How to achieve optimum furniture placement

What makes one room successful and another a failure? It often comes down to proper furniture placement. It is a skill to be able to lay out a room effectively. Often a room feels overstuffed with furniture or is laid . . .

Posted: 2020-07-11

Sunroom flooring must be able to withstand seasonal shifts

Question: Wondering if you could offer some advice for the flooring in our three-season, south-facing sunroom. The sunroom is a Sunshade product, so basically all glass. We were considering hardwood, engineered high-end laminate or bamboo, but wondered how these products would . . .

Posted: 2019-09-21

Hire a pro renovator to get the job done right

Now that we have hopefully seen the last bit of snow for the season, it’s a great time for homeowners to begin planning for the renovation projects they want to tackle this summer. For those who aren’t the do-it-yourself types, finding . . .

Posted: 2021-04-24

Talk with your contractor to resolve grout issues

Question: Thanks for your column and advice for homeowners. Attached, you will see an email I sent to the architect and building contractor of my new bathroom. Both are very good and highly skilled. The subject is the white grout . . .

Posted: 2016-08-06

Avoid basement drama, get sump pump winter ready

Avoid basement, foundation drama with these helpful tips

Question: I found your article on preparing a home for an extended winter absence (Nov. 10) very helpful, thank you. I have a related question in regards to my sump pump during a winter absence, which I hope you can provide . . .

Posted: 2018-11-24

Checks and (bank) balances

Routine home maintenance can save you lots of money over time

It's human nature to attempt to save a few dollars by tackling common maintenance work around the house. But some, such as Victoria resident Ramona Maximuk's former landlord, found out the hard way that some work should be left to . . .

Posted: 2009-08-30

Methods of replacing exterior insulation can vary

QUESTION 1: We are planning to install some type of cement-board siding on our house in the spring. When we do this, we would like to add a layer of insulation to the outside of the house prior to installing . . .

Posted: 2019-06-15

A/C essential for mould prevention

Question: I have my air conditioning running, with the temperature set fairly low on my thermostat, but it does not seem to cool the house properly. The air feels cooler than outside, but it still feels sort of humid inside . . .

Posted: 2017-07-15

Weathering winter

Tips to keep ice dams, frozen pipes and more at bay

Winter weather can wreak havoc on your home. But even when winter does its worst feel confident that with the proper maintenance, you can make it right. Here are some of the biggest problems I see and a few things you . . .

Posted: 2014-12-20

Condo-maximum

Suite conversions go more than skin deep

As a prospective home buyer, you can't help but be a little cynical when it comes to condominium conversions. After all -- in a great many cases -- the developers simply apply a little paint, install some new flooring, countertops and . . .

Posted: 2010-07-17