Stories

A wobbly handrail is one of those repairs that tends to get put off, yet it carries real risk on a busy stairway. In Australian homes, where multi-level…

There's a particular frustration reserved for the moment you press the button on your garage remote, hear the motor whirr, watch the door glide halfway down,…

A well-planned privacy hedge can screen a neighbouring house, soften a boundary and provide useful shade through every season. The best result comes from…

Basement wall condensation occurs when warm, moisture-laden air meets a colder surface. Water vapour turns into droplets on concrete, masonry, pipes, or…

A gutter pulling away from the fascia is more than an untidy gap under the roofline. Once the gutter tilts, rainwater can spill over the back or front edge,…

A clean chimney flue helps smoke, combustion gases and fine particles leave the house safely. Soot and creosote can restrict airflow, create unpleasant odours…

Pruning fruit trees is a practical way to improve sunlight, airflow, fruit size and picking access. Removing the wrong branches at the wrong time, however, can…

A cracked electrical outlet cover is easy to overlook, especially when it is behind a bed, desk or television. The plate may seem cosmetic, but damage can…

A washing machine that takes too long to fill may leave clothes sitting in a half-started cycle, display an inlet error, or stop before the drum reaches its…

Mulch helps tree roots hold moisture, stay cooler and cope with dry weather, but the material must be placed carefully. A thick mound pressed against the trunk…