Home Improvement
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Home inspector: Hold strong in dispute over contractor bidsJun 29, 2012 5:08 am - Q. We are in contract to purchase a house, and our home inspector found problems with the old steam heating system. A follow-up inspection by a heating contractor reveal...
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Home repair: Granite is subject to imperfectionsJun 24, 2012 5:22 am - Q. We had our bathroom remodeled about three years ago and have had an ongoing problem with a dark spot on the granite right next to the sink. We sealed the granite with...
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New grills, gas torches help homeowners extend the summerJun 23, 2012 5:08 am - Outdoor living at home has become so much a part of our everyday life that entrepreneurs and established companies alike are rushing to invent new products to appeal to ...
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Home inspector: Buyers can fight fine for unpermitted buildingJun 22, 2012 5:52 am - Q. We bought our home 7 years ago. Recently, the county building department informed us that the studio apartment in our backyard was built without a permit. Neither the...
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Could emerald ash borer disaster happen again? Yes, but there are ways to stop itJun 20, 2012 11:15 am - Tree diversity key, but towns, developers, nurseries must work together
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Designer helps couple turn house into warm, welcoming homeJun 17, 2012 8:00 am - The Palatine house Kirsten and Heinz Titze found had a lot going for it, starting with the open floor plan they craved for entertaining. Their three children could stay...
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How to repair doors in a 1970s-era houseJun 16, 2012 5:00 am - Q. I have a home from the 1970s and it’s starting to show its age. I can fix most small problems, but I’m having trouble with a couple of doors. One door is split on the...
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What to doo when builder ignores your complaintsJun 15, 2012 5:38 am - Q. We bought our home six years ago when it was new. Since then, it has settled and is cracked in many places. We notified the builders. They filed an insurance claim an...
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Prospect Heights family wins backyard makeover contestJun 10, 2012 6:00 am - It's been a tough year for Sharon Zeeck's family since an electrical fire all but destroyed their Prospect Heights home, but things are finally looking up. The family re...
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A cluttered house can be daunting, but start the editing processJun 10, 2012 5:00 am - It’s easy to procrastinate on decluttering. Sorting and organizing may ease the mess, but a color-coordinated bookshelf of junk is still a bookshelf of junk. The declutt...