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

Furnace ‘reboot’

Chilling for a week without forced-air heat

In high school when I had spare time, I customized a 1952 Chevy half-ton truck. For vehicles of that era, most mechanical issues that arose could be addressed with a wrench and a screwdriver. Nowadays, the technological advancements that heighten . . .

Posted: 2026-02-14

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