When my parents renovated the basement of my boyhood home, they added a bathroom, and it included a bathroom exhaust fan. Even though it was noisy – like all bathroom fans back then – we used it diligently, during and after showers, as…
Question: Can hardwood flooring be installed on concrete? My parents’ house is about 60 years old and the floor is made from a poured concrete slab at ground level. We’ve been told wood can’t be installed on concrete and they…
Question: Should I replace my large, gas-fired tank-style water heater with a tankless model? My wife and I are seniors living in a two-storey, 4 bedroom home and we intend to stay here for at least another 10 years. We’ve…
Wood-looking ceiling planks offer an excellent alternative to the typical drywall and stucco, both for new installations and as a repair strategy for existing, damaged ceilings. As it turns out, the Armstrong ceiling planks you see in the video above…
Cans of spray paint are great, but have you ever wished for something with more power to cover larger areas? Watch the video above and see how I prep metal before painting, and how the new Rust-Oleum Ultimate Turbo paint…
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, helps homeowners understand how to build sturdy stairs that won’t creak under your feet.
The flooring and subfloor you choose for finishing a basement has a huge impact on how the space feels and performs, and on indoor air quality in your entire house. Planning to finish your basement? As more people are considering…
The simplest way to generate hot water for infloor heating and radiators is with a tank-style water heater, and that’s what you’ll learn about in this video. And despite what some professionals mistakenly believe, a gas-fired or electric tank-style water heater…
In this six minute video I show how to properly apply stain to interior wood surfaces. This video is part of a complete online course I offer on WOOD FINISHING FOR BEGINNERS. The video here shows how to apply traditional…
Question: Do you know of any way to get rid of the smell of rats and mice? My daughter bought a house in an old neighbourhood and rodents have been living in the frame walls of the finished basement for…
DIY Installation An Option What’s involved in installing a wood pellet stove as a heating appliance? If you’re wondering if you can do this job yourself, my short answer is “yes”, if you’re a handy person you certainly can. There’s…
Steve Maxwell shows us three applications where engineered lumber helps you build better buildings.