Home Improvement
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Removing stucco stains requires a soft-bristle touchOct 04, 2015 1:00 am - Q. We have enjoyed your column for many years. We're planning to sell our gorgeous "painted lady," a 1884 Victorian, after owning it for 40 years. We have stuccoed walls...
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Find a weekend renovation projectOct 03, 2015 7:00 am - Some home renovation projects require the expertise of professionals, but there also are many ways for homeowners to improve their homes without hiring a pro or spending...
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Curious about solar energy? Check out suburban sites SaturdayOct 02, 2015 5:00 am - If you've wondered what it's like to install and use solar panels on your property, you can get answers Saturday from people who have experienced that firsthand. The Ill...
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How to keep furnace running properlySep 29, 2015 1:00 am - Q. It is going to be heating season fairly soon. I have my furnace serviced every two years for efficiency. Is there any do-it-yourself maintenance I can do each fall to...
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Winter is time for nontoxic home improvementsSep 27, 2015 7:15 am - As the days shorten and the winter holidays approach, many homeowners decide to freshen up walls, floors and furniture. But the effect isn't always fresh. There are many...
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Replacing old shower pan is not the end of worldSep 27, 2015 1:00 am - Q. We have an acrylic-type shower floor that is about 30 years old. Since we have a well and septic system, the floor gets a lot of abuse from iron in the water, and it ...
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Women empowered in Habitat for Humanity build in West ChicagoSep 22, 2015 1:00 am - Liz Rangel was among the many women lined up outside a DuPage Habitat for Humanity build in West Chicago, anxiously waiting her turn to learn how to use a power saw. The...
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Reader asks for recommendation on replacement doorSep 20, 2015 1:00 am - Q. I love your column in the Daily Herald and make a point to read it every week. I am looking into replacing our old single-pane patio door and am confused by the many ...
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Contemporary bathroom design is all about simplicitySep 20, 2015 1:00 am - The first thought that comes to mind when pondering this year's smash movie "Fifty Shades of Grey" is probably not the aesthetics in the bathroom. Yet, if you're going f...
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Today's fireplaces offer a wide range of optionsSep 11, 2015 6:00 am - “Life always works around heat and food,” says Susan Prestia of Interior Directions in Kansas City, Kansas. “Shelters had fire pits. Single-room houses had a fireplace, ...