Posts by Brian Schnee
Are Your Sprinkler System and Outside Spigots Ready for Winter?
Every year before the first freeze, you should perform the “blowout” ritual. Blowout is the process of…
Read MoreStarting An Indoor Seed Sowing Garden
I decided to turn my upstairs landing into a greenhouse ( I got a funny look from Hope when I told her what I was about to do). SO, HERE’S…
Read MoreI Did Not Know My Boiler’s Expansion Tank Need To Be Checked
It was a Sunday night around 11 o’clock and I wanted to raise the heat in the room because it was cold and breezy outside. I noticed that after increasing…
Read MoreA Periodic Home Inspection with the Home Inspector – Spring Time Checks
I love the month of March, it is my favorite month because it signals the end of winter. This is the month where winter’s northerly winds start coming from the…
Read MoreWhy Your Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping: The Moment You’re In Class Learning About Electrical Circuits and You Come to A Realization
At the end of my classes I give out an Exit Card, which helps me get feedback from the students about what they have learned in the class. A student wrote the following, “Microwave needs higher amp circuit…” Now although that is true, you can’t just go replacing the circuit breaker with a higher amperage, without considering the gauge of the wire.
Read MoreChapter 3 “Why”
So, why did 235 bullnose bricks come loose? The process of building our 4 tier steps involved the use of cinder blocks, to create each step. The holes in the…
Read MoreBaron Of Whitfield’s DIY Story
“Greetings Brian, I need your advice on how do I determine if the switch is faulty? I get a short in power when I turn on the switch the light…
Read MoreAre Your Heating, Hot Water Systems and Their Components Ready For Winter?
Maintaining the mechanical systems in your house is very important, especially with winter upon us. To keep your system running and keep utilities costs down, take some time to learn…
Read MoreIs Your House Ready For Winter?
Insulation Insulation Insulation Student question to me: ” how do you know if you are in need of insulation in your attic. I answered ” do you have insulation in your…
Read MoreMy Wife’s Hot Water Problem
Last Friday while I was enjoying my morning cup of coffee, Hope came into the dining room and asked me why her shower water was cold? Well, I kinda stared…
Read MoreA Call for Help- Mary’s Electrical Nightmare
The Story- Mary’s daughter, Annette, did the right thing for her mom. She installed a new window air conditioning unit, because the old one no longer worked. The entire installation…
Read MoreWell, It’s Just Something I Love to Do!
In August, it will be 39 years that Hope and I started our own vegetable garden. Growing your own vegetables and fruit, getting your hands dirty with Our Earth, using…
Read MoreMy Battle With Termite Damage Comes to A Close- Chapter 6 “Installing the New Floor Joist”
Man oh man, this was one of the hardest projects that I have undertaken. Every step of the way, a new challenge presented itself. Almost done! One more step to…
Read MoreMy Battle With Termite Damage Continues Chapter 5- “Removing the Damaged Floor Joist”
The Big Question: How do you remove a 12′ long damaged floor joist, in the basement, that has: wires, gas pipes, heating pipes, hot and cold water pipes, in the…
Read MoreA Student Takes The DIY Challenge
Every so often, one of my students takes the DIY Challenge; calls me for advise, and shares their experience with me. It is so rewarding, as your Home Improvement Teacher,…
Read MoreMy DIY Battle With Termite Damage-Chapter 1
Look What I Found! Why did I not see this 35 years ago? When you buy a house, a mandatory part of the mortgage application is a termite inspection, which…
Read MoreCall for Help, My Toilet Bowl Is Leaking!
Brian, I need your help! I received a call from Don, one of my students. He had water leaking from one of the toilets in his house. He needed a…
Read MoreMy Great Maine Adventure Chapter 11 “WHAT I LEARNED”
Organization, planning, thinking out of the box, hard work, dedication, communication, and companionship helped Pamela and me accomplish an unbelievable amount of work in three weeks. Pamela and I worked…
Read MoreMy Great Maine Adventure Chapter 10 “Stairway To Heaven”
Liliane’s Post and Beam house has two levels. On the first floor is the kitchen, living room, bathroom (not really), master bedroom, wood burning stove, and dining area. Upstairs is…
Read MoreMy Great Maine Adventure Chapter Nine “Face Lift”
I could’t believe it, just a few years ago Hope and I spent two weeks taking care of the exterior of Liliane’s house. We pressure washed, repaired damaged trim, painted,…
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