Expert Home Advice | February 2016

House care answers from – Historic New England the largest heritage organization in the country.

Our original hardwood floor is showing signs of cupping. A flooring contractor said we needed more ventilation to limit the humidity under the floor. There are already several vents, however. Should we add more as well as an exhaust? -Heather L., Peterborough, NH

High humidity in your home is likely causing your hardwood floor to cup. Venting your house by installing exhaust fans in bathroom and kitchen areas, and using screened openings at the cellar and attic in good weather will go a long way to reduce ambient moisture levels. Ensuring that exterior gutter and downspout drainage systems are functioning correctly will also help reduce humid conditions. Direct roof water away from your home’s foundation. Additionally, keep your cellar and crawl space areas dry by installing a vapor barrier over dirt floors. If humid conditions persist after taking these steps, installation of a dehumidifier in the cellar should be considered.

Joe Cornish, Supervising Preservation Services Manager

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We are in the middle of putting an addition on our late 18th-century brick house. The sample bricks we were shown, however, aren’t even close in color or style to the original part of the house. What are our options for finding a match? -Lori M., Stockbridge, MA

Your best bet is to find a specialty brick yard, which will have the ability to manufacture new bricks that are compatible in size, color, and style with those of your 18th-century house. There are many of these manufacturers in New England, so a quick online search should turn up a location near you. Keep in mind that 18th-century bricks and mortar were typically produced using local materials that may be difficult to match exactly in terms of color and texture. Modern manufacturing can also necessitate changes in brick size and width of mortar joints, both of which will influence the appearance of the wall. Be prepared to use new bricks and mortar that are harmonious, rather than an exact match to the historic materials. One final piece of advice: Avoid using salvaged bricks, as it’s virtually impossible to determine their quality and durability without knowing exactly how they were previously used.

Carissa Demore, Preservation Services Manager

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We recently bought a home built in the late 1880s. The wainscoting in many of the rooms has been “updated” and made of plywood that is showing its age. What’s the best way to restore what’s been done? Can I lay new wainscoting over the existing panels or should I tear it all out and start over? Joe A., Portland, ME

Wainscoting was popularly used to cover and protect walls in homes in late 19th-century America.  Even though the existing wainscoting is not the original, it is now part of your home’s history.  Installing new wainscoting over the existing material using screws is a reversible way to leave the existing wall covering in place while adding a new layer on top that will be visible in the room.  Should you ultimately decide to remove the existing wainscoting, a section should be retained, dated, labeled, and stored onsite as physical evidence for future owners working to understand the evolution of your home’s interior.

Joe Cornish, Supervising Preservation Services Manager

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Got a question about an old house you need answered? Submit your questions to Historic New England at:Plus@YankeePub.com.

Historic New England is the oldest, largest, and most comprehensive regional heritage organization in the nation. Historic New England shares the region’s history through vast collections, publications, programs, museum properties, archives, and stories that document more than 400 years of life in New England. For more information visit: HistoricNewEngland.org.