What the deck are you doing?

Deck building requires care and expertise

Planning a deck project can be overwhelming. Beyond the various decking materials, styles and colours available, the deck design possibilities itself are virtually limitless. In my experience, the best decks will cater to very specific purposes for each individual . . .

Posted: 2024-05-18

Growing panes

Basement window treatment easy on the eyes

In older homes it isn’t uncommon to discover ugly and forgotten window cavities in the basement. If the lower level was left unfinished at the time the house was built, the window jamb depth likely meets flush with the concrete . . .

Posted: 2020-02-29

MIKE HOLMES: Buyer beware of toxic drywall

Only fix is to replace it

You might have heard recently about toxic drywall that was distributed in North America and used in thousands of homes. This drywall was made in China, and it emits toxic hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide and other gases. Humidity in the . . .

Posted: 2009-07-19

Cut lettuce with a clean, sharp knife for freshness

Question: Does it matter if you tear lettuce versus cutting it with a knife? Carrie Answer: Many cooks believe that when lettuce touches metal, it will react and prematurely turn brown. While this isn’t completely a myth, it really doesn’t make a . . .

Posted: 2021-01-23

Heating ducts in concrete may present unique challenge

Question: I am hoping you can tell me how a repair can be made to the heat vents which are laid into the cement slab. I think this winter my house shifted in such a way as to crack a . . .

Posted: 2022-05-14

MIKE HOLMES: Wood gives rise to sustainable products

IF you drive around any new subdivision being built in North America, I'm sure you'll see a lot of wood. Most of our houses are framed, structured and sheathed with wood. And it shows up in windows and doors, exterior . . .

Posted: 2011-06-18

Finally, time to do a job of my own

When a window of opportunity opens, I have to take advantage

My fellow contractors will agree — it’s next to impossible to set aside adequate time to start, let alone complete, renovations at our own homes, because most our time is spent completing renovations for hire elsewhere.This has been the running . . .

Posted: 2016-12-24

Weekend transformation

Out with gym, in with playroom

My plan was ambitious. In just two days, while my husband was out of town, I would transform his gym into a playroom for our two daughters. Operating on the theory that it's better to beg forgiveness than ask . . .

Posted: 2008-11-23

Breaker battle heats up during winter's worst

Sure wasn't the best time for a furnace to falter, but we got it fixed up quick

Last week was a tough one. With sustained temperatures at -40 C and wind chills near -50 C, household ventilation systems were put to the test. And if you reside in a rural area where natural gas isn’t available, an . . .

Posted: 2019-02-16

Scissor lift a godsend for second-storey job

Certain unforeseen challenges arise once a major renovation gets underway. During the construction of the two-storey addition on my house, the biggest challenge had been lingering in the back of my mind for a while — how to tackle the . . .

Posted: 2017-10-14