How to make your focaccia stand out

The wonderful Italian bread is a great alternative to garlic bread

QUESTION: I tried focaccia bread at an Italian restaurant and loved it. What are the herbs used to flavour focaccia bread? — Thanks, Arial Answer: Focaccia is a wonderful alternative to garlic bread and pairs well with pasta dishes! In addition to . . .

Posted: 2017-04-08

New concrete floor slab or mud jacking?

Weigh relative costs and benefits first

QUESTION -- We would appreciate your opinion about our garage floor. Our house, with double attached garage, was built in the late sixties. We found that the garage floor is gradually sinking, but more so the past year. Our house has . . .

Posted: 2008-08-24

Home inspections benefit both buyer and seller

Question: I was wondering what your advice is regarding home inspections. I know right now it’s a real seller’s market and people are very reluctant to say they want an inspection before closing, for fear of loosing the home they are . . .

Posted: 2021-10-09

Tips from the pros on how to paint your home

It's well known that painting is the most affordable way to update your decor but if you don't have a lot of experience with painting the task may seem daunting. Luckily, paint suppliers are here to help. CIL paint has . . .

Posted: 2015-07-25

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

Global art project taking off in Canada

Metalbird creator Phil Walters brings whimsical art and conservation to the garden

Metalbird has landed in Canada. Offering uniquely designed native birds crafted as life-sized metal silhouettes, Metalbird was started in 2009 by Phil Walters in his New Zealand backyard. Today Metalbird has manufacturing plants in several countries around the world — . . .

Posted: 2021-06-12

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