Life's a breach

Access door to garage a game-changer

Sometimes certain home design configurations make absolutely zero sense to me. Imagine an attached garage with no access to the garage from inside the house? For years, even decades, my clients were forced to exit their home through the front . . .

Posted: 2020-02-08

Sealing chase at top of building enclosure should stop moisture

Question: I have a question about what to do about moisture collecting on the underside of the metal cap of my false chimney chase. The entire chase has insulation and vapour barrier, but it would be considered a cold zone. . . .

Posted: 2020-02-08

Cleaning ink off leather may not be neccesary

Question: How do I remove ballpoint ink off a white leather chair? Answer: The safest solution is to do nothing — ballpoint ink on leather often fades on its own, over time. If you do not want to wait, apply a small . . .

Posted: 2020-02-08

Move in and enjoy

Affordable condos in prime location

Often people ranging from young professionals to empty nesters have to move away from their longtime neighbourhood to find a condo that suits their needs.   Cathy Burgess of Century 21 Carrie.com, sales representative for Murano Gardens of Linden Woods (Phase 2), . . .

Posted: 2020-02-08

Country gem

Updated Stonewall home offers huge lot

People often think of country living as residing in a remote area down a rough gravel road. That’s not necessarily the norm, says Cory Kehler of RE/MAX Professionals, citing his new listing at 8078E 76N Road in Stonewall. "The truth of the . . .

Posted: 2020-02-08

Olive oil, mineral oil, both great for cleaning stainless steel

Question: We recently replaced our old microwave/convection combo oven with a new unit. This one has a shiny stainless-steel interior. I am having difficulty removing some baked-on grease stains, which are not really very heavy, they are more like splatters. . . .

Posted: 2020-02-01

Growing gains

Big fruits and vegetables fun and filling

Giant crops hold a fascination for people. Even when backyard gardeners don’t intentionally try to grow extra large produce, a homegrown fruit or vegetable that tips the scales guarantees bragging rights for at least the rest of the growing season. With . . .

Posted: 2020-02-01

Vibrant vinyl flooring a hit

Bold woodgrain choice helps transform room

A flooring upgrade can significantly improve the look of a room. At a recent jobsite, an area deemed the computer room was in dire need of a flooring update. As the nucleus of four adjacent rooms, it was necessary to . . .

Posted: 2020-02-01

Space and options added to classic Seattle home

SEATTLE —One of these Tudors is not like the others. From the street, it’s hard to tell: the classic Ballard neighbourhood radiates timeless Seattle charm, and Dan and Jen Plumb’s lovely and definitely charming 1929 home blends in beautifully. Out back, . . .

Posted: 2020-02-01

Recurring ice problems remedied by adding or relocating downspouts

Question: In winter, the sidewalk that leads to my front door, as well as the porch in front of the front door, becomes incredibly icy. I asked my handyman to take a look and he said that the problem has . . .

Posted: 2020-02-01