Home Improvement
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Townhouse neighbor trys to avoid roof repairsAug 03, 2012 5:51 am - Q. We live in a complex of townhouses with two living units in each building. The units were built in 1983. The shingle roofs were rated for 20 years, but very few of th...
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Tile is breaking out of its patternJul 28, 2012 5:00 am - Tiles have long been happy in the background, dutifully covering surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms without causing too much excitement. But lately, they’ve started push...
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Home Show returns with ideas, inspirationJul 27, 2012 5:00 am - Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles will spotlight professionals in the homebuilding industry when The Old House New House Home Show arrives in September. About 300 of th...
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Make your fireplace mantel a hot focal pointJul 27, 2012 5:00 am - As the unrivaled focal point in a room, your fireplace mantel is the star of the show. So it’s fun to give this all-important spot a new look every so often. Here are th...
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A buyer’s real estate agent must fairly represent sellerJul 27, 2012 5:00 am - Q. In some of your articles, you give readers the impression that the buyer’s real estate agent is supposed to represent the financial interests of the buyer. This opini...
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Plants thrive in differing growing seasonsJul 22, 2012 5:00 am - One secret makes Susan Brunstrum's garden look more mature than its tender age: She moved 35 bushes and 750 perennials from her old house when she downsized to a 1920s c...
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Homeowner wants to install a shower doorJul 22, 2012 1:02 am - Q. Our master bathroom has had a shower curtain since we moved in. It’s a “shower only” stall and we’ve changed curtains over the years, but now I want to install a glas...
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Improper insulating can cause firesJul 21, 2012 1:00 am - Q. You have written that it is not possible to insulate over older knob-and-tube wiring in walls and attics. Many states have adopted amendments to NEC 324.4 to allow fo...
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Greek key design appearing everywhere from furniture to pillowsJul 21, 2012 1:00 am - It sounds too good to be true: A design element that works in traditional and modern, casual and formal. But that's exactly what the Greek key motif does. “It's a very c...
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Home inspector: Sellers failed to make repairsJul 20, 2012 1:30 am - Q. We purchased our home six months ago and hired a home inspector who was referred by our Realtor. The inspector identified a list of problems involving plumbing leaks,...