In this edition of Maxwell’s Tips, Steve explains furnace room ventilation, insulating exterior walls and the truth about basement walls.
Continue ReadingSOLAR ENERGY Q&A: “Where Can I Learn More About Making Solar Energy a Reality In A Country Home I’m Planning?
Q: Where can I learn more about making solar energy a reality in a country home I’m planning? I need facts about the costs of various parts of the system, different suppliers and technologies, plus some sense of maintenance costs. […]
Continue ReadingVIDEO: How to Choose a Cordless Drill
Cordless drills are great, but it’s not always obvious how to buy one well. Watch Steve tell you everything you need to know on this video.
Continue ReadingROOFTOP MOSS: Does It Damage My Roof?
A reader emailed me with this question . . . Q: Is moss on a house roof a serious problem? About 20% of the roof area of a house we’re looking to buy has moss, mostly near a large maple […]
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Q&A: How Can I Dispose of Shavings From My Planer?
Q: I recently bought a benchtop wood planer and have been happily generating bags and bags of sawdust in my workshop. Trouble is, I just found out that my municipality doesn’t accept sawdust as garbage. How can I dispose of […]
Continue ReadingSUMMERTIME MUSTINESS: Concrete Floors Often the Culprit
Q: What can I do about sky-high summertime humidity in our house? The building is 35 years old and sits entirely on a concrete pad. Humidity is fine in winter, but in the warm months we smell mildew in the […]
Continue ReadingWHITE LIES: Good Contractors Never Tell Them
Back in June 2018, I got an email from a woman wondering about roof shingles, and it reminded me how easy it is for contractors to destroy their own credibility with white lies. As a homeowner, you need to watch […]
Continue ReadingQ&A of the Week: What Replacement Skylight Do You Recommend?
Q: My current skylight is damaged and needs to be replaced. Can you recommend a reliable brand and installer? A: There are many brands of skylights out there, but I’ve never seen any that match the quality of VELUX. I’ve installed […]
Continue ReadingQ&A of the Week: “How Can I Shorten a Door to Allow for New Flooring?”
Q: What’s the best way to shorten two wooden doors as part of a laminate floor job I’m planning? I need advice for marking and cutting the bottom of these doors accurately. A: This job is actually trickier than it […]
Continue ReadingQ&A: Can you help me make sense of options for potlights? I’m confused.
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 […]
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