Longevity should drive driveway repairs

Retopping with asphalt an option, but may not be cheapest over time

Question — Please advise on paving over concrete driveways with asphalt, as is done on city streets and commercial parking lots. Thank you, Michael Bazak. Answer — With any driveway job, the condition of the base is the most important . . .

Posted: 2022-12-17

Washing a duvet at home a tough trick

While it's recommended to use the instructions on the label, a bathtub scrub can do the job

QUESTION: Can you tell me if it is possible to wash a duvet (a good-quality one with goose down) and then dry it in the dryer? In the past I had it dry cleaned but I don’t care for the . . .

Posted: 2017-02-04

Readers' favourite home remedies

As a young woman who grew up in Europe, my favorite tradition is still to make a gift basket for anyone moving into our neighbourhood. Each item that I include symbolizes a message, which I explain in a note: a . . .

Posted: 2017-12-02

Call it an open-and-shut case

Replacement gate built for increased durability

Anyone with a fenced property knows that the area most susceptible to failure is the gate. No matter how well it’s mounted on posts, the sheer repetitive action of opening and closing the gate creates stress and can cause . . .

Posted: 2025-08-09

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Attic moisture plaguing Manitoba homes

QUESTION: We had water dripping from our second-floor bedroom ceiling the evening of the first mild day a few weeks ago. Today, when I had time to get up into the attic, I found quite a bit of snow, about . . .

Posted: 2014-03-29

RENOVATIONS: Splish splash

In-ground pools add fun to your summer

Some folks love them and some folks bury them in the backyard. No matter how you feel about in-ground swimming pools, they're not about to drain away. Despite comments about pools lowering the resale value of a home, installers have . . .

Posted: 2013-04-27

SOLUTIONS: Carbon monoxide detector a gift of life

QUESTION: My mother-in law gave me a carbon monoxide detector as a gift. While I appreciate the thought, are they really necessary or should I trade it in for another smoke detector. She seems a little paranoid to me. Thanks, . . .

Posted: 2010-09-18

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Furnace noise problems have many causes

QUESTION: I read your column every week in the Free Press and wonder if you could give me some suggestions for my problem. I live in a small River Heights bungalow, built in 1954. I had a new furnace installed about . . .

Posted: 2010-12-04

Greening your house

Take steps towards better environmental practices at home

CALGARY -- One of the biggest problems we face in the quest to go greener at home is not the lack of options, it's the lack of space. "Houses ... are not built to be green, " says Sarah Franklin, co-owner . . .

Posted: 2008-05-18

SOLUTIONS: Beautiful bamboo floors easy to maintain

QUESTION: We have new bamboo floors in our home. What should we use on the floor to clean it? Different people with lots of different ideas have advised us, but no one has the right solution. Thank you in advance. Gordon, . . .

Posted: 2010-05-01