End sewage smells through process of elimination

Questions: We live in a rural area and have a well, septic tank, effluent pump and septic field. The house is a 1, 400-square-foot bungalow with a partly finished basement. We have a strong sewer smell coming from the laundry . . .

Posted: 2014-12-20

Tough on crime

Safety screen thwarts criminals, prevents falls

Renovating is an advantageous time to upgrade the safety features of your living space to help prevent break-ins, home invasions, serious injuries and, in some cases, death. Stan Bardal, president of Secure All Inc., has cutting-edge materials that will secure your . . .

Posted: 2014-12-20

Weathering winter

Tips to keep ice dams, frozen pipes and more at bay

Winter weather can wreak havoc on your home. But even when winter does its worst feel confident that with the proper maintenance, you can make it right. Here are some of the biggest problems I see and a few things you . . .

Posted: 2014-12-20

Sold & offered

Sold-Offered for Dec. 20, 2014:   SOLD: Westdale ADDRESS: 87 Dellwood Cr. ASKING PRICE: $219, 900 SOLD PRICE: $216, 000 TAXES: $2, 219.54 SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1, 152 BEDROOMS: 3 BATHROOMS: 1.5 LOT SIZE: 30 x 100 LISTING AGENT: Ken Maines, Maximum Realty, 204-999-9078   SOLD: South Tuxedo ADDRESS: 25-124 Portsmouth Blvd. ASKING Price: $199, 900 SOLD PRICE: $203, . . .

Posted: 2014-12-20

Living large

Bridgwater Lakes home right size for today's family

As a builder, it's critically important to listen to customers to create functional new designs. That's how Hearth Homes came up with the design of the Hawksbridge, the latest Bridgwater Lakes show home, found at 112 Lake Bend Road. "We spend a . . .

Posted: 2014-12-20

Fits just right

Corydon condo has location, functionality and value

Young couples and empty-nesters looking for a home have a lot in common. They tend to look for value and functionality and location is paramount. In many cases, they have a budget that falls in the $200, 000-to-$250, 000 range. A functional condominium . . .

Posted: 2014-12-20

Treat yourself

An inspired landscape design — the gift that keeps on giving

Will 2015 be the year that your landscape undergoes a makeover or facelift? If you have ever declared, "Bah, humbug, " at the thought of investing in a landscape renovation, you have probably also wished at times for an attractive, functional . . .

Posted: 2014-12-13

Proposed legislation would benefit consumers, renovators

Last week, Consumer Protection Minister Ron Lemieux introduced legislation that will make renovations a more pleasant experience for consumers and contractors. Bill 14, known as the Consumer Protection Amendment Act (Home Improvement Contracts), mandates that every home renovation or improvement transaction . . .

Posted: 2014-12-13

Adequate tools essential in tree care

I give numerous courses during the year, usually in the spring and the fall, to people who are interested in the care and pruning of trees. There are specialized tools that are useful to the property owner for working with trees . . .

Posted: 2014-12-13

Glue, tile dust should do the trick

QUESTION: We live in a 1930s heritage home and there is natural tile in front of the fireplace. Unfortunately, the tile has been scraped by the bottom of a chair. We have tried to fix it but with no luck . . .

Posted: 2014-12-13