10 Real-World Energy Upgrades That Really Work!
Canada’s Handiest Man, Steve Maxwell, has compiled a top 10 list of ways to reduce your home’s energy consumption and be more green.
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HOW TO BUILD STAIRS: Watch Video Lesson on Cutting Stringers & More
In this week’s two-video episode see how stairs are supported on notched pieces called “stringers”; determine how many treads you need for a given stair installation; accurately mark a stringer for cutting; take a video tour of a cherry stair railing.
a circular saw and handsaw are used for cutting the stringers you’ve marked
the second video below shows how to build a fancy staircase railing -
How to Know a Heating Contractor Is Truly Licensed and Qualified
Anyone can put “licensed and insured” on a business card. When the furnace is down in January, most homeowners take those words on faith, and the unqualified operators in the trade are counting on exactly that. Homeowners across Canada can…
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How Gutters and Downspouts Protect a Property’s Water Systems
Every property runs on water systems most owners never think about: the drains at the foundation, the sump pump in the basement, the sewer lateral under the yard, and the grading that quietly steers rain away from the walls. All…
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Best Plumbing Companies in Toronto for Older Homes and Aging Pipes
Older Toronto homes have plenty of character, but their pipes haven’t been touched in decades. Plumbing companies in Toronto deal with this every day, yet finding one that’s actually licensed, shows up fast, and won’t charge you double for a…
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EASIER COTTAGE LIVING: Low-maintenance Design & Building Strategies
Cottages and rural retreats are great, but not if you have to work on them all the time. Read five simple strategies for ensuring your cottage doesn’t become an expensive ball and chain in your life.
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Why Engineered Wood Components Deliver Better Homes
A few years ago I visited one of the largest, most advanced sawmills in North America, and I came away with something unexpected. This massive facility pumps out enough 2x4s and 2x6s to frame 15,000 homes each year, but it…
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HOW TO INSTALL WINDOWS: 3 Steps to Success
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, lays out three steps to successful window renovations.
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Sugar Ant Control Myths That Could Be Costing You Time and Money in Your Home
If you spend your weekends building a cozy cabin, finishing a basement, or keeping backyard chickens, you already know that a hands-on approach to home maintenance means paying attention to the small stuff before it becomes a big problem. Tiny…
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PATIENCE: The Most Important Hands-On Home Improvement Skill
Steve Maxwell explains the importance of how homeowners handle unforeseen problems as they emerge in the home, especially in relation to time.
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CERAMIC TILE INSTALLATION VIDEO: “How Should I Reinforce My Floor Before Installing Ceramic Tiles?”
Question: How should I reinforce my floor before installing new ceramic tiles? A written quote I received from a contractor includes 3/8” plywood fastened on top of the existing subfloor, but my friend says it should be 5/8”. What do…
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“Can I Make a Sheltered Space Under My Deck?”
Question: Is it practical to create rain-proof shelter under the floor of a second storey deck? There’s a lot of tall space under mind and I want to use the space for BBQing and entertaining. Answer: Raised decks can offer…
