UPDATED 26Jul2019: Thousands of people who own beautiful lakeside cottages will tell you that owning the place is a ton of work. If this is your experience, or if you want to avoid being overwhelmed by a cottage that you […]
Continue ReadingSubmersible Water Well Pump Tear-Down
In this week’s video episode, watch Steve cut into a failed submersible water well pump; see a big power hacksaw in action; discover how a nearly-new submersible pump destroyed itself from the inside out
Continue ReadingOFF-GRID ENERGY: Tour a Real-World Solar Panel System With 20-Year Track Record
UPDATED 5Jul2019 Got an interest in building your own off-grid solar panel and wind energy system? I’ve got a true story that you might find interesting . . . a story about a couple who have been living a modern […]
Continue ReadingHow to Choose a Backup Generator & Three Options For Legal Connections
UPDATED 18Oct2019: Want the most economical kind of backup generator to provide power for your home or cottage or off-grid building project? Large portable models provide the most power for a given purchase price. But how do you connect a […]
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BAILEY LINE LIFE EP. 23: How to Build a Deck – Three Top Deck Building Saws
In this week’s video episode, see THE kind of deck building saw to buy if you can only get one; a simple tip for cutting with a hand-held circular saw; why a miter saw is a great tool for deck building; a cordless tablesaw in action and more
Continue ReadingQ&A OF THE WEEK: “Should I Finish Cedar Sidewall Shingles?”
UPDATED 24May2019 – Video Below Q: What are the pros and cons of leaving cedar sidewall shingles unfinished? We’re planning to cover the walls of our house in western red cedar, but don’t know what to do after that. […]
Continue ReadingQ&A OF THE WEEK: “How Can I Insulate My Cottage For Year-Round Living?”
Q: What’s the best way to insulate a cottage? I’m converting the place into a four-season home, but I want to preserve the interior wooden wall finishes. Paper-covered batt insulation is in the 2×4 wall frames now, but I’m concerned […]
Continue ReadingEASY COTTAGE WATER SYSTEM PRIMING: How to Avoid the Seasonal Misery
Seasonal water system are great when they work, but can also be troublesome to get going again. Did you have trouble priming your cottage water system this spring? Add a few pieces of hardware this coming fall and your troubles will be over.
Continue ReadingPellet Stove Installation Tips
Q: What’s involved when installing a pellet stove as a heating appliance? We’re planning to build in the country next year, and I’m sold on the cost savings of this heating system. Can you recommend specific models? Do pellet stoves […]
Continue ReadingQ&A OF THE WEEK: “How Do I Freeze-Proof a Cabin Water Line?”
Q: What’s the best way to freeze-proof a water line from a spring to a vacation cabin we visit year-round? There’s not enough soil to bury the pipe below frost and we don’t want to invest in anything fancy or […]
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