Q: We bought our home in 1995, when it was 2 1/2 years old, and the windows have not been changed since then. The original crank-style wood-frame windows seem to be letting more street noise into the house than before. […]
Continue ReadingQ&A: How Can I Shingle a Roof From The Top Down?
Q: How can I install asphalt shingles on a roof from the top down? I’ve heard this is better since you never walk on the shingles as they’re being installed, but how is this possible? Shingles need to overlap correctly […]
Continue ReadingQ&A: How Can I Fix the Cracked Parging on My Foundation Wall?
Q: What’s the best way to fix the cracked parging on my house foundation? I live in a 13-year-old brick bungalow, with about 6 feet of parged concrete block foundation visible above ground. Over the years this parging has become […]
Continue ReadingQ&A of the Week: How’s SeptiCleanse septic system treatment working out for you?
Q: I’m writing to ask for the follow-up to a Toronto Star column you wrote a number of years ago regarding a septic system product called SeptiCleanse. Does this product continue to work well for you? I’ve got a septic system […]
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Q&A: How Can I Make 30-Year Old Aluminum Siding Look Better?
Q: The aluminum siding on my house has growths on it and the paint seems to be rubbing off. Other than this the siding is in good shape. What can I do to make it look better? A: Painting is […]
Continue ReadingQ&A OF THE WEEK: Non-Toxic Stinky Drain Solution
Q: How can I get rid of the sulphur smell coming from our sink and bathtub drains? We brought in a plumber to investigate but all he suggested is to get our air circulation system cleaned. The problem first surfaced […]
Continue ReadingQ&A OF THE WEEK: “Is It Okay to Use a Freezer in an Unheated Porch?”
Q: Is it okay to keep my 15 year-old freezer working in an uninsulated, closed-in porch during winter? I know some people keep freezers in garages without any difficulty, but I’m concerned the motor might seize in cold winter temperatures. […]
Continue ReadingBEAT THE HEAT: Cooler Upstairs Bedrooms in Summer
Is the second story of your home too hot in summer, despite air conditioning that’s running full blast and making lower levels too cold? Click for a real-world solution that solves the problem once and for all.
Continue ReadingARCHITECT: How to Choose One for Your Project
UPDATED 22MAY2017 Q: How should my husband and I choose an architect? We’ve bought five acres of waterfront property that’s blessed with interesting topography. We envision a small, green home, perhaps using water reclamation technology and solar energy, incorporating local […]
Continue ReadingVIDEO Q&A: How Do I Get Quartersawn Lumber 2x6s?
UPDATED 6MAY2017 Q: I bought plans to build a workbench and the instructions mentions making the top from quartersawn lumber to guard against warping and cupping. I don’t know what quartersawing is. I plan to use 2X6s for the top, but how do […]
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