The Handyman CAN

Before and after of a basement bathroom.

With this incredibly wet summer I thought I would offer some advice on things you can do around your home and garden to keep your home safe and dry, and to keep you safe in the garden. Clean out your eavestroughs and downspouts. Clean and check on your sump pump and sump pit. Clean the area where your sump pump discharges.... Clean up the screen on your air conditioner, removing debris. Change your furnace filter! With all of this wet weather, clean underneath your lawn mower and sharpen those blades! Replace any burnt out light bulbs. Install solar lights at the end of your driveway. Check the air pressure in your car or truck tires for better traction on wet roads. Screw down any loose boards on your deck or dock.(There's a joke in here somewhere...). Chi your roofline, and trim back any tree branches that are overhanging your home. Stay safe and enjoy the rest of the Summer!

I was contacted by Rob and Barb, a lovely couple and good friends of mine, and asked if I would be interested in building them a fence and gate to which I said "Yes"! They had the property line surveyed and approved by their neighbours which allowed me to proceed without upsetting anyone. Post holes were dug, aligned and set, and then custom building of each panel as the clients wished that the fence maintained a level top. The corner was custom fitted so as to join the new w...ith the old. The bonus? Free lunch custom made each day by Barb, and of course desert and coffee...this was one tough gig! Love this couple!

Recently completed project in Manotick. Photo credit Greg Tilley

Repairing a basement room after some exploratory work by another company. The challenge was unusual building technique that had to be made flush and true, finally had to custom make my own lumber shims and then was able to get the drywall up as a wall instead of a mogul ski hill.

Before and after of a basement bathroom.

With this incredibly wet summer I thought I would offer some advice on things you can do around your home and garden to keep your home safe and dry, and to keep you safe in the garden. Clean out your eavestroughs and downspouts. Clean and check on your sump pump and sump pit. Clean the area where your sump pump discharges.... Clean up the screen on your air conditioner, removing debris. Change your furnace filter! With all of this wet weather, clean underneath your lawn mower and sharpen those blades! Replace any burnt out light bulbs. Install solar lights at the end of your driveway. Check the air pressure in your car or truck tires for better traction on wet roads. Screw down any loose boards on your deck or dock.(There's a joke in here somewhere...). Chi your roofline, and trim back any tree branches that are overhanging your home. Stay safe and enjoy the rest of the Summer!

I was contacted by Rob and Barb, a lovely couple and good friends of mine, and asked if I would be interested in building them a fence and gate to which I said "Yes"! They had the property line surveyed and approved by their neighbours which allowed me to proceed without upsetting anyone. Post holes were dug, aligned and set, and then custom building of each panel as the clients wished that the fence maintained a level top. The corner was custom fitted so as to join the new w...ith the old. The bonus? Free lunch custom made each day by Barb, and of course desert and coffee...this was one tough gig! Love this couple!

Recently completed project in Manotick. Photo credit Greg Tilley

Repairing a basement room after some exploratory work by another company. The challenge was unusual building technique that had to be made flush and true, finally had to custom make my own lumber shims and then was able to get the drywall up as a wall instead of a mogul ski hill.

Bathroom number two is tiled and grouted, fixtures are up in the tub/shower area, new toilet is installed and final plumbing of vanity is underway. Only the medicine cabinet needs to be installed and some final polish.