Great tip from HomeAdvisor.com

Disposals can become the source of unpleasant smells. Here’s a quick trick to eliminate unwanted odors:

To create a deodorizer, (1) Mix together a natural cleaner; vinegar, water and lemon rinds - - - (2) Freeze the mixture; Pour the mixture into an ice tray and place it in your freezer - - - (3) Place the ice cubes in your disposal. Leave the ice cubes in your disposal several times a week. The ice cubes will clean and deodorize your disposal as they melt.

From Winnipeg Free Press Publication, September 22, 2012.  By Ari Marantz.

Fabulous article from the Winnipeg Free Press by Ari Marantz of Trained Eye Home Inspection.  

With the dry summer weather, many homeowners are experiencing unusual cracking and movement in their walls and other areas of their home. While this may be a somewhat rare occurrence caused by unusually dry soil conditions, it does happen to many homes and I will address the issue accordingly.

Cracks in plaster or drywall in an older home are a very common occurrence in our area due to our expansive clay soils that the homes are built on. This soil will expand and contract with changes in moisture content, which is compounded by the wide temperature swings from summer to winter. Because of this, many homes built on typical concrete footings will move regularly. This settlement is often more pronounced in the first couple of decades after a home is completed, but can happen later due to changing conditions...

• Keep warm-air registers, return-air openings, and space heaters or baseboards clear of furniture, rugs and drapes allow free air movement.

• Do not store combustible materials such as paper, chemicals, paint rags and cleaning products near your gas furnace.

• Do not store or use gasoline or other flammable vapours and liquids in the vicinity...

Excerpts from Winnipeg Real Estate News Publication, October 9, 2009

Spending time with a book or a loved one in front of a warm and cozy fire is a pleasant experience many Canadians embrace during the colder winter months. Not only do gas fireplaces offer us memorable moments and decorative qualities, they also provide comfortable, economical and supplemental heating for the home. However, before using gas fireplaces this season, it is important to take the time to conduct a routine inspection and annual maintenance.

CSA International, a leading provider of product testing and certification services, offers the following tips to help you prepare your gas fireplace for the winter season:

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions in the owner’s manual, or use the care guide for maintenance and use of your gas fireplace.

• Installation and repair of a fireplace should be done by a qualified professional service person.

• A fireplace should be inspected before use...