Inspecting a home professionally is all about knowing the important details, looking closely at them, them making a report to you, the prospective buyer. But there’s also a huge difference in the quality of home inspections because there’s a huge…
How do you install a bathroom where a sewage drain pipe doesn’t exist? Or perhaps there’s a drain pipe, but it’s up high on the wall in a way that a shower or toilet in the basement couldn’t drain into…
If you’ve got 1/2″ or 3/4″ diameter water supply pipes that freeze in winter, then you’ll want to know about a new small-cable system for use inside pipes. It’s call Retro-Line Mini , and there are three reasons I like…
Question: What can I do about sky-high summertime humidity in our house? It’s 35 years old and sits entirely on a concrete pad. Indoor air quality is fine in winter, but in the warm months we smell mildew in the carpeting…
Question: Will those regular, bent-metal hooks for pictures hold a 25 lbs mirror measuring 30″ x 30″? These hooks are easy to use, but I’m concerned this application might be pushing things too far. Answer: I’m glad you asked because…
Design is a make-or-break issues when it comes to renovations and new homes, but too often ideas about design come too small and too late. To make your place better, you need to think about the big design ideas you’ll find here and you’ll need to think about them early on, when they can have an influence on how your place feels and functions.
Question: Why isn’t my heat recovery ventilator (HRV) working? We’ve had the unit installed since our home was new five years ago, but windows still get wet with condensation each winter when it gets cold. Answer: Heat recovery ventilators offer…
If you’ve got drain pipes that aren’t completely protected from frost by sufficient soil, you may have a huge problem waiting to happen. If that sewage line freezes up, it can be well into spring before it defrosts naturally. Click…
Building houses for a cold climate requires things that aren’t immediately obvious. Read on for five essential building strategies for success. A lot of people miss this stuff.
In this video Steve shows how to patch one of the most common types of drywall damage; the screw pop.
Question: How realistic is it to convert a seasonal cottage built in the 1950s into a year-round home? My husband and I live in the city and we’d like to sell our house and take the proceeds to buy a…
Question: How can I make the ceiling above my basement workshop more sound resistant? The joists and wood frame are open and accessible since the ceiling isn’t finished. Way too much sounds comes up into the living area above right…