How can I remove white pine sap from the 10-year-old cedar deck at the cottage? I’ve tried deck cleaner, scraping, sanding, acetone and Comet. Nothing works. What you need is a compatible solvent, and I know for sure that turpentine…
Is your outdoor wood furniture or deck looking tired? Steve Maxwell explains how oiling your exterior wood is a low maintenance finishing option.
Q: Is it okay to add wall insulation to a hollow block wall by adding a loose-fill fiber product in the block spaces? The exterior walls of our 90-year-old house are made with stucco-covered cinder blocks. Is it a good plan for…
How can I restore the lustre of a cedar strip canoe that’s covered in fiberglass? The surface is dull and scratched. The problem you’re having is common and easily remedied. The fiberglass wasn’t the only material used on the outside…
Steve Maxwell is a fan of structural insulated panels due to the fact that they help ordinary people create strong, energy efficient buildings.
An in-depth look into R Values on insulation products from Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man.
How should I insulate a 10 x 14-foot basement space for a wine cellar I’m building? Three walls face soil and a rec room is outside the fourth. All walls are currently insulated. The door is hollow wood and I’m…
Read Steve’s explanation about why modern skylights offer a reliable, life-giving addition to most homes.
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, explains why he believes 3M’s ScotchBlue Painter’s Tape outshines all of the traditional masking tapes.
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, explains how one could waterproof the underside of a deck to create a dry storage space beneath.
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, takes apart a Saniflo macerating toilet to see exactly how it works.
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, has 3 key tips for building a covered porch or verandah from the metal brackets to considerations when building its roof.