Helpful Handyman Hints

Posted by Chris Emard on December 17, 2019 With 0 Comment

The task of Christmas gifting doesn’t have to be such a challenge if you choose to follow one simple guideline: “make it a practical gift.”

Keep it simple, where the stress of Christmas shopping can effectively be avoided by sticking to a combination of three gift categories, them being beer, cheese, and hardware.

Posted by Chris Emard on December 26, 2019 With 0 Comment

As we look forward to four months of cold weather, short days, and general dreariness, this might be a good time to pour yourself another spiked eggnog, grab a spot on the sofa, and evaluate your home’s décor.

Posted by Chris Emard on January 1, 2020 With 0 Comment

Refurbishing a home is always a little stressful, although the cleansing process does get easier with every trip to the curb.

Ahh, the curb— the spot where a homeowner can finally lay to rest their shag area rug, macramé wall hangings, everything and anything wicker, famed artwork such as “Dogs playing cards,” and anything the colour orange, with no quarrel or judgment from neighbours, provided all is conveniently stockpiled beside a sign reading free stuff.

Posted by Chris Emard on January 7, 2020 With 0 Comment

First, some basic education. The casing is the decorative trim, or molding, that gets installed around your interior doors and windows.

Posted by Chris Emard on January 14, 2020 With 0 Comment

Today we’re installing what’s most likely the nastiest, most ornery, and to say the least, most challenging type of molding found in a home, that being the crown molding.

Posted by Chris Emard on January 21, 2020 With 0 Comment

At some point in the life of homeowners the idea of turning an existing basement, which up to this point has served the home as little more than a giant closet for junk and seasonal apparel, into real living space, will cross the kitchen table.

Posted by Chris Emard on January 28, 2020 With 0 Comment

Last week, we discussed the importance of ensuring your basement space is capable of remaining dry, essentially step one in the creation of a new living area.

Posted by Chris Emard on February 4, 2020 With 0 Comment

Sometimes, you’ve just got to get yourself out of a situation in as expedient a manner as possible.

Say you’re a teen in a home where the house rules clearly oppose the sleeping over of friends in your finished basement, with said rules especially targeting the opposite sex due to the yearnings of young love not being truly appreciated by the parental hierarchy. Then a call for breakfast wakes you both up from deep slumber; your little friend requires a quick exit.

Posted by Chris Emard on February 11, 2020 With 0 Comment

Engineered flooring shown over a basement subfloor. STEVE MAXWELL/POSTMEDIA NETWORK

If you’re finishing your basement, whether it be for it to serve as an exercise room, play area for the kids, or simply as a means of getting the TV downstairs, all in an attempt to create a more peaceful living atmosphere on the main level, you’re going to need flooring.

Posted by Chris Emard on February 18, 2020 With 0 Comment

Montreal Canadiens forward Phillip Danault (24) gets hit in the face by the puck in front of Arizona Coyotes goalie Antti Raanta (32) during the second period at the Bell Centre, on Feb. 10, 2020. ERIC BOLTE-USA TODAY SPORTS

With the subject on the table being basement floors, let’s continue with our discussion regarding basement subfloors.