Classic charmer

Norwood home nice blend of old and new

IT’S one of the first features that catches your attention when you look at a home. That feature? A home’s square footage. And when a home measures in at 1, 420 square feet, the initial impression is space might be . . .

Posted: 2016-02-13

Cracked concrete likely due to defect in workmanship

Question: I have a bungalow built about two years ago next to the Red River in Grand Forks, N.D. Last fall I started noticing cracking in my basement and garage walls and ceilings. The problem continued until mid-November and resulted in . . .

Posted: 2020-03-07

CONDOS: Flex space, the final frontier

Rip the doors off and de-clutter: expert

It's the space that's supposed to be a bonus in condominiums: the one marked "flex" or "storage" or even "multi-purpose" on the floor plans. The problem is, the space is often so small it hardly serves any purpose at all. Designer . . .

Posted: 2011-06-11

Leave furnace repairs to the pros

Explosions, leaks, carbon monoxide poisoning are a few reasons not to DIY gas-line projects

Question: We installed a new high-efficiency furnace three years ago. When it gets really cold outside, the fresh-air intake collects frost on the inside of the PVC pipe, so the furnace does not have enough air and will not operate . . .

Posted: 2019-04-06

Natural stone, quartz head up favourites for kitchens and baths

Question: We are selecting new countertops for our kitchen and bathroom. I definitely want granite in the kitchen, but I'm thinking of a less costly option for the bathrooms (our master bath, a powder room and an upstairs full bathroom . . .

Posted: 2015-01-17

Pack insulation against a stone foundation

Question: We have a 100-year old-house in Wolseley and I am planning to insulate my interior basement walls. I have lived here for 15 years and have never had any water or moisture enter the basement through the walls or . . .

Posted: 2012-07-21

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Colour match a problem with concrete patch

QUESTION: I have a problem with the front steps of my house, which are 10 years old and are made of poured concrete. The steps are in excellent condition, except for a few scalded and pockmarked areas caused by the . . .

Posted: 2009-07-12

Preventing cabin foundation shift a challenge

Question: We have a cabin in the Whiteshell and are looking at a re-level, after about 12 years. The cabin always moves towards the back of the property. It is built on 24-inch square pads and posts right now. . . .

Posted: 2022-09-24

Overactive sump pump needs a look

Mechanical problems may be cause of activity

Question -- Should a sump pump be kicking in every day of the year? Through summer dry spells and cold winters my sump pump kicks in daily. What could be the cause of this? I extend my drainage hose far . . .

Posted: 2008-04-06

Aluminum wiring requires a professional

Question: A family member recently bought an older home, built in the 1970’s, which has aluminum wiring. The insurance company said that all the aluminum wiring connections would have to be checked by an electrician and all the receptacles . . .

Posted: 2023-03-11