Masonry wasn’t my favourite homebuilding material when I got involved in building and renovation back in the mid-1980s, but 35+ years of dealing with reality has changed my mind. Brick veneer, in particular, offers the best combination of quality and…
In the late 1980s I faced a choice, and it was like many of the big choices we all face in life. Do I do the harder thing that I know is best, or do I choose the easier way…
Do your eavestroughs work the way they’re supposed to? Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, provides step by step home repair solutions for leaky roofs.
If you rely on a septic system – and especially f your septic system is currently showing signs of failure – you’ve come to the right place. You don’t necessarily need a whole new system when things look hopeless, despite what…
In December 2013, relatives of mine in Toronto spent Christmas in a cheap hotel miles from their home because of an ice storm and blackout that lasted as long as two weeks in some areas. Entire neighbourhoods were dark and…
Clothes dryer vents have got to be one of the last things builders consider when they’re putting a house together, and it shows. Take a look behind just about any dryer and you’ll see what I mean. Crumpled flexible ducting…
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, explains to handy DIY homeowners how to make oiling exterior wood easy and effective.
For those of us living in cold climates, one of the most annoying (and mysterious) problems happens when rooftop plumbing vent pipes get plugged with frost. This is called “ice capping” and the longer the cold spells you get in…
Question: How can I stop my garage door from freezing to the concrete floor when it gets really cold? I live in northern Manitoba and I have this problem when it gets colder than -50ºC some mornings. Sometimes the door…
Watch the video below for tips and tricks on using your pressure washer, including some uses you’ve probably never seen before. More details in the article below. In my experience there are three standard tasks where a pressure washer can’t…
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, explains four insulation options to ensure your new home or addition is energy efficient.
Aging in place in your own home is a hot topic these days, but the various pieces of information needed to make it happen are rarely found in one place online. That’s because there’s lots to cover – financial, technical…