Have fun playing the frame game

I am often frustrated when shopping for the perfect picture frame. There's plenty to choose from but the ones I find are either all alike, too ordinary or too expensive. I'm no carpenter, but years ago I learned how to . . .

Posted: 2014-02-08

Thorough cleaning, bleach should resolve sewage odour

QUESTION -- I had a leak in a sewer line in a crawl space under my house. That leak has been repaired and I thought I cleaned up thoroughly, but whenever I turn on my air system, we can smell . . .

Posted: 2008-06-29

Try alcohol and water for streak-free glass

Question: What is the best way to get mirrors and glass doors clean and streak free? Carol Answer: Into a spray bottle combine one-third cup rubbing alcohol with two-third cups water. Clean with a soft, excellent quality microfiber cloth. Question: A . . .

Posted: 2022-10-29

MIKE HOLMES: Duct boosters won't fix home's poor airflow

I was driving the other day when I heard an ad on the radio about duct booster fans. I couldn’t help but laugh. On a recent job we did, the homeowner was having trouble with their HVAC so they called . . .

Posted: 2012-11-17

Peaceful mood key to creating bedroom comfort

DEAR Marc: I want a new look for my bedroom. It doesn't look like much right now. The previous homeowner had painted it bright red with a white trim. It reminds me of Christmas every time I walk into the room. . . .

Posted: 2011-02-05

Vapour barrier required when insulating garage

Question: I have a non-attached garage. I would like to use it periodically over the winter, maybe a couple of times a week, for a workshop. It will not be permanently heated, only when I use it. A 240 Volt, . . .

Posted: 2021-04-17

MIKE HOLMES: Renovations, new construction take different skill sets

As a contractor, I've built a few new houses and I've renovated many more. I can tell you there's a huge difference between building new and renovating -- and that is something you need to be aware of when you . . .

Posted: 2012-02-04

Keep critters out of your house once and for all

Question: I am wondering if you can possibly answer a question regarding getting rid of my uninvited tenants. I live in the country. An addition to the house was built about 20 years ago. When it was built, my late . . .

Posted: 2016-06-11

Suspended ceiling gets a facelift

Reusing existing grid saves time and money

In the fall of 2018 amidst a rather intense and complex addition to a four-season cottage near Grand Beach, a relatively simple basement ceiling upgrade was squeezed into my calendar over a weekend. With the materials on-site, the project began . . .

Posted: 2020-01-04

What's that stirring in the house? A mouse?

Tips for getting rid of rodents coming in from the cold

Ah, the pitter-patter of little feet overhead. Wait a minute, the kids aren’t home. And haven’t been for years. But somebody’s kids are, and not just their kids, but grandkids and great-grandkids. Rats and mice are an amorous lot, producing multiple . . .

Posted: 2009-11-28