"DIY"

DIY / Green Building & Sustainable Home Renovation Information & Advice

Insulation and soundproofing

Is spray foam a good choice? Lessons from the UK's spray foam insulation crisis

Spray foam insulation has gained popularity in North America as a go-to solution for improving energy efficiency in homes. However, as homeowners in the UK are now discovering, this seemingly convenient and cost-effective insulation method can come with significant downsides. The problems being experienced in the UK wi...

Insulation and soundproofing

Spray foam insulation: the hidden environmental costs of difficult removal

Spray foam insulation is often promoted as an environmentally friendly option due to its energy-saving potential. By creating an airtight seal, it reduces the need for heating and cooling, which can lower a home’s overall carbon footprint. However, the environmental benefits touted by spray foam manufacturers and insta...

Heating and cooling

How to troubleshoot a furnace that won’t work.

...DIY furnace noise fix if those don’t work, check to see if there is any debris stuck inside the fan that may be impeding its movement. That about covers the easy DIY furnace fixes, the next most likely cause would be bearings in the fan wearing out. Over time, worn bearings will cause something like a grinding sound of...

Walls and ceilings - interior surfaces

How to repair drywall - fill holes, cracks and dents in walls like a pro

DIY drywall repairs are an easy home improvement that pretty much anyone can handle. Cracks and dents in drywall are cosmetic only, so if you completely screw up a drywall repair job, the only real problem would be a fresh dent in your ego. The most common damage to drywall consists of dents, minor cracks and popped na...

Bathrooms

Faulty toilet flappers are the leading cause of leaking or running toilets, here's how to fix them

...DIY repair job I promised just turned into a two hour long DIY nightmare. Worth mentioning, these flappers can be squirmy! It felt like I was wrestling with a small squid, and with the slime and residue in the cistern I wouldn't say it was one of the most pleasant tasks I've tackled. The old toilet flapper that we a...

Bathrooms

How to fix a Leaky Faucet for under $1 (and stop that tap dripping!)

...DIY easy fixes" that can get complicated really quickly if it turns out you don't have the right tool when you need it. So if you don't have a fair selection of handtools already, or don't feel 100% comfortable around water leaks and sharp tools, then maybe leave tasks like fixing a leaking faucet to the professionals...

Cleaning and maintenance

How to make Eco-friendly DIY laundry soap from Buckeyes / Horse Chestnuts

...DIY laundry detergent from buckeyes or horse chestnuts stores well in a plastic laundry detergent jug How much Horse Chestnut or Buckeye DIY laundry soap should you use per load? Washing clothes with horse chestnut soap is an imperfect science of course, so there are no exact measures we can state definitively, but...

Insulation and soundproofing

Is spray foam insulation a good choice for your home? Or a toxic recipe for disaster?

...DIY spray foam kits - and carefully vet professional spray foam installers. Ask for references, about installer training, and how aware they are of the dangers. If they dismiss your concerns and tell you it’s perfectly safe, then you know they don’t take it seriously so hang up and call someone else. Now you kn...

Bathrooms

DIY bidet installation video

...diy project Now that we have you on the edge of your toilet seat wondering ‘how do I get myself a bidet and help save the world’… check out our DIY bidet installation video below, and compare different models of bidet kits online here. Now that you know about the water efficiency of bidets, learn more about home ...