What can I do to fill the cracks between pine floor boards on my covered veranda? Every four years I need to replace large sections due to rot, and before painting I fill the cracks. In a week or two […]
Continue ReadingHow can I treat two new cedar decks I’ll be building at our restaurant?
How can I treat two new cedar decks I’ll be building at our restaurant? I need something that looks good and requires little work. In this video, Steve Maxwell answers a question from a homeowner wanting advice on treating their […]
Continue ReadingWill it do any good to put drainage tiles under the patio slabs around the perimeter of our leaky basement?
Will it do any good to put drainage tiles under the patio slabs around the perimeter of our leaky basement? The slabs measure 18″ x 18” and begin right next to the wall. Water is leaking into the basement where […]
Continue ReadingHow can I keep rain from dripping through a second-floor deck?
How can I keep rain from dripping through a second-floor deck? I want to use the area underneath the deck for weatherproof storage. Sheet metal roofing fastened to the underside of deck joists makes a great, weatherproof ceiling for applications […]
Continue Reading
Got a Question for Steve?
[pirate_forms]
We bought a new home and have a problem with the cold cellar.Help!
We bought a new home and have a problem with the cold cellar.Help! The roof is corrugated steel, on top of which has been poured a concrete slab that forms the porch floor. The walls are poured concrete, too. In […]
Continue ReadingWhat tool should I buy first, a mitre saw or a table saw?
What tool should I buy first, a mitre saw or a table saw? I’ll be using the tool mainly for home repairs, with an occasional need to cut sheets of plywood. My budget is $600. If I could buy just […]
Continue ReadingPoor results from staining have me steaming, how can I fix it?
I have an outdoor oak bench and cedar chairs that I assembled and finished last year with a clear water repellent, but they don’t look great now. They stayed out in the weather last summer and are dull and discoloured. […]
Continue ReadingCan we install drywall over plaster and lathe?
We’re fixing an older home with plaster walls and want to apply drywall over top. Can we do this? I’ve heard that you can’t screw drywall down in situations like this. What about construction adhesive instead? I’ve never heard any […]
Continue ReadingHow can I soundproof the suspended ceiling in my basement?
How can I soundproof the suspended ceiling in my basement? My daughter is moving in and I’m hoping that fiberglass batts installed above the ceiling tiles will keep the sound down. Effective retrofit soundproofing is never a quick and easy […]
Continue ReadingWhat kind of coating can I put on some oak stairs to stop dogs and people from slipping?
What kind of coating can I put on some oak stairs to stop dogs and people from slipping? I really don’t want to use carpet. On June 12, 2012, a homeowner from Texas asked me what kind of coating they […]
Continue Reading