Clarity is key building block for city infill plan

Over the past few years, infill housing has increasingly become one of the biggest hot-button topics of discussion at Winnipeg’s city hall. Certainly, the state of residential infill development in Winnipeg is a cause for concern within the residential construction industry. . . .

Posted: 2020-10-03

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Solving the mystery of the frozen lock

QUESTION: My son and his wife have a relatively new house, about five or six years old, and every winter their front door lock freezes so you cannot put a key into it. This winter, the door itself has even . . .

Posted: 2014-03-01

Insulating walls is wise -- but mind the gaps

Question: My son has an old house, with dry foundation walls, but some leakage in the floor. We’ve studded the walls with two-by-fours and put in R12 insulation with a 2.5-centimetre gap behind the insulation. I was very nervous about . . .

Posted: 2017-04-22

TREE CARE: Putting down roots

Short list of my favourite trees for our Prairie landscape

During the summers, I'm often asked about what kind of trees should a homeowner plant. Here are some of my favourite: bur oak, linden, Delta hackberry, Prairie Silk honey locust and Discovery elm. Bur oak is an under-utilized native tree that . . .

Posted: 2011-09-03

MIKE HOLMES: Take the chill out of your basement's cold room

Most older homes have a cold room or root cellar in the basement — usually you’ll find it under the front porch. These basement rooms were designed for storing food and preserves, so they’re not insulated. Often they have a . . .

Posted: 2009-09-27

Patching concrete not a permanent solution

Question: I have a concrete driveway at my Crestview home that started to crumble. It would cost $6, 000 to $8, 000 to replace it. I don’t want to spend that kind of cash. I went to the home and . . .

Posted: 2016-04-02

Keeping your furnace in best shape

Question: I have a relatively new high-efficiency furnace with a filter that I clean regularly, but it does not seem to get very dirty. It has a large metal box with plates and thin wires and another very thin metal . . .

Posted: 2016-10-29

House decked out in time for grad party

Simple, attractive design aids quick construction

In the spring of 2015, a potential client, Nathalie Kleinschmit, had inquired whether a deck could be built at her St. Boniface residence in time for her daughter’s graduation party. Following an examination of the intended deck-build location and a brief . . .

Posted: 2018-02-24

Country living, city convenience

Condo project caters to 50-plus crowd

With the demand for high-quality 50-plus communities increasing, RS Capital Corporation has stepped up to the plate with a new condominium development in Oakbank. According to Sutton Group-Kilkenny Real Estate's Laura Stuart -- the lead realtor for the project -- preparations . . .

Posted: 2011-03-05

Kill moss dead with vinegar, soap and salt

Question: Can you please give me a few tips on the best way to clean the moss from between the pavers in our driveway? Is there a solution I can use? -Sammie Answer: My favourite solution is to make your own weed . . .

Posted: 2021-06-05