Homemade weed killer earth-friendly, effective

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/08/2010 (5550 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Q: Could you please let me know what the formula for your homemade weed killer is? I have used it in the past and found it worked great. However, I can’t remember the amounts recommended for ingredients used.
— Betty

A: I would like to point out the weed killer is used for patios, driveways and sidewalks. It is not to be used on your lawn, as it will kill the grass as well.
Mix the following ingredients together, put in a spray bottle and spray on weeds when it is hot out:

• 4 cups (1 litre) white vinegar
• 1 cup (50 ml) table salt
• 2 tsp (10 ml) of your favourite liquid dish soap.
 
Q: We are renovating a cottage and would like to install three-inch wide oak, pre-finished flooring over the new sub floor, as well as over the existing 60 year old fir floor. The cottage has an enclosed crawlspace, which will be heated year round. We’ve been told that the crawlspace should be ventilated to allow for the humidity to escape, there by ensuring the new flooring doesn’t buckle over above the normal expansion and contraction.
What type of ventilation is truly necessary in a crawlspace? And what type of vapour barrier could be installed under this nail-in type flooring? Can we lay a vapour barrier on the ground of the crawlspace?

— P. McMorris

A:  Controlling moisture in a crawlspace is very important and even more so when one is installing wood flooring above it. To prevent any problems with your floors a Humidex system is what I would recommend. It has a dehumidistat control on the unit and will simply vent out any access moisture. For more info call 1-800-416-9111 or visit www.humidex.ca
I would also put a six-mil poly over the crawlspace dirt floor; seal perimeter with acoustical caulking and the seams with tuck vapour barrier tape. Before laying your new wood floor, apply a light wax paper or lightweight tarpaper over the floor as a moisture seal before nailing finished floor into place.
 
Shell Busey can be heard every Saturday morning from 8-10:30AM on Winnipeg’s CJOB 680. Go to www.TheHouseSmart.com for more home improvement tips and information.