Home Improvement
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Electric infloor heating can improve comfort on cold daysJan 26, 2026 5:00 am - We set our thermostat lower to save, but my feet are always cold. Is infloor electric radiant more efficient than resistance electric heating and can it be used under carpeting?
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How to spot foundation issues at homeJan 20, 2026 6:53 pm - Foundation issues are a component of homeownership that can be easy to forget, as such concerns are not necessarily evident in frequently visited areas of a home. A found...
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Blasting heat at home and still freezing? There are easy fixes to save money and stay warmJan 20, 2026 4:47 pm - Heat may be leaking out of your house, leaving you feeling a chill on the coldest days of winter. Here are some tips to help.
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Could that dresser become a kitchen cabinet? The art of upcycling old furniture
Jan 20, 2026 4:38 pm - Designers and DIYers are breathing new life into old furniture, not just restoring but reimagining and giving hardworking pieces fresh purpose.
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Yelp referrals for home inspectorsJan 20, 2026 3:50 pm - In one of your columns, a buyer was annoyed her agent would not recommend a home inspector. I'm a Realtor, and our company has a policy against recommending any service providers.
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Painting brick buildings a popular trend, but not with preservationistsJan 14, 2026 4:00 am - Painting over brick is way to bring older buildings “back to life” and give a downtown streetscape a new look, but historic preservationists advise against it.
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You’re the reason your home is disorganized. Here’s how to fix that.
Jan 13, 2026 5:07 pm - We asked eight professional organizers to share their tough love advice for clutter problems. Here’s what they want you to know.
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Elgin programs offer grants for rehab, painting of homes in historic districtsJan 13, 2026 1:09 pm - Elgin residents can apply now for a grant program designed to help restore homes in the city’s historic districts and a painting program for residents of the Elgin National Watch Historic District.
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Who is qualified to inspect gas fixtures?Jan 13, 2026 12:35 pm - You occasionally discuss how home inspectors inspect gas-burning fixtures. In my opinion, home inspectors are not qualified to inspect gas appliances.
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How to build a better, more efficient fireJan 12, 2026 7:00 am - We get smoke indoors from our wood-burning fireplace, but want to use it to save cut our utility bills. What are some fire building techniques to create less smoke?