UPDATED 13Jun2019: 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 […]
Continue ReadingQ&A OF THE WEEK: “Should I Change My Tank-Style Heater for Tankless?”
Q: Should I replace my large, gas-fired tank-style water heater with a tankless model? My wife and I are seniors living in our 2 storey, 4 bedroom home and we intend to stay here for at least another 10 years. […]
Continue ReadingQ&A OF THE WEEK: “How Can I Insulate My Cottage For Year-Round Living?”
Q: What’s the best way to insulate a cottage? I’m converting the place into a four-season home, but I want to preserve the interior wooden wall finishes. Paper-covered batt insulation is in the 2×4 wall frames now, but I’m concerned […]
Continue ReadingQ&A OF THE WEEK: “Why Does My Woodworking Take So Long?”
Q: Why is it that no woodworkers I watch on YouTube give specific amounts of time it takes to make projects? It’s discouraging for newbies like me when something looks easy but takes me forever. What am I doing wrong? […]
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Learn More from Bailey Line Road
Q&A OF THE WEEK: Insulating a 1950s Brick Bungalow
Q: What’s the best way to insulate the double-brick walls of my small bungalow built in 1952? There’s just plaster against the inside layer of brick with no insulation as far as I can tell. I’m having loose fill insulation […]
Continue ReadingQ&A: “How Should I Install a Pellet Stove?”
Q: What’s involved when installing a pellet stove as a heating appliance? We’re planning to build in the country next year, and I’m sold on the cost savings of this heating system. Can you recommend specific models? Do pellet stoves […]
Continue ReadingQ&A OF THE WEEK: “Should I install a backwater valve in my basement?’
Q: Is it a good idea to install a backwater valve to protect my basement from sewage backup? I live in Ottawa, Canada and I’m considering this upgrade. A: The short answer is yes. A backwater valve is a great […]
Continue ReadingQ&A OF THE WEEK: “How Do I Freeze-Proof a Cabin Water Line?”
Q: What’s the best way to freeze-proof a water line from a spring to a vacation cabin we visit year-round? There’s not enough soil to bury the pipe below frost and we don’t want to invest in anything fancy or […]
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: “Can I Leave Cottage Heat Off During Winter?”
Q: Can I safely leave the heat turned off in my cottage over winter? The floor is hardwood and I’m concerned about warping. I’m retired and don’t want to spend the $200 a month it costs to keep minimal heat […]
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