Articles filed under Home Improvement
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Smell from deceased critter creates issue in rental homeSep 18, 2016 6:00 am - Q. I own a rental house here in town. Apparently, there is a bad odor on the second floor, which is probably due to a dead animal. I remember hearing an animal in the wa...
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A grown-up's guide to creating a kid's study spaceSep 11, 2016 7:00 am - When it's time for kids to go back to school, smart parents know that in addition to buying school supplies and lunch ingredients, they need to prepare a dedicated study...
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Homeowners dealing with a bubbling, splashing toiletSep 11, 2016 5:00 am - Q. I really your enjoy your weekly column on home repair; it is very interesting and even more informative. I've had an ongoing issue with my toilet and I was hoping you...
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Fortified mudrooms are more than the place to stash your bootsSep 10, 2016 6:00 am - Mudrooms are the ugly ducklings of the home. Purely functional, the dirt and sloppiness are so integrated and expected in this room that “mud” is a part of its very name...
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'Painted ladies' featured on 35th annual Historic Elgin House TourSep 07, 2016 11:00 pm - John and Sara Boline's east side home came with so impressive a pedigree that when the Gifford Park Association held its first Historic Elgin House Tour in 1982, that ho...
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Counter top cooking appliances versus range and ovenSep 04, 2016 5:00 am - Q. I cook a lot at home, usually just for my husband and myself now that the kids are older. I was wondering if it is more efficient to use smaller countertop appliances...
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Cleaning solution, elbow grease needed for outdoor projectAug 28, 2016 5:00 am - Q. I saw a column of yours in the paper a few months ago and I can't remember what you told the person. I have been in my home for 11 years and the previous owner put o...
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Repeat winners in Des Plaines Curb Appeal contestAug 18, 2016 1:00 am - Michael Fedirko and Sam Cook's Des Plaines home has such great curb appeal, they're repeat winners in an annual citywide home improvement competition. The residents of 1...
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Garage makeover winner enjoys his own inner sanctumAug 14, 2016 6:00 am - Rob Ruisz is a garage guy. His Schaumburg garage is his man cave. He works on his motorcycle, cars and pickup truck there. This is also where he completes house maintena...
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Home's basement water issues may already have been solvedAug 14, 2016 5:00 am - Q. I read your column regularly in the Daily Herald newspaper and have found it to be very helpful. Our house is lower than the next two houses on our street. The landsc...