ASK THE INSPECTOR: No weeping tiles, wet basement

Older homes experiencing similar problems with high precipitation

QUESTION: We purchased a house built in 1906. When we looked at it, there seemed to be no water problems and there does not seem to be anything wrong with the foundation. However, twice now we have found a bit . . .

Posted: 2011-03-26

Quality finishes, budget price

Townhouse-style condo offers fantastic value

It's a fact: when you have a budget of $200, 000 to $250, 000, it's hard to find a solid, well-finished starter home. Perhaps, then, it's time to think outside the box. If you haven't considered looking at condominiums -- particularly . . .

Posted: 2012-01-28

Expert assembly may be required for HRV change

QUESTION: I am in the process of replacing a very old Venmar heat-recovery ventilator (HRV) with a Venmar EVO5-700. My house is a 1, 200-square-foot bungalow with a single-car garage at the front of the house. The basement is not . . .

Posted: 2017-10-21

Tips for cleaning your hardwood floors

Water and dish soap often enough to get job done

Question: The oak flooring in my post-and-beam house was installed in 1988 and has not been properly cleaned in at least 15 years. Otherwise, though, it is in great condition. The flooring is 3½-inch, tongue-and-groove solid oak planks stained golden . . .

Posted: 2018-10-06

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Knee wall attic poses moisture problem

QUESTION: We moved into a 1922 River Heights home at the end of May 2009. We had an Energy Audit done on our home about a year later and are interested in upgrading our attic and knee wall spaces. The home . . .

Posted: 2012-12-01

Beating the winter blues

For the cost of a vacation, you can enjoy a Manitoba winter in your backyard

The traditional way to escape a Manitoba winter is to book a one-week family trip to Florida or Mexico that can cost anywhere from $4, 000 to $30, 000-plus, depending on the number of people and the exclusivity of . . .

Posted: 2014-09-27

Room to unwind

Two-storey offers flex space galore

While large families need ample space to function properly, that space must be well-ordered. The reason is simple: a logical layout allows a family to live in a more organized and orderly fashion and to have different zones that allow . . .

Posted: 2025-09-27

Be sure to keep your sump pumps maintained Secondary, battery-powered pump is good safety measure

Q: I recently purchased a property, which is a side-by-side condo. The property is three years old. We have a sump pump that is automatic. A previous article of yours raises some questions for my pump. Is there . . .

Posted: 2008-11-23

See your way clear to determining need for new windows

Question: Do I need new windows? I have window inserts in old frames that are framed into the existing frames in two of the windows. In a third, a complete window installation, a drip is still occurring. Is it because . . .

Posted: 2022-08-20

Leaky foundations best fixed from outside

May not be necessary for minor seepage

Today we have two questions I have selected from the many I regularly get on everyone's favourite topic, especially this time of year, basement seepage. I read your column on a regular basis, and I was hoping you'd be able . . .

Posted: 2008-04-27