Be smart with basement ceilings

Of all the lower-level and basement full-gut and remodels achieved throughout the years, only a handful have been finished with drywalled ceilings — and there’s a good reason for that. In most homes, services mapped throughout the structure originate from . . .

Posted: 2026-03-21

If that thing's too noisy, best get a new one

Water meter, door hinges irritating

Question — My 32-year-old bungalow in North Kildonan has a loud tapping sound coming from my water meter. The city replaced it about seven years ago. It’s worse at night when we are sleeping and someone flushes the toilet, especially . . .

Posted: 2009-01-17

Building code a good way to ensure kitchen fan installed correctly

Question: I have seen your response to a homeowner regarding exhaust versus recirculating kitchen fans in a previous article. I think you may be able to clarify a situation I have in my Wisconsin home. A range hood is to be . . .

Posted: 2018-03-24

Put water woes on ice by drying air inside home

It's the moisture in your home that causes windows to get frosty

QUESTION -- Can you tell me why my four-year old house has ice build up on all the windows? The windows are double pane argon filled. What is causing this and how can I eliminate the problem? This only happens . . .

Posted: 2008-02-03

Deceptively bright, delightfully stylish

Bridgwater Trails home has a smaller footprint, but massive appeal

Whether a home is big or small, three essential components determine how high it scores on the livability scale: space, light and style. Should a home be on the smaller side, properly balancing those components is critically important. Spencer Curtis and his . . .

Posted: 2017-11-25

Protecting wildlife an important consideration

Question: After reading your recent articles regarding sealing chimneys, I am concerned whether you understand the implications of your recommendations in regards to chimney swifts? Chimneys can be very significant habitat for this threatened species and any capping removes the . . .

Posted: 2016-04-09

Greening not enough: urban planning critic

Urban planning critic argues for esthetically designed spaces worthy of natural adornments

Can ugly, poorly designed areas of a city be transformed into beautiful, functional spaces simply by making them greener with more trees, gardens, parks, green walls, green roofs and so on? There is no question that shrub and flower borders are . . .

Posted: 2012-03-17

Take proper steps to winterize summer property

Keeping moisture in check presents greatest concern

QUESTION: We have a small farmhouse in the country. It has an oil furnace for heating, which is expensive in the winter. It has an unfinished basement with copper water pipes. We don’t go to the farm at all in . . .

Posted: 2019-09-14

Musty smell in basement is likely mould

Ventilate area and check insulation

QUESTION -- Our basement and rec room is quite cool, particularly in the summer months, and has a musty smell. We did have a little water seepage several months ago but this has now been corrected. Could you advise how . . .

Posted: 2008-06-22

Up we grow

Raised beds let gardens flourish in even the most impractical spaces

Here’s the deal: Our love affair with growing edibles has surpassed the stage of brief encounter and graduated to a full-blown lifestyle choice. Everyone’s doing it and sometimes even in the strangest of places. It’s that simple.For both the experienced . . .

Posted: 2016-12-10