Natural stone, quartz head up favourites for kitchens and baths

Question: We are selecting new countertops for our kitchen and bathroom. I definitely want granite in the kitchen, but I'm thinking of a less costly option for the bathrooms (our master bath, a powder room and an upstairs full bathroom . . .

Posted: 2015-01-17

Furnace ‘reboot’

Chilling for a week without forced-air heat

In high school when I had spare time, I customized a 1952 Chevy half-ton truck. For vehicles of that era, most mechanical issues that arose could be addressed with a wrench and a screwdriver. Nowadays, the technological advancements that heighten . . .

Posted: 2026-02-14

Pack insulation against a stone foundation

Question: We have a 100-year old-house in Wolseley and I am planning to insulate my interior basement walls. I have lived here for 15 years and have never had any water or moisture enter the basement through the walls or . . .

Posted: 2012-07-21

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Colour match a problem with concrete patch

QUESTION: I have a problem with the front steps of my house, which are 10 years old and are made of poured concrete. The steps are in excellent condition, except for a few scalded and pockmarked areas caused by the . . .

Posted: 2009-07-12

Preventing cabin foundation shift a challenge

Question: We have a cabin in the Whiteshell and are looking at a re-level, after about 12 years. The cabin always moves towards the back of the property. It is built on 24-inch square pads and posts right now. . . .

Posted: 2022-09-24

Overactive sump pump needs a look

Mechanical problems may be cause of activity

Question -- Should a sump pump be kicking in every day of the year? Through summer dry spells and cold winters my sump pump kicks in daily. What could be the cause of this? I extend my drainage hose far . . .

Posted: 2008-04-06

Aluminum wiring requires a professional

Question: A family member recently bought an older home, built in the 1970’s, which has aluminum wiring. The insurance company said that all the aluminum wiring connections would have to be checked by an electrician and all the receptacles . . .

Posted: 2023-03-11

CONNIE OLIVER: When it comes to wall art, anything's possible

FILLING wall space with interesting art doesn't have to be an expensive or complicated endeavor. If you've just moved in to a new apartment and are wondering how you're going to fill the blank wall space or if you just want . . .

Posted: 2011-09-24

Building code not always set in stone

Question: I was visiting a friend’s new condo recently and noticed the drywall in the garage was not taped or painted. Does this conform to the Manitoba Building Code? It seems that any fire in the garage has direct access to . . .

Posted: 2017-10-07

Aeroponic pyramid garden in Victoria is a catalyst for change

Innovator Allan Murr cultivates a fresh perspective for distributing community food relief

Victoria’s Allan Murr uses pyramid-shaped planters and aeroponic farming to cultivate and harvest fresh produce that is distributed by volunteers to local food banks and community kitchens. This is not your average community food share. Murr is president of . . .

Posted: 2023-04-08