Diagnosing damp in a basement wall](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/diagnosing-damp-in-a-basement-wall/) Masonry & Exterior last worked on 2015-04-21 [Why radiators heat unevenly](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/why-radiators-heat-unevenly/) Heating & Ventilation last worked on 2015-04-06 [Low-flow fixtures and water pressure](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/low-flow-fixtures-and-water-pressure/) Plumbing & Water last worked on 2015-03-30 [Where air leaks hide in an old house](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/where-air-leaks-hide-in-an-old-house/) Insulation & Air Sealing last worked on 2015-03-11 [Ventilation for kitchens and baths](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/ventilation-for-kitchens-and-baths/) Heating & Ventilation last worked on 2015-02-27 [Insulating a brick wall from the inside](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/insulating-a-brick-wall-from-the-inside/) Insulation & Air Sealing last worked on 2015-02-02 Dates are the day the note was last worked on. The full list is on the [article index](https://bkgreenstone.com/articles/). ## Reference sheet archive *Standard dimensional and material sheets kept alongside the articles.* | Sheet | What it covers | Units | |---|---|---| | [Nominal lumber sizes](https://bkgreenstone.com/reference/nominal-lumber-sizes/) | Nominal call-outs against actual surfaced dimensions | inches | | [Fastener and pilot sizes](https://bkgreenstone.com/reference/fastener-and-pilot-sizes/) | Common wood screw gauges with their usual pilot and clearance holes | inches | | [Insulation material guide](https://bkgreenstone.com/reference/insulation-material-guide/) | Material classes by form, usual position and limiting factor | no units - descriptive | Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns. All three sheets are listed on the [reference index](https://bkgreenstone.com/reference/).