Q: What type of new furnace should I get? My existing oil furnace has a problem and I’m getting an oil smell in the house. My oil tank is currently 15 years old, and my service technician says I should […]
Continue ReadingHOW TO INSTALL TRIM Q&A: “Should I Trust My Contractor’s Advice?”
Q: What should I think of a contractor who wants to fasten 8” wide Douglas fir exterior window trim using stainless steel screws? Not the nicest look in my opinion. He also wants to do the same thing with interior […]
Continue ReadingSOUNDPROOFING: What Can I Put Underneath New Carpet To Make Things Quieter?
Q: What can I put underneath new carpet to boost floor soundproofing? My father recently sent me an old article of yours about a rubber soundproofing sheet material made especially for this job. Trouble is, I can’t find a source […]
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.
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THREE READER Q&As: Furnace Room Ventilation, Insulating Exterior Walls, The Truth About Basement Walls
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 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 […]
Continue ReadingQ&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 […]
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