If you’ve dealt with the technical matters of life very much, you know there can be a big difference between theory and practice. The theory of a finished basement, for instance, is that it’s warm, and dry and inviting. That’s…
Table of Contents “How can I install a submersible pump in my household well?” If you’re asking this question, then this is the article for you. Read on for all the details. As far as I’ve seen, this is the most…
Do you need a concrete support pad for a shed, hot tub, standby generator or anything else small and in your backyard? Check out the video below. It shows how you can make a great concrete pad without the hassles…
My son Joseph has a YouTube channel of his own, and his special interest is history. His most recent video tells the story of Chris McCandless, a young man who I describe as “flying too close to the sun” philosophically…
When it comes to household appliances, your washer plays a crucial role in keeping your clothes clean and fresh. And while that’s obvious, what’s not so obvious is what needs to happen to keep your washing machine working well. Like…
Too-dry indoor air is a big problem in some homes in cold climates, especially when those homes are old. Read my answer to a subscriber wondering what can be done. Q: Why is my house so dry in winter? What can I…
While it’s true that many homeowners and hobbyists attempt to finish interior wooden furniture, trim and cabinets, few people achieve the results they’d hoped for. At least this is certainly the way it looks given all the emails I get about…
Infloor heating is great, but justifying the cost of a boiler to make the hot water can be tough, especially if you only plan to heat a small space. Read my answer to a subscriber asking about an option that…
My friend and subscriber Ray Gibbs was building a timber frame workshop, but wondered about an insulation option that would allow the beautiful roof beams to remain visible from below. That’s his drawing here. See video further down for a…
Back in 2012, my oldest son, Robert, made friends online with a young lady from Warsaw, Poland named Edyta. Two years later they were married and ready to move into a cabin Robert had begun building on our family homestead…
“I don’t want to raise a helpless female, Dad!” Those were Robert’s words to me as he asked to borrow my ATV to give six year-old Lily a lesson on driving this machine and using it to clear snow. The…
To be honest, when Robert came to me with the idea of having a cookout using a single hardwood log – something called a Swedish firelog – I didn’t think it would work. “You can go ahead and try, but…