Green ash trees stressed during recent summers

The last two years of summer have been hard on the health of green ash trees in particular. All over southern Manitoba, younger ash trees of this species have been particularly weakened by leaf anthracnose fungus disease and by the . . .

Posted: 2011-09-17

Diligence key to keeping furnace vents clear

Question: I was wondering if you could give me some advice on the proper way to resolve snow buildup over my high-efficiency furnace exhaust and intake vents. The vents come out of the foundation about 14 inches (35.5 centimetres) above . . .

Posted: 2015-01-10

A turn for the turf

More homeowners looking to replace tough-to-maintain natural lawns with artificial grass

This is the time of year when residential lawns bear little resemblance to their pre-winter state.Did yours look lush and green last summer? No matter. Melting snow in spring may reveal a daunting combination of bare spots, snow mould, a . . .

Posted: 2015-04-04

Upgrade makes business bloom

Addition of pergola at local establishment results in amazing transformation

As the sole proprietor of several small businesses, I fully understand the ramifications of a bad first impression. In early April of 2014, owner and operator Victor Tomassetti, a charismatic hair stylist at Victor’s on Queenston Street at Grant Avenue, contacted . . .

Posted: 2018-03-17

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Fortify your garage to keep squirrels out

QUESTION: A few years ago, you did a house inspection for me, and I think the one thing I forgot to ask was how to get squirrels out of my garage. I am sure you have probably done a column . . .

Posted: 2012-08-18

Set sail

Yacht's Cove home fully rigged with comfort

When it comes to custom home building, some builders -- over time -- build an (often) indelible identity. Take KDR Design Builders. Over the past five years or so, they've established a reputation for building expansive, rather opulent homes. With that reputation . . .

Posted: 2010-04-10

Increased air movement will make home more comfortable

Question: I live in Niagara on the Lake, Ontario and built a new house, which I moved into in May 2021. I have an HRV system and nobody seems to know much about how the system works with respect . . .

Posted: 2023-01-28

Leather flooring: If the shoe fits...

It makes for great footwear and soft, natural-feeling furniture -- but who ever thought of using leather to cover floors? One innovative company is using leather to create sumptuous floor surfaces that caress the feet and are much more comfortable than . . .

Posted: 2009-10-31

Gimme shelter

Mesh fence offers privacy and protection

After moving to my property tree-planting became an on-going ritual. Primarily along the perimeter, rows of trees were planted in an effort to create a shelter belt to lessen the effects of wind. Although many of the trees did . . .

Posted: 2023-09-23

Using every inch

Savvy floor plan maximizes space throughout four-level home

In an ideal world, every home built would feature a floor plan with a purpose. Sadly, that isn't always the case. A home listed at over 2, 000 sq. ft. might feel small and unwieldy due to an ill-conceived floor plan. . . .

Posted: 2013-05-25