PLUMBING: My Favourite Way to Make PEX Water Pipe Connections
Join more than 85,000 people who have watched and learned from Steve’s tour of the ProPEX pipe and connection system.
“How Can I Shorten a Door to Allow for Higher New Flooring?”
Question: 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 and without splinters. Answer: This job is actually…
STONEWORKING: Splitting A Monster Rock With Plug-and-Feather Wedges
When a huge stone was uncovered while excavating for an addition my son Robert is building, we got out our fastest rock drill and some ancient tools called plug and feather wedges. You can see the situation in the video…
HOMEBUILDING: Watch Last Stone Being Laid After 31 Years
On July 4, 1987, I laid the first stone in what would be the basement of my homestead house on Manitoulin Island, Canada. Back on July 26, 2018 I laid the last stone in the last of four peaks in this…
HOMEBUILDING: Why Brick Ties Are Vital & See An Excellent Version
Brick ties are hidden pieces of hardware that tie brick veneer to the underlying wall frame of some modern house. Conventional brick ties are one of those common construction details that strikes me as just barely good enough to do…
ANCHORING TO CONCRETE: Powder-Actuated Tools Make It Easy
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, informs homeowners of the benefits of powder-actuated tools (PATs), especially for basement renovations.
BACKYARDS: The Environmental Benefits of Adding Shade Structures to Your Home
If you’re considering getting an awning, pergola, or maybe one of those cool canopies for your backyard there’s one more benefit that you probably never considered. Most people do it for the obvious reasons, staying cool, looking good, having a…
HVAC: Common Problems with Home Air Conditioners
People who live in Lemoyne and the surrounding areas in Pennsylvania experience temperatures in the mid-80s to low 90s Fahrenheit in the summer. In the winter, the weather dips below freezing, and hovers in the mid-20s to 40-degree range. Throughout…
4 Home Inspection Tips Before Buying a House
When searching for their dream home, many people focus on the house design and its location. However, due diligence is important when buying a house to ensure you get the best value for your money and save costs from early…
EASIER TIMBER FRAMING: Canadian Hardware Brings Big Wood Into View
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, explains an alternative lumber framing method called Timberlinx.
hOMEBUILDING: “Can I Build a House Foundation on Bedrock?”
Question: How can I build a home foundation on bedrock? I really like the idea and simplicity of cutting foam concrete forms to follow the bedrock, but my building inspector is unfamiliar with this and wants some engineered drawings. Answer:…
DIY: Three Options for Anchoring to Concrete, Brick and Stone
When it comes to anchoring things to masonry, the process is not as simple as working with wood or drywall. Most homes require anchoring to masonry at some point, and there are three popular methods for making this happen: Understanding…