Stairs squeak when something is loose and the wood rubs either against another piece of wood or rubs on a nail.You can often feel the movement by putting your finger on the stair joints while someone walks on it. (Be careful not to pinch your finger.)If the movement is where the tread and the ri...
We can all use a bit of help when it comes to moving heavy appliances.Start with garden gloves that have rubber palms. That will give you a good grip.Check out the nifty "elbow lift" straps. Rather than going over your shoulder, they loop over your arm at the elbow giving you the lifting powe...
Here are two quick tips for moving heavy furniture by yourself without scratching the floor.You can tip a chair or sofa back and slide a rug under, tip it forward and finish unrolling the rug. That puts all four feet on the rug. Then you can simply pull it to where you want with ease and withou...
The reality is that there is not just one good way to install windows, but there are certain principles that must be taken care of with any installation to prevent cold air or water leakage later.
Basically a window installation must shed most of the water with the siding, what does get through ...
In all too many new houses, there is a seasonal problem where in the winter the ceiling actually lifts itself right off the wall in the centre of the house, and then settles down after the heating season. Even in some older houses this goes on every year.
What causes this crack?
Avoiding...
Truss uplift causes cracks between the wall and the ceiling that open and close every year and you cannot plaster or caulk them shut. For details on the cause and solutions to this problem follow this link.
If you cannot do the major work required to prevent this crack from opening, or you j...
It is frustrating when walkway or driveway paving stones heave with frost, or drop with erosion. If properly built, this doesn't happen. Actually what I have written here about paving stones applies to asphalt driveways as well.
A GOOD COMPACT SUBSTRATE IS ESSENTIAL IN A COLD CLIMATE
You nee...
Drum Cymbal noises --> Furnace Ducting
Gina in Saskatoon is complaining about drum cymbal-like crashes that happen every time her furnace goes on. This is common when you have smooth flat ductwork. The heat and pressure of the air can cause the large flat surface of sheet metal to flex eithe...
Lots of CJAD listeners want to see pictures of the house of the roaming cat that has claimed me as his property. Understand this house is a bit of an evolving concept. It started out as an effort to help this 10-year-old cat get through the winter despite his desire to roam more than settle. Y...
Table Saw Basics