Skip the stipple

Ceiling upgrade a project worth the effort

The stipple ceiling has always mystified me. The second floor of my childhood home had stippled ceiling. I recall as a kid looking up at its bumpy surface and gold glitter flex, and wondering ‘why?’ I suppose it was a . . .

Posted: 2017-09-09

SOLUTIONS: Tang it... who knew?

Powder an excellent cleaner for dishwasher

QUESTION: I bought a new dishwasher on the weekend. The salesman said, "Don't buy the commercial monthly cleaning stuff, buy Tang instead." Is he right, or a nut? Gary, (Steinbach) ANSWER: Nope, he's not a nut. The citric acid in . . .

Posted: 2009-05-10

Bathroom redo benefits from thoughtful planning

Tub relocated in ensuite makeover

The layout of a four-piece bathroom is crucial — access to the various amenities must be convenient. During a recent ensuite remodel, it quickly became evident the position of the old tub and frame hindered the space’s potential. Within a 10x11-foot . . .

Posted: 2019-10-05

MIKE HOLMES: Spotting the cold

You can usually feel drafts around windows, doors and fireplaces. Or, sometimes you can feel a cold spot along a wall. Feeling a draft or a cold spot is one thing; finding exactly where the cold is coming from is . . .

Posted: 2013-01-26

Preventing gutters, downspouts from icing up helps avoid winter damage

Frozen gutters and downspouts may seem like an inevitable winter-weather concern, but those heavy icicles hanging from your rooftop after a heavy snow or cold snap need not be a foregone conclusion. You can take steps to prevent them — and . . .

Posted: 2018-12-22

Feeling powerless? Try backup generator

In a big storm, more than a few people can find themselves without power. To avoid the inconvenience of an outage, a backup generator can ensure you are never without power. There are a few items to consider when choosing a . . .

Posted: 2011-11-12

Fix for squeaky floors lies within subfloor sheathing

QUESTION: I am having trouble with my laminate floors, which are squeaking. I have tried adding cross-members between the joists, under the plywood seams, and I have tried adding shims between the joist and plywood, but they are glued with . . .

Posted: 2013-11-09

How to cushion kids' falls from play sets

Joshua Barry knows wipeouts are inevitable when children are climbing and sliding on outdoor play sets. So he placed shredded rubber under and around the climbing toys his two children use in the backyard of their Aurora, Ohio, home. "It gives . . .

Posted: 2012-05-12

MIKE HOLMES: Fire pits are great -- if they're safe, legal

I love a backyard fire pit. It gives you that cottage feel without any of the upkeep or the long drive. You can toast marshmallows and hotdogs and sit out under the stars. There's something primal about a real fire . . .

Posted: 2011-05-07

Small solution for tall trouble

Painting stairs has never been easier with this handy tool

Jobsite tasks can sometimes present challenges that require out-of-the-box thinking, especially when negotiating tight or cramped spaces, as well as unusual heights. For instance, crawling under a cottage to run new plumbing is tantamount to contortionist training, using the . . .

Posted: 2023-03-18