Home Exteriors
Everything you need to know to make the outside of your home better, more durable and more beautiful.
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HOME REPAIRS: “Why Is My Roof Leaking on a Sunny Day?”
Question: As the weather warms up in spring I sometimes hear a faint drip-drip sound coming from the attic of…
HOMEBUILDING: Why Brick Veneer Is An Excellent Exterior Option
Masonry wasn’t my favourite homebuilding material when I got involved in building and renovation back in the mid-1980s, but 35+…
PHILOSOPHY: Masonry, Life & Choosing the Hard-But-Good Things
In the late 1980s I faced a choice, and it was like many of the big choices we all face…
EAVESTROUGH LEAKS: Two Options to Consider for Back-Of-Trough Leaks
Do your eavestroughs work the way they’re supposed to? Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, provides step by step home repair…
SEPTIC SYSTEMS: How I Fixed My Failed Mess
If you rely on a septic system – and especially f your septic system is currently showing signs of failure…
HOME TECH: Automatic Backup Generators Get Smarter
In December 2013, relatives of mine in Toronto spent Christmas in a cheap hotel miles from their home because of…
CLOTHES DRYER VENTS: How To Build Them Better
Clothes dryer vents have got to be one of the last things builders consider when they’re putting a house together,…
ELECTRICITY SECURITY: Automatic Standby Generators Smarter Than Ever
A number of years ago, some Toronto relatives of mine experienced an extended power outage over Christmas, and like many…
EXTERIOR WOOD FINISHING: All You Need to Know About Oiling
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, explains to handy DIY homeowners how to make oiling exterior wood easy and effective.
PLUMBING: Electricity-Free Frozen Drain Vent Solution
For those of us living in cold climates, one of the most annoying (and mysterious) problems happens when rooftop plumbing…
HOME IMPROVEMENT: “How Can I Stop My Garage Door From Sticking Shut In Winter?
Question: How can I stop my garage door from freezing to the concrete floor when it gets really cold? I…
TOOLS: How to Choose & Use a Pressure Washer
Watch the video below for tips and tricks on using your pressure washer, including some uses you’ve probably never seen…
HOMEBUILDING: Optimal Energy Performance for New Homes & Additions
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, explains four insulation options to ensure your new home or addition is energy efficient.
AGING AT HOME: Key Renovations help Avoid Nursing Home Life
Aging in place in your own home is a hot topic these days, but the various pieces of information needed…
TOOLS: Why A Reciprocating Saw Deserves a Place In Your World
Reciprocating saws (often called “recip” saws for short) may be the least appreciated mainstream power tool in the world. Invented…
HOME ENERGY: Don’t Get Fooled By Convincing Snake Oil Nonsense
Don’t be fooled by tricky language that makes convincing but false claims about energy efficiency. Get the basics of home…
HOME RENOS: How House Paint is Getting So Much Better
With the help of a friend, my wife and I finished painting the entire interior of our house a while…
TOOLS: Why I Like Multi-Tools For More Than Sanding
Steve Maxwell demonstrates the various features of multi-tools in this video.
HOMEBUILDING & RENOS: How Structural Insulated Panels Cut Energy Use in Half
A while back I talked to a young pastor about a building project he had in mind. His church is…
INTERIORS: “Why is the Brick on My House Crumbling?”
Question: What’s causing the clay brick on the entrance wall of my house to peel and flake? It was built…
BUILDINGS: Learn What Matters When Choosing A Fabric Structure
Got lots of big stuff to store? Need a barn, workshop or drive shed? Consider a fabric structure. Many people…
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Everything you need to know to make the outside of your home better, more durable and more beautiful.