By Don Dunning | January 13, 2010
My wife and I love our granite counters, so I was interested to read that this stone may be losing some of its popularity. Various alternatives, such as “CaesarStone,” “Silestone” and other, engineered-quartz products, as well as soapstone, a non-porous natural stone, are on the upswing. Additional options include concrete and glass, as well as […]
Read MoreBy Don Dunning | October 29, 2009
In Oakland, water rationing has been lifted and we have been fortunate to have had heavy, early October rains. Some think our water troubles are over. They aren’t. We all need to conserve because population is outstripping our resources. Having low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators is the best way to save water in your […]
Read MoreBy Don Dunning | August 28, 2009
With the East Bay’s wonderful Mediterranean climate, I’ve been able to grow everything from tomatoes to garlic to several varieties of peppers in our Oakland garden. In March 2008, my wife, Sonia, brought home a packet of Padrón pepper seeds she picked up at Berkeley’s Spanish Table. Although an avid gardener for many years, I […]
Read MoreBy Don Dunning | May 10, 2009
Just this morning, I took these photos in our garden to share with you. Happy Mother’s Day!
Read MoreBy Don Dunning | March 22, 2009
I’ve been into photography for many years. One of the things I enjoy about my hobby is how photos provide a different perspective. I get to see things I may otherwise have missed. An example is how, with macro photography, I experience the face of a spider or the inner beauty of a rose. Pictures […]
Read MoreBy Don Dunning | March 18, 2009
I just responded to a question about possible mold in the home. The homeowner wondered if her health issues were related to mold in her basement, spreading through the furnace. I am not a mold expert, but shared what I know as a long-time Realtor. I asked her if she regularly changes her furnace filter(s). […]
Read MoreBy Don Dunning | March 7, 2009
Yesterday morning, as I was finishing up my shower, the pan started filling with water. It occurred to me it could be either a sewer line backup (bad news), or a simple case of too much goopy stuff in the shower drain. I eliminated the sewer line as the culprit since we have replaced the […]
Read MoreBy Don Dunning | February 27, 2009
Yesterday’s post about the effectiveness of orange oil for killing termites prompted an email asking whether cleaning products with orange oil kill and/or deter dust mites. Knowing that my wife, Sonia, is into natural cleaning products, I asked her. She told me that citrus oil is used to dissolve oil and grease, allowing dirt to […]
Read MoreBy Don Dunning | May 3, 2002
Recently, a local couple was surprised to find one of their bathrooms infected with mold. In addition to the shiny black area on the floor, stringy looking, plant-like tentacles were growing through the wall.
They were later told these were filaments of mold called “fruiting heads” Thus began an unwanted, but interesting, learning process about mold and the seemingly innocent ways it can occur.
Read MoreBy Don Dunning | April 5, 2002
In buying or maintaining a home, we logically tend to emphasize those areas that cost the most to repair or replace. Plumbing is usually downplayed because the need to totally overhaul it is rare. Difficulties with plumbing, however, can lead to other, expensive issues. Three common problems deserve attention.
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