PLUMBING: 90 Second Video Lesson on How to Fix a Leaky Tap
Sooner or later, every tap starts dripping. Watch as Steve shows you the basics of replacing a faucet cartridge in a standard plumbing set up.
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PREPAREDNESS: Why The Electricity Grid Could Go Down for Months (and what you can do about it)
Our world has become entirely dependent on centrally supplied electricity, and this has brought a lot of good to humanity. That said, there’s good reason to believe that the reliability of this electrical supply isn’t as solid as it might…
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“What’s the Best Way to Level An Old, Wonky Basement Floor?”
Question: What’s the best way to level a concrete basement floor in my 1931 house? The space is dry and in good shape, and I’m planning to install basement subfloor panels as part of a campaign to finish the space….
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HOME HEATING: How to Light an Anthracite Stove
My oldest son, Robert, heats his small place with a unique stove made especially to burn anthracite coal. The stove looks old but is made new now in New England. Although this stove can burn wood, watch the video above…
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RURAL WATER SYSTEMS: Watch Us Install a Deep Well Hand Pump
There’s something special about getting your water from a hand pump. Somehow water tastes a little bit better when it comes as a result of some exercise. Even if you do have an electric well pump at your place, as…
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PLUMBING: My Favourite Way to Make PEX Water Pipe Connections
Join more than 85,000 people who have watched and learned from Steve’s tour of the ProPEX pipe and connection system.
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“How Can I Shorten a Door to Allow for Higher New Flooring?”
Question: What’s the best way to shorten two wooden doors as part of a laminate floor job I’m planning? I need advice for marking and cutting the bottom of these doors accurately and without splinters. Answer: This job is actually…
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MUSTY BASEMENT? Here’s How to Get Rid Of the Smell
If ever your basement was going to smell musty, the height of hot summer weather is when it’s most likely to happen. The thing is, musty basements are more than just annoying. They’re also an indication of poor indoor air…
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Choosing a Smart Thermostat for your HVAC System
Home thermostats have come a long way since the early mercury and bimetal models from years ago. Modern smart thermostats give you intelligent temperature control and the ability to reduce your energy use, which can lower costs and increase comfort….
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HOMEBUILDING: Watch Last Stone Being Laid After 31 Years
On July 4, 1987, I laid the first stone in what would be the basement of my homestead house on Manitoulin Island, Canada. Back on July 26, 2018 I laid the last stone in the last of four peaks in this…
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ANCHORING TO CONCRETE: Powder-Actuated Tools Make It Easy
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, informs homeowners of the benefits of powder-actuated tools (PATs), especially for basement renovations.
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GOT WONKY CABINET DOORS? Adjust Or Replace Those Bad European Hinges
From everything I see, modern kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors in many homes are in bad shape. It’s mostly because of faulty European-style hinges. Doors sag, they hit each other, or they do a funny flip-flop when you move them,…
