Steve Maxwell tips on Home Repairs

ROOFTOP MOSS Q&A: Does This Stuff Damage My Roof?

Q: Is moss on a house roof a serious problem? About 20% of the asphalt shingle roof area of a house we’re looking to buy has moss growing on it, mostly near a large maple tree. Is there a proper […]

Six Top Tips for Succeeding With Rough Lumber (Videos, Too)

UPDATED 13Sep2019: Be sure to watch the videos below and the Q&A section at the end. Milling rough lumber for workshop woodworking projects saves money, but it also opens more creative possibilities than standard, pre-dressed wood. That’s why some woodworkers work with rough […]

EXTERIOR PAINT: Old-School Craftsman Brings Colour to Winnipeg

Want to learn something about exterior paint? Paul Tyzek has a lot to teach. He’s an old-school solo painter in Winnipeg, Canada and he comes to the trade from a different angle than most. Paul’s a journeyman painter with 30+ […]

Q&A of the Week: “How Should I Re-Strip a Deck for Refinishing?”

Q: What’s the best way to strip back to bare wood on a deck that I started to finish with a stain that I don’t like? I’ve covered two-thirds of the deck, but the opaque results are not what I want. […]

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

BASEMENT INSULATION 101: The Real Way to Prevent Musty Basement Smells

UPDATED 21Jun2019: With warmer weather setting in, it’s the time of year when basements everywhere start smelling musty and moldy. In more cases than you might think I’ve even seen musty basements affect the air quality in an entire house. The […]

Q&A OF THE WEEK: “Can Asphalt Shingles Be Installed From The Top Down?”

UPDATED 6Jun2019 Q: How can I install asphalt shingles on a roof from the top down? I’ve heard this is better since you never walk on the shingles as they’re being installed, but how is this possible? Shingles need to […]

WAINSCOTING: How to Choose an Approach That Makes Sense For Your Home

Wainscoting is one of the easiest ways to dramatically improve the classiness of your home. Click to learn about the different options and approaches in this video article.

ASBESTOS SIDING: Is It Safe or Dangerous?

UPDATED 13Jun2019: Every so often I get a homeowner asking me an asbestos siding question that goes something like this. It’s a good question and lots of people have to deal with issues like this one: “What can I do […]

Q&A OF THE WEEK: “Should I install a backwater valve in my basement?’

Q: Is it a good idea to install a backwater valve to protect my basement from sewage backup? I live in Ottawa, Canada and I’m considering this upgrade. A: The short answer is yes. A backwater valve is a great […]