Heating cables only treat symptom, not disease

Improve insulation and air sealing to prevent icy buildups

Question: I just read a previous article you wrote in response to a question about using roof-heating cables. Ice damming has not been a problem for us and I have no interest in putting these cables on the shingles. I . . .

Posted: 2016-11-12

Creating a year-round workshop

How to convert an uninsulated area into a comfortable space

Question: I live in one of the newer developments in Winnipeg. I believe the house was built in 1996 or 1997. I am also a hobbyist woodworker, so I have left the basement unfinished and use it as my workshop. I . . .

Posted: 2018-09-08

How much fresh air does your home need?

Question: My concern is with the fresh air intake for my furnace. I was told that I needed a 12-centimetre duct, which they ran through the foundation at the front of the house. This is in addition to the 10-cm . . .

Posted: 2017-04-29

Investing in a good night's sleep

I find myself at what I consider to be a milestone in my young adult life. After a year of moving around the country for jobs after college, suffering aches and pains from sleeping on mattresses that weren’t right for . . .

Posted: 2019-04-20

How to make sure your fried chicken is crispy, not soggy

Question: Do you have any ingredients that I can add to chicken batter to make crispy fried chicken, so that it isn’t soggy? — Cassidy Answer: Certainly! For crispy chicken, use half flour and half cornstarch, along with your usual seasonings and . . .

Posted: 2018-09-08

SOLUTIONS: Trash microwave oven over safety concerns

QUESTION: I am hoping you might have a solution for getting rid of a burnt popcorn smell in a microwave oven. I have tried lemon juice, vinegar, baking soda, and even microwaving meat with a barbeque sauce on it, hoping . . .

Posted: 2014-05-24

Have a certified plumber inspect smelly drain

Question: About a year and a half ago I had our bathroom completely renovated with a new tub, toilet, flooring and Ikea sink and vanity. Since November I have noticed a slight sewer smell coming from the sink. A friend . . .

Posted: 2020-01-18

Older furnace doesn't necessarily require replacement

QUESTION: I recently had a problem with my furnace that turned out to be a worn out sensor. While the man from the heating company was here he noted because my furnace is 15 years old I should seriously be . . .

Posted: 2015-07-11

Radiant barriers can complicate insulation job

Question: I have a closed-in deck room that had the roof extended over it, with spray foam insulation over the original metal. It has an open-joist ceiling, and I want some more insulation to cover the joists. This room is . . .

Posted: 2020-05-23

Knowledge blossoms

Study group learns about tomatoes, peppers from a fearless experimenter

When a group of gardeners get together to talk about growing vegetables, it leads to some interesting dynamics. Curious gardeners ask many questions because they know that to be a successful food gardener, learning from one another is key. Networking . . .

Posted: 2020-08-22