Q: What can I do to warm the floors of my 1875 cottage? I recently bit the bullet, went below, and stuffed two layers of insulation batts between the floor joists above the crawl space. The floor is still freezing […]
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Q&A OF THE WEEK: “How Can I Hanging Something Heavy on Drywall?”
Q: How do I anchor something heavy to drywall? I’d like to install a hanging ceiling lamp bracket, but don’t think a regular hook will hold the weight. What can I do? A: You’re wise to be concerned because a regular […]
Continue ReadingQ&A OF THE WEEK: Is Knotty Pine Good For a Finished Floor?
Q: Is knotty pine a good option for a finished floor? We’ve read your recommendations on this material, and would love to use it, but we’ve been advised not to. We’re told the wood will probably buckle, crack and split […]
Continue ReadingBEAT THE HEAT: “How Can I Make Upstairs Bedrooms Cooler in Summer?”
Is the second story of your home too hot in summer, despite air conditioning that’s running full blast and making lower levels too cold? Click for a real-world solution that solves the problem once and for all.
Continue ReadingTHE REAL REASON CRAFTSMANSHIP MATTERS
Craftsmanship is the extent to which a person aims towards excellence, especially in any venture involving hands-on workmanship. It’s a product of skill, knowledge, experience and effort. And while craftsmanship pays off for the people in your life who enjoy […]
Continue ReadingQ&A OF THE WEEK: “Is It Okay to Keep a Freezer in an Unheated Porch?”
UPDATED 23Jul2020 Question: Is it okay to keep my 15 year-old freezer working in an uninsulated, closed-in porch during winter? I know some people keep freezers in garages without any difficulty, but I’m concerned the motor might seize in cold […]
Continue ReadingHOW TO CHOOSE A CORDLESS DRILL: A Quick Video Tutorial
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 ReadingQ&A of the Week: How to Revive Old Hardware
PUBLISHED 3Jul2020 + video below Q: What’s the best way to clean rust and dirt off of an old door lock? It’s seized and rusty right now, but it looks like a nice old lock with potential. A: Good for […]
Continue ReadingSUMMERTIME BASEMENT MUSTINESS Q&A : Concrete Floors Often the Culprit
Q: What can I do about sky-high summertime humidity in our house? It’s 35 years old and sits entirely on a concrete pad. Indoor air quality is fine in winter, but in the warm months we smell mildew in the carpeting […]
Continue ReadingASBESTOS SIDING: Is It Safe or Dangerous?
UPDATED 19Jun2020: Every so often I get a homeowner asking me an asbestos siding question that goes something like this. It’s a good question and lots of people have to deal with issues like this one: “What can I do […]
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