Q: Is it possible to blow insulation into the wall cavities of one of those little veteran homes built right after WWII? I’m afraid to shop around for this work to be done because I don’t want to be taken…
When it comes to exterior siding for homes and cottages in rural locations, it’s not easy to find a durable option that works visually. For some of us at least, choices such as vinyl or aluminum siding simply look too…
Wood siding that’s stained needs to be refinished frequently. The longest lasting results I’ve seen don’t look good much longer than 5 or 6 years in full sun. The trick is refinishing with the least amount of effort and so…
Q: Can you help me make sense of all the options for potlights? I’m confused by all the choices, sizes and types. A: Potlights are also called recessed lighting in the industry, and they’re a terrific feature when used properly. But…
This is chapter 11 in my book The Bailey Line Road Chronicles, the 30-year story about moving from the city to live a modern homestead life deep in the country on Manitoulin Island, Canada. Missed Chapter 10? Click here to…
I’ve used work gloves almost every day for more than 30 years, so I was surprised to find that it took me until late 2017 to discover the story of Canada’s largest, oldest and most interesting work glove company. In…
Last month I answered a reader’s question about high radon gas levels in homes, and the response from that article made it clear more radon questions need to be answered. That’s certainly the case when you realize that this naturally…
I often get asked for advice about choosing a portable tablesaw, and if I had to choose the best, safest and most widely available model, it would have to be a unit from Bosch. To understand why, you need some…
The website you’re on now – BaileyLineRoad.com – is named after the little country road where my wife, Mary, and I live and are raising our kids. When people find out both Mary and I grew up in the city…
Q: How can I paint the rusty steel railing that goes across the front of my property? I want the results to lasts, but I haven’t had good luck in the past painting exterior metal. A: If the rust is…
Q: I’m writing to ask for the follow-up to a Toronto Star column you wrote a number of years ago regarding a septic system product called SeptiCleanse. Does this product continue to work well for you? I’ve got a septic system…
Poor indoor air quality is something that many people don’t recognize or understand. Recognized or not, the quality of air you breathe has a big impact on your health. Learn to discern the quality of your indoor air, and how to improve it.