Henri de Marne
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Battling a wet basement from the insideJul 19, 2015 12:00 am - Leaky foundations are the bane of one's existence for a large number of homeowners. Whenever possible, the best way to cure the problem is from the outside. There are ti...
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Soffit and ridge vent combo provides best ventilationJul 12, 2015 12:00 am - Q. We live in the Chicago suburbs and are in need of a new roof. Our contractor recommended Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration Shingles and ridge vents. We also heard ...
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Ceiling fans help to make a living space more comfortableJul 05, 2015 12:00 am - Q. Please settle an argument that happens every summer in our house. We have ceiling fans throughout our upstairs. Do they help with the cooling of the house? And do the...
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Call in a professional to take on cracked tableJun 28, 2015 1:00 am - Q. We have a table from India. It has developed a crack one-eighth inch wide and 12 inches long on the top. I believe this is due to humidity changes. I'd like your reco...
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Re-create original stucco's look rather than replace itJun 21, 2015 12:00 am - Q. My husband was a plastering contractor. When we built our front porch, he covered pressure-treated lumber with marine cement to look like a Spanish stucco finish. Unf...
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When vendor offers free replacement parts, take advantageJun 14, 2015 1:00 am - Q. When we built our house 11 years ago, we had installed a 26-gauge standing seam metal roof. In the years since, two things have happened: The seams adjacent to the va...
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Water tank's pressure-relief valve is key safety componentJun 07, 2015 12:00 am - Q. We have a Weil-McLain water tank operating as a third zone on our boiler. It is located next to the boiler in the usual small room in the lower level of our raised ra...
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Ask your local plumbing suppliers about waxless toilet sealMay 24, 2015 1:00 am - By Henri De Marne Q. I love your column and want to thank you for all the wonderful advice you have given over the years. In a recent column, you mentioned a newer waxle...
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New concrete may be best way to fix patio's water problemsMay 17, 2015 12:00 am - Q. We enjoy reading your column in the Daily Herald. What is your opinion about the technique of raising and stabilizing sinking or uneven sidewalks, patios, etc.? My hu...
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Humid summer air could make ceiling repairs unnecessaryMay 03, 2015 12:00 am - Q. I live in a small ranch built in 1989. Recently I've noticed nail pops in most of the rooms in my house. They appear on my ceilings and walls and follow straight line...